Need advice: 240SX or Maxima?

[neednissan86butthead]

Hello there NICO members!!!

I'm 17 years old and looking to buy my first car. I narrowed it down to either an '89-'93 240SX coupe/fastback or a '95 or newer Maxima w/manual trans. I figure I'm gonna spend no more than $4000 (preferably less). The thing is that I want the speed and comfort for the passengers of the Maxima, but I also want the RWD of the 240 for drifting and such. I'm probably going to be modding it some eventually too. Also, reliability is a big deal for me because I won't have time or money to repair it a lot.

So what do you recommend?

BTW, my mom has a 1999 Altima GXE A/T and I drive it around daily, for comparison.

[SDRonEbay]

As some of these guys can attest to, the parts for the 240 are not always easy to come by. Personally, I would shoot for the Maxima. You should run into less insurance problems and it's got the power if you can get over the front wheel drive. But a choice like this always boils down to the customers wants and needs, not the salespersons' opinions.

[Nissanpower305]

A maxima is also a lot harder to work on because of the huge v6 in that engine bay so its a ***** to try to do repairs whereas the 240 is a nice and easy 4 that you can do a lot to easily. I personally love them both but I would go for the 240 if you want to drift and have a real fast car or go for the maxima if you just want something thats a good highway crusier and you can still roll all your friends comfortably. The 5 speed maximas are pretty quick I drove a 95 and that **** just moved with a lot of torque. I would def. do research on both to see whats gonna better suite you.

[SDRonEbay]

You're right NP305. That's a lot of asterisks though.

[typex240]

I personally recommand you with 240sx because when I was in high school, not everyone had a car. Therefore, I had to drive around all my friends...I used to hated it(I had a camry back then).And about 6 month later, I bought a 240sx and it satisfied me in every single way!! After that, only me and my gf are the ones in my car!! With 240sx, easier to get noticeable in school and girls love it!! That was my personal issue back then. Since, I am lil bit older, became poor college student....money is all I care about and I am glad that I have 240sx because, if anything goes wrong, so easy to get parts...from everywhere like junk, from NICO members...it is just everywhere!! Also as long as u put ur mind into it, it is not hard to fix many things about this car which can save u big money instead of bring it to shop and pay 10times more. There are many reasons to choose this car....good gas mileage and so much of potential....etc!! For ur case, I would def. recommand you a 240sx over maxima because with money you have, it is going to be hard to find nice shape of maxima, u prolly ending up buying old model with low mileage or newer model with a lot of mileage. Either way doesnt sound good. For about $4000 or less, u can find pretty darn nice 240sx, especially, if u go for s13 model. Some one already bought mine but I was selling for $2800. Here some pix, this may help u what shape of 240sx u can buy with ur money!! Good luck!!

http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=joonbug82

[ceasars chariot]

what do you want to do more of ? if you want to race more than cruise get the 240sx and start modding, if you would rather have the four door, more room and some luxury go with the maxima.

for less that 4 grand you might have to consider the 95 maxima or 91-93 240sx.

either car is great.

[SDRonEbay]

Thanks for the replies ceasar....glad to see you on the boards.

[masticatingcow]

My .02:

I guess you could look at it like this:

240SXThe 240sx is a good choice because, performance-wise, the market for it has exploded. Drifting has gripped the import scene and the 240sx is one of the preferred cars. It's engine, the KA24DE, can easily be swapped out for the SR20DET, RB25DET, etc. Also, the KA has recieved a lot of attention, and can be turboed as well. It's handles EXTREMELY well. For these and more reasons, it's rapidly becoming a great choice for sports enthusiasts. Besides, you know as well as anyone that the fastback is a sexy car.Bottom line: A quick car for a good price that's not a Honda, and it will get you noticed. (Not always a good thing, though....)

MAXIMA:The Maxima is a good choice because as Nissan's big sedan, you'll be able to get all your buddies in there. Also, the ride will be more comfortable. Don't expect a whole lot from it performance-wise; no matter what people say, it's not a sports car... but it's not supposed to be. But that's okay because it's probably one of the better sedans out there.Bottom line: A nice ride with lots of room, probably one of the best you can get.

Finally, let me make a personal suggestion. Get the 240. You're 17, man. Don't worry about carting people around until you have to. (i.e. when your g/f starts thinking out loud about getting married.) Have fun with this car and I guarentee you will if you get the 240.

Anyway, let us know which way you go with it.

[Bubba1]

As a 17 yrd old on a limited budget (I assume) , if you're talking equal condition cars, I'd suggest a 4 cyl 240sx long before a V-6 Maxima. The 240sx is smaller, more nimble, and cheaper to fix and maintain. It also gets better gas mileage. It's also not considered a sports car, so insurance should be no worse than any other compact. Maxima is a fine car and is obviously faster, more luxurious and roomier than a 240, but as a first car, you don't need that much car. I'm not sure I agree with stuff about trouble buying parts for a 240. That likely only applies only in certain parts of the country. I had an S-13 in Pennsylvania for many years and NEVER once had a problem getting a part. These are not rare cars.Good luck

[Tweaky_Tom]

The 240 is awesome for drifting and auto x cuz of its weight ratio and rwd. The maxima has MUCH potential for the drag strip and will be easier on your insurance. The 240 IS considered a sports coupe. Even though it's a 4 cyl. You'll pay the same as if you had a Camaro V8 as you would on the 240. It's all on what you prefer.

[neednissan86butthead]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I've decided to go with an S13 or S14 this summer and maybe do an engine swap later (I'm racking up money real quick). What I like about the 240 is that it's RWD, sports-minded, and there's a huge community for them. Honestly I don't want to buy a Maxima and have people thinking I'm borrowing my moms car. Plus, I will no doubt be "the man" if I had a 240! lol

Oh yeah, one of my friend's parents are giving him their '97 Maxima so I already have competition hahah!

[jameson is dope]

i respect everyone's opinions on this board (so far) but my personal opinion is to get a 240 the car to me is alot more fun and is easier to mod due to the aftermarket industry pumping out parts to fill the growing demand for these cars. also drifting is in one word awesome and front wheel drive drifting (while it is fun) sucks and is less of an exact science than RWD drifting. the 240 has more power potential and is backed by the import performance industry, with a maxima you will be limited to the few aftermarket parts that are available.

i also happen to have one for sale check the classifieds! its only $1500

(shamlessly pushing my car)