Thinking about a new car...

[davidricardo86]

If you didn't know, i've been using my ca18 powered 240sx to travel between Pontiac, MI and Chicago, IL. Its 300 miles each way and so far the car has made the trip each weekend without too many problems. It has however developed several issues over the course of almost 2 months which i have been able to fix and get back on the road. I have put over 6000 miles and some things about the car just aren't making me happy. I know i can fix the issues, its just some times i don't feel like dealing with it.

I am now at a point where im considering:

a) Buying a newer car (used)
b) Sell the 240SX
c) Part out the 240SX
d) Keep the 240SX, pull the ca18 and store for later use in a s14 chassis, and sell the chassis and the leftovers

I really just need a reliable car that wont leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Although the 240SX hasn't left me stranded yet, its still an old old car and needs some TLC which i dont have the money or time to do right now. I really want something thats great on MPGs, has AC, cruise control, manual transmission, and has plenty of room for my things even passengers. I've been looking into something similar to a Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Yaris, or Nissan Sentra or Versa; something practical and not too expensive. I would really love to find a Toyota MR2 Spyder or Mazda Miata but these have limited room and are not very practical. Another idea i had in mind was to find a 95-98 s14 and save the ca18 for a future swap, but these cars are becoming very difficult to find.

Im looking to finance and possibly buy from a dealership because i dont really have a down payment or the cash. If anyone has any ideas or thoughts, id love to hear them.

I guess for now im just going tough it out and see how long i can last.

P.S. Im trying to keep it below $10,000.

[Ca_Silvia]

2 cars solves everything. Pay off the s13 completely and then go buy a comfy lexus or something.

[mbmbmb23]

Im looking to finance and possibly buy from a dealership because i dont really have a down payment or the cash. If anyone has any ideas or thoughts, id love to hear them.


P.S. Im trying to keep it below $10,000.

Traditional banks usually don't loan on cars over 5-7 years old so the trick is to find something 5-7 years old that is sporty enough for you but around or under $10k. There are a few that can get down around $10k
-WRX (wagon for the space.....awd for your winters)
-350z (for the nissan aspect, bulletproof motor)
-RX8 (exotic, sporty, motors need rebuilt sooner than others)
-A4 turbo (AWD, turbo 1.8L, sporty, pricier to work on)
-Fit (small, good mpg, fwd =( , can get newer model year for under 10k, honda motor)



So tell me what makes an S14 w/ CA18 more reliable than an S13 a/ CA18? Both will have the same issues at this point.....S14's might just have straighter bodies as I believe they were easier to baby and take care of.

[davidricardo86]

Im looking to finance and possibly buy from a dealership because i dont really have a down payment or the cash. If anyone has any ideas or thoughts, id love to hear them.


P.S. Im trying to keep it below $10,000.

Traditional banks usually don't loan on cars over 5-7 years old so the trick is to find something 5-7 years old that is sporty enough for you but around or under $10k. There are a few that can get down around $10k
-WRX (wagon for the space.....awd for your winters)
-350z (for the nissan aspect, bulletproof motor)
-RX8 (exotic, sporty, motors need rebuilt sooner than others)
-A4 turbo (AWD, turbo 1.8L, sporty, pricier to work on)
-Fit (small, good mpg, fwd =( , can get newer model year for under 10k, honda motor)



So tell me what makes an S14 w/ CA18 more reliable than an S13 a/ CA18? Both will have the same issues at this point.....S14's might just have straighter bodies as I believe they were easier to baby and take care of.

I get what you're saying though. The only real reason is because my s13 chassis is very rusty and ive been wanting a rust-free chassis to play with.

I like the alternatives you listed and thanks for the banking advice. Im going to look for those cars as well and compare.

[mbmbmb23]

I see rust free shells all the time down here in NC. If you have a way to get it home I can keep my eyes open for you if you gave me a price range.


Example from Carolinanissans.com:

"The first car is a 89-94 S13 Hatchback Chassis with a non running ka24de engine. The car is mint inside and out! $1500 OBO as it sits!"






-m