Get it, or get off?

[maxxdsix]

Alright guys, well im in a predicament and i think you all can help. Right now i have a 2003 Mazda 6, some of you guys from TST know of me (outtowin, crazysaywaht) but the 6 is giving me some problems now and im looking to get rid of it. Now I have always loved the 240, especially the s15, but we weren't blessed with them on this side of the world, but i love the s14 too. Now im not really sure what made me start to get into these again all of a sudden when i was having problems with the 6, but now im hooked. The 240 will give me more power then the 6, its also not fwd *yuck*. But if i do start looking at 240's, mainly s14's I want to know what you guys, as 240 owners think about them.

First, im 17, almost 18, but work my a** off and have enough to mod my 6, which should be enough to mod a 240 i think.
The car would need to be my DD, even in the winter, minus when there was snow.
The budget is what ever i can get for my 6, if i can sell it before zoom zoom boom.
Ive seen 240s on craigslist for 2-3k and know someone who can get me a good deal on some too.

Do any of you guys DD the 240?
What should I be looking for if/when i start to hunt for the perfect 240?
Most of them have high milage...is that ok for one of these cars?
What do you guys pay for insurance (if you wanna put that number out there)
What major things would need to be worked on if/when i got one, before it was DD'able?
What should I expect to pay for one in decent condition, or what have you paid for yours?
and the final question that will cause a war...s14 or s13...? I love the looks of the s14, but the s13s are beautiful when done right, which of course i would be doing.
Or am I crazy to think that I can DD one of these things, especialy in a hilly place where it rains and snows all the time, and i should start looking at something else.

Thanks in advance guys,
hopefuly all goes well with my 6, but if not, i really hope i can get into the s14 world.

can I haz sidewayz?

[simmode1]

My opinion on 240sx's: Good cars with lots of potential, but they are not alone in this. There are TONS of cheap RWD cars you can buy with potential equal to or greater than an S-Chassis. Here's some other options:

Lexus SC300/SC400: Comes stock with a V8! Or swap in a 1JZ
Toyota MKIII Supra: Buy one single turbo or swap in a 1JZ
Miata: runs cirlces around 240's. Loves boost.
SW20 MR2: Roughly equal to the 240, IMO... but more rare and more baller.
300ZX: The TT is a beast if you're not intimated by the cramped engine bay.

There's other options too, but mostly older like Starion/Conquest, FC3S RX-7, Porsche 944 Turbo, Z31 turbo, yada yada yada...

But if I knew 10 years ago what I know now? I'd get a 1.8L first gen Miata and never look back...

[maxxdsix]

I guess one more thing i should add is this:

Although I pay for the entirety of the car, my mom kinda has an image thing, i wanted to get a rusty 72 chevelle with a new motor and she wouldnt let me just cuz she didnt want it parked infront of her house. Their all great cars, especially the 300zx, but i need something that I can get that looks like a newer car from the get go, (s14 with good paint still). No way a supra is in my budget, i wish lol.

And insurance is an issue too, im paying about 3k a year right now for a 2003 v6, the benefit of a s14 would be smaller engine, older car, cheaper insurance.

Its part of the way im gonna sell my parents lol.

And yea miatas are awesome, but not in the winter. lol. and that goes with the image thing again, i dont think they would go for a miata even though they dont look old...

[simmode1]

How is the MKIII Supra not in the budget? They're just as cheap as 240's. There's a bunch in my area for $2500 or less. Although that may be a little older than your mom would like.


TT Z32 looks great, but insurance will be a killer for sure.


Go for the Lexus SC400, homie! No need for engine swaps! Just an easy transmission swap and open up that exhaust!

Again, these are quite cheap. Prices range from around $2k to $8.5k or so...

They might all be heavier than a 240, but they all have stiffer chassis' to handle bigger hp than a 240 and they all daily drive/drift just fine if that's what you're looking for.

But how can you say no to this?!

