Difference between '89 and '91 240sx

[Fastback Jack]

Hello. I have shopped around and have found a 1989 240sx Fastback that I'll be looking at and possibly buying on Sunday. The seller says it's his daily driver. It's a stock 5 speed, runs good, the registration tags are good till mid 2006, it was recently smogged and passed, and it has a clean record (no accidents). He says it's a decent car, but just needs the kind of TLC that he doesn't have time to put into it for it to be a great car. He's asking $1400 for it.Now, one of my best buds, who has a '93 240sx coupe that he converted into an S13 Silvia, says that I need to get a '91 240sx. I was wondering if anyone knew the difference between the two production year models, and if what he's saying is true. Any input would be appreciated and thanks in advance to all who reply.

Here's two pictures of the '89 Fastback that I'm looking at:

http://b.im.craigslist.org/rT/...P.jpgh ... j/...i.jpg

Modified by Fastback Jack at 9:17 AM 11/8/2005
Modified by Fastback Jack at 9:42 AM 11/8/2005

[Repo Man]

Well first off, welcome to NICO! You have found an incredible resource for everything Nissan/Infiniti. How did you find us?

As to the differences between the 89-90 models and the '91-93. The biggest difference is the engine. The former has a single cam 2.4 liter iron block, aluminum head engine and the latter has a dual cam. The SOHC is rated at 140 hp and the DOHC is rated at 155 hp. If you plan on doing an SR swap, the DOHC is easier because you can use the stock power steering lines.

The front bumper cover is also different. The SOHC cars came with what is called a "pigface" and the DOHC is more rounded and aerodynamic.

That car you posted for $1400 looks like a great buy. How many miles are on it?

[Fastback Jack]

I found this site when I was doing a web search for info on 240sx's for sale.The '89 Fastback has 166000 miles on it. However, I'm biting my fingernails because I can't view it until Thursday and the seller has two people coming over tday to look at it. Hopefully it'll still be there Thursday. However, I found two other ads that look promising. Please look at them and tell me what you think.

http://losangeles.craigslist.o....htmlhttp://losangeles.craigslist.o....html

[Repo Man]

Cool. I would like to see pics of the first listing. The second car could be good as long as the frame is straight and doesn't have any real damage. If it runs well and you're willing to put the work into it, it could be a contender. However, if the first listing doesn't need a paint job and/or body work, I would take that one over the second if it checked out well.

I think I would take the first one you posted over either if you have the chance. Don't be afraid of the SOHC.

[Fastback Jack]

Don't be afraid of the SOHC.

Exactly. My friend is saying that the DOHC in the '91-'93 240sx is the reason to look for those models. However, I like the way the fastbacks look and the only '91+ 240's have been coupes and are usually above my price range. Honestly, I don't care if the '89-'90 240sx's that I've been looking at don't have as much HP as the DOHC equipped models. I'm more interested in making it look nice inside and out and perfoming well. I don't have any delusions of granduer about me being the next Drift King, but I do want a nice ride. Power is secondary to looks and overall performance to me.I'm sure you all have seen Initial D, so I won't bother explaining it. Anyways, I feel like Itsuki did when he bought his AE85 Levin, thinking it was an AE86 Trueno. He felt horrible at first, because he was stuck with an SOHC when all his friends had DOHC's. But he learned to like and then love his '85 when he began to fix it up and install a turbo for more power. I like that underdog spirit he has about his car. I think that I'm going to get the 240sx Fastback that feels right to me, whenever I find it, even though one of my best friends thinks the DOHC would be a better choice. I can always come here for advice/tech info when I get it and start to tune it, right?
Modified by Fastback Jack at 3:41 PM 11/8/2005

[Fastback Jack]

Okay. It looks like the '89 240 fastback was sold, but I found a new prospect: a 1990 240sx Fastback. It's a 5 speed, runs great and it has a 5zigen exhaust and coilovers already installed. The seller's asking $2,000 for it, the maximum I'm willing to spend. I feel good about this one as she has no others scheduled to view the car before I do.

Here's a slideshow of the car:http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/...rc=ph

[Repost Man]

Looks like a solid choice. Have you seen any more pics of the car or just those two? Just so you know, the hatchback was made through model year 1993, of course with the DOHC from '91-'93.

Let us know how you make out.

