Possible trade?

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hi guys,

I asked this question in the 240sx forum so I wanted to get the other side of the spectrum's opinion.

Would my 90 300zx NA be a good trade for a decent s14?

I love my Z but I'm gonna need something more economical as my daily.

[300ZXttZMAN]

What lets see some pics of the S14? Kouki or Zenki?

Mod list? Need more details.

[t.mcginley.jr]

My bad I should have specified that I don't actually have a trade set up yet. I just wanted to know in general if I found a clean S14 would it be a reasonable trade?

I wouldn't take anything that's all messed up, nor anything that's super modified because I don't trust most people who try to mod their cars. My Z is in pretty good shape, only has 99k original miles and I rebuilt the whole top end at 98k (all new gaskets including headgaskets, valve stem seals, new new-style injectors with the adapter kit, pcv valves and silicone hoses, brand new timing belt/water pump/idlers/tensioner, etc.) and the body/paint are good.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Ahh I see what you saying now.

Yes I think you could possibly find a trade. It just all depends on the other party and the condition of each vehicle.

[Ace2cool]

Why downgrade? The Z was always a better car than the S chassis.

[Rager]

Why downgrade? The Z was always a better car than the S chassis.

oooobviously

[t.mcginley.jr]

I knew I was gonna get flamed for asking this on the Z forum haha

I know the Z is better than the 240 in every way, but right now in my life it's not just about go-fast or big power. I still want something sporty (I'm only 22 after all) but I need something that gets more than 17 mpg. I'm not so concerned about mpg as to buy a Camry because I drove one of those for 3 years and couldn't stand the lack of acceleration. Anyway, I can't really afford to just keep the Z and get another car so I figured I can either:

1. Sell the Z outright and use the cash to buy an S14 and then have some money left over.

2. Trade my Z for an S14 with some cash on their end.

I know it sounds like a stupid trade, but 17-17.5 mpg is killing me lol. I still have most of the stuff to do a TT swap so I figured I'll keep it until I find a clean shell and I have more money. I start my first real out-of-college job in June so I wanted to get this done before then.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Oh and someone on the 240 forum already told me to go buy a Miata

[H1tman]

I would trade a z32 for an s14. NO WAY I would trade ChelZ but if i had some other color i would for sure. Its very understandable to want to get rid of a z32 because they can be a handful. An s14 is a downgrade but the low cost of maintenance, practicality and ease to work on is an advantage over a z32.

Key here is to get an s14 "equal" to your z32.

[Ace2cool]

I'd honestly go buy a Miata outright. I was seriously considering one before I found my TT. I probably still will get one at some point, but not right now.

[fluffybunny]

Dude, in less than a month you'll have a big boy job. Do you really think you'll still be worrying about 17 mpg then?

[JsickZ32]

My Z actually has better MPG than my truck. Try 9 miles per gallon. I want an S14 tho. If i had space on my garage id get one.

[t.mcginley.jr]

I can't justify a Miata when I'm 6' 3" lol that's the main reason

Dude, in less than a month you'll have a big boy job. Do you really think you'll still be worrying about 17 mpg then?

I knew someone would bring up that argument haha I don't know I feel like if I sell the Z now I'll actually make a profit on it

[Fearspect]

Don't 240sx's tend to go for more than z32s? They certainly do up here in Canada because a lot of people are looking for drift ready cars and aren't so interested in just buying a new Scion FR-S just to beat on it.

[Z-owned]

Don't 240sx's tend to go for more than z32s? They certainly do up here in Canada because a lot of people are looking for drift ready cars and aren't so interested in just buying a new Scion FR-S just to beat on it.

That's how it is here as well, pretty ridiculous when you see how much some of the pos 240sx's go for thanks to the fan boys. what kind of mpg does a s14 get? I can't imagine it being more than mid 20's which I can get close to in the Z.

[DCaff300ZX]

Dude, in less than a month you'll have a big boy job. Do you really think you'll still be worrying about 17 mpg then?

Because of this ^ and if your only concern is economy, then I am not following your logic much here either. A Miata/240/"sports car" really doesn't give a huge mpg change, and if your only getting 17 mpg with your Z then you may have other issues to deal with as I get 20 mpg consistently with my TT, and my NA would cough up a 21 or 22 mpg occasionally if I ran mostly freeway miles that tank. Any less and I am under the hood and checking things instantly.
I'd wait and see what kind of income change your "Big Boy" job nets you, I'm betting that getting a economy car for daily action if you so choose will be doable, and leave you your Z as a "Big Boy" project back at the house waiting for your attention...

[Road Warrior Z32]

I don't think that's the reason why you want to trade or get a s14 ... I'm 18 and I've had my Z for 2 years now it's running great thanks to me .... I pump 91 octane from chevron and every 2 weeks i use chevrons octane booster, that helps clean as well and i get good miles per gallon .... my tank is always full, i don't like the needle dropping . After all the horror stories I heard about the VG30 its not that bad ... I changed the water pump my self .... I give props to all the Z owners that have done this lol .... think about it man!

