Should I buy this 240?? Suggestions

[opeth13]

I'm selling my 1999 Acura Integra GS with 30,000 miles on it because theres still $17k left to pay off on the car and my dad has taken over the payments since I am currently unemployed. He doesn't mind paying for it for the time being, but I can't justify having my dad pay over $300 a month for a car that doesn't set any records and isn't fun to drive in its stock form.

So, I have decided to buy a 240 with the money I got stashed. The 240 will be paid off, I will sell my Integra, hold onto my pride, and love driving again.

Now, I passed up a beatifull 1993 240sx coupe at an auction. It only had 73K miles on it. I bid $1800 on it, the high bid was $2850. Today, I lost out on another '93 coupe that got sold from a "private" seller for $3900. It was black, and only had 62,000 miles on it. Unbelievable.

Anyways, now I'm hell bent on finding a 240 pronto. I ran across an ad on autotrader. It is for a 1992 240sx. Here's an exact quote of the description:

Quote »1992 240sx SE fully loaded, Super-Hicas(4-wheel steering). Excellent running car. Clean interior and exterior. Aztec red with grey interior.190k miles. Lowered with eibach sportline springs and kyb GR-2 shocks. Sound system is stock except for an Alpine faceoff CD deck. The super-hicas model comes loaded with ABS and limited slip diff. Car runs and drives excellent. Asking 4500.00 obo [/quote]

So, some things to notice right off the bat, the mileage. Also, the asking price. Kelly Blue Book is a bit less than $2200 low, and $2500 high.

What are your opinions? Should I make an offer on this car? Is it worth it? As far as looks go, I think its purdy.

I plan on using whatever 240 I buy as a daily driver. I do not want to spend any money on it for almost the next year. I want it to be a project car. I will try to work on it myself if it needs minor repairs, to gain a better knowledge of the car's inner workings, and use it as an educational experience. Once I get a decent job, and have saved up some money, I plan on doing a whole rebuild, possibly turbo KA, along with suspension, and possibly a body kit. I am fairly mechanically inclined, and if I have proper instructions, I can follow them to the finest detail. That being said, I have no experience working on cars.

What should I do? Should I by a car with high mileage, pray that it lasts another 75,000 miles, then spend moeny to rebuild the engine? Should I even consider attempting a rebuild myself with my friends? What do you guys think?

This is my first post here and I hope I haven't made a fool of myself

Thanks,Raf

Heres the picture of the 240 I'm considering:

[blink0r]

Wow, that s13 looks pretty clean. Only word of advice:

Get the timing chains/tensioners checked out. With 190k miles, they might be in need of changing (Get it done at a shop for about $1,400us - i know, its expensive).

If the timing chains are fine, try to get him down a bit in price.... $4500 is still reasonable for a clean, great running car.

[Xaev]

Milage really doesn't mean jack on these engines. What's more important is to look for actual signs of a waning engine - Fluid leaks from the engine and transmission, compression test and visually inspect, or have someone inspect, the timing chain/guides/tensioners like blink already said. Even if the timing stuff looks good you should plan to have the chains+tensioners+guides+water pump replaced in the near future if they never have been. That's about $400 worth of parts, and lots of labor if you don't do it yourself.

I'm not a huge fan of HICAS myself, but the LSD is a really nice feature. Probably one of the main reasons he's asking over book.

-Xaev

[Repo Man]

That's a nice car from what I can see in the pic, but $4500 is still pretty high, IMO. If it's had maintenance done regularly, you're probably ok. Like these guys said, look for leaks and other telltale signs of imminent repairs.

Keep in mind that it's still 190k. KA's are famous for going forever, but it may need repairs. It's something mechanical and mechanical things have problems occasionally. I'm not knocking it, I'm just saying don't expect it to be completely problem/maintenance free. Good luck.

[Repo Man]

Unless it's gold plated and filled with Asian prostitutes, it's not worth two grand over book.

Where can I get one with Asian prostitutes around here?

[Repo Man]

In Nebraska? Nowhere.

Try moving to a state with an airport, you might have better luck.

I'm in Indy. There's gotta be some Asian whores around here someplace...

[skydragoness]

$4500 is a TAD high, i paid $3700 for my 92' coupe with 82k.

if your'e looking into it, i'd ask for all maintenance records, have a mechanic-friend look it over as well. you will most likely have to put cash into it (it IS a 10yr old car, and stuff just happens) If your'e doing work on it, then the mileage on the KA isn't an issue.

also, it was owned by someone who was obviously interested in 'tuning' it and what not. i am wary of used cars that have been modified. I'd buy a stock one IMO.

but i'd say wait out a bit longer

[Repo Man]

Originally posted by repo man "]I'm in Indy.

...which is in Nebraska. Everything West of Ohio is in Nebraska.

Ohio? What the hell makes Ohio so special?

[silviamirage]

Chili, Ohio has excellent chili, that's what's so special.

[Zebrahead]

I agree, I wouldn't buy a previously modified car with that many miles. Most people that modify their cars drive them hard, so that many miles could be an indication of a lot of wear and tear on the motor/transmission/etc. Have it thouroughly checked out, and if its in good shape, get him down. That's wayyyy too much.

And I'm sorry about the two auctions, those were once in a lifetime steals . . . twice.

Nick.

[APEXi240]

Yeah you got beat. Don't buy that car. Its too expensive, its modified and it has high mileage.

[opeth13]

Well, I called the guy and he mentioned that the car is also gold plated and filled with Asian prostitutes. Thats why theres a premium.

[opeth13]

By the way, I'm kidding, the car isn't gold plated

Seriously though, I haven't spoken to the guy yet, but I will in the next few days. Once I assess the condition of the car, I will make an offer. Wish me luck:P

[Chaotic1]

opeth13, if you're looking to offer below $4200 you're not going to get very far. i've called the guy before, his name is Greg. his plan is to sell the 240 and buy a cheaper car, ideally a Sentra SE-R with money left over to go towards school or living expenses. for this reason, he won't sell it for what it's worth, which is below $3000 IMO. 190k can't be worth over 4 grand... modding it just makes it worse...

[opeth13]

Well, that kinda sucks. His name is in fact Greg (it says this on the autotrader ad). Yeah, I was going to offer $2500 and if the car was in really super shape for some reason, I would've put up 3 grand, but $4200? I think thats rediculous. I doubt anyones going to buy that car anytime soon.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.