Kouki vs. Zenki

[s14BoRiCuA]

Heres my situation, im looking to get into my first 240, coming from a 91 mustank 5.0, i have found 2 in my area that i am interested in...

1. 95 base model with 141k on the clock, gold on cloth, 5 spd, interior(shifter boot torn) exterior(black scuffs on both corners of rear bumper)

2. 97 SE with 94k on the clock, green on cloth, Auto(BOO!) clean all around.

Both are about the same price...I have only test driven the 95 so far...ran smooth

I really would like a manual 240...but what would you guys do in my situation?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222337705&dealer_id=56936312&car_year=1997&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=TOYOTA&transmission=&make3=MAZDA&model=SUPRA&distance=50&make2=NISSAN&address=20755&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&model3=RX7&model2=240SX&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=45

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_36_%7CD-_329_%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-20755&aff=national&paId=134269205&recnum=0&leadExists=true

[ThatGuy]

I'd make up my own damn mind and buy the car I liked better.

It's a much better idea then asking a bunch of strangers on the internet to make up my mind for me.

[eastcoastS14]

for that price get the kouki....i wouldnt pay almost 6k for a stock zenki...i just got mine for $2500 with 96k 5spd...seriously tho 6k is a lot for stock 240...id look around more try craigslist...if your set on one of these tho id get the kouki

[djtrickz]

the kouki is a better deal if they're about the same price! + its an SE. but i'm zenki 4 LyFe

[dorkjoey240]

What are you plans just curious? plan to drift then get a zenki! , I would get whatever I can afford on the car.

[ranger240]

kouki, WAYYYY less mileage makes it totally worth it, plus its resale value is likely to always be higher than zenki's (less produced, generally more desired). like what was previously said, its an se (=lsd, 5 lug, rear sway bar, some other stuff).. that is even more incentive

when i bought my gold 90 hatch, a 91 grey hatch was availible right after i paid 200 cash down payment for it. i somewhat regret not backing out of the 90 and getting the 91, (it had 15k less miles)...

get the green, and eventually do a 5 speed swap with the money you saved in maintainance by getting the car with about 50k less miles

[driveway ate my lip]

get the green, and eventually do a 5 speed swap with the money you saved in maintainance by getting the car with about 50k less miles
all the reasons you need right there.

[devonkyle77]

get the auto, driven much less harder im sure.

[Phlip]

See, I am torn here.
I hate Koukis
... but the Zenki is RETARDEDLY over priced
... not to mention that the Kouki is the fanboy car to have, you might even get some mangina off of it.
The Zenki has a lot more miles on it, and is 5-speed
... but DAMN, that thing is high-priced, and (as someone mentioned) an automatic car is likely to be less abused, and there IS an auto --> 5-speed swap FAQ to bridge that little problem.

This MIGHT be the last time I EVER say this, because I just never have liked them, but the Kouki is actually the better idea this time.
... in the future, however, I am going to need you to sack up and get an opinion of your own.

[jspecusa]

keep on searching.
good thing come while you wait.
look for
1. 95 if you going to mod the car(96 and up is obd2)
2. no rust(the bad about buying a car in the east coast)
3. check under for frame damage(so far we have found many customer's car have it they don't even know).
4. try to find one with no sunroof(leaks,noisy, and less headroom)
5. one that's bone stock even the radio is the best.
we have work on many customer's car, the ones that's
hard to work on are ones that's been touch/molested.
you don't want to buy someone else's problem.
good luck

[ixfxi]

1. 95 if you going to mod the car(96 and up is obd2)

Correct. But, if you dont have to worry about smog.. scratch that. Chances are, you're installing a different motor anyway.


4. try to find one with no sunroof(leaks,noisy, and less headroom)

Correct, unless you happen to like that kinda stuff. I didnt mind it, but eventually had it welded closed.


5. one that's bone stock even the radio is the best.

Ah yes, the fine traces of finding a virgin car. Like Sam said, find a car whos cherry isnt popped (yet).

If you ask me, the newest car for the win. But, it ALWAYS depends on two things: price and condition.

[phreze]

My friend just got a 97 for $4800 but its auto. When I was looking for my car years ago, and even now, zenki's where $5000+ for 5-speed. Factor spending another $500 if you want to swap the trans and get the cheaper one wth lower miles. You can all ways trade your kouki front end to a zenki guy either straight up for with some extar cash.

[eastcoastS14]

keep on searching.
good thing come while you wait.
look for
1. 95 if you going to mod the car(96 and up is obd2)
2. no rust(the bad about buying a car in the east coast)
3. check under for frame damage(so far we have found many customer's car have it they don't even know).
4. try to find one with no sunroof(leaks,noisy, and less headroom)
5. one that's bone stock even the radio is the best.
we have work on many customer's car, the ones that's
hard to work on are ones that's been touch/molested.
you don't want to buy someone else's problem.
good luck

haha nice...i managed to get everything on this list and got it all that for $2500

[hellllo]

buy the kouki, sell the front end, swap 5pd in there, then for your front end... oh wait

[xcusememisswyn]

Kouki's suck, Zenkis are so much nicer...

