So close, yet so far away...

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

So as everyone here should know by now I've been looking for a 240sx for months to no avail. Well I finally found a decent one in Sacramento (where my parents live). A '92 fastback SE 5spd with 150k miles. It was listed in the newspaper yesterday, so I called the guy and set it up for my dad to go check it out this morning. My dad called the guy this morning to confirm then headed over to check out the car (~30-45 minute drive). When he got there, it had been sold! wtf? Am I doomed to be without a decent car forever? :angry7:

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

Patience is key. I recall a member searching for 2 years and he got quite the deal for his S14 (low miles, excellent condition, leather, everything).

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

I actually just found out a car I was looking at a little while ago ('91 SE HICAS) is still available, but its a 2 hour drive from here. The guy did all the work on the car himself, but he can't be older than 20, sounds like the kid is still in high school. I think he's selling it because he got too many tickets. But he did say the car is in perfect shape. I'll call him back and ask some more questions...

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

crap, I just called the guy back and it has a salvaged title from one of the lights hitting a tow hitch on a truck. The guy fixed it and has receipts, and he says that nothing else was damaged beyond the pop up light. The rest of the car is in pristine condition. Apparently the guy buy Hondas, stips them, and races them, but he didn't want to tear apart the 240sx because it had all the power options and is in great shape. At least that's what he tells me. He's a mechanic, so everything is in working order... but its a salvage title, which I've been told to avoid at all costs! ARGH!

What do you guys think?'91 240sx SE hatch with HICAS (5spd)160k miles (rebuilt heads at 100k)all power/sunroof, pristine conditionSALVAGE titlehe wants $3200 obo

This car is 2 hours away, so if I go to check it out, I better be sure I'm gonna buy it. Even though it is salvaged, the car has been babied and *apparently* has no damage (keep in mind I haven't had a chance to check out the car myself). It is supposed to be in near mint condition... but that salvage title worries me because I've heard such bad things about it. I'm getting real frustrated here, someone help me reason this out:help Once I get a good car I'll stop whining so much, so the better advice I get, the less stupid comments you hear from me

AAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKEARO*HY#)R(*T#@(&%(*@&#$ah, much better. Someone help me out here.

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

ahh, much better now, just needed to play some Final Fantasy I to cool off and think more clearly.

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

Sorry to be a bother but I have some real questions about this car now (mostly about salvage titles).

I've heard insurance may not cover a car beyond liability if it is salvaged. Is this true?Should I be worried about a salvage title despite there only being damage to the headlight (he has receipts)?Should I just give up on this car and keep looking since it is a 2 hour drive and salvaged? $3200 is a lot for a salvaged car with 160k miles... but I don't think I could get the car for any less than $3000.

Website · Post by **quiksilvia** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

3000 is still a lot of money to pay, figure that car w/o a salvage title is worth, what, like 5000 + or -, so figure that u should pay half of that...are u gonna put ur heart and soul into it and not expect a resale value thats too high? my 240 is a salvage title, but my dad has a body shop so it didnt bother me, u can register the car in arizona for a year...i dont think they carry salvage titles.....

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

It's not worth more than $4000 in pristine shape, and that would be if it was low mileage too. I plan on keeping the car for 3-5 years and would like as little maintainence cost as possible (one of the reasons I chose a 240sx... realiability). I know the resale will be dirt no matter what in 3-5 years, I'm not worried about getting money back. I am worried about insurance though...

Post by **float_6969** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

I don't know about your state, but you can put a car with a salvage title back on the road if you have it inspected. Once it is back on to a regular state title, the insurance, shouldn't make any difference. I would make sure the that frame is straight, that there isn't any bondo anywhere on the car and above all else, if it doesn't feel right, BACK OUT OF IT!

Post by **stickgoat** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

That's a lot of money for a car with a salvage title and 160k miles.

Post by **JESTER** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

you do what you want too. I wouldn't pay that much for that car.

Post by **skydragoness** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

yeah. for a salvage title, regardless of it's allegedly *pristine* condition (i've so heard this before, and the car looks like **** when you see it in person)under $2k. fer real.

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

thanks guys, you just reaffirmed what I thought after thinking it over. My mind was kind of clouded at first because I really wanted the car. I believe this is the second time I've decided to pass on this car, lol. Anyway, back to my frantic search for a 240sx...:pface

Website · Post by **quiksilvia** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

well it is legal to put a salvage title on the road in cali, u ahve to get a headlight and lamp inspection, and smog check, and ur ready to go, i have minimal coverage right now and its 70 a month, but i got my car $800 so i cant pass that up, it needed work but its hot now

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

why get full coverage on it any ways even if it were perfect you wouldnt get anything for it. The insurance company would just totally it and give you next to nothing for it i mean it is a 11 year old passenger car.

Post by **slw240sx** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

now if you had say 7-6g in cash i would sell you my Ca swaped car and bring it out to yah maybe ....

Post by **chrispy** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

wow i never knew people had this much trouble trying to find a 240sx. I mean some guy practicaly gave me his for around $800.

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

I've actually seen more sr20 swapped 240s for sale lately than 5spds with a ka24, its crazy. Only reason I don't pick one of those up is that I don't want to deal with smog (and they're expensive).

As for getting full coverage... I am going on my parents insurance and it should cost me $100-150/mo full coverage. That's pretty cheap if you ask me.

Post by **Meantime** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

It took me about 2 months to find my '91, but it was worth the wait...I snagged exactly the car I wanted.

Unfortunately, now, it needs more work than Michael Jackson.

Post by **Radian** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

He's asking 3200, meaning he'll take 3000, maybe 2800 if you lean on him. That still seems like a high price considering the salvaged title and high miles.I live in SF and got a '93 base hatchback with 90k mi for $3700, with alloys and a sun roof, it seems to me you should be able to get him down to arround 2500, which would be fair considering the area's high prices.

Post by **Rockenreno** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

he won't go that low in prices, he's rejected numerous offers.

Post by **chrispy** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:06 am

are you looking for one with just a 5sp , or are you willing to get a auto then swap? thats what i am doing.

So close, yet so far away...

So close, yet so far away...

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