Questioning S13 Popularity

[Darkness and Light]

I'm getting mixed feelings about this subject. The reason and whole reason I became interested in the 240 or even cars in general was because in December of 2002, I flipped through volume 2 of Initial D at my local Walden Books. Right of the bat the two cars that interested me the most were Iketani's S13 and Nakazato's R32.

I've spend the past year saving and researching 240s trying to learn more. I even picked up a 1/10th scale Nitro car, a HPI RS4 RTR 3, in order to study suspensions and how they work (incidentally, the RC car turned out to be AWD, but anyway ...). I watched as the 240 and the entire drifting thing blow up in popularity which I knew was going to make it all the harder to get the car I wanted. After looking at a 89 coupe with a really clean body, structural rust and a price of $4000, a 91 fastback with chopped springs, hole in the muffler, ripped out speakers and at least 20% rust at $2500, two months ago I finally found a 93 fastback SE with no major problems and managable minor ones for $4000. I used all the money I saved from when I graduated 3 years ago, got a job at McDonalds, and took out a personal loan and I'm proud to say that the car is MINE.

I realize by the time I found and bought the car I would be considered to be in the middle of the drifting trend, but hey I live in the state of Hawaii on the biggest island in terms of land mass and in terms of hickness. The racer population is about 90% Honda and I don't particularly care anyway. But since I've gotten the car I've noticed a disturbing trend. I've had FOUR of my friends/acquaintences say that they want to buy a 240 as well. At first I was happy that I could talk about cars with them now, but I soon realized that they don't know anything. One thought a Skyline is a great drift/touge car because it is heavy and one who buys nearly as many car magazines as me (after one year I have three piles about 2 feet high each, damn I wasted a lot of money) asked me to explain what a turbo is and what the difference between drivetrains mean. They nod along no matter what I'm saying and base all their information from quotes from Initial D and the Best Motoring DVDS i lent them, particularly the Drift Bible.

Some of them are still in High School and none of them have any money, a job, or any inclination to get one. When one of them told me that i have their dream car I felt physical pain between my shoulders and when I think of any of them owning a 240 I get a cold feeling in the bottom of my stomach. I suppose that after four paragraphs of rambling on, I've concluded that it isn't just ricers or the loss of exclusiveness that make me pissed off about the popular 240/drift trend (which I happen to be part of). Its the seeing a combination of bad taste, ignorance and lazy/spoiled punks who almost make me wish the 240SX was still considered a girly car.

[jdmfreak]

I hear ya man. In my school the SR is thought about, but it is basically overlooked due to its big brother the RB20DET & RB26DETT. It sucks a whole lot cuz I fell in love with th 204s(Mainly S14s) for what the were. Not what every one thinks it is.

[usdm_180sx]

240SX has been growing in popularity in the past 2+ years. RWD sports car falls in price means that younger people in lower income brackets can afford. Duh.

The truly "OG" owners are the original first owners on the list of titles.

The drift import scene is only getting bigger and more popular. If you can't deal with that, or if that bothers you so much taht you must get on a soap box about it, maybe its time your reconsider how much you truly appreciate your 240SX.

Hey I was an OG s13 owner I had a Porsche 944 back in 1992 and it kept breaking down. I knew about the s13 because it's pretty similar to the 944 in that it's a 4 cylinder fr car but much more reliable than the porsche so I got it brand new back then. I wish I never sold it but now I'm ok with it because I have my s14

It was VERY frustrating 10 years ago because 240s got NO LOVE. Everyone was all into trashy FF cars, mostly honda's and DSM's. I'm so glad I stayed true to the fr Nissans

[Duckmeister]

Ah I know what your saying about the popularity about the 240. But in my opinion I don't really care. I'm mean its nice to have a car that no one else has and that few people think or ever would own, but I like this car because I fell in love with it (S14) at first sight in a used dealer lot. Too bad I don' t have the money yet to get it. Still the add effect is nice I bet.

