Opinions?

[BiXLL]

Well, since I have to wait so long before I even get a chance to see the vert I am considering to buy, I have had a lot of time to think things over. I am starting to wonder if this is really the car for me.

I have always loved Nissans. The wife has always wanted a vert, but then she also wanted a treadmill that I am the only one that ever uses it, and also a hot tub that gets used a half a dozen times a year. I am considering this car as I can easily pay cash for it, and the concept of not having a car payment is pretty cool once her lease is run out.

My worries: I have heavily modded my Titan, but I did that work on my time, when I had time, not because I HAD to to keep it running. I am concerned that upkeep may be a little time demanding. Can this car be run year round, or is it absolute garbage in the snow? What kind of gas mileage can I expect to get from it? What other detracters may I run into with a car this old, I have not had an older car in quite some time! I was also really planning on turning this car over to my son within a year, but a few of you have expressed that this may not be a good first car. (not really sure why, my first was a 65 Mustang, followed by a 71 Roadrunner)

[DeXteR]

as long as it doesn't have high miles (i'm talking 175k+), you shouldn't need to do any major work to it as long as it was regularly maintaned in it's previous lives. your biggest concern will probably be the top. as long as it doesn't leak, you should be golden. the s13 is a relatively low maintenance vehicle. the ka runs strong and is very dependable. the automatic transmission tends to act up from time to time and depending on how bad it is, could become quite annoying.

bottom line is that it is an older vehicle now. things are going to break and malfunction from time to time just like it would for any older, used vehicle. it just comes with the territory. unless you really mess something up, most "routine" repairs shouldn't take a lot of time and money.

as far as an all season vehicle, my wife drove our first vert through the winter and it handled all right. i'm not sure if you're going to want to do any mountain driving in the vert in the snow - that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

finally, the reason most of us aren't fond of having the vert be some kids first car is because MOST kids don't take very good care of their first car (trying to race everybody, speeding, driving like a retard to impress some guy/girl). the vert community here is very... how should i say... protective of the verts. for some reason we all have this attachment to every vert we ever see and we want them to all be cared for... yeah, it's weird. i don't know why we're like that, but most of us are.

good luck.

[cmkelly]

Ditto to what Dexter said. Anything you buy will require maintenance. These cars, however, are some of the lowest maintenance cars out there. Many of this forum's members use their vert as their daily driver. I live in the south and can drive my car year round but I have a Pathfinder if things get snowy.

Personally I wouldn't have one as my only means of transportation especially if there is snow involved. But like you said you can pay cash for it. Tuck it away in your garage and then get a cheap front-wheel-drive car for her to drive. This way you can mod the vert as you like and she gets reliable transportation. Problem solved.

There were so few of these cars produced that's why we're so quirky.

Good luck and great to have you on the forum.

[Eikon]

The 240 'vert is a decent winter car.. Not great, but decent. For $200-$300 you can get a VLSD which will help traction. Throw on a set of snow tires, and a little weight in the back seat, and you should have no problem in the snow.

However.. it's still a rwd vehicle. FWD will certainly be better if you're very concerned about winter driving.

cmkelly is dead on with his advice... It's exactly what I recommend (and do myself). Pick up an affordable fwd sedan along with the 'vert. I drive a 96 Camry with 175k on it during the winter and when the weather is rotten.

I wouldn't worry about the overall reliability of the 240sx. It'll run. Those engines are almost always good for 225k miles or more. Plus, when they die.. you can get a new (used) one for like $500. 240's are some of the easiest cars in the world to work on. They are easy to get at, require very few specialty tools, and replacement parts are cheap and easy to find.

It's not hard at all to keep a 240 on the road.

[Loki]

My worries: I have heavily modded my Titan, but I did that work on my time, when I had time, not because I HAD to to keep it running. I am concerned that upkeep may be a little time demanding. Can this car be run year round, or is it absolute garbage in the snow? What kind of gas mileage can I expect to get from it? What other detracters may I run into with a car this old, I have not had an older car in quite some time! I was also really planning on turning this car over to my son within a year, but a few of you have expressed that this may not be a good first car. (not really sure why, my first was a 65 Mustang, followed by a 71 Roadrunner)

It's really your call on whether to give it to your son or not. You're the one that knows if he's able to be responsible and handle the car with care. I had a vert as my first car when I was 17, and I drove it for almost a year before my wreck, with no accidents or near-accidents. Also drove it straight through North eastern PA weather nearly everyday and only lost control once while at 5 mph.