[fabrisuzu]

Well just from personal experience, i have an sr powered s13 and mine is fine in the rain. I wouldnt let it see snow just due to the low ride height and lack of funds for winter tires/wheels. Also, i live in the chicago area and we salt here so i dont want to rust out. I think the biggest thing for these cars is what wheels you choose. If your making 500 whp, a good all season tire really isnt what your probably running. Your rain characteristics are then probably much worse than a 240 with 300 whp and all seasons (though i have never run all seasons and have been in some pretty heavy rain, you just have to be careful). These cars are lighter rwd cars, so its not going to behave the same as an fwd or awd car, but thats to be expected. IDK about insurance, for the next few months i'm still under my parents plan, though wont be when i get a real job (just graduated from college and am currently unemployed lol). I can tell you that my insurace did go up when i bought the car, but my previous car was an early 90's jeep grand cherokee so pretty inexpensive, 4 door, and awd. I know when i bought the car, my insurance agent (who happens to be a friend of the family) asked if i wanted to insure the car as a 1992 240 sx only, or insure all of the modifications such as the sr, new wheels, ect. That would have jacked up the insruace a lot though, so i chose not to. I actually had a similar issue with my car and parents with respect to them not wanting a pile sitting in their driveway, but mine was in pieces and primer. Once i got it all together and painted, i havent heard a word from them. For me personally, i love the 240 platform, and ive owned suv's and fwd cars as well. Its a lot of fun to have in summer, and just requires more attention to driving in rain. Good luck with your decision, but as many will tell you these cars are not perfect. You can fix one thing, and then something else may go. They are older cars, so its not like they were made poorly, just older. Hope this helps

[NismoS13Ks]

imo s14's are sicker (this is coming from a s13 owner) s15 front on a s14 is sex...period.

[simmode1]

Oh, I forgot to post this:

Can't get much sexier than a targa top car. And the exclusiveness of having your engine behind you? Certified dope and better looking than ANY 240, IMO.

[White Comet]

as everyone is saying there are lots of good options out there. i'm not sure whats up with your 3, but if you have problems with the 3, you're almost guaranteed to have more with a car thats 10 years older. i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely, and you have to consider that most are in better shape then 240sx since the current trend isnt to drift mr2s. as for insurance, my numbers won't help you much cuz i'm in a completely different situation. i pay $150 a month for a 2007 v6 mazda6 and a 1990 s13, but i'm also 24 and this plan has both me and my wife on it

[simmode1]

i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely,

I'm sorry, let me clarify my opinion.
the 5S-FE powered MR2 = KA24DE powered 240.
And 3S-GTE powered MR2 = SR20DET powered 240

Certainly they handle differently because of their drivetrain layouts, but they are capable of similar levels of performance. You'd think the MR2 would run circles around the 240 since its MR and about 200lbs lighter, but that hasn't been the case from friends cars that I've been in. But maybe their tendancy to oversteer keeps alot of drivers from pushing the car's limits...

[maxxdsix]

as everyone is saying there are lots of good options out there. i'm not sure whats up with your 3, but if you have problems with the 3, you're almost guaranteed to have more with a car thats 10 years older. i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely, and you have to consider that most are in better shape then 240sx since the current trend isnt to drift mr2s. as for insurance, my numbers won't help you much cuz i'm in a completely different situation. i pay $150 a month for a 2007 v6 mazda6 and a 1990 s13, but i'm also 24 and this plan has both me and my wife on it

6 not 3, and the problems I'm having with the 6 is cuz the car was not built to last till high milage, I took the risk and boutht it with 107k on it, and 3 month later I had to replace the trans, trans still doesn't work properly. Now at 115k I don't know what's wrong with it yet, but the power steering pump failed months ago and I just drive without p/s now because its not necessary. The problem I'm assuming the 6 is having but crossing my fingers that its not is precat failure, very common in newer v6 engines with high miles. If the precats start to fail zoom zoom boom, you need a new motor, end of story.

Don't get me wrong I love my 6 and the fact that its unique because its not seen as a car to mod, but I can't keep dumping money into a car that will continue to give me problems. There's no easy motor swap for the 6 so its not like I can just do that if the precats are the problem.

