Is this Kouki worth it? Opinions.

[Neo Maikeru]

First of all I am new here so hello to everyone. I currently own a 2005 Subaru WRX. I love the car to death but ever since I bought it I regret it because my dream has always been to own a 1997-1998 S14 and fixing it up/tuning it. I am in the process of selling the WRX right now and many say I am crazy for doing it but what can I say...I am a Nissan fanboy at heart and I like the RWD layout better than the AWD layout, it just suits my driving habits better. Anyways to get to the point...I have been looking for a Kouki for a long time and have been holding out on buying a 240sx until I find one that I am happy with. Most of the Kouki's I find around my area are either Red or Dark Green and have many miles on them plus they still fetch a high price tag. I am pretty picky with my cars and I really only want to buy the Kouki if it is in white or black. Well after a bit of searching I found a white Kouki located about 1000 miles away from me. The car is totally cherry; with full leather interior, no cracking on the dash, perfect paint on the exterior etc. I believe that it even has new tires. The car is completely stock which is a plus because I know it probably has not been abused plus I like to do my own work on my car, makes it feel like its actually mine and not someone else’s project. The car happens to be an automatic but I am sure with a few hundred dollars I can get the parts needed for the conversion...I am going to swap an SR in there anyway within the first weeks of owning it. The car has only 50,000 miles on it. Even though I am swapping engines this is a plus because it means the entire car only has 50,000miles on it so less wear and tear plus if I ever feel like putting the KA back in there I have a nice strong motor to fall back on. He is asking around $8000 for it. I have seen Kouki's in much worse condition and lots more mileage go for $10000. I will of course have to buy a plane ticket to get there, drive all the way back, and pay for food/hotel etc. With all those costs added up and the 5-speed swap which is a must for me I am guessing I will pay out around $9,000-9,200 total for the car. Car= $8000, MT Conversion= $400-600, Food/Plane/Gas= $300. I think it sounds like a pretty good deal for me plus I will be rolling around in a slick white kouki S14 with low miles and leather interior. I just may be crazy enough to drive the distance. What do you all think? I am a pretty indecisive guy so I want your opinions, heh.

[Riceless]

First, Welcome!

About the car...That's quite a trip, but I agree that it can be a real pain to find a good kouki. If I were you I would probably wait. It sounds like you are determined though (I wouldn't even look that far out). That's a long drive, and the car could even be sold while you are on the way. Check the car classifieds here too while you are searching so zealously.

[SLiC]

I think that's a very good price. I paid $10k for my '98 SE three years ago with 50k miles. Some would I say I overpaid, but koukis are not easy to find fully stock with low miles (at least not where I am). It now has 74k miles and I don't think I'd have any trouble getting $8k for it.

[nismofly]

i would definately send the seller a specific notice of your intentions, but that still sounds like a real good deal...like you said most koukis are in worse shape and sell for like $2k more than that

[WhiteKoukiS14]

i bout my 98 kouki auto about a year ago, for 6500 bucks, i found it on the internet and had the person send me detailed pix of every quarter panel and everything, then i found a car transport that only charged me 450 bux to ship it from Va to FL, i never got to look at the car and drive the car personally, but i am happy with my purchase, only part that was bad on the car was the brakes, which just meant a Z32 upgrade sooner than i expected

[nismofly]

also plan on either having another driver coming with you or leaving 2 days for the trip back, ive done 1000 miles in a day...its tough but can be done with 2 people alternating

[hannibal]

First, welcome to NICO.A friend of mine (HashiriyaS14) sold his 04 Aspen White WRX for a kouki as well. He says he has no regrets. Hopefully, he'll pop in here and share his thoughts.

$8000 for a fully loaded S14a is not a bad deal at all. I hear 240sx's sell for a bit more in Cali than they do on the East Coast. If youre planning on swapping to an SR, the auto isnt that big of a deal. The manual conversion shouldnt even cost that much cause you dont need to buy the transmission.

Make sure the car is as good as it sounds before you make these travel plans...

[JimmyMethod]

Not a bad price at all. I paid 10 for my 97 SE with 50k on it, granted it looked newer than the new cars I looked at the dealerships...Besides, a good roadtrip back home lets you two get aquainted.

[HashiriyaS14]

First, welcome to NICO.A friend of mine (HashiriyaS14) sold his 04 Aspen White WRX for a kouki as well. He says he has no regrets. Hopefully, he'll pop in here and share his thoughts.

