Choosing a car

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Hey guys, i'm 17 years old and know very little about cars. Theres no one in my family who has any auto mechanic knowlege, so i'm going about it the hard way, reading. Over the past year and a half I have been trying to find the "right car for me", I chose this car by basically looks / speed. Yes, I want to be able to race, yes I drive a manuel. After my long search over Rx-7 , Del Sol, Prelude, and 240SX I've come to the conclusion that the 240 SX is most easy to make fastest. I have worked hard over the past years to save enough money to purchase 2/3 of the car, and pay for aftermarket parts on the car as well. It's not easy making cash at 17, so you must understand how difficult of a decision it is for me to spend all of my hard earned cash. Anywase, I've read over alot of posts, and I could really use some pointers. Yes, I want to turbo the car I at the end of the summer will have about 3 -3.5k to spend on aftermarket parts. I also have around 8-9k to buy the 240 itself. What would be the most cost efficent way, to make a 240 fast? I love the Silvia headlights, I see 240's with the Silvia headlights, how is this done, is it a specific model? I was almost dead set on a prelude until I found out how crappy they handle boost, I belive a 240 will handle boost great. All advice is GREATLY appreciated, I will continue to read through more forums.

Also, this will be a daily driven car, i'm not looking to run much boost, maybe 6 or 7, I don't want to blow the engine in any way, so i'm looking for a safe way to do this.

Post by **Zydeco** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

well after-dark tunning sells sr20det swaps for 2200 bux and that 205 hp at I think 7 psi so that should do you good.

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Ok, so I found out to get the silvia lights I have to get a 1997+ , What are the chances of me finding a 240sx above 97 for under 8-9grand? Also, the sr20det swap, is this the best way to go? What upgrades should I make after doing the swap? I assume the swap comes with all the necessary stock turbo options, such as Intercooler / blow off valve / and such. Is it a smart idea to upgradet he stock turbo's on the sr20det? What would be the next step?

About how much would it cost to swap the sr20det? Like I said, I know little about cars, and I don't really have any good friends that I would know how to do it well...

Thanks for the input guys : )

Post by **ShadyCajun** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

First of all, I have NO idea why you even considered a Del Sol...lol...If I was in your situation, I would go with a 240sx or a Honda CRX (SI of course)...I know I might get flamed for that one, but I don't care...lol...If i didn't have a 240 I'd probably have looked for a CRX...Things are a lot cheaper in the honda world, but you don't have nice things like RWD or torque...

Post by **Bubba1** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

I hope you parents are going to let you ride their insurance policy as insurance for a 17yr old male with a 1997 car with an itch to drive faster will not be cheap. You might wan't to consider starting with an older S-13, where you wouldn't need to carry collision insurance. The cheaper car will leave you more of your limited funds for maintenance, gas, insurance, etc. Then if you have $ leftover then consider mods. just a thought...

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Thats a good idea, but i'm really hell-bent on getting a 240 now, I have to pay for half my insurance, so it's not so bad.

Post by **Lsnaple** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

i agree with Bubba1. im 18, and i have an extremely high insurance payment (you dont wanna know how bad), and i have a s13.

get a s13 for now, youll probably wreck it before too long anyway. this way it will be cheaper, and if you dont wreck it, youll have alot of money for mods.turbo the ka!

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

yea get the s13 and put the silvia front clip on it. I dont think you will be disapointed. i have had 2 s13's and loved them both. very nice little cars lots of fun to drive and they weigh less.

Post by **SilviaLuvr** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

well silvia headlights won't makek your car fast, lets see...8-9 lets say $8,500, buy a S13 (180) thats $1300 pending on where you live, then get a SR20 or an RB20 (i say RB only becasue it's cheaper and it has more power. SR20 has more torque) there goes atleast $3500 (afterdark 2150 for motor + shipped 2550 plus install which totals about 3500) now your done to eibach sport line 180 and KYB struts 214 (read manny for install plus you save money) full exhaust 600 and managments (AF and boost controler) will leave you wit $1106. oh yeah a LSD knock of about 500 for that so that leaves you wit $606. You will have a pretty fast car.

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

I'm not trying to piss of any s13 owners, but personally I like the look af the s14 alot better. I'm willing to pay more for insurance and wait longer to enhance the car if it means I get the car I like best, to begin with. I am really intrested in making the s14 look better - (Body kit / rims / eibach sport line, maybe some HID bulbs), and I know this is going to take me some time. I'm looking for help in the general plan as to, what is the best way I can go about making the s14 fast and reliable? After reading lots of posts it appears that the sr20det swap is the way to go. But what about after I make the swap, what should I add? Like I said I don't know much about cars, this will be a very big learning experience for me.

Post by **Onizuka** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

my freind bought a 98 and it was about $10,500, and his moms previous insurance company wanted to charge him $4,200 a year and he is a year older than you. trust me, you want 1996 or older car. Or get your parents to find a really cheap azz insurance company like he did.

