looking at a used 240 sx, need advice.

[cdg2g]

So I'm thinking about buying this 1995 240 sx and I go take it for a test drive. This car is fully stock and has had one owner (female) and seems to be in pretty good shape, but it has 175,000 miles on it.

Anyway, I notice that the feel of turning the car seems somewhat unusual. It's really tight and doesn't seem to be linear throughout the turn; meaning at a point in the turn it seems to make the car turn sharper (more). I think I've only felt something similar to this in a go-cart.

I'm wondering if any of your cars drove like this, whether the go-cart feeling is normal or something I should be concerned about.

What would you watch out for on a used 240sx?

ThanxP.S. WOOHOO!! First post.

[Onizuka]

First, Welcome to Nico

Maybe its just your first time driving a rear wheel drive car with good handling? As far as checking the car out, be on the look out for odd colorations in the paint and large gaps between body panels, usually a sign of an accident. It might also be wise to run the VIN number to check out its history. With this car in particular, see if the owner has records of having the timing chain serviced.

These are great cars, I hope your transaction is succesful!

[hannibal]

Drive as many S14's as you can.

I thought I knew what the car should feel like, but I really didnt until I drove another member's car. Once I drove a good example, it was easier to feel problems with cars I test drove.

[Dattebayo]

Our cars do not have the full power-steering that alot of other cars do (typically domestics).

Its more of a power assist feature. That coupled with a rear drive could definately feel like that to you.

[cdg2g]

Yeah, it could be that I'm just not used to rwd. The only other rwd car I've driven was my friends mustang (manual), but I don't remember it being that different in feel.

Seems like a good car, owner said he's (is wife's car) done regular maint and fluid service and that it's been a very reliable car, never broken down. The engine did sound smooth to me; not like a new car, but no strange sounds otherwise.

I'm just worried that with so many miles, it'll just be too worn out. Rear end seemed squirrely on the highway on ramp, cruise control doesn't work, and the stereo's not so great (has stock cd player tho). I'm reeeelllly temped, been itchin' to drive a manual again so bad.

[rico05]

174k is not that bad, espcialy if you are planning on modifying it. Def. do a VIN check tho. Good luck!