Which 240 would be cheaper/less hassle to build?

[F=ma]

Ok my goal is a 240 with 320-350 hp, and everything else functional but not over the top.

Suspension: a nice set of coilovers will do
Brakes: something bigger, 5 lug maybe, just whatever it takes
Drivetrain: Clutch, short shifter, flywheel
Cooling: Whatever it takes for a little more margin of safety
Wheels/Tires: Any decent 17"s
Exterior: Repainted Blue
Interior/Electronics: A-Pillar Gauges, Mounted BC/Timer, 2x Din HU, Subs, Speakers, Amp, Alarm.


Which 240 would you rather start from?
For $6,000-$7,000: A Blue but plain 240sx with SR20 already in it. Normal associated mods, catback, dp, bc, fmic, and maybe clutch, 17"s and coilvers.

OR

For $10,000: A non-blue 240sx with SR20DET and decent turbo already making 350+, with a stripped interior, but everything else performance wise is done: engine, turbo, cooling, fuel, electronics, suspension, drivetrain, wheels, brakes.



So basically which is cheaper/easier?
Turbo Kit + supporting mods (fuel, manangement, brakes, cooling) + tuning + In Car Electronics to a 6k car.

or

Rebuilding an interior, carpet, plastics, + exterior paint + In Car Electronics to a 10k car

[sky53line]

Really it depends. Who built the high horsepower one? Was it done right? Tuned right? I wouldnt want to spend 10k + on a car that is just a ticking time bomb since someone didnt build it correctly.

[rican_nick]

I would rather start with stock car. I know to many people that bought someone elses problems and end up wasting more money troubleshooting.

I have always started with stock cars and then spend the money the way i want to. Either way it sounds like your looking to spend around the $15k range.. if you know what your doing. You can build exactly what you would like for that and know what (if any) corners were cut so you know what to expect down the line.

[Okinawandrifter87]

I agree with Nick. Start off with a stock car and spend the same amount of money you would on the car but actually knowing what your putting into it and making sure its right for what your wants and needs are.

[bryce with a y]

i'd say stick with hondas.



but its always cheaper to buy a premodded car.

[Dream240]

i'd say stick with hondas.



but its always cheaper to buy a premodded car.

:mepoke:

You're retarded.

Since when is it cheaper to buy a pre-mod car when you end up having to replace an abused turbo that the seller hid from you after only 5k miles?

Or how about replacing a blown tranny that had sawdust in it after about 500 miles?

Gimme a break. Go with as stock as possible so that YOU know what shape the mods are in when you install them. ALWAYS the safest (and IMO the easiest) way to go. Easier because you don't have to waste time and money troubleshooting as previously mentioned.

GL

[HalveBlue]

Actually, that's a fact. Because of the general depreciation of cars and parts you will, 99% of the time, be better off financially buying a pre-modded car.

Now, when it comes to reliability, that's another story.

Personally though, I'd also go with a stock car. Half the fun with cars is doing the mechanical stuff (well, it's fun in retrospect :D) and the sense of accomplishment that follows it.

[Dream240]

Actually, that's a fact. Because of the general depreciation of cars and parts you will, 99% of the time, be better off financially buying a pre-modded car.

How do you figure? Let's say you buy a pre-mod for 10k. It's turboed, coilovers, rims, intake, exhaust, interior mods. Then factor in the use/abuse of said parts. You end up with 2-out-of-4 coilovers shot, excessive freeplay in turbine shaft, 3 bent rims with curb rash, leaking exhaust with dents from the excessively lowered coilovers, and a dirty air filter.

Then, you proceed to replace or repair the already worn parts that you just spent 10k for. So over the next 6 months you end up buying new rims cause you hate the excessive vibration at high speeds, new coilovers due to piss poor cornering, rebuild the turbo, you totally redo the interior cause you prefer white to red trim, and a new exhaust cause you don't like the damage and it's not your style of exhaust tone.

All-in-all you end up spending 15k to get the car where you want it when you could have just bought a stock high mile auto 240 for 2000 and converted it to an SR20 with a new turbo and so on for less money! You'd end up spending about 10-12 AFTER getting all the above mentioned parts brand new!! As far as depreciation goes, you drive your money's worth out of them. Re-selling car parts is an assumed loss.

So 99.9 percent of the time your NOT better off.

[trsilvias13]

:mepoke:

You're retarded.

Since when is it cheaper to buy a pre-mod car when you end up having to replace an abused turbo that the seller hid from you after only 5k miles?

Or how about replacing a blown tranny that had sawdust in it after about 500 miles?

Gimme a break. Go with as stock as possible so that YOU know what shape the mods are in when you install them. ALWAYS the safest (and IMO the easiest) way to go. Easier because you don't have to waste time and money troubleshooting as previously mentioned.

GL

Technically, a stock car can be abuse too. He would had to replace that if he bought a stock car that was abuse. Sometimes buying moded cars is better because the owner takes care of the car better. It is all a gamble, just have to talk to the owner and see what kind of guy or girl they are.

[Dream240]

Technically, a stock car can be abuse too. He would had to replace that if he bought a stock car that was abuse. Sometimes buying moded cars is better because the owner takes care of the car better. It is all a gamble, just have to talk to the owner and see what kind of guy or girl they are.

ummm....okay.

Did you read my post? I stated a high mileage auto 240.....of course it's abused....by old father time.

Your definitely going to have to replace parts. That comes with any used car. And last I checked, ALL 240s are used. So you're getting this with just about any car you buy. The only exception I've seen is a strict show car. Which obviously would go for waaaay more money than we're talking but that's a whole other story. I put this example under on your "sometimes" statement.

I love how you throw in the safe statement...."it's all a gamble, see what kind of owner they are." Unless you know them personally or actually helped to work on said car then you really have NO IDEA what you're up against. If you were said driver, would you tell the prospective buyer that you drove the shit out of it and rarely changed the oil? HELL NO! You'll find just about every seller is on their best behavior when presenting you the goods. It's common selling practice.

In the years I've been driving 240s I've never met a 240 driver that didn't abuse their car. Shit even I do, THAT"S WHAT THEY"RE MEANT FOR. So you're almost never going to find a non-abused condition 240, unless grandma had it stored away in the garage and only drove it to bingo on Saturday nights.

If you do....I'll eat my young.

[Wei240]

really depends on who built the modded car, i've seen some that are basically freaking show cars, dust free everything, top of the line everything, people who actually go thru every detail to make sure everything is top notch, that i'd go for... also if you don't feel you have the time, it's just faster and easier buying a modded car (assuming it's in excellent condition)

otherwise, buy the more stock one, it's more fun to build up, you know what's going in, you can feel the gains/upgrades

both mentioned are sr's, it could be both junk/abused/etc etc, still a crapshoot, you can always rebuild it and not worry, but that'll bump up the price