Stuck between two cars

[heiyuu]

Hi guys! I've always wanted a 180sx since high-school and now that I'm done college and have a pretty decent job I can finally go for it. I'm living in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada and I've got two options to choose from. I've been going back and fourth between the two and I can't really make up my mind between the two. So I ask for your advice and opinions.

What I need in a car is a DD, but there are also auto cross and local drift meets everything month or so. Handling is a high in priority second only to being dd capable. I also wouldn't mind some awesomeness factor.

I'm also moving out of my folks house and into an apartment. Rent won't really limit what I can do to the car, just gotta wait and save up is all. My uncle is also a mechanic/welder and I will mostly being using his shop and a lot of his help. The apartment is 99% seniors so I doubt they'd like it if I used the underground parking to work on the car.

The first 180sx I'm looking at is a red 91 with sr20det. It has remarkably low kms at just 67,000kms and is bone stock except for some aftermarket steering wheel. It also has a sunroof, 7 spokes, and rear wiper. Auction Grade 4 so I can only assume its in great condition. The car recently landed in Vancouver and is waiting to clear customs. It should arrive AT MY CITY end of July. The importer is a friend on mine and said it's $7,900 including gst to vancity, and another $700-$800 for the train to get here. When it arrives he will safety it before he sells it. Because he is a local importer I get to see and test drive the car before I pay a cent.

The second car... wooh there is a bit of a story here. It's a silver 91 sr20det 180sx with 102, 318kms. Aftermarket list goes like this:

Aerobody
16" Wheels
Clutch
Exhaust
HKS Air Cleaner
Cusco Strut Tower Bars
Momo Steering Wheel
Veilside Shift Knob
Greddy Boost Meter
Omori Water Temp Meter
Greddy Turbo Timer
HKS EVC
Cusco Suspension
Intercooler Hard Pipe
GT-R Driver's Seat
S14 Passenger's Seat
HKS Blow Off ValveAlso note:

Automatic converted to 5 speed
Speakers are missing [I guess prev. owner liked to crank it?]This one is going for $300 lower than the red one and has a nice list of mods. It already has cusco suspension and strurt bars so it'd be a great head start on improving the handling. The kit and rims on it look really nice too. It's very tempting considering the money I'd save on the parts that already come installed on the car.

The car is still in Japan and will arrive via container to Vancouver August 5th. No auction papers so I didn't really know what I was getting.

**story time**

I googled arround and found two other importers who listed the same car. However, the pictures and descriptions they had showed:

The front right fender, side marker, and bumper was damage in an accident.
The was very minor rust along the left rear wheel well right above the sideskirt
In the photos of the engine bays there showed minor rust along the 3 bolts on each strut tower
The entire spare tire well had rust bleeding into it [looked like it was coming from the tail light area]I emailed the importer and he replied saying those two listings are outdated by many months and that their exporter fixed the rust in the trunk, strut towers, wheel well and fixed the damaged to the front right. There was also cracked vents in the interior that were fixed and they added a stereo. The importer said they bought the car afterwards.

He replied with a description and a lot of pictures of the under carriage. Every single corner of the car is clear except for the area right in front of the rear left wheel well [hidden by the side skirt] there is a tennis ball sized hole and the rust looks to like it continues outwards for another 6 inches.

The gap between the front bumper and hood/fenders seems to be 1cm too low. Possibly from the accident. Or it could just be bad fitment on the aftermarket aero bumper.

My mechanic said since it's hidden by the side skirt he can cut the rust out and weld new sheet metal in and that it would be easier because he doesn't have to worry too much about it looking good [since its hidden by the side skirt]

The price is $7,600 + train [again, about $700 - $800] and then whatever it cost to safety it [fixing that big rust hole on the undercarriage will be the big one]

My biggest issue with this car is the importer is located 2 provinces away. So I'd have to wire him $8,400 before I even breathe in a single particle of JDM dust from the car. Oh and the car has no sunroof or rear spoiler...

So both cars have their pros and cons.

Red car pros: Low kms. Local importer. Test drive before I buy. Has a sunroof and rear wiper lol! Safety will be done for me by importer.

Red car cons: $300 more than the grey one and it'd take a lot of work and money to get it to the same level.

Grey car pros: Comes will almost all the parts I would had bought for the red car and I get a head start on upgrading it. I could always sell or trade the parts if I'd want to change something. Looks amazing sexy with the rims, lower stance and kit.

Grey car cons: Higher kms than the red one [although still pretty low for a 91] I have to pay $8,400 for it all before I can touch it because the importer is out of province. I would also have to pay for the safety. Known minor-accident and rust history and no idea on quality of the repairs done by the exporter.

