buying a 95 SE

[sundance]

Hi,

I don't know much about cars, but i'm trying to educate myself as much as I can. I am in the market for a used car and went out to get a good ole reliable and function Civic, but ran across a 1995 240SX SE and love it. I test drove the car yesterday and even more excited now, but there are some questions i have. The car visually is in pretty good shape. There are few scratches, but not bad for an old car. However, the car's vents only work on #4 and the stereo does not work. The gal who's selling the car said that the vents and stereo doesn't work b/c the connections not hooked up and she hasn't had a chance to do it yet. Do you think I should be concern? She said that she'll get it fixed, but I'm concern there is an underlying issue. Additionally the "check engine" light was illuminated the entire 15 min or so that I test drove it and she said that that light's been on since she's gotten the car for about 4 years now, but she's never had a problem. Do you think there's more to this? I'm not sure what I should do. The car drives fine otherwise. I didn't notice anything esle other than squeeky brakes. Help

[f8sjester]

just some thoughts, but as far as the HVAC and radio are concerned. . . they're basically on their own circuit so if those things are the only thing wrong then it won't affect anything else on the car (unless there's something TRULY funky going on with the wiring somewhere). . .should be an easy fix. . .

as for the check engine light, i'd be a little concerned if you're living somewhere where they do emmissions testing. . . there's a whole range of things that the check engine light turns on for. . . some of them are quick fixes (cheap) and some are a major hassle (a** load of money). . . and it's highly doubtful that you can pass emmissions tests with a check engine light since that says there's something wrong with your emmission system in your car. . .

i would never try to steer anyone away from buying a 240 cuz i love mine, but just make sure you know what you're getting into with that check engine light. . . good luck!

[blackbeltclub99]

You could just take out the check engine bulb if you don't have emmissions. Quit non-fix that works.

[backdoc2be]

I was not the most mechanical person in the world when I purchased my 98 240sx. I would recomend looking in the yellow pages for a mobile mechanic that will come out and inspect the car for a small fee. I paid about $120 for peice of mind. I thought I wanted a BMW 325is before, and had a similar service come out, and they saved me $12K in headaches. He found body damage that I couldn't see, and found out there was a leak in the engine. Saved me thousands and well worth it. If you are serious about this car, have it inspected. That's me 2 cents. I love my 240!

Oh, and my check engine light came on once, turned out to be low on coolent. $5 fix. Take it to a dealer or mechanic to have them hook it up to a computer. Mobile mechanic might even be able to diagnose that too!

[Redline240]

Hey man it must either be a fluke or its common but my '95's vents only work on #4, the stereo lights come on and everything seems fine but no sound, and my check engine light has been on since i got it.....weird....oh, but i havn't fixed any of it yet, i've been too busy...

[JDM240LINK]

i have had my 240 for a year and i have had that check eng light on and i had it checked out and its only a o2 sensor that was all jacked up. got it fixed for like $50. get the 240 its worth it plus you can always rewire your stereo anyways

JDM240Link

[Holisticbeatz]

How much is she asking for?

[lifeofshadoze]

its common with nissans happend to altimas as well

[Queamore]

I would be werry about buying it. but really for the check engine light. Get that checked out first, could be nothing could cost you alot. I knew what I was getting into when I bought my 240 now I'm changing the head gasket. I was expecting it though.

[MainEvent212]

i didnt know what i was gettin into when i bought my car...got ripped off pretty good...now i'm spending a good 5k gettin it in running condition :-\

well it's mostly cuz the body kit (which HAS to be done cuz the one that's on it is erebuni! he lied)

and it has almost no paint (i knew that)

but it also needs a few parts here and there (window motor, coolant reservoir)