Anxiously Ignorant and Uninformed!

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Alright, here we go.

I just bought a 1995 Nissan 240 SX SE from a local used car dealer here in So. Cali. It's bone stock with a clean title. The odometer reads 127,000 which is normal for a car it's age. The car was driven here from Massachusetts and traded-in to a Mercedes dealership, then the local used car dealer I go through aquired it. The price tag read $5795, but after 3 hours of negotiating, I managed to get him down to $5000. The starving college student act actually worked! But I still know he's making money off me.

When I look for cars, I go through the whole 9 yards. Check the engine, listen for strange noises, kick the tires, tap for bondo, test driven it, did the 4th gear transmission test, and etc. First thing I did was let the car idle for about 20 mins in the sales lot to make sure it didn't overheat. Second thing was to test drive it after carefully examining the exterior for accidents. I noticed that the Air Bag light was blinking. The guy said it was just a sensor and I might have to get it reset at the dealership. So being the daredevil that I am, I shrugged it off as a minor thing to look into if I choose to purchase it. Third thing that I noticed was that the clutch was really loose. It had trouble grabbing, not until I almost let off the clutch while in gear did I get the car moving. The guy said that the car was ready for a new one. Another thing I would have to look into!

Anyhow, after the test drive and everything, I decided to get it. $5000 for the car + $500 for smog, tax, license and registration = $5500 total. The car is driveable, but the clutch definitely needs changing! The dude says it'll run about $250-$300 to replace. Does that sound right? Plus, that little Air bag light isn't going to go away on it's own. How much would that cost? What do you guys think, did I get a deal or was I taken for a ride?

Post by **Former_240_s14** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

sounds like a pretty decent deal to me. Body looks to be in good shape too! If you are gonna replace the clutch, might as well do performance application.

Also, check for a sound near the front of the valve cover. Timing chains are NOTORIOUS in our cars.

Hope you like your new ride, I know a million other guys that would be!

Post by **Antyoo** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

sounds like you know what you are talking about except for the airbag. before you buy it take it to nissan and se if they can see why the light is on, airbag sensors and the bags themselves are expensive

yeah $250-$300 for PARTS

probably will be about another $400-$500 for instalation. if you get it go with a performance clutch

Post by **lessthanjakejohn** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

ff7 fan?

Post by **1dollar240** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

just had my clutch replaced recently for 400 total, parts and labor, that also included a new slave cylinder and machining of the flywheel. If you are a litte mechanically inclined, its not that hard to do yourself, the only reason i had it done was for time reasons, at that point, my time was worth more than my money.

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

The car actually came with an owner's manual. Perhaps I should consult it's factory OEM wisdom. Too bad it didn't come with maintenance records. As far as checking the timing chain, what exactly am I looking/listening for?

1dollar240, I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I tinkered a lot with my Honda Civic (stolen last September). But that's as far as it goes. I'm not much of a "do it yourself" goer, I suffer from CFNS, Clean Finger Nail Syndrome.

Post by **BLiTz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

When i got my car from the origional owner the only records of work he had ever had done were in my manual and it was a reciept from a shop for new clutch assy with air filter and i think it was around $550 total:D

Post by **yeswepromise** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

welcome......nice car too!:) dammit, everyone has SE model except me

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

There's the SE and what else? What the difference? I rather have a regular no-sunroof version. I hear the ones without sunroofs have a more stiff chassis.

Post by **TrueSlide** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

4th gear transmission test?? What is that?!?!

Post by **Zebrahead** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

I'm getting my SPEC stage 1 installed tommorow; installation + resurfacing the flywheel + tax + fluids = $350. The clutch was $275 shipped. That's $525 total. If you got an OEM stock clutch, you might look at a hundreds or so bucks less.

Nick.

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

$525, that's a little tight for me. I have 2 days to look around for a descent shop that won't rob me blind.