And if you have a 6 a) be careful when you get to higher miles b) check out 6crew.com , I have the same name on there too.

[maxxdsix]

i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely,

I'm sorry, let me clarify my opinion.
the 5S-FE powered MR2 = KA24DE powered 240.
And 3S-GTE powered MR2 = SR20DET powered 240

Certainly they handle differently because of their drivetrain layouts, but they are capable of similar levels of performance. You'd think the MR2 would run circles around the 240 since its MR and about 200lbs lighter, but that hasn't been the case from friends cars that I've been in. But maybe their tendancy to oversteer keeps alot of drivers from pushing the car's limits...

I'd love a MR2, but anything with a snail from the factory is a way no go for insurance reasons.

[simmode1]

Get the N/A model. It's still fun. The turbo model's out of your price range anyways. Just make sure it's a targa top...

[whyteboi]

ive never had a prob with mine in the snow, i live in West Virginia so we get plenty of snow.

[Emerald Zenki]

imo s14's are sicker (this is coming from a s13 owner) s15 front on a s14 is sex...period.

i dont think the 15 front looks that great on a 14 kinda out of place, the 15 front on a hatch back well thats just another story. the lines go so perfectly well this is just my opinion lol

[White Comet]

i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely,

I'm sorry, let me clarify my opinion.
the 5S-FE powered MR2 = KA24DE powered 240.
And 3S-GTE powered MR2 = SR20DET powered 240

Certainly they handle differently because of their drivetrain layouts, but they are capable of similar levels of performance. You'd think the MR2 would run circles around the 240 since its MR and about 200lbs lighter, but that hasn't been the case from friends cars that I've been in. But maybe their tendancy to oversteer keeps alot of drivers from pushing the car's limits...

hmm i see your point. i still feel the mr2 is a class above the 240. the mr2 is a true race inspired feel to it and also looks more exotic then the 240sx. i havent had the chance to compare an sr powered 240 to the turbo mr2 but my brothers bone stock sw20 with 3stge destroyed my series 5 fc with 13b. i'm talking like 5 cars length in a pull from a dead stop.

as everyone is saying there are lots of good options out there. i'm not sure whats up with your 3, but if you have problems with the 3, you're almost guaranteed to have more with a car thats 10 years older. i also wouldnt say that the sw20 is eqaul to the 240sx. mr drivetrain, 3sgte with turbo from the factory which spools nicely, and you have to consider that most are in better shape then 240sx since the current trend isnt to drift mr2s. as for insurance, my numbers won't help you much cuz i'm in a completely different situation. i pay $150 a month for a 2007 v6 mazda6 and a 1990 s13, but i'm also 24 and this plan has both me and my wife on it

6 not 3, and the problems I'm having with the 6 is cuz the car was not built to last till high milage, I took the risk and boutht it with 107k on it, and 3 month later I had to replace the trans, trans still doesn't work properly. Now at 115k I don't know what's wrong with it yet, but the power steering pump failed months ago and I just drive without p/s now because its not necessary. The problem I'm assuming the 6 is having but crossing my fingers that its not is precat failure, very common in newer v6 engines with high miles. If the precats start to fail zoom zoom boom, you need a new motor, end of story.

Don't get me wrong I love my 6 and the fact that its unique because its not seen as a car to mod, but I can't keep dumping money into a car that will continue to give me problems. There's no easy motor swap for the 6 so its not like I can just do that if the precats are the problem.

And if you have a 6 a) be careful when you get to higher miles b) check out 6crew.com , I have the same name on there too.

whoops, i knew you had a 6 but typed 3 for some reason. just be ready to have similar stuff happen to s chassis's. my ps has gone out before, along with many other things, plus the 240s will tend to have more rust then a newer car.

so far my 6 is fine. its an 07 with 23k miles on it and the v6. which is a blast and faster then a ka powered s13. i heard some of those earlier on issues got resolved but i'll look into it. now that i have a good job i'm considering getting an 06 mazdaspeed 6 and then my wife would continue to drive the 6 we have now

[OutToWinPAHC]

I know you? Hmm don't quite recall.