Plus, aftermarket effect is nice. It gives you guys more options to do on your cars.

I actually got into cars heavily back in January when i saw that S14 I mentioned. As I read about it i started to see that the car was really good for reliability and handling and just started to like it the more i read about it.

[dress_down_penguin]

ok everyone pretty much said the same thing. So ill just share what i got in common.. ..price+uniqueness I got my 240 91 hatch 2 years but prior to that I spent a year and half saving up money from and researching the best deal and man the Car was freaking hard to find.. like one or two on the paper.. and when I did find a couple they had like 180-250K miles on them. Going on edmunds taking out books and mags in the library and seeing a whole bunch of cars. speciallyt rwhd Back then nobody ever heard of the 240's I thought I hit gold when I found a car I could afford with good ratings, and options...Everyone would always be like what the hell is a 240? nissan made cars like dat? and I was like I dunno.. didnt even know it such a big following till i found this page...

make a long story short it was a great bargain.. and I fell in love with my car when I first inspected it and the driver let me test drive it..But I guess i kinda subconsciouly realize I bought cuz it looked like my dad's car the 87 5.0L F.I. Trans am.. And I guess I was like whoa! Its the cheap version of Night Rider! Baby KIT! I always loved flip up lights and ol cars....And if U blink while u looking at i.. It kinda looks like one of the Cars that came out of the Transformers Cartoons...

NYC-Mikemuch thanks for my dad for helping me learn about cars those early years and the old 240sx.org pg and this page U guys helped a whole lot too...

91 hatch some others used as a daily driver use to have 2 hour commute 4 hours back and forth to the city.. now it's like 40 minutes unless I hit traffic..mostly stock, kouki lights and some small things, u know fogs, stereo system.... Oh just got A HUD cluster wil install pretty soon.. might need some help..oh and does anyone know how to get those projector dual lights cheap or a place that makes covers for the lamp?

blah blah the usual they're everywhere now.. and now kids r getting them as like birthday presents like civics and SUV's where I come from.. I mean shouldn't people have a job or work to get their cars... thats my stint..

[usdm_180sx]

had my s13 for 6 years, traded it for a 5 speed 96 maxima, totalled it then got my s14 2 1/2 years ago

[blacks13ek]

The Truth. I guess I can be considered what the majority of the members here have grown to hate. The high school kid who has been misguided and led down the wrong path. You can relate all this animosity to the move "The Fast and The Furious". When you are young you are still trying to find out what you like and dont like. Confidence and independence are rarely seen at this age so of course you go with the fad/trend. Import car...NOS...STICKERS...Clearcorners....12"spoilers. All of this is of course "cool" in your eyes until you get laughed at by your peers and people with more experience then you. Eventually you come to realize your mistakes correct them and understand it was just a "fad" and will come and go just like yo-yos, furbies, and other pointless items. ..... I seemed to stray off topic..... Purchased car with college savings June 2003. Wanted a 4 cylinder rwd import and the porsche 944 was out of the picture.

[Nismo4Banger240]

Ive always been into RWD sport cars...my first was a 1st gen RX-7...but it nickel & dimed me to death so i past it to my dad and got my 240 around 2 yrs ago....and i have see now that back then it went unnoticed...but now everywhere i go i hear "SR20 this, SR20 that..." and when i say ka24de they think im talking about a turbo...:rolleyes ...lol, but hey....i dont really mind, because true fans of the cars know what its about and ricers will always be just that ...ricers....or not even "ricers" just people who jump on a bandwagon and dont know what they are talking about.....

my .02

[WingsNThangs]

Increasing S13 popularity + growing import/drift/DIGP/F&F scene+ clean car condition + decreasing car quantity (resulting from kids totalling their cars)

= value of my car depreciates slower.

[scruffy63]

don't you mean the value of your car slowly increaces???