Trueslide: 4th gear transmission test. Put the car in 4th gear from a dead stop. Then try to lauch your car while it's in 4th gear. If the car stalls, the transmission is good. If it doesn't stall and you actually get the car going, then the transmission ain't all that. Don't ask me to explain the mechanical logic behind it. I took one stinkin' auto shop class in high school and the only thing I remember from it was the 4th gear transmission test.

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

I have heard very good things about Mike Takeda. I think he's around the Southbay somewhere, just do a Google search or something. If I had a Nissan I would try him first. And if you find a good shop, let us all know.

Post by **bp2ooo** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

I will try to dig it up, but i used to have a purple 240.. it was a 95 also. In the maintence record's the lady showed me she had a recipt from nissan because the airbag light would stay on. It was a little over 800 dollars for what ever they did. I didn't pay for it, and im very glad i didn't, but try reseting the ecu first. Hope that works for you. As far as clutch goes, you could get one off ebay... Just make sure it has everything you need if your on a budget, and you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to install it for 200 + 40 for flywheel resurfacing. Good luck.

Post by **bp2ooo** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

if your interested in exedy here is one for sale on ebay for 112 buy it now price + 15 dollar shipping and handling. So only 127 for a clutch shipped... Not to bad.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6780

Ps there are only 5 hours left so iff you want it jump on it..

Post by **Nismo1182** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Thats the clutch i have in my car and i got it from the same place too. The clutch is pretty good for a oem replacement. The grip is very good, and i launch hard with a lsd and sticky tires and the clutch has no problem with that.

Post by **Anand** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

If you are in LA area, I have a shop that I take my car to and I trust completely.. they are awesome and don't rip people off at all.. It is in Yorba Linda though.. Orange County... let me know and I can take you there on the weekend or something.. call me up 714-325-2841. I highly recomend this place to anyone who wants a good shop to go to that you can trust. I've gotten things done there and they haven't charged me for them either. I screwed up my intake while installing the injen.. the car sat there for 2 days... I went down there, worked with the head mech.. trying to figure it out and I finally figured out the problem while he was working on another car and they didn't charge me for any of that at all... and their prices are decent too.. not tooo cheap but not expensive.. they are very competitive...and they do a really good job.

Post by **AZhitman** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

FYI - That mileage is high for the age of the car. 12-15K is average, you're looking at about 16K per year or more, dpependent on when it was first placed into service.

Sharp-looking 240 nonetheless - Good luck!

Post by **Movingviolation240** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

IMHO do yourself a favor and don't get a Stage 1 spec clutch. They tend to fall appart.

Just for comparison (and to brag about it hehe) I paid $3,200 for a '95 with 123,000 on it, and it's an SE, good shape (rear bumper needed paint that's about it). Clutch install is like 180-500 (those were the prices I got 2 years ago when I did a clutch in my S13).

As far as the airbag light goes, 3M makes a great tool for resetting the light, it's black and comes on a roll....

Airbags IMHO are dangerous anyhow, get rid of it.

PaulOrlando, FL

Post by **1dollar240** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Quote »Airbags IMHO are dangerous anyhow, get rid of it.[/quote]

I agree, as if crashing into s*** isnt dangerous enough, they have an exploding bag that pops out of your steering wheel!

Post by **Movingviolation240** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

have you ever read the stuff in Car and Driver about airbags? Getting killed in a 12mph parking lot fender bender due to the bag coming out is reason enough not to have one....

Just what you need in an accident, a wad of wire mesh coming at your face at 200+mph allong with some burning hot gases and just for good measure let's have the bag rip the skin off the inside of your arms and maybe break an elbow or two.... yea that's safe allright.....

Paul

Post by **sultan** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

just have to point out, the airbags are PINK!

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

bp2ooo, thanks for the eBay tip, good looking out! I also found this place that sold clutches. http://www.clutchnet.com These guys do factory and aftermarket clutches. They do all their work on site. And the best part is, their prices are pretty reasonable. $175 for a carbon sprung clutch disc and 125 for a factory pressure plate or 200 for a pressure plate 40% stiffer than stock. and also they can make anything inbetween 0% - 40% stiffness. Check 'em out, they have other racing and factory goodies. They advertise they have clutches for all cars from A - Z.