A 240 Daily driver, reliable, fun, and baller at the same time.

Somethings you will miss. Suspension is going to be much rougher, then your front wheel drive family sedan. You can pick up a 97-98 S14 for a penny but get something lower milage then lets say the common 150K+ cars. If you wait and search you can pull something with about 80K miles when the opportunity arises. Winter driving can be done, but it will be more of a chore. They are easy to mod, but they can get pricey.... kinda sickening sometimes.

Now precat failure..... Most new cars have two cats, and ODB2 runs catalytic efficiency. So basically the extra middle 02 sensor reads the AFR after cat one. So its 02 Cat, 02, Cat, 02. The reason for the middle 02 is to verify the first cat is working, it compares the reading to the first 02 and will give a CEL if the mix is too close to the first reading meaning the cat is open and not working, or the cat is clogging and the reading in too low. Then the same thing is done with the sensor after the second cat.

So if you CEL is on, and the code is cat related it is most likely the first cat right off the manifold(s). These cats are known to clog because they are too close to the engine and heat, soot, screen well they clog. Once clogged its not long before you start to overheat because the exhaust cannot escape fast enough and you warp a head.

So replace the cat if the code indicates a cat problem before your fixing the motor and replacing the cat.

[Gabes13]

Insurance varies by state, age, driving background, and policies. When I registered my s13, I was 18. I paid for insurance by myself, was the only driver, and had the minimum policy. $107 a month. $114 a month after I got my first speeding ticket. I'm about to turn 21 now and it's going to be $98. It's not the best, but it's affordable, especially when I was younger.

[maxxdsix]

I pay 300 a month, so no big deal lol

[maxxdsix]

I know you? Hmm don't quite recall.

A 240 Daily driver, reliable, fun, and baller at the same time.

Somethings you will miss. Suspension is going to be much rougher, then your front wheel drive family sedan. You can pick up a 97-98 S14 for a penny but get something lower milage then lets say the common 150K+ cars. If you wait and search you can pull something with about 80K miles when the opportunity arises. Winter driving can be done, but it will be more of a chore. They are easy to mod, but they can get pricey.... kinda sickening sometimes.

Now precat failure..... Most new cars have two cats, and ODB2 runs catalytic efficiency. So basically the extra middle 02 sensor reads the AFR after cat one. So its 02 Cat, 02, Cat, 02. The reason for the middle 02 is to verify the first cat is working, it compares the reading to the first 02 and will give a CEL if the mix is too close to the first reading meaning the cat is open and not working, or the cat is clogging and the reading in too low. Then the same thing is done with the sensor after the second cat.

So if you CEL is on, and the code is cat related it is most likely the first cat right off the manifold(s). These cats are known to clog because they are too close to the engine and heat, soot, screen well they clog. Once clogged its not long before you start to overheat because the exhaust cannot escape fast enough and you warp a head.

So replace the cat if the code indicates a cat problem before your fixing the motor and replacing the cat.

We talked on there briefly about something, i forget what though.

But thanks for the 240 stuff.

And the precats, on the 6, i know 3 other guys this has happened to, and then about 20 it hasnt happened to.

When it happens, none of them got a CEL, the car just started to feel slugish, and less powerful, and show symptoms of what im having, so that might be it. Just really hope not. And yea, if they fail, your engine is pretty much done The guys that have replaced theirs paid 2-3k for the motor +install if they didnt do it themselvs.

[OutToWinPAHC]

That or just pull that cat now, check it out and replace if needed.... done. Oh and under federal law emmisions equipment is warrenty upto 10yr 100K miles.... So it may be a free fix.

[maxxdsix]

115k

[OutToWinPAHC]

Just replace the front cat set up,

[maxxdsix]

the cars at the shop right now getting looked at, but im 95% sure that the damage has been done, and its just a matter of time till it just wont turn over when i go to start it in the morning. If it hasnt been done i need to order 700$ headers, their the only headers made for my car. Its either the headers, which i would have done eventualy, or 1200$ getting the part from mazda.

