Hi,
I am new to the forums here, but certainly not to car forums in general. I am a moderator on the 2nd generation non-turbo DSM forums (forums.2gnt.com), and I am looking to pick up an S14 in the very near future.
My question is, I am looking at a 98 240sx which is going for $8950. It has 69k miles and looks to be in great shape from far away, but appears to have been damaged at least once in the past. A friend of mine who happens to be a certified mechanic checked out the car for me since I am not in the same state, and said it looks as though it was hit and repaired. He also said it looks as though it has been sitting for a long time due to the amount of rust on the rotors and some of the rubber pieces under the car are worn from weather.
I guess I am trying to find out what kind of availability these cars have (specifically the 97-98 body style), and if this is a good deal. I would prefer to avoid a lot of body work, as he said every panel on the car has some sort of ding in it. Is $8950 a good deal? I really only know DSMs, as that has been my life for the past 5 years. I could tell you the value of a 92 Laser RS without even looking at the car, but when it comes to a different make and model I need a little help. I will be using the car as a reliable daily driver until I get a job (I graduate from college in 2 months).
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning a lot here. (I've already been through all the FAQs, installation guides, archives, etc. Good stuff!)
"Newbie" seeking advice on buying a 240sx. (long)
First off.... Welcome to the FAmily!
97-98 are not available that often. the price is a little high for what you claim it to be.
Next I would suggest just browsing around a bit, you will pick up quite a bit of info on here because we go through these quesitons a lot. try doing a search as well. you will pull up pages and pages worth of good info that will help you tremendously... and good luck with finding a 240!
97-98 are not available that often. the price is a little high for what you claim it to be.
Next I would suggest just browsing around a bit, you will pick up quite a bit of info on here because we go through these quesitons a lot. try doing a search as well. you will pull up pages and pages worth of good info that will help you tremendously... and good luck with finding a 240!
Thanks for the quick reply.
I wish I could see the car in person before deciding whether to buy it or let it go. I just recently read a huge thread about a guy that flew to Florida to buy an M3 that ended up being a stolen car from NY that was gutted and patched together with another BMW. Just makes me nervous. Especially since this 240 has clearly been in a wreck or two, fixed, and yet the carfax came up flawless.
I guess I'll see how low they will go on it. If it has been there a long time they may want to just get rid of it. The guy I sent down to check it out said there are a bunch of wrecked cars in the back of the lot that seemed to have been bought at an auction. They probably fix the cars and put them on the lot. This 240 was most likely one of those unfortunately. He went before it opened, so he didn't have a chance to take it for a drive or check out the engine. I am still awaiting word.
I wish I could see the car in person before deciding whether to buy it or let it go. I just recently read a huge thread about a guy that flew to Florida to buy an M3 that ended up being a stolen car from NY that was gutted and patched together with another BMW. Just makes me nervous. Especially since this 240 has clearly been in a wreck or two, fixed, and yet the carfax came up flawless.
I guess I'll see how low they will go on it. If it has been there a long time they may want to just get rid of it. The guy I sent down to check it out said there are a bunch of wrecked cars in the back of the lot that seemed to have been bought at an auction. They probably fix the cars and put them on the lot. This 240 was most likely one of those unfortunately. He went before it opened, so he didn't have a chance to take it for a drive or check out the engine. I am still awaiting word.
I just got a call. The price is down to $6400 now thanks to the guy trying to buy it for me. It comes with a 6 month warranty. Something you won't get from a private seller, and something I really need right now. The dealer paid $5000 for it, so it really won't get much lower than what it currently is. These are hard to find, and the warranty is a nice bonus.
The interior is mint, the engine and transmission are extremely strong, and the car is in great shape other than the few blemishes here and there.
Here is a pic:
The interior is mint, the engine and transmission are extremely strong, and the car is in great shape other than the few blemishes here and there.
Here is a pic:
Well I am now the proud owner of a 1998 240sx. After my friend went through the car and checked everything out, the only bad flaws are the driver's side rear quarter panel which was dented before. It has be repaired, but you can tell. There are a few minor door dings here and there, and the hood has a few deep scratches. Other than that, it is perfect. Runs and drives really well, the transmission is strong and shifts perfectly.
I'm excited!
The final price was $6300, and they are putting on a new alternator and some other good stuff. I have to run, or I would talk forever. Thanks for the help!
I'm excited!
The final price was $6300, and they are putting on a new alternator and some other good stuff. I have to run, or I would talk forever. Thanks for the help!
