S13 or S14 for Pure Driving Funness Factor: Can't Decide

[corbin]

As the title says I am so split between s13 and s14 I just don't know what to do. The car would be a daily driver with possible Autocross use and I plan on doing lots of work to it.

I know s14 is probably technically faster but since this car is my daily driver I still want it to be really fun to drive. I've only driven s14's but the ones I drove seemed to have numb steering feel and this is my main concern... do you guys find s13's to be more fun to drive? I've read reviews saying that they are more of a "driver's car"... or is that just because the S14 I drove was stock? If you can do some steering changes to an s14 and make the steering way less numb I would chose s14 hands down... anyone have any input?

Please don't mention how the s13 is uncomfortable for daily use... I know it is but I would change the seats/interior so it won't be as much of a problem.

I'm mainly concerned about how fun the car is to drive (how connected you feel to the car/road) after the basic suspension modifications.

[JustDriftMore]

Wrong, technically the s13 is faster.

[corbin]

I thought S14 was because its more rigid, has a lower center of gravity, and has greater track width and room to fit huge tires? S13 only has about 50 pounds on the lightest S14, and the S13 has weights at the extreme ends of the car. (gas tank and pop-ups)

But whatever, that's not the topic...
Modified by corbin at 10:43 AM 2/26/2010

[numbnuts240]

i've owned both and i prefer my s14 to both my old s13's.

[corbin]

Thanks for the reply... but why do you prefer the S14's?

[breadbox]

comfy?

1989 Two-tone S13 coupe no sunroof. But goodluck finding one in good condition.

[Razi]

Pick one you want, they are practically the same.

Go take a look at a few local ones.

[numbnuts240]

Thanks for the reply... but why do you prefer the S14's?

in stock form, the s14 felt more confidence inspiring. then again, mine is 100% fully loaded, so the rear sway bar, along with the added weight and stiffer stock springs, it just felt better. when i first got it, i still had my last s13, so i was able to drive them back to back, and my s13 had a nismo power brace as well as battle version tension rods. everything else was stock and the s14 was 100% stock.

[Cody240]

personally I like the s13 and drive one every day and im 6'2" and have no problem with comfort or drivability. yes the s14 has a little better stats but the s13 feels and looks more sporty to me but ya pick what you want and I think you will be happy with either they are really alot alike except for the body styles.

[Dazzla]

I love the fastbacks, but I own a zenki s14. After alot of different s13 and 14's and driving them I ended up deciding on a s14.

S14+ fit much better sized wheels with less work+ look much more modern+ interior is 100x better+ car handles much better- its abit big compared to a s13- nothing else!

[krash]

Pick one, there really isn't THAT big of a difference. When I see an s13, compared to an s14, I see the s13 as a go kart. Probably because most s14's I see are really clean, and most s13s are all dorifto warriors. But if you get an s14, get a kouki, I think the 91-94 s13 looks sportier than the zenki s14. Just me though.

[Jagstang]

Listen up boy, go with the S14.

It's the funnest to drive out of the two due to the fact that it has better weight distribution than the S13 (because the gas tank is ahead of the rear axle), which allows for better polar inertia.

Secondly, the S14 is clearly wider, and has much more room for larger wheels under the fenders (stock), which in turn takes barely any efforts of modification.

And lastly, the S14 chassis is 400% stronger, and more rigid than the S13.

So all of these factors give the S14 a greater advantage for spirited driving and drifting (if that's your definition for "pure driving funness").

The only few benefits the S13 has over the S14 would probably be the lighter weight difference, and the fact that it's more "classy looking" and is "cheaper" and more "RAWW"!

So yeah, your choice

Modified by Jagstang at 4:36 PM 2/26/2010

Modified by Jagstang at 4:42 PM 2/26/2010
Modified by Jagstang at 4:47 PM 2/26/2010

[asoomal]

Jagstang, stfu fan boy, you've never driven an S13.

Both have their ups and downs, S13's are more classy, feel a lot more raw, look sportier in stock form and are cheaper.