Gas mileage, I would expect a solid 24. That's what I always averaged (Auto KA). I never thought upkeep was too bad. It wasn't like one thing after another was breaking, maybe just a minor thing every now and then. I feel that they are reliable cars.

[premo-s12]

dude, ive had three of these things now, about to pick up a 4th...the one ive kept the longest is my black one which has approx 180k miles. its my daily driver and still runs like a new car. the key is upkeep and maintenence. not just from you but from previous owners! i had a white one with 85k that i opted to sell and keep my black one just because of that fact. i honestly see getting another easy 50k out of this car without any worries.. my only concern with these cars is the interior. its a bit of a joke. the dash is junk and likes to crack and teh door panels are absolute cheese ball. if you get one id HIGHLY recommend taking the time to swap out the door panels. as far as the snow goes, just buy a popup tent for it or something. if that breaks or fails then id say you dont want it out in the snow and as far as a first car goes, eh. dont sweat it. my first car was a valiant w/318, 2nd was a chev w/done up 350, 3rd was an s12 200sx...all were RWD and i lived in Tahoe at the time and never used chains. i figured it out i personally think it would make a great first car. as far as mileage goes, i get about 20-21, but i do a lot of city driving and have a lead foot.

[BiXLL]

Thanks guys, you have relieved a lot of fears with your posts.

[ishkabibble]

240SX vert is garbage in the snow. Worst winter car I've ever owned, and this is coming from a Minnesotan. I got caught in a snowstorm last winter and was praying that the car would make it home.

Vert is fine as a daily driver. You will have to do some maintenance from time to time. The car is very reliable for its age - not bulletproof, but trustworthy enough to drive cross-country.

The only other vert that seems to provide as much value as a 240SX is an early 90s Celica.

[DirftKing102]

Ok lets just start off by saying this is a good first car! This is my first car and i have only messed up once but no body damage. But i learn from my mistakes. Also i wouldnt drive in the snow since it is considered a drifting car. But if you have a kid who is not responsible with the car then they will wreak it a lot. See after my first crash into the curb and totally gettting my back left wheel crooked and not having it straight i relized not to do whatever i did. Which was just going around a corner 5 miles over the speed limit when its wet. Now i am more responsible but if your kid doesnt drive good then dont give him this car. Keep it for yourself and try to keep it in good condition. I am keeping my car in good condition now and paying it off. But i will no longer speed over 10 mph. Learned that the hard way. At least my vert is still ok. The car body didnt get wreaked. So thank god. I would keep this car for yourself. That is my opinion.

[otto_3478s]

= But i will no longer speed over 10 mph.

I will sorry, couldnt resist

BiXLL--- All these guys have pretty much sumed it up... and a FWD sedan is definately a good idea, as this is what I have done. Like everyone has said the 240 vert is a fun car... there truly is nothing quite like a missing roof!

[DeXteR]

240SX vert is garbage in the snow. Worst winter car I've ever owned, and this is coming from a Minnesotan.

you son of a...

you're always calling us northerners canadian... come to find out, ish is just as much canadian as the rest of us.

you, sir, are now an official unofficial canadian!



and to stay on topic: hopefully you don't get a lemon and blame us for talking up the car... you'll enjoy it.

[ishkabibble]

you son of a... you're always calling us northerners canadian... come to find out, ish is just as much canadian as the rest of us.

you, sir, are now an official unofficial canadian!

Bah, I was several hours south of the border. You or Seth take a wrong turn on your way home, and you're explaining your mistake to border agents!

Now go get me some donuts from Tim's, eh!

[DeXteR]

Bah, I was several hours south of the border. You or Seth take a wrong turn on your way home, and you're explaining your mistake to border agents!

Now go get me some donuts from Tim's, eh!

take off, ya hoser. you know you miss watching "the red green show"

[thrty5thsc]

Put some Michelin Arctic Alpins on it and it will feel like it's 4WD. Those tires are amazing!!!