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Movingviolation240: I could always just disconnect that airbag light, but I there's probably another way around it. I'll probably end up putting in a Nardi tri-spoke steering wheel, but as far as the light goes, it just bugs! How do I go about resetting it?

If someone knows about ecu stuff, please, enlighten me! Also, a list of ecu codes would be useful.

Post by **Josh** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Yeah, I don't particularly care for the airbag, which is the good thing about the S13. The safety feature I did wish the S13 came with is cupholders ; )

I paid $285+S/H for a SPEC Stage 2. It was $200 installed, with flywheel, struts, springs, and alignment. I bought all my stuff from enjukuracing.com and had no problem, the people there are good. Even after I pestered them for a good while through emails before I bought anything.

Post by **Holisticbeatz** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

bp2ooo: Maybe you can answer this question. That Exedy clutch is pretty sweet looking, and I hear that company is pretty reputable when it comes to it's products. My question is, would a clutch like chew up my fly wheel? I want something that'll grip good, inexpensive, and lasts long (Long enough until I get a my SR20DET) I'm looking for a reliability right now. How does Exedy hold it's own against the OEM and other after market clutches?

Black240: Thanks for the heads up on the shop. I'll keep it in mind in case I don't come across a descent reputable shop in my area. I'm located in the San Gabriel Valley, and most of the shops here are owned and operated by some shady people. I'll hit you up sometime should my search for that "one" shop fall into despair. Also, I gotta give ya some propZ on your sweet looking ride. Those dual mufflers are tiiiite. I bet they sound pretty siiick too. The front body kit however looks a bit aggressive and on the rice side, but since your car isn't covered in stickers, it's kool. The clean black paint job makes up for it.

Post by **Garage Battle** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

why not try and find someone local who can help you with it?

i mean, mattback over here is our transmission guy. Usually team style we can have a transmission out in 30 mins...nothing different on s14.

see if you can make a friend that can help you do it (please god make sure they're knowledgeable). personally i havent had to pay a shop to do work on my car in years and i love it.

Id happily give you detailed instructions and pics, as I'll be doing my friends one on his s14 very soon.

also, you might want to check to see if your slave cylinder (under the car passenger side) is going bad/leaking and check the fluid level for the clutch master (small clear pastic drivers side).

Post by **bp2ooo** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

ECU Codes How to reset ecu

As far as the exedy clutch goes, it wont chew up your flywheel, but i would highly recomend getting it resurfaced with that high of miles. When it warms up a little bit i will be putting an exedy clutch in my 91 integra. It has good holding power, long life, and is fairly cheap.

Ps i believe exedy is one of the biggest manufactures of oem clutches in japan..

Post by **Movingviolation240** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

I second Enjukuracing.com great shop and you can't go wrong with them

PaulOrlando, Fl

Post by **psyclone69** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 6:39 pm

Holisticbeatz, do the clutch yourself, it's easy as hell. I had no mechanical knowledge of a 240 when I had first gotten mine, never even driven a manual. 2 weeks later clutch went out, was gonna be like 600 for a performance clutch installed, I saved the 300 bux, got a fidanza flywheel, and a b&m shortshifter fora little more, spent like 800 total and di it all myself.

Only one way to learn about these cars, and that is to do it yourself, there are plenty of people here that can help you out on replacing your clutch. Theres a guy on here that does it all by himself in under 2 hours.

I didn't think I could do it, I had a friend help out, had it done in a day, the next one we did took a couple of hours, and were doing another one this weekend.

I highly reccomend the SPEC satge 2, Ive seen cluthcmasters hi perf, and ACT stage street/strip clutch, my SPEC and Fidanza 11lb flywheel are awesome, and both cost me less than having someone replace it for me, plus if you have the extra get a short shifter, you'll love it, you can change gears without felling like youre rowing a boat, B&M rattles alot at 5000 plus rpms, C's is supposedly the best.

Need any help IM mepsyclone69

Eric

Anxiously Ignorant and Uninformed!

Anxiously Ignorant and Uninformed!

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