may buy a 240sx, but which year??

[juslookin]

I'm looking at buying a used car soon and the 240sx seems like a perfect vehicle. Economical, sporty, dependable, hatchback for cargo...

I'm wondering if you can educate me some on these cars. I'd like to know if there is a preferrable year to look for etc. Anything you can share with me. I am new to these vehicles.

I saw a 90, 91 and a 93 up for sale. The 93 looked peachy.

[ceasars chariot]

i havent jumped into the 240sx thing yet, but if I were going to buy i would select the 1991, manual transmission , base model. I guess coupe or fastback would be up to personal preference.

i like the 91 because: dohc, almost 100 lbs lighter than years that came after, lower price than newer models possibly.

again this is coming from an extreme newbie, i also hope to find a nice 240sx for myself in the future.

[juslookin]

How do you change the 'title' in your profile?

[Touchdown038]

You can't! You're stuck driving mom's car forever!!! mwahahahhahaha!

Just kidding. It changes with your post count. Keep posting and you'll get some hubcaps! yay!

[Rockenreno]

buy a 91-93 over an 89-90... its DOHC instead of SOHC and has a few more horseies under the hood

[ceasars chariot]

Rockenreno - beautiful 240 you have there !

[The Mic]

oink?

[skydragoness]

i don't see why pignose's (89-90 model year) get such a bad rap, they do have driveability issues (easy to fix) but they're torq ratio is the same or greater than the dohc s13's.

But hey, i have a dohc so i'm not complaining.

[BadMojo]

I'd say pick the body style you like, and then find the lowest mileage, cleanest example that you can find. Personally, I'm a sucker for pop-up headlights.

Edit: I'm also partial to the DOHC engine in the '91+ models. The main thing to keep an eye out for in the 240SX (besides the usual new car stuff) is noise from the timing chain and rust around the spoiler (if applicable) on the rear deck.

Some models also have something called HICAS, which is sort of 4 wheel steering and some have a Viscous Limited Slip Differential instead of the normal open differential. People generally don't like HICAS for whatever reason and the VLSD is fairly sought after.

You can always get a VLSD or clutch-type differential installed after you buy the car, so I wouldn't let an open diff. be a deal-breaker on an otherwise nice car.

Ummmm...some cars have a Heads Up Display, which is cool when it works but sucks when it doesn't (which seems to be often).

Those are some random things that come to mind. I'm sure someone else will present the info in a less "stream of consciousness" way than I just did. I happen to be feeling kinda tired and random right now.

[Bunta240]

You may want to get something above 91 too. I know my brother has gotten annoyed by the automated seatbelts. But maybe you like those seatbelts, I dont know...

[s13sr20chris]

yeah, auto seatbelts suck. nissan warranties them for life though.

[s14kid316]

Id go 97 - 98 Kouki....but thats me and I am kind of partial.....:ylsuper

KOUKI OWNS YOU!:D

[juslookin]

You know, pop up headlights are cool. Are these on the earlier 240sx's? I'm guessing so.

Thanks for the input! Great to have a responsive bulletin board. (Ever been to one of those 'ghost town' bulletin boards?)

I think since we're dealing with a 4 cylinder, the dohc would be the way to go too. I have no problem with 4 bangers, but if you have an option for a little more horsepower with your gas sipper, then, hey... not a hard decision there.

I hope to be back here with pictures of a newly acquired 240sx in the near future.

p.s. Any word on the automatic and standard in this vehicle???

[s14kid316]

5 spd is the only way. If your gonna buy a auto......try to find a 5 speed conversion!

This car is so much more fun ina 5 spd!

[GEO]

Zenki Love.

[Altiman94]

go with the dohc. They are newer so they will naturally have less problems. They are also more powerful. All in all, I like the look of the pignose, but I like the power of the 91-up.

[The Mic]

yeah, auto seatbelts suck. nissan warranties them for life though.

really? so if it breaks i can go to teh dealer and theyll fix it?

[BadMojo]

Any word on the automatic and standard in this vehicle???

I'd definitely go with standard unless it's totally not practical for you. The 240SX isn't exactly over-powered in stock form, and you need to wring every ounce of power out of that engine that you can. The 240SX gearbox is certainly not smooth, but other than some slightly cranky 2nd gear synchros, it seems to be pretty tough.

[s13sr20chris]

really? so if it breaks i can go to teh dealer and theyll fix it?

i fix those pieces of junk under warranty all the time.

[Bubba1]

juslooking. answer is they're all good years. 240's didn't change much during their production run. Early ones had the SOHC motor, later ones had the DOHC. but both motors have proven equally reliable, and any horsepower/handling differences are minimal. The biggest differences are the styling/options (that's in addition to the price. S-13's will be cheaper than S-14's as they're older. There are varying opinions as to which is the better looking style. IMHO there is no best year. They are all very satisfying sporty coupes whose two main drawbacks are a lack of power and no cupholders. I haven't heard any real problems with either the Auto or 5 speed. I can tell you with the 5-speed, since its a hydraulic clutch, at some point the slave cylinders will eventually start leaking fluid. Mine leaked at 150K. Not a big deal to replace it. Also some may complain that 1st gear is sometimes reluctant to engage (the shift lever that is) when both the engine and outside temp is cold. Disappears when warmed up. I had mine for many years and felt is was one of the best cars I ever owned. Happy hunting

[juslookin]

Thanks again.This is exactly the kind of stuff I need to know.

About the auto or standard, I was really looking for problems with either which could sway me(like the slave cylinder that was mentioned, thanks). I tend to seek out an automatic, but certainly enjoy a good 5 speed.

Here's my reasons for seeking out an automatic.1. for my wife if she gets to drive it.2. nice when looking at someone's bumper in traffic jam

Q: So, how many posts does it take to get out of Mom's car? I need some hubcaps.

Q: Is there a foot rest for the left foot in the automatic?

[Bbill528]

Don't get an auto, takes all, well a lot, of the fun out of driving a 240....

[juslookin]

Thanks, will take this into consideration. Course I will take a test drive before I cough up the $$.

[juslookin]

Need a car to fit these darn hubcaps now.

[StrangeLove]

95-98

:rockon

[MustangManV6]

does s14 and s15 mean the body style type?

[Rockenreno]

Rockenreno - beautiful 240 you have there !

Thanks

mustangman - yes...s13 = 1989-1994s14 = 1995-1996s14a = 1997-1998

those are the 240's offered in america. The s15 was not offered in America but was produced from 1999-2002 (or 2001? I'm not sure). The s12 was also available in America as the 200sx prior to 1989. (and s11/110 before that?)