Post by **Stee Flo** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

what do you mean by "silvia lights"? All 95-98 240s came with pretty much the same lights as jdm ones(except for projector and glass housing lights). Do you mean mcs14 lights or projectors?

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

4200 for full coverage?

Also I have been driving a manual for almost 3 years now, I'm not a total n00b.

Post by **MainEvent212** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Quote »Also I have been driving a manual for almost 3 years now, I'm not a total n00b.[/quote]

ya sure sound like one...y dont u just go and buy a volvo

lol i'm playin, but if ur really serious about this and ur on a budget, get a S13, do a sileighty conversion and get a sr swapped in

Post by **Onizuka** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Stryfe434 wrote:4200 for full coverage?

Also I have been driving a manual for almost 3 years now, I'm not a total n00b.

yeah full coverage, you would be stupid to buy a $10,000 car and not get full coverage.

Not that i doubt your diving skills but the insurace companies will not care about any of that. All they see is 17 + expensive newish car and all sorts of bells and whistles go off and red lights start flashing and then they wont insure you for any less than 3,000 a year, at least where i live...

The only reason my freind gets insured for less than 2,000 a year is because his mom got some sort of special Temple Alumni Insurance plan.

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Well, right now I would be paying 3.5k for full coverage. So 4k for full coverage, is about what I expected to pay for whatever car I have, so thats not so bad. I payed more than that when I got coverage on my dads bmw m roadster when i was 16. I probably won't get full coverage anyhow. I just drive safely.

Post by **Bubba1** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

If you're paying cash for the car I suppose you could avoid full coverage, but if you're buying a '97 model, you may want to have that collision coverage. You can be the safest 17yr old in the world, but you're not the only driver on the road, and you're in the single highest risk group to an insurer...good luck

Post by **Stryfe434** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

K guys, thanks alot for all the tips, i'll post more when I get my car, till then i'll just browse the forums and try to get to know more.

-matt

Post by **nametakennow** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Good idea. Jeez, I didn't know insurance sucked that bad on 240s. Hmm... now I'm leaning GTi again...

Post by **Syntax360** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

i was set on getting an S14 too until i realized i just simply couldn't afford it so i bought a S13...i wasn't exactly in love with the body style at first but i swear it grows on you. I've gotten to the point now where i would take an S13 over an S14 any day....just give it a chance man.....with the money u save just get a nice body kit and paint job.....that plus an SR and u could have a fast panty dropper.

Post by **Structure240sx** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

yea s13's have even grown on me alot in the year. if i could go back i would prob get one i would have a lot of money leftover. good thing about them too is the SR swap is more appropiate to me with the wiring mainly. but if u and no one in ur family has any mechanic ability on cars i'd say stay away from the SR parts are harder to get and you are gettin a used engine who knows how hard it was driven. i'd say try to find the lowest milage 240 you can find then get an nsport kit. it will still be very realible and will give you great torque. and intallation looks easy. not intake easy but not swaping to an SR.

Post by **wingzero** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

nametakennow wrote:Good idea. Jeez, I didn't know insurance sucked that bad on 240s. Hmm... now I'm leaning GTi again...

I stopped paying insurance on my 240 like 3 months ago, mostly because the clutch hose is out and I'm too lazy to change it, but the price of liability insurance for my 240 and civic was around like 4600 a year, and that's with like my spotless driving record, I've never been in a wreck or gotten a ticket, and I have like 5 different discounts. Absolutely ridiculous.

Anyways, I think you made the right choice in picking a 240 though, but honestly, you'd be better off with an S13, money-wise I mean, I originally wanted an s14 but the cheapest one I could find was like 4500, my s13 was 1700. You can find one in relatively good condition for a very very good price if you just keep your eyes peeled, there not that easy to find, around here at least. Plus you'll have a boatload of money left over for aftermarket mods, swapping to an Sr20 setup would be my first move if I were in you shoes, just get it out of the way sooner. Best of luck on your 240 journey.

Post by **SilviaLuvr** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:45 am

Structure240sx wrote:yea s13's have even grown on me alot in the year. if i could go back i would prob get one i would have a lot of money leftover. good thing about them too is the SR swap is more appropiate to me with the wiring mainly. but if u and no one in ur family has any mechanic ability on cars i'd say stay away from the SR parts are harder to get and you are gettin a used engine who knows how hard it was driven. i'd say try to find the lowest milage 240 you can find then get an nsport kit. it will still be very realible and will give you great torque. and intallation looks easy. not intake easy but not swaping to an SR.

goddamn it! you should of told me. I had one to it had a veilside kit, exhaust, and HUD. the only problem is that it was hit on the front left bumper and the biatch that hit cracked the and dentted the the frame, bent the suspension, and cracked the bar connecting the wheels to the steering (don't know what it's called). yeah it needed work but she still ran the engine had 90K. the only thing that you need was a front clip. DAMN IT!! BUT like you said if you could go back

Choosing a car

Choosing a car

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