-
nissanrcer240
- Posts: 1657
- Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 5:22 am
- Car: 90 Nissan 240SX SR20DET
- Contact:
Quote »The dealer is installing a new battery, alternator, alarm, keyless entry, front rotors, pads, and cleaning out the interior for me. Again, the final price was $6300. I'm happy with that. Let the learning begin.[/quote]
damm man sounds like you made out pretty good, dont you just love that feeling of getting a new car:) ..good luck with it, what are your plans for it after you get you a job?
damm man sounds like you made out pretty good, dont you just love that feeling of getting a new car:) ..good luck with it, what are your plans for it after you get you a job?
Thanks 
As for plans... Well, my Talon ate its third transmission in less than a year a few weeks ago. The 240 will be a stock daily driver until I get my job. The talon is telling me it no longer wants to be a daily driven 12-second grocery getter by the fact that it keeps breaking down on me. I will be limping it home to Maryland on its original transmission and taking the tags off.
Once I get a job (and it better be a damn good one), I have a lot of plans. Two years ago I bought a 91 Eclipse GSX that was in dire need of some serious work. It had 210k miles and was barely running. I got a JDM 4G63 from a local importer for $1200 and slapped that in the car. It was running mid 13s with nothing but a boost controller and 3" exhaust. This encouraged me to think of other engine/car combinations that could work, and the 240sx came to mind.
I was originally going to buy an sr20det, but decided it would be a lot more fun to play with more displacement. The ultimate goal for the car is an RB series engine for sure. I don't know which one yet, as I am still doing research. I want to get into road/course racing with this car, and build my Talon for drag racing. I will be happy with that car when it reaches the 10 second mark.
As far as cosmetic stuff goes, I have never been much into body work, but the car needs some anyway and I really want a sunroof. I may end up doing a subtle body kit and a new paint job. Anything else will fall into the suspension category.
I guess I have a lot of ideas and plans for these cars. The more I learn about this stuff the happier I become.
As for plans... Well, my Talon ate its third transmission in less than a year a few weeks ago. The 240 will be a stock daily driver until I get my job. The talon is telling me it no longer wants to be a daily driven 12-second grocery getter by the fact that it keeps breaking down on me. I will be limping it home to Maryland on its original transmission and taking the tags off.
Once I get a job (and it better be a damn good one), I have a lot of plans. Two years ago I bought a 91 Eclipse GSX that was in dire need of some serious work. It had 210k miles and was barely running. I got a JDM 4G63 from a local importer for $1200 and slapped that in the car. It was running mid 13s with nothing but a boost controller and 3" exhaust. This encouraged me to think of other engine/car combinations that could work, and the 240sx came to mind.
I was originally going to buy an sr20det, but decided it would be a lot more fun to play with more displacement. The ultimate goal for the car is an RB series engine for sure. I don't know which one yet, as I am still doing research. I want to get into road/course racing with this car, and build my Talon for drag racing. I will be happy with that car when it reaches the 10 second mark.
As far as cosmetic stuff goes, I have never been much into body work, but the car needs some anyway and I really want a sunroof. I may end up doing a subtle body kit and a new paint job. Anything else will fall into the suspension category.
I guess I have a lot of ideas and plans for these cars. The more I learn about this stuff the happier I become.
-
krazy skwerel
- Posts: 4488
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:48 pm
- Car: 1989 240SX Coupe down for the count
2005 Honda Accord
1974 Ford Mustang II - Location: Middle Tennessee
- Contact:
-
Rockenreno
- Posts: 2891
- Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 5:48 pm
- Car: 1997 BMW M3
- Contact:
J-Spec Tuner wrote:DSM91 showed me some pics of his DSM motor on line, all i can say is holy s***.......
I did? When was this?
Anyway, I don't really know how much power it makes. I have never had the motivation or desire to spend the money in order to dyno the car. AWD dyno time is really expensive.
The best time for the car is 12.5 at 113mph, but that was with a horribly tuned fuel system, among other things. There was also a problem with the clutch engagement that would not let me shift above 5000rpm, so I was missing the 5000-7000 rpm band (which is where the turbo really kicks ***). I know it it capable of 11s, I was just hoping the current transmission could hold out till I could get it to the track. Which it didn't. Of course.
The thing about AWD DSMs is that the engine (especially the 6 bolt motors, 90-91), is very strong in stock form. People have put 450whp down on stock internals. The problem with the cars are the damn transmissions. That is the largest drawback to the cars. In order to make reliable power, you need to build your transmission. Unfotunately, that takes a lot of money and I just don't have that or the time.
I am really eager to get started on the 240 now. I just wish I didn't have to keep it stock (or mostly stock) for so long. I need it to be reliable at least for a couple months.
Rockenreno- Yeah, it did happen really fast
Really weird isn't it? 
Thanks for all the nice comments guys. Time to add a "240sx" section next to my "DSM" section on my AIM buddy list.