Hey Hey Hey!

I did indeed, as my friend here says, sell an 8-month old WRX for an S14, and I most certainly do not regret it.

Regarding your S14: If I found a white '98 with 50k miles in cherry condition for $8k (with auto), I'd have bought it. Hell, if I found that now, I'd probably trade my 98 Silver Moss 5MT for it....(I've got a think for white cars).

I say go for it, you'll enjoy it.

[Neo Maikeru]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I think I am going to jump on it. I am no mechanic but with the help of friends I am sure I can do the conversion and engine swap with no problems. I hear that the SR swap is one of the easiest swaps to do. Knowing my luck though right after I get back from Texas and picking up the car a white 5-Speed with low miles will show up for sale right near my house in Sacramento, haha. I have never been that much of a wrench like most of my buddies and I hate it every time I have to take my car to the shop and pay someone else to work on my car instead of me. I can't wait to start learning some with the help of other people. I am sure I will get a bit of satisfaction doing installs myself as well. Oh and don't worry guys, when I get my kouki I won't rice it out and destroy it like some. I hate to see kouki's all junked out with a bunch of garbage. This will be my new baby. Ever since I left my 1985 300ZX I have missed Nissan cars...In the meantime if anyone sees a kouki for sale closer to Sacramento then this one please send me an email and let me know so I can check it out. Even if it is out of state it may still be closer than Texas, heh.

Edit: By the way Hashi, do you collect Neo-Geo carts? I see in your sig that you collect old video games. I have a like-new boxed Japanese Neo-Geo homecart system that I may possibly sell as well as a few carts for it and the old style sticks of course. The Neo-Geo box looks like it is in better condition than a lot of brand new PS2 boxes at stores, haha. Quite a find. If your interested let me know. I also have a bunch of Dreamcast imports that are really good but I am not sure if you consider that old school or not. Speaking of Sega, I have to find myself a Sega Saturn one of these days. I really miss playing Radiant Silvergun.


Modified by Neo Maikeru at 4:07 PM 8/3/2005

[turbo98_240sx]

I flew to texas to get my car (no rust) i didn't like the fact that it was 4 lug but eh breakes can be redrilled, any way best thing I ever did I say go for it

[Doomed2Walk]

Am I the weirdo here then? I got a zenki because I couldn't afford a kouki and I wanted a 240 b/c I couldn't afford WRX back in '01 (wanted a STi since '99, I still think GC8s are teh hotness) and just got an '05 STi and am looking to sell my zenki, my folks say I don't need two cars. However, don't get me wrong, I fell in love with 240s and am now looking for a S13 project car

[TachyonS14]

Man I'm glad I bought my Kouki back in 2002. It did have around 120k miles at the time, but for $4,800 bucks I'm not complaining :-P Now it's at 140k and I never plan to sell it.

I think you will be very happy with the car Neo Maikeru. 240's are sweet cars and so fun to drive. And plus Kouki's are the coolest. I get looks everywhere I go.

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I think I am going to jump on it. I am no mechanic but with the help of friends I am sure I can do the conversion and engine swap with no problems. I hear that the SR swap is one of the easiest swaps to do. Knowing my luck though right after I get back from Texas and picking up the car a white 5-Speed with low miles will show up for sale right near my house in Sacramento, haha. I have never been that much of a wrench like most of my buddies and I hate it every time I have to take my car to the shop and pay someone else to work on my car instead of me. I can't wait to start learning some with the help of other people. I am sure I will get a bit of satisfaction doing installs myself as well. Oh and don't worry guys, when I get my kouki I won't rice it out and destroy it like some. I hate to see kouki's all junked out with a bunch of garbage. This will be my new baby. Ever since I left my 1985 300ZX I have missed Nissan cars...In the meantime if anyone sees a kouki for sale closer to Sacramento then this one please send me an email and let me know so I can check it out. Even if it is out of state it may still be closer than Texas, heh. Modified by Neo Maikeru at 4:07 PM 8/3/2005

Get he car already before I do..................lol

I may be wrong, hasn't happened before, but I like this guy. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders and will make a great addition to our little club. Of all the new posts by NICO noobs, this is the most mature, thought out one I've seen in the past few weeks. Welcome again NEO.