My aging ride

[Vegeta]

Hey guys,

This is my first post. I have a black '91 240sx, fastback. On the sides next to the doors are stickers that say "Twin Cam 16Valve."

I've had the car since 1991 and love it to death! Never had a major problem with the car until the past year. My clutch gave out. I had it replaced by a local mechanic, but I had to take it back several times because he said that my clutch was unusual.

Recently, I bought a brand new Honda Element so that I would have a dependable ride. (I know...but at least it's black, so it matches my 240 ) I've had the 240 covered until now. I decided to take it to Nissan to get it fixed good. Well, they found a whole bunch of stuff wrong and it won't pass inspection. The frame is rusted, needs clutch master and slave cylinder, struts. The list goes on. I've already spent $2000 on the clutch. Should I spend another $2000 to fix it good? Everyone tells me that I have a special car and that I should keep it. Is it really that great? I've attached a pic of the car, with my wife standing next to it.

[Morph]

Dude it is a very special car. Its just up to you weather you want to spend the money to fix it im sure some one with more experience in this area will post with better info for ya. ( When i said special car its not like there are only 2 or 3 left on earth or anything like that.)

Oh ya welcome to NICO!!!!:D

[silkk]

welcome

[nab911]

Jesus christ... $2000? Is he getting Os Giken to custom build one? you already have the clutch so its somewhere in the hydraulic system, its MOST LIKELY that damn dampener box. If you can do basic car maintnence (change brakes) then get the SS clutch lines floating around this forum and put them on, and most likely your problems will be solved. But what exactly IS wrong with it?

[Vegeta]

Thanks for the welcome.

The car is leaking DOT3 from the clutch master cylinder. As long as I keep it pumped I can drive it, but the clutch still sticks to the floor. Nissan said if I just get that fixed it would be about $300 and I could at least drive the car. They have their "master tech" working on it.

I just talked to an import specialist who said that he has an Audi with over 200,000 miles on it and he refuses to get rid of it. My 240 has about 210,000 and I feel the same way.

I'll let you know what happens.

[Ghettokracker71]

Definitely say its worth it,if you don't fix it though give all your 5 speed parts to me:D

Welcome and w00t to living in VA.

I LOVE THE S13 chassis and personally plan on never parting with mine.(yep,never....keep replacing suspension parts,redoing aerokits/body parts...replacing engines...Just think,not too long thr RWD QR25DE swap will be available. QR25DET would be a drift MONSTER!!!!!!!!)

[annunziato39]

I know exactly how you feel. I have had no major problems with the 240 until about 2 weeks ago, i believe i have a bad valve, but the car has over 230,000 miles on it so i know the list of problems is going to grow. I love the car and would hate to part with it so i decided to just rebuild the motor. I know some people are going to say do a swap but that is loads of cash that i just don't have right now. I say keep the car is you like it and just fix it up as you can. Plus you have that box with wheels to drive while your real car is getting fixed

[sx_coupe]

Don't part with it, but $2000 for a new clutch? Jesus, i spent $700 replacing every single clutch component there is, Performance Clutch kit, master, slave, SS lines, bypass dampener, and i got a reputable import shop to do it, but $2000? wow.

[UTWarrenG]

You're the original owner...say that to yourself again and let it sink in. Probably less than 1% of the 240s still on the road today are original owned...there's something to be said for that, and to me it would DEFINITELY be worth it. Like Ghettokracker said, I don't plan on getting rid of mine any time soon either....hopefully never. Just keep swapping parts/engines in as necessary.

You've got something special, and even though it may seem right now like every ricer and pimple-faced high school kid on the planet has one, if you give it a few years and yours will be one of the more rare cars on the road anywhere.

[Vegeta]

Wow, thanks guys! I didn't realize there were so many proud 240 owners out there. I'll keep you posted. There certainly are some interesting people here. I'd like to see the transmission in the passenger seat...I have a teddy bear in my back seat

By the way, is anyone going to the 240 convention in Vegas?

[i2ice4m3]

wow that is the first time i have ever seen the "twin cam 16v" sticker. 200k+ miles is crazy...

I think you should keep your car and like UT says, it's rare for anybody to be the original owner of our beloved 240.

btw, i dont think you should go back to that local mechanic...for 2000 you can have your entire clutch system replaced twice :P

good luck with your car:)

[Ghettokracker71]

Yeah don't let him bend you over like that...if he doesn't budge find a different place to do the work,thats nutso man!

I could bring a 5 speed trans to my mechanic and have him swap out my auto and put in a new clutch for that much

[Ghettokracker71]

Yeah that twin cam 16v is UNBELIEVEABLY rare too...never even heard of that? anybody know about it?

[dr!ft]

Yeah that twin cam 16v is UNBELIEVEABLY rare too...never even heard of that? anybody know about it?

I really hope you're being sarcastic... :pface

[UTWarrenG]

i never took pics of the transmission in the passenger seat, but i do have a pic of my "rear engine conversion" :pface

They're in my user profile or whatever you wanna call it on here, under User Rides.

