Out with the old and in with the New?

[Chief1402]

Ok guys, just a interesting topic I was thinking about. What are your opinions? Are people starting to drift away from the older cars like supra, rx7, 240sx? What are people moving towards? Feel free to post your questions as well.

I know oem parts are getting pretty slim for a 240sx... In Alabama anyways..

[NolimitZ32]

I think there is still a good amount of support for and enthusiasts who ares till all about the older cars but its obvious that these days its getting more viable to make a vette much faster than a turbo6 with the same money. Perfect example of where the scene is headed (and has been for years now) is the collection of cars at tx2k...

[Chief1402]

I believe it depends on where your located. Here in alabama I see the exact same 240sx's all the time, only 5 of them. Ive seen three rx7's in the past 3 years, two of which were torn apart in a shop. Ive seen only two supra in the past few years..

I'm just thinking parts are becoming pretty scarce and expensive now..

[Broadfield]

I think it's a lot more fun to build an older import rather than just go plop down loot on a new FR-S, STi etc. I'm actually wanting to build something from the 70's once my S13 is done. This would do just fine:

[Chief1402]

Yea thats true.. fully built 240sx for $15k or supra, rx7, 350z stock stock $15k? Hmm.. lol.

I checked out the tx2k forums where people post what their bringing.. all thats on there is lamborghinis, gtrs, vettes, supras.. one 240sx.

[NolimitZ32]

Exactly, I mean it really is two ends of the spectrum, the guys that a decade ago were dumping $40k+ into their rx7s, supras, etc are now days dropping their cash on vettes and making massive numbers. And as for the guys in the lambos and such, well some of those are legit and yet some are the John Hennessys of the world. thats all i'll say about that.

[Bubba1]

I believe it depends on where your located. Here in alabama I see the exact same 240sx's all the time, only 5 of them. Ive seen three rx7's in the past 3 years, two of which were torn apart in a shop. Ive seen only two supra in the past few years..

I'm just thinking parts are becoming pretty scarce and expensive now..

I agree with you. location is very important, as 240's are more common here in the northeast. But I suspect there are other factors too, including collectability and affordability of the car. And In the case of the 240sx, which is not collectible (unlike the last gen Supra or FD RX-7), it has a unique factor of being very popular with the drift hobby, which has a tendency to abuse/destroy them making them more scarce.

[RicerX]

RX7s (and any rotary-powered Mazda) are going to be scarce as people rarely understand the upkeep those cars require. Supras in decent shape are just flat out expensive as they're tough to find and so highly desired. The ones that are cheap don't necessarily require only parts (that may or may not be expensive) but teardowns, chassis restoration, etc. That's labor and tools and that gets expensive, plus a lot of the guys that like to have hot cars like these like to drive them and don't like a lot of downtime, so they shy away from ones that need work.

I see a lot of Zs and Gs in the two places I've been living in TN and AL. The used market is very accommodating for these cars as far as what people want to spend. The 350Z is a very reliable machine that sold in good enough numbers to keep the prices of the cars down as well as parts. The G is in the same boat. Many people opt for it (if they can afford one) because it's a bit more practical with a back seat and a trunk.

Most others have opted for the cheap power you can get in the Mustangs and Camaros. Turbo 240s boosted properly and reliably make the kind of power you can buy out of the box in a late model Mustang GT or Camaro SS, and many tuners are only concerned about the power anyway, and these cars are an easy way in.

It's hard to say exactly what people really gravitate toward because of various economic factors and each person's life situation (married, married with kids, money for toys, etc).

[Chief1402]

Yeah im in north AL. And I see a good amount of 350z and g35. In song see a wholesaler lot of them... but a decent amount for a newer car... I see newer mustang and camaro more often. I just wanna save all my paychecks for a year and go out and buy a monster..

[RicerX]

I just wanna save all my paychecks for a year and go out and buy a monster..

Define "monster"? Everyone has their own definition of monster.

[Chief1402]

Well not sure what kind of monster yet.. a built 240sx? 350z, supra, rx7.
Im split between the four of them.

[BamaCoupe]

Most others have opted for the cheap power you can get in the Mustangs and Camaros. Turbo 240s boosted properly and reliably make the kind of power you can buy out of the box in a late model Mustang GT or Camaro SS, and many tuners are only concerned about the power anyway, and these cars are an easy way in.

And I don't get it; I see with no exaggeration 50 Mustang's or Camaro's and day. I see more Corvettes in a day than I see Z's and G's put together. When I see one do I think "oh look at that Mustang/Camaro;" no I think "there's just another Mustang." Could be because I really hate Chevys and Fords too, but I would not want a car that I literally see 50 a day. I've noticed Z31's and Z32's have become none existent anymore around here; I've owned both in my younger years, so they will always catch my eye. When I do seldom see a Z32 it's usually very beat up, and that car being my favorite car of all time it saddens me to see. That stimulus from a few years ago to trade in poor mpg cars (can't remember what it was called) made a lot of those cars coke cans today.

[Chief1402]

Correct. I saw 3 350's today. Around 25 mustangs and camaros.. I counted.