Need a 3rd party opinion on s13 choice

[thebrdman78]

Hello, I'm Brad. I've been lurking on this site for about 2 years now but this is my first post so here goes. I currently own a 1991 240sx se coupe, It's in good condition and I've been working up towards an SR20DET swap for some time now. I have some money saved for it and right when I go to buy a motorset I see a white 1993 240sx vert near me for around $4000. if I sold my 240sx(I know someone who want's to buy it) and used the money saved up for the motorset I could get this car but would then have to save for a motorset again. what would you guys recommend? Keep the coupe or go for the Vert? Thanks for your input.

If this makes a difference the 240 is'nt my DD I have a 1996 Subaru SVX for that. so the car would be garaged and driven in the summer.(And AWD for the winter )

[simmode1]

That wouldn't make any sense at all unless your coupe was a pile of poo or you were a big vert fan. If not, just keep your coupe and let nothing else deterr you from your plans.

Plus, I recently read an article naming the SVX one of the top 20 biggest automotive flops in history... lol

Welcome to NICO, btw.

[thebrdman78]

Thanks for the input. That's what I've been thinking.

And about the SVX being a flop, It isn't. They didn't sell well when they were made.(Mine in 1996 was about $35,000) and no one want to pay that much for a japanese car back then. But I love mine to death. It has leather interior, DCC, its AWD, and on top of that a 3.3L H6. And it stomps every in my town.

I hope this photo worked.

Modified by thebrdman78 at 8:04 PM 6/1/2009
Modified by thebrdman78 at 8:09 PM 6/1/2009

[24j0hn]

a coupe has a lot if potential and a vert needs a nice interior if u wanna keep that top down...

since u already have made progress on the coupe, id say keep it and swap the sr20...

i kno ur anxious to get that SR20

[Wc240]

id wait. but its a personal choice. wich do you like more, vert or coupe?plus, youd be throwing aut whatever youve done to your coupe. that also sounds kinda pricey for a stock auto.stay the course

[thebrdman78]

Thanks for the input guys. So far what i've done is: put a new digital gauge cluster in, new fuel pump and screen, new fuel filter, new fuel tank, and new exhaust. I also already have a Greddy Ti-C catback exhaust, Greddy FMIC, Apexi fuel controller, AEM air/fuel ratio gauge, hotpipe with HKS flange from Enjuku, HKS BOV, Flex-a-lite dual electric fans, Koyo radiator, silicone rad hoses, Silvia LSD, Megan racing downpipe, 5sp clutch pedal and brake, clutch master cylinder, and a Catco high flow cat. There are a few more peices I need (clutch, boost timer and gauge/controller, better fuel pump etc) but the motorset is the next thing on my list. A normal person would be done with a swap by now but I want to take my time and do this one right before the motor is in the car. And coilovers are next.

[sebazztard]

svx are badass, flop my a**. the biggest problem with them are the trannys and the fact no 5 speed option was available with the h6. pretty stout motor mated to an awd setup...impressive. i would get one but like stated above, they are expensive but classy in its own.

[Ghast]

Thanks for the input guys. So far what i've done is: put a new digital gauge cluster in, new fuel pump and screen, new fuel filter, new fuel tank, and new exhaust. I also already have a Greddy Ti-C catback exhaust, Greddy FMIC, Apexi fuel controller, AEM air/fuel ratio gauge, hotpipe with HKS flange from Enjuku, HKS BOV, Flex-a-lite dual electric fans, Koyo radiator, silicone rad hoses, Silvia LSD, Megan racing downpipe, 5sp clutch pedal and brake, clutch master cylinder, and a Catco high flow cat. There are a few more peices I need (clutch, boost timer and gauge/controller, better fuel pump etc) but the motorset is the next thing on my list. A normal person would be done with a swap by now but I want to take my time and do this one right before the motor is in the car. And coilovers are next.

and I thought I was the only person doing things a** backwards!

Keep the coupe!

Welcome to the club friend!

[White Comet]

keep the coupe. clean looking svx but i hate the windows on those.

[krash]

GET THE VERTTTTTT

I might be biased though.

[numbnuts240]

keep the coupe.

and as interesting a car the svx is...

Quote »Total sales of the SVX numbered 14,257 in the United States and a total of about 25,000 worldwide. 2,478 SVXs were sold in Europe (with 854 headed directly to Germany). Roughly 7,000 of all SVXs sold were right-hand drive models. Included in this number were the 249 vehicles sold in Australia, at a cost between approx. Au$73,000 to Au$83,000.

As an investment, Subaru actually lost $3,000 on every Subaru SVX sold, for a total loss of around $75,000,000 on this project.[/quote]i think that would be considered a flop.

[hilux30]

for performance, the coupe is a no brainer, the verts are nice but adding power will result in more chassis bending and its too heavy.Now about the SVX, the only reason it flopped becaused is was a $35K subaru, and for me there was no manual trans offered. Otherwise it had a great engine (235bhp flat six) and nice chassis (AWD) that was as advanced as the old porsche 959 (look it up). The interior was cool, and it was different. I liked to drive my buddies when he had it more than my old 300ZX TT. It was very reliable for him too and he beats it up

[thebrdman78]

Thanks for your input once again. I've decided to keep my coupe.And I hear you on the SVX transmission problems. When I got mine it only had two gears. I overhauled the transmission myself, put a front right ball joint on, and put new front axles in. and I love the windows, people ask me about them all the time.

[apex760]

just keep the coupe and get the srif u get the vert ur gonna have to save for the sr and 5speed conv.

[S13Joe]

keep the coupe.

and as interesting a car the svx is...

i think that would be considered a flop.

LOL, that sucks. Where was this quoted from? I always thought the SVX was a pretty unique car, never really liked it but yes definatly unique.

[numbnuts240]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_SVX

[Rex]

As far as "keep the coupe or get the 'vert?" it really depends.

Since your 240 serves as a limited use/summer toy, I can't blame you for wanting a 'vert. But (and this is a big but here) you have to decide if you really want a convertible or not. I've had a few and loved them, they're very enjoyable to "just drive". Now don't get me wrong a swapped coupe can be a blast as well, but there's a big difference in tooling around with the top down on a warm evening and tearing down the twisties in a SR swapped Coupe. It sounds like based on your budget, it's one or the other (right now).

If you're going to look at the coupe, check it out real well. Because $4k for a 240 'vert is a lot and it should be all sorted out.The door panels should be fixedThe motor should be low mile and in great shape.There should be no rust anywhere.The top should be great (including the back window), etc.

NICO has a great 240 'vert section use it as a resource.

But in all honesty, you're going to find most 'verts over-priced right now and my guess is that $4k vert needs hundreds of $$'s of work (just like any 15 yr old S13) plus the items I mentioned above.

Search around and see what other options (M30, RX7, etc) you have if you really want a 'vert.

Now as for the SVX, it's a great car, but from the "automotive business" stand point it was a flop. They didn't sell well by any stretch of the imagination.

[Quality_Salvage]

Ive got a few friends with a svx or two and believe me it's a car you need to be dedicated to. None to minimal aftermarket for it. Most likely parts have to be designed and custom fabricated. Plus it's a slug. Although it has power the weight of the vehicle and the autotragic transmission bring it down to the performance level of one of my volvo 242s. Which you never want to hear that about a car you own.