[JsickZ32]

I don't think that's the reason why you want to trade or get a s14 ... I'm 18 and I've had my Z for 2 years now it's running great thanks to me .... I pump 91 octane from chevron and every 2 weeks i use chevrons octane booster, that helps clean as well and i get good miles per gallon .... my tank is always full, i don't like the needle dropping . After all the horror stories I heard about the VG30 its not that bad ... I changed the water pump my self .... I give props to all the Z owners that have done this lol .... think about it man!

I thought it was bad for Zs to use 91....

[Z-owned]

I thought it was bad for Zs to use 91....

Alot of state's like California only have 91 for premium, here in WA.they are kind of dumb in that we have 92 which is rare and annoying for tuning as it usually means we get set up with a 91 octane tune unless it's done on a dyno here.

[JsickZ32]

I thought it was bad for Zs to use 91....

Alot of state's like California only have 91 for premium, here in WA.they are kind of dumb in that we have 92 which is rare and annoying for tuning as it usually means we get set up with a 91 octane tune unless it's done on a dyno here.

So it doesnt matter as long as you add octane booster? Because around here the diff in price between 91 and 93 is 40 cents....

[Ace2cool]

No, octane booster is a waste of money, as it won't disperse completely evenly and isn't an exact science. And that's the price you pay for owning a Z. You CAN run it off of 91, but the ECU will retard the timing to compensate. And 19 is usually a lower grade fuel than 93.

[Ace2cool]

Oh, and BTW, 240's aren't THAT much better on gas. And they still run premium. Just food for thought.

[DCaff300ZX]

Difficult to find any sports car that doesn't run premium, it's really the only higher octane fuel left available other than the oddball farm suppliers and such like Cenex. We used to have a Cenex about 3 blocks away when I was a kid that sold 100 octane from the pump, BB Ford's LOVE 100 octane...

[nissanfreak12]

Oh, and BTW, 240's aren't THAT much better on gas. And they still run premium. Just food for thought.

^^^^^This^^^^^

I get average with my TT 22mpg, that up from my old NA which was at 18. I owned a S13 shassis, they run the same engine which is KA24DE, same engine they use in the hardbody truck and the altima's in that time frame. Avg was 21-24 dependent on mood and highway was 23-27(if I remember right). So Ace is spot on, like always, isn't that much better.

Besides, we would just call you a fanboy, and who wants that......keep the Z and try and deal with it until you get settled. YOU WILL KICK YOURSELF FOR TRADING/SELLING IT IN THE LONG RUN!!!


Sounds to me you need to TT it to get the better mileage.

[t.mcginley.jr]

OK OK so basically my options are:

1. Keep the Z

2. 240's are nice to look at, but keep the Z

OR

3. Keep the Z?

Did I pretty much sum up what everyone said??

[Fearspect]

Nope, trade the z. You want a 240, and they are worth more.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Nope, trade the z. You want a 240, and they are worth more.

[Fearspect]

It's not even a TT and 240s are worth significantly more. And you want a 240. If you can swindle a guy to trade your z for it, go for it. Hopefully its not friend/family.

[Ace2cool]

It's true that they're worth more, but 9 times out of 10 they've been modded and bastardized to the point that they'll be a headache.

I'd say if you really want a different car, go for it, but make it worthwhile. Trust me, I drove my friend's modded 240, and was very disappointed in the performance vs my N/A. It did handle a bit better, but that was coilovers/adjustable links/ roll cage vs bone stock N/A 2+2.

If the whole reason for citing trading is better fuel economy, you're looking in the wrong places. That's Honda territory. Toyota territory. Scion territory. Nissan didn't make good fuel economy vehicles that are fun. I feel like you would regret the trade in some form.

Unless you absolutely have your heart set on a 240, in which case, we're not gonna stop you. Do what you do brother. I'll be sad to see such a knowledgeable guy leave the tech area though.

[t.mcginley.jr]

It's true that they're worth more, but 9 times out of 10 they've been modded and bastardized to the point that they'll be a headache.

I'd say if you really want a different car, go for it, but make it worthwhile. Trust me, I drove my friend's modded 240, and was very disappointed in the performance vs my N/A. It did handle a bit better, but that was coilovers/adjustable links/ roll cage vs bone stock N/A 2+2.

If the whole reason for citing trading is better fuel economy, you're looking in the wrong places. That's Honda territory. Toyota territory. Scion territory. Nissan didn't make good fuel economy vehicles that are fun. I feel like you would regret the trade in some form.

Unless you absolutely have your heart set on a 240, in which case, we're not gonna stop you. Do what you do brother. I'll be sad to see such a knowledgeable guy leave the tech area though.

Looks like I'm keeping the Z haha if it got 20 mpg I would be happy but 17 is just annoying. I know its only a difference of 3 buts its like come on a crappy 90's ford explorer gets like 16-17 too and I'm not even pushing a v8.

I think the biggest drains on my fuel economy are:

1. No TT

2. No manual

And big boy job + students loans = no money still