[ricebike]

V, yikes, u been ripped-off big time w/ that clutch job (& was it even a performance clutch kit???)

karma says to help u out; I'll mail u a free clutch slave cyl=u pay shippin' email me: same name @yahoo.com

get that clutch damper bypass job done when installin' the new slave cylinder/Stainless steel clutch line...

If u wait a few days, I can hook u up w/ a master cylinder as well... all from raybestos. edit: master might come from LUK instead; the co. had a line changeover. still interested, email me w/ the subject line: free clutch parts-------------------------------------------------rusted frame= contributed to the failed inspection???

I still have original struts in my 89; no leaks from the housings soo, I'm still happy w/ them... I know putting strut tower bars did help keep the car in 'neutral postion' during high speed turns.----------------------------------------------------------------PS: don't goto dealer for these easy jobs; a regular shop can do this w/ ease... just make sure they adjust the clutch pedal freeplay into specs after the install/bleeding process...

[Icepik240]

It is definitely worth fixing. Your car sounds like it had the same problems mine did. I came close to throwing down the money to fix it, but thought "why spend the money on a 13 year old car", so I sold it this past winter. I've kicked myself every day I since I sold that car. Don't make the same mistake I did. If you get rid of it, the next day you'll start looking for another one. I would love to have my 240 back...rusted frame, bashed door, crankcase blow-by, leaking fuel system and all.

Just don't go back to that same mechanic.

[9095240SXDUCK]

I am keeping my S13 Coupe till the day I die.

I love this car. I kiss it every night before I go to sleep. It get cover even through its in my garge which is inside my house as soon as I get home so no dust or bug can get on it. I wash it even week with water, with soap every other week. I have spent over $2000 on buying new parts. the only thing I have not change with the Engine it self (not Include the Chain, belts. I have change it already).

My point is fix it. Even make it better is that you have own it for the past 13 years and if I am not wrong you brought the car new.

[hXc_240]

wow im lucky i hav an 89 and i just turned 75000 miles like 3 days ago

[Vegeta]

Well, I got my 240 back from Nissan today. It cost $433. The clutch is solid now, but I got a nice pink Rejection sticker on the windshield. Now that I'm not afraid to drive it, I still have to find a place that can get it to pass inspection. I'm not professionally trained, but I can't find anything wrong with it, other than the brakes make some noise. The car looks brand new. But Nissan still won't pass it.

While I was there, one of the salesmen at Nissan tried to sell me a new Z. I told him that I already have a '91 240 and pointed to it. He told me to go to a place called 802-CARS. He said they can fix up any Euro or Jap car good as new. Even the Nissan salesmen think I should keep it!! :ylsuper

[9095240SXDUCK]

Do you know anyone that lives in other states? Maybe you can get a tag at a state where there is no inspection!

[Vegeta]

Thanks Duck. I never thought of that.

[GEO]

Not to be an ***, ahah, I thoguht you were reffering to that lady in front of your car..

[420_240sx]

wow if you have a 1st owner 240 i envy you. I wish I was born about 15 years earlier so I could get a brand new hatch KEEP IT

[BoyWonder]

Well, I got my 240 back from Nissan today. It cost $433. The clutch is solid now, but I got a nice pink Rejection sticker on the windshield. Now that I'm not afraid to drive it, I still have to find a place that can get it to pass inspection. I'm not professionally trained, but I can't find anything wrong with it, other than the brakes make some noise. The car looks brand new. But Nissan still won't pass it.

While I was there, one of the salesmen at Nissan tried to sell me a new Z. I told him that I already have a '91 240 and pointed to it. He told me to go to a place called 802-CARS. He said they can fix up any Euro or Jap car good as new. Even the Nissan salesmen think I should keep it!! :ylsuper

Where in Virginia do ya live? If you need any assistance with minor stuff, or would just like to meet up with some other guys who are crazy about 240s, let me know We can also help you get your car "inspected" if you need help with that.. :oface

[952FourtyEssex]

I say fix it

[Vegeta]

Hey BoyWonder, thanks for the shoutout! I'm in Manassas, about 3-4 hours away from you. I've been to Va Beach many times. I went to a Honda Element meetup once, and had a blast. I'd love to go to a 240 meetup! As soon as I replace the pink sticker with a valid inspection sticker, I just may take a trip down there.

LOL GEO...I guess I'll keep her for a while too.

[el5y]

manassas? I'm up in herndon man, but I agree, keep the car, especially if you are the original owner.thats just hard to come by

Eric

[BoyWonder]

manassas? I'm up in herndon man, but I agree, keep the car, especially if you are the original owner.thats just hard to come by

Eric

Definately keep the car. Forgot to mention that..And let me know when you'll be in the area.

[el5y]

Definately keep the car. Forgot to mention that..And let me know when you'll be in the area.

<threadjack>I'm gonna be in va beach july 23-24 before going back up to charlottesville around noon on the 24th so I can move out of the apartment at school.

Eric

</threadjack>