But the kouki is the better deal IMO...

All my reasons are pretty much listed...

Both are kind of expensive...

Keep looking, or make up your own mind, its your money to spend, if you wanted me to spend your money I'd make you buy me a hooker and a plane ticket to Jamaica...

I hear its nice there this time of year...

[frizzle]

I would go with the kouki and switch it to manual thats what i did with my zenki, dont get the base model unless you really dont care plus the kouki has 5 lug already.

[nismostyle240]

Kouki's suck, Zenkis are so much nicer...

But the kouki is the better deal IMO...

All my reasons are pretty much listed...

Both are kind of expensive...

Keep looking, or make up your own mind, its your money to spend, if you wanted me to spend your money I'd make you buy me a hooker and a plane ticket to Jamaica...

I hear its nice there this time of year...


what a way to justify your reasons has to why koukis suck there both look good to me koukis and zenki look good .But the performance is the main thing to be concerned about.

To the poster dont get ripped of keep looking for a good deal you might have to travel a bit be prepared for that, .Manual is a lot less hassle than getting a auto to manual conversion but its worth it (auto) if your patient to take care of your plans later on and you just drive the car around point a to b while you save more money. (tax return season for ex.)

S13's are easier to find parts for, ill tell you that right now so factor that to your purchasing descion and don't rule those out get familar with a s13 in person or by the means of a test drive.

[xcusememisswyn]

what a way to justify your reasons has to why koukis suck there both look good to me koukis and zenki look good zenki just need some agressive lighting treatment to blend rather than being so fluted.But the performance is the main thing to be concerned about.

Kouki body lines dont flow as well as a Zenki's. What more do I need to justify?

They both preform the same, ones auto, lower miles, and has a higher resale value, all reasons which were already listed. Thats the one I recommended.

[EDacIouSX]

omg you are puerto rican and you posted pics of a gold car...... thats kind of funny cause im half puerto rican and i have a gold s14.......... lol

[s14_rob]

the kouki is 5 lug and 5speed swap are easy

[NemeGuero]

See, I am torn here.
I hate Koukis
... but the Zenki is RETARDEDLY over priced
... not to mention that the Kouki is the fanboy car to have, you might even get some mangina off of it.
The Zenki has a lot more miles on it, and is 5-speed
... but DAMN, that thing is high-priced, and (as someone mentioned) an automatic car is likely to be less abused, and there IS an auto --> 5-speed swap FAQ to bridge that little problem.

This MIGHT be the last time I EVER say this, because I just never have liked them, but the Kouki is actually the better idea this time.
... in the future, however, I am going to need you to sack up and get an opinion of your own.

Your car sucks PHLIP!! I hate you!

[Phlip]

Your car sucks PHLIP!! I hate you!

No it doesn't
No you don't
I never said I don't like you Nemo (well, not during this conversation.... Yet)
I said I don't like Koukis, that is my opinion.

... my ability to remain objective, however, leaves me to be able to see that the Kouki is the better deal of the 2 options he has listed
*HOWEVER*
I'd sooner want to see him search out a better deal

[staygold24]

I got my zenki with a redtop fmic and bov and lowering springs and lsd for 6k....

and a shitty bodykit I took off

keep looking.

[street240]

kouki is the only way...

[NemeGuero]

No it doesn't
No you don't
I never said I don't like you Nemo (well, not during this conversation.... Yet)
I said I don't like Koukis, that is my opinion.

... my ability to remain objective, however, leaves me to be able to see that the Kouki is the better deal of the 2 options he has listed
*HOWEVER*
I'd sooner want to see him search out a better deal

touche salesman..

[ronmcdon]

i usually like zenkis more, but in this case I'd pick the kouki no contest!

[jspecusa]

it's cheaper to buy a zenki and make it a kouki then to buy a kouki.
depend on what you are buying a car for, if everything is going to be changed you might as well get a zenki.
i would say get a zenki and put a 180 front end on it call it the day.

[s14BoRiCuA]

i decided to go with the kouki, i went there today and filled out all the paper work...damn that car looks so sexy...anyway i go 2 pick it up tomorrow i will try to post some pix of it once i get it washed and waxed.

[ThatGuy]

Glad you made up your mind. Make sure you post the pictures in the right place.

[scribbles6]

Zenki Ftw!!!

[420sx]

that kouki got better market value. go for it. u could part the front end make some cash. buy coilovers. hehe. priorities... priorities....

[RUTH'LESSDET]

Kouki's are so much sexier and more aggressive looking :naughty: look for a lower price of course but no question get a kouki. A 5 speed kouki will be worth more than any zenki with dirty ass head lights

[Vision Garage]

Hahaha. Everyone wants a Kouki front end so if you can get it cheaper go for it. You can always trade the front to a zenki and make money off the kouki conversion. KOUKI FTW!