New Guy in Town

[Sn4zzle]

Hello everyone, I am new around here. I plan to actually buy my first car soon and want a 240sx, lot to handle and I love it. I have driven them before on the s13 platform (which I would probably get because I am 16 on a budget). Ultimate dream right now, s13, Vertex Body Kit, sr20det engine.

[Dattebayo]

240sx, lot to handle

Does not compute

Ultimate dream right now, s13, Vertex Body Kit, sr20det engine.

You could do a lot better for an "ultimate dream". I think perhaps you need to get a better awareness of what is out there. You still have time.

[Sn4zzle]

No I am aware what is out there but my ultimate dream is limited by my ultimate teenage salary of $400 a month...maybe.

[sbird1]

Welcome to the club! Like 75% of the 16-year-olds that come on here, you want an s13 with an SR. Stick around, do some reading, and get your thick skin ready. You're probably going to need it.

[themadscientist]

Then I suggest you get the cleanest running 240 you can afford, leave it alone and just do religious maintenance on it.

Ditch the SR20 dream, forget the body kit. You can't afford to do the swap or maintain the engine. You already (correctly) point out that the 240 is going to be something to get used to so the increased power will be a negative.

You cannot easily afford the aero crap and you are going to smack the car up making the mistakes all new drivers make so it's a bad idea to make your car easier to damage and more expensive to repair.

Put your money into a good condition car, give it a good going over fixing the things that will need attention in a car of that vintage and by now "vintage" is appropriate. It will burn up all your disposable income. It won't be fast or flashy it will be reliable, safe, and you will have developed a relationship with the car that will lead you to appreciate it more. This may help you avoid stupidity because you care about it and also have the pride of ownership that the fanbois with their zip-tied, half-assed, sometimes running, usually not POS drift barges wont.

As your skills, your income and your development of your personal style and desires develop you will be building upon a solid foundation that you have come to know intimately.

Good luck on your journey. It's one of those rights of passage that shapes many people and you will look back on fondly if you do it right.

[Encryptshun]

Welcome to NiCO!

Listen to themadscientist. He spits troof. Good luck with your hunt for a clean S13, be prepared to pay drift tax. If you are smart, you will buy a car from someone who really knows and respects/loves it. Not someone who started a project and couldn't finish it. You may pay more but you'll get a more solid and roadworthy car which will cost less in the long run.

Check for rust everywhere, but especially on the strut towers and frame (alarm bells should sound if someone's covered the frame rails in spray-on bedliner). Make sure if there's a HUD that it works. Check around the valve cover for evidence of oil. Get its service history with receipts if you can.

[breadbox]

Welcome to NICO!

And if you are on a budget, whynot RB20det? Its cheaper and I like it more.