hey everyone. I just signed onto this site and I need some info. I'm going to be getting a 240 soon and I was wondering if anyone could share some pointers with me. I'm looking for anything and everything that anyone can tell me. Problems to look for, best deals, anyone selling, suggestions...anything. I'm lookin in the $2500-$5000 price range. black with black interior. good condition pw window, sunroon, low millage and I'm in the Vancouver area of B.C......ANYONE???
SUPERBAT
buying a 240
Loveless wrote:just a few hints I have gathered
1) visit carfax.com, you can take the VIN of any car and found out some history about it.2) take your hand, feel around all the gaps, like where the hood and bumper meets.... all around, that way you can see whether it's been hit or not.3) look for screws/bolts that has metal color exposed under the hood. For instance, if my car is white, the screws/bolts that hold the fender down would also be painted white. If it was recently unscrewed because a fender replacement, you can tell by the scraped off paint on the screws.4) look for original winshield/windows. Theyu should have nissan logo on them, broken: very likely it has accidents5) make sure every function in the car works, from power window to cruise control... from ac to dome light. AC is especially important.6) if possible, let the car idle from completely cold to operating temp, you often hear hidden problems in the process7) invest in a 30$ compression gauge and do a compression test on the engine8) check all 4 tires for camber wear, if at least 1 tire has uneven wear then you MIGHT have bad alignment, bad alignment is often caused from a prior accident9) jack up the car and inspect the suspension components. You can often find some clues under the car... say if the control arms are different color, you know something is up10) lastly, make sure the engine/transmission/chassis has the same VIN
that's all I can think of right now
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MaineExport
- Posts: 3784
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 3:27 pm
- Car: 95 Nissan 240SX FAL fans AEM intake Hot Shot header Apexi N1 dual Exhaust VLSD ABS NX 50 shot
You are likely to get more hits if you post this question in the 240sx forums.
But anyway....
problems specific to the 240's:
Engine noise... listen for a rattling from the front of the engine. That is usually indicative of a loose timing chain guide. It is NOT a big deal and can go unfixed forever pretty much... but it's a good sign to have the timing chain replaced since it happens at about 100K miles usually.
Rear end clunking:
The rear struts make some noise as they get older. Usually in reverse, you will hear a chunck noise as the spring gets compressed. I've heard a handful of people have this complaint... myself included.
Weather stripping around the sunroof:
It just goes to crap and starts falling apart eventually. Again, this isn't something that's extrememly typical, but I've heard a few people mention it.... myself included.
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've had to deal with.
Spend some time cruising these forums and gathering info... great stuff is available if you use the right search tools. ALSO... check out 240sx.org... the FAQ there is AWESOME for people new to the 240.
Good luck!
But anyway....
problems specific to the 240's:
Engine noise... listen for a rattling from the front of the engine. That is usually indicative of a loose timing chain guide. It is NOT a big deal and can go unfixed forever pretty much... but it's a good sign to have the timing chain replaced since it happens at about 100K miles usually.
Rear end clunking:
The rear struts make some noise as they get older. Usually in reverse, you will hear a chunck noise as the spring gets compressed. I've heard a handful of people have this complaint... myself included.
Weather stripping around the sunroof:
It just goes to crap and starts falling apart eventually. Again, this isn't something that's extrememly typical, but I've heard a few people mention it.... myself included.
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've had to deal with.
Spend some time cruising these forums and gathering info... great stuff is available if you use the right search tools. ALSO... check out 240sx.org... the FAQ there is AWESOME for people new to the 240.
Good luck!
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flohtingPoint
- Posts: 3564
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 2:46 pm
- Car: 2004 Z16 Corvette Z06
- Location: Washington DC
- Contact:
Grey turn signals, decaying steering wheel, sucky stock mounting devices for anything that doesnt require just a bolt and a nut, uncomfortable center console, retractable annoying seatbelts, bad balljoints (creaking ALOT during low speed steering, this is more aparent when you have bought one from someone who drives their car like they hate it). Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.