Still looking.....

[Bluedevil1495]

Ok so i recently made a trip to atlanta to look at a 240sx, this one actually http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/3464206257.html.
And it turned out to be a complete bust, it has massive frame rot, missing floor panels, the doors didn't seal, the whole front bumper structure was missing, horrible paint job, and shotty interior. So it brings me to this, when i got in that beat up 240 and drove it for two minutes i fell in love. I didn't fall in love with that particular car, but the 240sx itself. I'm 6'3" and it was just a good fit, which has made me bound and determined to get one. I just love the look of them especially black ones that are hatches.

I found this one and was wanting to get some input on it. http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/3526291113.html
It has a rebuilt motor, i forget how many miles he said were on it and that is just what makes me nervous. I figure if the transmission goes out it is easy enough to just drop and swap. But i want some opinions on how reliable you think it could be, it would be a daily to and from school and work.

I appreciate it alot guys, thanks.

[mechanicalmoron]

If it's in the condition it says, why not?

from the whole "not in a hurry to get rid of it" thing, he may have an inflated idea of it's value, or be waiting for suckers to buy his daily for more than it's worth so that he can buy a nicer one.

Check compression, look at everything for leaks or traces of fluids, check the fluids, all that good stuff.

[Bluedevil1495]

What should I offer, I was thinking 2500-2750 ish? It does have a rebuilt motor but it's also a car with 220k miles on everything else.
Tell me what you think.

[SoCal-S13]

What should I offer, I was thinking 2500-2750 ish? It does have a rebuilt motor but it's also a car with 220k miles on everything else.
Tell me what you think.

yes. maybe even 2200

[fiznowler]

Just by looking at the one pic it looks to be a really nice car. If interior is in as good of shape as he says and it runs great he will get close to asking price. I would offer 2500 and see what he says. My guess is he won't sell it for less than 3 though.

[laxands13]

What Fiznowler said. I'm down by Atlanta too and drift tax here is so bad.. Apexi Exhaust, Gram Lights, and new paint are all pricey things that means that guy probably won't drop too much lower.

[mechanicalmoron]

If it's really fresh paint, and it's well done, and if it's really rebuilt, and it's well done, and it's really got all that stuff, hey, sure, 2200.

But everyone's a con artist. Rebuilt could mean he took it down to the carwash and pressure-washed the engine bay. I'm not saying assume the worst or be suspicious, but remember that you're buying a used car, and buying a used car is, ehh, buying a used car.

Sounds like a lot to me. But on the other hand, I'm driving around in a sub-800-dollar hatch, it's all kinds of colors, makes all kinds of smells, and all that sort of thing, and if I'd spent the money all at once, I could easily buy that car with how much I've put into it.... like twice over

Remember, if he's in no hurry to sell it and is just listing it because he can, that means that he probably will NOT sell it unless you make an offer that he thinks is a good deal for him.... which generally means it's as bad for you, as it is good for him. He has no incentive to sell, other than the prospect of getting more than it's worth.

Additionally, all his money seems to be in things that you see or hear. Paint, wheels, exhaust, steering wheel, etc. Exhaust and such does performance, of course, but he probably did it for more ricey reasons than that. Then, where he could have spent the money, he got, not only just springs, but megan springs. (nothing against them, I guess, never had their stuff, and I wouldn't hesitate to either. But it seems like it's a serious notch below the kind of money he's spent on show. And if they're just lowering springs on stock struts, get ready to replace the struts if they're original, I have 7k less miles and mine are totally shot in a dangerous way, putting on coilovers tomorrow)

[Bluedevil1495]

I appreciate all the info. I ended up talking to the guy figuring we might be able to do something about that price. It definately looks clean and that's what I am looking for. I don't want some turbo'ed ka or sr. I just love the looks of a blacked out S13 and the handling in them to is phenomenal. That's also essentially what he said, " Try to find another 240sx as clean as this for that price."

[mechanicalmoron]

I appreciate all the info. I ended up talking to the guy figuring we might be able to do something about that price. It definately looks clean and that's what I am looking for. I don't want some turbo'ed ka or sr. I just love the looks of a blacked out S13 and the handling in them to is phenomenal. That's also essentially what he said, " Try to find another 240sx as clean as this for that price."

To which I say:



The fun isn't BUYING a clean car, it's MAKING a clean car.