[Fastback Jack]

I've only seen the two pisctures. But from what I can see, the body looks to be in good condition, at least the left side does. The interior looks nice also. I'm really looking forward to seeing it today. I've been asking around at work and most everyone there who's knowledgable with cars says it's a good buy as long as the engine doesn't make any wierd sounds, the transmission pulls strong and there's no hesitation or shuddering when shifting, and the suspension doesn't feel too loose or unstable.

[Repo Man]

Did you get it?

[Fastback Jack]

The seller just called me and said she was stuck in traffic. It's 3:45 pm pst right now, and she's going to meet me around 5:30 pm. So I'll be able to check it out in a few hours. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I want to buy it so I hope there's nothing majorly wrong with it. The mileage is high, but if it runs well, I can still use it for street driving until I can do an engine swap. Then the fun will really begin

[Repo Man]

Hehe, what do you mean by "high"? Mine has 227k and runs like a champ. 100k is just getting broken in for a KA.

[Fastback Jack]

I bought it!!

It runs great, has a stiff suspension, shifts smoothly, looks awesome. The body is virtually dent and scratch free. The interior looks nice and clean. It's all black interior, and the seller recently had new front seats installed as well. There are only two problems of note, and both are easily fixable. The first is that the right turn signal won't flash (probably a connection problem or bad fuse.) The second is that the center console behind the shifter is cracked. However, those problems are insignificant compared to the great deal I got on the car. Both of my best friends were able to show up, and both dug the car, which made me happy and confident that I had made a good purchase. My buddy Doug, who drove the car when we were test driving it, and later got it to my house (he's going to teach me how to drive stick), has an MX5 Miata modded with a turbo, intake, coilovers, rollcage, exhaust, short throw shifter, racing clutch, rims and a body kit. My other pal Alan has a 1993 240SX coupe that has a Silvia conversion, coilovers, racing shocks and struts, exhaust, rims, racing brakes, R32 Skyline bucket seats, air intake and LSD. It's late now so I'll have to wait until the sun comes out to take some pictures and post them in an online album so you can see how the car looks.Anyways, I'm really feeling good about the purchase. I just can't wait to start driving it. My buddy Alan is already talking about an engine swap and I'm like, whoa, I just dropped 2K for this car and you're talking about another 4K for a new engine. I'm going to start small with mods, like fixing the two above mentioned problems, getting all the fluid systems flushed and doing a tune up (Doug says the car idles too high, and also the RPM indicator doesn't stay still when it idles) Further plans include paint, rims, speakers and sattelite radio/cd/mp3. Also, I'd like to do a 240SX Fastback to 180SX conversion.Thanks a lot for the advice on the purchase. This is a great resource. I'm sure I'll be using NICO as a sounding board for all my noob mechanical questions

[Repo Man]

Thanks a lot for the advice on the purchase. This is a great resource. I'm sure I'll be using NICO as a sounding board for all my noob mechanical questions

Cool! Now we just need to see some detailed pics of this ride. Congratulations!

repo

[Fastback Jack]

Will do. I've gotta give her a wash and then I'll take some pics. I'll try to have them up tonight, but I'm doing some family stuff later so if they're not up today, definetly by Monday or Tuesday.

[Fastback Jack]

Here's some pics of the car:

http://www.tunerfriends.com/fo...&9042

[Repo Man]

Sweet! Congrats man. You should have a lot of enjoyment out of that car. What is your first move?

[Fastback Jack]

Thanks. I love driving it around. It's so much more fun to drive than an automatic. I just wish I could get used to the clutch. It's really sensitive, and a friend of mine that drove it said that he's pretty sure it's an aftermarket clutch because a stock clutch would be a lot softer than the one in my 240. First, I want to change out all the fluids and flush the engine, transmission and cooling system. After that, I'd like to get a nice sound system and sattelite radio/cd/mp3. I've also been told that I should get a cold air intake to increase fuel efficiency, so I'll look into that also.Down the line, new paint, rims, and tires will be on the list of things to do. I would also like to do a 180SX conversion and add a carbon fiber hood. I don't plan on using it for any major drifting or racing etc. so I'm not gonna go crazy on performance upgrades. I just want something that looks nice and has a kickin' sound system to drive around in.

[TREMOR13]

hey what up man ?I live in west covina we should chill i just bought a 240sx coupe! i have a lot of friends who are into drifting but don't live local!I love drifting!!