[WingsNThangs]

don't you mean the value of your car slowly increaces???

No.

A car is personal property that inevitably depreciates, it just depends on the rate of depreciation. I would be foolish to expect that my 13-year old car would appreciate in value, solely based on the demand of a small demographic of enthusiasts (relative to the general driving public). Until I am certain that I can sell my car for more than I purchased it (+modifications) for, I can't say "the value of my car slowly increases".

99.999999% of the time, a mass-produced car such as ours will depreciate in value, regardless of how many goodies it has, not even considering how much money was spent on modifications.

Increasing S13 popularity increases demand slightly, thus slowing the car's depreciation, perhaps enough to offset predictions by Kelly Blue Book.

[scruffy63]

I don't mean by kelly blue book. but i'm just saying that a s13 in 1995 in good condition would be sold for more in 2004.

[Peabody]

I live in New Orleans and never see 240's on the street now. Well, maybe one every other month. I am the original owner of my cherry red pearl s13 with all the factory options. I still love the car and it was been my daily driver for almost 15 years and I still enjoy it. It does get noticed because I have taken very good car of it. Some people that do not know about body styles think it is a new car because of the condition. It has 140,000 miles and has never broke down. I have done a few mods over the last 15 years. Header, 2 1/2" exhaust, short throw shifter and so other things. I am now looking into suspension work because the ride is a little rough. Seems like most readers of the post have only had thires for a few years. Later Peabody

[WingsNThangs]

I don't mean by kelly blue book. but i'm just saying that a s13 in 1995 in good condition would be sold for more in 2004.

Huh??

Cars depreciate.

Condition for condition, stock for stock...Price of 1991 240SX in 1995 > Price of 1991 240SX in 2004

In 2004, the car is more popular, and thus demand is higher. But a 1991 car in 1995 was worth more in terms of monetary value than it is today. The popularity has increased, and thus the demand has increased, but the 240SX will inevitably decrease in monetary value as time progresses. It was sold for more 5 years ago, it will be sold for less in 5 years.

[Chingon]

until it becomes a classic and they become scarce..then it starts appreciating value depending on condition. Of course, due to the TVM (time value of money) this appreciation will be minimal in regards to it's original pricetag.

[el5y]

from my personal experience: I first started driving a 1990 hb, that my dad bought from my mom's co-worker about 6 years ago, then after my brother went to college 4 years ago and took the car with him, I wanted my own because I loved it, so I ended up getting a 93 hb. in the past 2 years however, I've been invited to join a "drift team" and been asked if I was selling my car no less than 5 times. Especially in the northern virginia area, these cars are getting ridiculously popular, and ricey. Just driving through my home town i see more than 4 or 5 of them with chrome accents, 3inch exhaust tips, reflective tint, and hub caps revving the hell out of their engines.....just what I see..

Eric

[schitz240sx]

I got my first 240 when I was 17 from my sister. I honestly didnt know what she was giving me. This was 3 years ago. I remember going to school and people had no clue what I was driving. By the end of the year 5 people at my schools had 240's. I love the cars. they are so much fun to drive. I am going on my third 240. Slid off the road in the first one and a van hit me head on in the second one. So hopefully 3 time is a charm.

[Shazoo]

Wow, i just got my 240sx last month. totally stock and this thread has inspired me to keep it stock. ..cept maybe bushings...and a mafs adapter w/ filter....and that "non-ricey" exhaust for $330.

But i won't touch the exterior appearance, i wanted to get clear corners but this thread has changed my mind.

I bought mine cuz itsa RWD 4cyl car that's decent on gas mileage.

[sleighty]

got my first in the end of jan 04 and am loving it. only paid 1200 for it and it is in great condition, also it is a 92 shell with a 95 motor only 60,000mi on it got papers to prove it at time of purchase and a warranty too. the only problem that the dealership has found is that it needed a good tune up and the rear struts will need to be tended to in the near future...