First Post: 240SX Reliability Questions

[phenryiv1]

I recently wrecked my 1996 Maxima GLE (Luxury model, Auto transmission), and though tthe damage was not too bad, my insurance is likely to rise. On top of that, having the maxima payment and the payment for my wife's Celica, it is a lot to bear. We have done it for the past year, but I am tiring of it quickly. So here is the situation:

I can likely sell the Maxima for what I owe on it. It has 90K and has been reliable. It will have a new front bumper, grille, headlights, hood, radiator, and driver's side fender. I have a long commute, and I use about a tank of gas (93 Octane ONLY) a week. I can most likely part out the mods for $300-500, depending on what all I sell (prob closer to $300). Right now I have about 24 payments left on the maxima.

I am considering a 240sx SE with 113K that is being sold under book. I know that it will need a new clutch in the next 6-9 months, and needs a new MAF sensor (about $40). It is a 5-speed, so if I really wanted to, I could probably do the repairs and resell it at a profit. I know the driver/owner, and he was going to use it as a project car but he lacks the knowhow to do a turbo conversion, plus his parents bought him a new car. They want this one out FAST or they are donating it to charity, hence the low price.

I can have 12 months financing and STILL save about $100 a month versus my Maxima payments, plus it runs on 87 octane and not 93. I found out about the car as we were talking about my maxima wreck and he was saying that he had a 240SX SE 5MT that he bought to play with and to do a turbo swap, but then he got a new car wand went off to college, and he wants to do the swap this summer. After hearing him brag about it, we talked about specs and mods and all, and he finally mentioned that he was looking for help on the conversion. I offered to put him in touch with people who could help, and we agreed to talk later. So when he told me what was wrong with it, it was with the idea of him keeping it- he was not making a sales pitch. After a while, I thought about buying it, so I priced them, researched 240s a little bit, and called him to ask about buying it. He quoted me a price, and I discussed it with my wife.

Our only reservations are the possible mileage problems (not a large concern) and the lack of space or comfort on trips. We take the max on a lot of trips, and it is nice to have 4 doors. But at the same time, $100 a month savings, plus the option of reselling it down the road and making back a large portion of my costs is attractive to me.

Plus, I am not going to lie- I like the idea of the 240, with a 5-speed, and the RWD, sporty feel, and fun-factor involved.

In respect to engine swaps, I highly doubt that there would be a DET conversion in the future, though once I get this paid for and look at another car (after the wife is out of school), you never know.

For now, I want a car that will be dependible and will not be a dissapointment to drive after the maxima.

Also, in terms of speed (straight line), I may NEED the slower car. With 2 speeding tickets plus an accident in the past 12 months (after 3 years of clean driving), maybe I could use the slower car. Or, of course, I could try SLOWING DOWN...

In wanting the cheaper payments, am I being really short-sighted? To talk dollars and sense, I will save about $4000 over the next 2 years in vehicle expense, plus or minus upkeep. I make just under $35K a year, and rent is $950 plus $300 for the Celica's payment. I will save $100 a month for the first 12 months and $270 for the following 12.

Am I crazy? I am really torn about this. As far as I can tell, the car was taken care of so far, but who really knows. It does not have that many more miles on it than the Maxima, but then there are reliability differences between the 240 and the maxima, from what some people have told me. I see a lot of guys on these 240 forums w/ 150K plus on their cars, but I do not know what kind of engine work (if any) that they have done to prolong their vehicle life.

Anyone have any thoughts? Opinions? Assuming that it was driven like most cars are (some stop and go, some highway miles, no rasing or drifting), what is the reliability like on the KA24DE? At 250 miles per week, am I likely to run into reliability issues in the next year to 18 months?

I will be doing a full service (transmission fluid, plugs/ wires [does the KA have plug wures? The VQ does NOT], oil, coolant, belts, and most likely the clutch replacement, as soon as I get the car.

On a side note, I am the person who wrote the Fraud post that is up on the forum. I hope that it has been helpful to users over here!

[James @ ID-M]

In my experiance.. 240's are reliable.. care for her properly (oil.. plugs..wires..etc) and replace timing chain ahead of schedule, and your good to go!

[phenryiv1]

Where can I get copies of the recommended maintainence intervals?

[James @ ID-M]

I remember seeing it somewhere, i'll try to find it and post it when I do.

[James @ ID-M]

http://www.zilvia.net/faqs/arc...e.asp

There ya go bud! Hope this helps, please let me know if you need anything else.

[phenryiv1]

When I go look at the car, is there anything particular to a 240 from the northeast that i should look for? I know about rust and straight body lines, but are there any quirky leaks that are costly to fix that are particular to the 240? What about anything special about the 5MT?

Thanks for all of the help so far, guys!

[spitz7985]

its been my experience that KA trannys' 3rd gears sucks (it grins during quick shifts, the more you grind, the worse it gets). also, timing chain will need replacement if it is the stock one. other than that, you should be good to go.

o yeah, and don't get ****ty all season tires, def. get some summer tires and some winter tires if you get snow in the winter

[Rockenreno]

I've had my 96 240sx for about 6 months. I've had the oil changed twice, brake pads replaced, fan belt replaced and the air filter replaced. The car has NEVER failed me though. Never complained about starting even in cold weather, no electrical issues or other engine issues. The car has 103k on it, original clutch, timing chain, etc. You only need to worry about the timing chain if you can hear a tapping or clicking sound coming from the front of the engine at cold idle. In my opinion, these are wonderfully reliable and fun cars, plus I get 30 mpg on the freeway! The only drawback is the lack of space, but you live with it. Good luck!

[sideshow]

150k is actually pretty young for some 240's around here, some have them into the low high 200k's and low 300's

[n00b240]

yeah 30 mpg on the freeway, but thats all freeway driving come to the city and see it drop. you filled up once a week in your maxima, the same for the 240