S14's tend to be a lot more quieter and feel more luxurious. The Zenki's kind of look bland in stock form but with coils rims and some tasteful aestethic modifications it'll look like sex. Then again any car looks awesome with coils and rims.
Modified by asoomal at 4:39 PM 2/26/2010

[str33tprintz]

The s13s I have driven where nearly gutted compared with my fully loaded s14 the s14 just handled better and IS more confidence inspiring. I think you should try driving an SE model and see if that fixes your handling problems. Also going with a smaller steering wheel seems to give better feedback... or maybe its just me

[krash]

Jagstang, stfu fan boy, you've never driven an S13.

Both have their ups and downs, S13's are more classy, feel a lot more raw, look sportier in stock form and are cheaper.

S14's tend to be a lot more quieter and feel more luxurious. The Zenki's kind of look bland in stock form but with coils rims and some tasteful aestethic modifications it'll look like sex. Then again any car looks awesome with coils and rims.

Modified by asoomal at 4:39 PM 2/26/2010

Thats exactly what I was thinking.

[SketchyRollin564]

The s13s I have driven where nearly gutted compared with my fully loaded s14 the s14 just handled better and IS more confidence inspiring. I think you should try driving an SE model and see if that fixes your handling problems. Also going with a smaller steering wheel seems to give better feedback... or maybe its just me

Yoooo its you! Howd those arms work out?

Id have to say i still like the s14 better, even though the s13 has grown on me since ive owned one. I havnt driven mine yet, so i cant really say much there, but ive slid my friends with just springs and its still a good handling car.

The s14 seems to be more well thought out as far as where the gas tank is and how the weight was distributed. Both chassis can look sick with just a drop and wheels, just ones more modern, and one is definatley more old school. I do have to say though, if kept clean with an uncracked dash, both have pretty nice flowing interiors if you take their price range and age into consideration with other cars of that era.

whichever your style is, both can be pulled off very nicely, but if your going for a daily driver and have the money, i would say go with an s14

[jak89]

When I first got my 240 I was 16. I test drove both and the s13 was my choice because it was really agile and light compared to the s14 and the interior made me feel like I was in a race with the seats simple dash and cluster and this might be weird but the fact that it had no cup holders really intrigued me. Also driving it was like the best thing ever it was like a hi power go kart that able to be driven anywhere.

The s14 was noticeably heavier and not as agile. It was fun but not as fun as the s13 and IMO the exterior appearence gets a -1. the interior didnt make me feel as free as the s13

So all in all my s13 is a fun as hell DD

[kamikazestorm420]

drove a s13 hatch for about 4 years. Got it stolen, and now drive a s14. been driving the s14 for about 2 years.

overall,s14>s13

I would never buy another s13

[jessetang]

When I first got my 240 I was 16. I test drove both and the s13 was my choice because it was really agile and light compared to the s14 and the interior made me feel like I was in a race with the seats simple dash and cluster and this might be weird but the fact that it had no cup holders really intrigued me. Also driving it was like the best thing ever it was like a hi power go kart that able to be driven anywhere.

The s14 was noticeably heavier and not as agile. It was fun but not as fun as the s13 and IMO the exterior appearence gets a -1. the interior didnt make me feel as free as the s13

So all in all my s13 is a fun as hell DD

Hi power go kart.......................... Compare a S13 to a go kart is a big fail. Not even close.

In stock form, S13's limit is lower than S14's.


Modified by jessetang at 12:40 AM 2/27/2010

[simmode1]

I can't believe this is a serious thread... The differences between the two, in regard to stock driving impression, are so negligible that its barely even worth mentioning. It's not like one is gonna be really different and feel like an s2000 or something...
Modified by simmode1 at 1:12 AM 2/27/2010

[jspeedm]

S14If you were doing road racing I would say S14 because they are much more stable at higher speeds. It is much more comfy for a daily driver

S13For auto-x, or drifting go with the S13. They are much more nimble. they are cheaper so you'll have more money for mods.for me 6'2" it is too cramped inside and too hard to get in and out of.

Bothexperience+mods(the right mods)=awsome fun cars to drive.

[Philipio]

I own an S14 and like them better in every possible way so I'm biased. That being said, I did not enjoy driving my friend's S13 at all.