Noob Here... Looking to Purchase a '98 or '97 240SX have questions...

[exscion]

Hey guys,

I'm a Toyota guy. I purchased a Scion tC and really dislike it.

So this December it's going up for sale.

I want to either purchase another MR2 or get a '97 or '98 240SX.

So here go the "noob" questions: What should I look for in price, mileage, I do want a 5-spd manual, what are my engine options, what style is the best to pick up (SL etc...)

So basically, any information you're willing to give me would be greatly appreciated as I do not know that much about the 240.

Thanks!

[Juujai]

240sx doesn't have many options.. besides like leather seats or 5 lug being the main differences. there are no engine choices besides the one that comes on all of them the ka24de.

but the prices should be under 8k... for any 97-98 in excellent condition but some people pay a ton..

[Chimera]

haha, so you got a TC and decided to go with a RWD car, to tell you the truth i see a lot of girls driving TC's.

but first of all, stock for stock the TC will whoop any '97-'98 240sx (auto or not).i raced 1 and i have an auto, got him in first gear, but he reeled me in 2nd, his tires chirped too. i took the rpms all the way to the 7k, then auto shifted to 2nd.once he passed me i just gave up, i was gonna pull beside him but he made a right, was going to give a thumbs up too.

if you are like me, try try TRY to get a MANUAL transmission.i sooo hate my car because i cant see what its really like, AUTO SUCKS ***!my car before the 240 was a 5speed '91 g20 and that was more fun then the 240 i have now.

anyhoo, the most desired models are SE or LE.if you settle for the lesser, u get 4 lug wheels and no side skirts and a bunch of other stuff.SO to sum it all up you should look for this kind of 240:manualse or lefront lip ++good conditionlow mileage (50-80k miles) is decent in my book.

[574-240sx]

97 and 98s usually go for a premium. Best off looking for one that has a manual trans already. Many people run into problems on the auto to manual swap like check engine lights and such.

[KDashy]

What might I ask did you not like about the tc?

[97ka-t]

Don't hate on the auto's too much! GEO's got the auto KAT, and I will have one too

[HashiriyaS14]

I'd also like to know what put you off about the tC.

I've got a '98 5spd, and I love it. For a bone-stock, mint, sub-100k mile 97-98 5spd in either LE or SE (read: 5 lug), I'd expect to pay anywhere between $8000 and $11000 depending on where you live.

I could sell mine for about $10k pretty easily here.

[exscion]

What might I ask did you not like about the tc?

Well, since I could drive I've always had rear wheel drive cars. I started with a 1966 Mustang that I restored, moved to a MR2 that I raced a little, and then purchased the tC.

The tC is a GREAT car to just drive around and twidle your thumbs with. Other than that the performance sucks. I have a manual in the tC with a short shifter, TRD springs, TRD air Intake, and the car is still just not that much fun to go into corners with.

It does pull on the start and you can really get the tires spinning in 1st 2nd and 3rd, but the VVT-i doesn't engage until 4k RPM's. So once you hit 3rd you really start to slow down. I did a 16.5 sec down the 1/4 mile

Other issues: the sunroof does not align right and Toyota Dealers can't fix it. The paint is extremely thin, and the car has lots of chips and scratches from road debris that none of my other cars ever had.

I would just like to get back into something that is fun to drive, RWD, and something that not everyone and their mom has.

[ILikeMy240sx]

Chimera: what's auto-shifting into 2nd mean?

hmmm I thought tCs were supposed to be nice cars.. I see so many of them now a days...

When you look for S14s, make sure you look for the ones with ABS because they will also come equipped with V-LSD as well. Its not the best kind of LSD out there but its better than nothing. It will have an orange sticker on the pumpkin.

Also get 5 lugs because you will have much better wheel selection with 5 lugs.

[DanCouga]

Chimera: what's auto-shifting into 2nd mean?

It means his automatic shifted to second.

[97ka-t]

My transmission would probably fall out if I tried that. It's slipping like a *****.

[Scooby24]

My transmission would probably fall out if I tried that. It's slipping like a *****.

Want a 97 auto transmission to replace it with? 115k miles but was holding perfect...

[97ka-t]

How much shipped?

[KDashy]

I never really liked the idea of a Camry engine in the tC.

[HashiriyaS14]

I never really liked the idea of a Camry engine in the tC.

Hopefully with the Celica gona, the 2ZZGE will find it's way into the tC. Toyota really developed a dynamite powerplant with the 2ZZ (at considerable cost), it'd be a shame to not sell any cars that use it.

[bcar240]

Well, since I could drive I've always had rear wheel drive cars. I started with a 1966 Mustang that I restored, moved to a MR2 that I raced a little, and then purchased the tC.

The tC is a GREAT car to just drive around and twidle your thumbs with. Other than that the performance sucks. I have a manual in the tC with a short shifter, TRD springs, TRD air Intake, and the car is still just not that much fun to go into corners with.

Ya I feel you about RWD. I have always driven RWD as well. When I drive FWD now it kinda scares me because it behaves totally different in a turn. I feel like I have to coast through a turn rather than roll on the power, at least on hard turns . Most 97-98 240s should still be in pretty good shape if they weren't abused, but like others have said, they will cost a bit more than the older ones, espcially now that people are catching back on to what RWD means.

[KDashy]

Ya I feel you about RWD. I have always driven RWD as well. When I drive FWD now it kinda scares me because it behaves totally different in a turn. I feel like I have to coast through a turn rather than roll on the power, at least on hard turns . Most 97-98 240s should still be in pretty good shape if they weren't abused, but like others have said, they will cost a bit more than the older ones, espcially now that people are catching back on to what RWD means.

Haha no kidding, Make sure to buy your car before the next Fast and furious comes out!

[9095240SXDUCK]

I had a 98 SE 5 speed with 32K miles and we are the 2nd owner, we got it from my GF best friend mom (which is the ORG owner).We own the car for 3 1/2 years, we only put about 10K in it. And my GF sold it for $14.5! I know its alot, but that baby did not even have a door dent, rim does not even have brake dast marks. She sold it when we got into the biggest fight in 6 years! All I can say is good luck on finding a 5 speed, its out there but I think the 97-98 240SX its every 5 car leave the lot, 4 of them is auto and 1 is 5 speed.

[Scooby24]

200 buckeroos

[97ka-t]

Lemme talk to my buddy over at our local install shop, see what he'll charge for install, and I'll get back to ya ASAP. Thanks again

[exscion]

Ya I feel you about RWD. I have always driven RWD as well. When I drive FWD now it kinda scares me because it behaves totally different in a turn. I feel like I have to coast through a turn rather than roll on the power, at least on hard turns . Most 97-98 240s should still be in pretty good shape if they weren't abused, but like others have said, they will cost a bit more than the older ones, espcially now that people are catching back on to what RWD means.

Yes, I feel sick about selling my old MR2. It was the cleanest in Arizona. I don't know who has it now unfortunately .

But suffice to say, it's time to move on and get something different than a MKII. So from what you guys are saying here is what I'm looking to purchase in December hopefully:

1997-98 240SX, SE model with a 5spd Manual, at or under 70k miles.

If I have to I will go to Cali, NM, Colorado, or Nevada to get one that's in decent shape.

I'll keep you guys posted on what I do. If I can't find one, then I am getting a 2000-2005 MR2 Spyder and slapping a hard top on it.