[White Comet]

the cars at the shop right now getting looked at, but im 95% sure that the damage has been done, and its just a matter of time till it just wont turn over when i go to start it in the morning. If it hasnt been done i need to order 700$ headers, their the only headers made for my car. Its either the headers, which i would have done eventualy, or 1200$ getting the part from mazda.

nobody else makes a header? they make other ones for the v6


btw- do you have lots of tickets of something. the insurance just seems a little high

[maxxdsix]

the cars at the shop right now getting looked at, but im 95% sure that the damage has been done, and its just a matter of time till it just wont turn over when i go to start it in the morning. If it hasnt been done i need to order 700$ headers, their the only headers made for my car. Its either the headers, which i would have done eventualy, or 1200$ getting the part from mazda.

nobody else makes a header? they make other ones for the v6


btw- do you have lots of tickets of something. the insurance just seems a little high

Only option for the car besides ebay ones, and the people that have gone the ebay route have wound up spending the same amount of money just to get them to fit and to reinforece the s*** welds.

And no, no tickets. Just a 17 year old guy with a v6 engine.

[Khost26]

Well i DD a s13 240 with an sr. I'm 18 and lost my license about 8 months ago. I have it back now of course. But when I got my insurance by myself with only that car after recently losing my license, it was 110 a month. So its not that bad, I never drove the car when it had the ka in it so i don't know how that is but i don't personally like the ka. I know it gets pretty good mileage though. And if you ever swapped an sr into it, i get about 23mpg but I'm totally stock besides exhaust and fmic. I have had the car licensed for about 5 months but with problems and things breaking and stuff Ive probably only driven it for about a month and a half total... But i wasn't working on it that hard due to lack of money lol. I don't really see why a lot of the people on here would rather go for other cars but maybe because I'm young and haven't owned a lot of cars. I love my car and even with working on it and everything i would change a single thing i did. Its bumpy and makes weird noises that it probably shouldn't. But its never left me stranded. And its always been fun. I say do it. Its not terrible in snow. Ice wont let you move at all though. And rain is only fun if you're me. Just my .02 cents haha

[maxxdsix]

Well i DD a s13 240 with an sr. I'm 18 and lost my license about 8 months ago. I have it back now of course. But when I got my insurance by myself with only that car after recently losing my license, it was 110 a month. So its not that bad, I never drove the car when it had the ka in it so i don't know how that is but i don't personally like the ka. I know it gets pretty good mileage though. And if you ever swapped an sr into it, i get about 23mpg but I'm totally stock besides exhaust and fmic. I have had the car licensed for about 5 months but with problems and things breaking and stuff Ive probably only driven it for about a month and a half total... But i wasn't working on it that hard due to lack of money lol. I don't really see why a lot of the people on here would rather go for other cars but maybe because I'm young and haven't owned a lot of cars. I love my car and even with working on it and everything i would change a single thing i did. Its bumpy and makes weird noises that it probably shouldn't. But its never left me stranded. And its always been fun. I say do it. Its not terrible in snow. Ice wont let you move at all though. And rain is only fun if you're me. Just my .02 cents haha

110 a month isnt bad at all.

What do you pay now after losing your licence?

[White Comet]

Only option for the car besides ebay ones, and the people that have gone the ebay route have wound up spending the same amount of money just to get them to fit and to reinforece the s*** welds.

And no, no tickets. Just a 17 year old guy with a v6 engine.

ive seen plenty besides ebay. check corksport for starters. theyre expensive but nice

[ChampionSound]

mr2's are sweet cars, but idk if i would want one as a dd, especially if it was my first rwd car. if the back end kicks out on one of those, its gonna be tough to control if you arent too confident with rwd cars. but if you dont drive like an idiot till you get used to the car, go for it. theyre badass as hell

[TheRealNap0le0n]

i havent had the chance to compare an sr powered 240 to the turbo mr2 but my brothers bone stock sw20 with 3stge destroyed my series 5 fc with 13b. i'm talking like 5 cars length in a pull from a dead stop.

N/A FC's are slow as balls