So yeah based off these ramblings what would you guys choose?
Pics:

Red 1991 180sx 67,000kms stock! $7,900
http://www.coyotecars.ca/Cars/07021/540-DSC01711_640.jpg

Silver 1991 180sx 102,318kms modded! $7,300
http://importconcern.ca/stock/100388/13.jpg

Here's the damage to the front right bumper/fender/side marker before it was fixed by the exporter
http://www.streamlineimports.ca/images/stock/4660/4660%20%289%29.jpg

[KA-T_240]

start with a stock car. It may take more $$$ to do what you want, but then you do not have to deal with someone else shitty work.

Unless you find a completely done car that is PERFECT.

[Farzam]

Don't buy someone's headache.

[J-Style]

I have always told myself that if I am going to buy a car, I am going to buy a stock one. This way you feel more acomplished with every upgrade you add. I think it makes more since because when you step back and look at your car you know that it is all your own. Good Luck!

[Gaelen]

honestly man.....from the past headaches I have had...start with the stock car and go from there

my gtr blew up on me in 2 months...i thought i was getting a deal

take the stock one...do what you want with it and go from there

[Bigballin]

id go stock....


but what i really wanted to say is how's winnipeg? hot females??

[sleepy_s13]

red one is cleaner.

[MrD]

+1 on the stock one.
Especially since you can see it before you commit.

The aftermarket equipment on the second one isn't anything to write home about. Suspension might be blown. Clutch is probably worn out. + you know it's been boosted beyond stock levels. Not that it matter much but when taking a gamble like that, it's another thing to consider.

[240sx_sr20det]

red one ftw!!

[nissan240syan]

get the red one, less miles and bone stock so you get to actually do somthing and see the results

[DrIvEsldEwAyS]

id go with the red one as well

[zackt69]

stock for sure...

[C. Senor]

i'd go with the stock one.....i bought mine bone effing stock. so i have the liberty of fixing the car up myself exactly how i want it, and as i switch out the parts i know how many miles are on them, and how they were put on, so (as in electrical and mechanical stuff) when something goes wrong, i know what was done and wont have to fish around too much to find the problem. but that's just me.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Stock...only reason I say that is because you will see it first hand. The other car, you have no way of verifying jack shiet on it till it actually gets to you. Could have low comperssion, smoking turbo, more rust, etc etc and you wont even know it till after you bought it.

[heiyuu]

Red: +12
Grey: 0

Thanks for the input so far! I've talked [more like bs'd] it over and over again constantly with my friends. They all seem to agree the red one would be the reliable and less risky choice, but also agree the grey one is nicer looking and tempting but a bit of a risk. So it seems the red one gets another +4. My GF says she is undecided as she bought a modded ae86. She got her trueno from the local importer though so she admits her loyalties kinda lie there.

I know a few people who've gotten cars from both importers: a modded ae86 [gf's], fd3s and gto from the local importer and a silvia k and skyline gts from the out of province impoter. They've all had good experiences so I trust either one. Both tell me there cars are in good condition [or were repaired to good condition in the case of the grey one] so I don't doubt I will be happy with either one.

So we've devised a plan A and a plan B course of attack! Pretty much I will try for the red one, but if it happens to be crap condition or the import jacks the price too high I will go for the grey one, assuming it isn't sold.

Oh yeah another thing, mom has to co-sign for the bank loan and wants to see any car I decide to buy first! So technically mom is +1 for the red. But since she is signing, its more like +999 hahaha... It's gonna be hard to convince her to sign if I fail getting the red and have to go grey!

[exitspeed]

For some reason when I read the title of this thread I thought you were in an accident and your car was lodged between two cars.

Anyway, I say the stock one also. Much better to start with a clean slate and fix/fuck the car up yourself. Plus that bumper on the silver one is kinda/really ugly.

[bigOdom1]

stock, hell when i did my swap it was put together totally stock except radiator.

[Oubre]

Good plan, i was going to say yes the silver ones looks nice. But it is only going to last so long before you have problems and thats assuming you like every single mod he has done and wouldnt change it , IE like you dont like suspension it comes with so your going to buy a new set, you might as well go with the red etc.

[azndoc]

I would have to say the red.

I'd take power over looks. What good is looks if you don't have the power to back it up.

[ecuastyle84]

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[Jdmredtops13]

build one yourself baller?

[snappy]

Stock is best, but make sure you're buying a stock car that nobody has messed with. When I bought my second 240 that I thought was stock, found out later that there was some wire behind the dash that had been spliced and messed with.

Just know what to look for and try to make a good decision based on what is presented in front of you. Go with the stock, it's fun to build up 240's cuz there are so many options to choose from.

[Canaduh]

id go stock....


but what i really wanted to say is how's winnipeg? hot females??


they say we have the hottest women in canada. And you all know how hot canadian women are =D

Hope to see you driving around in either one of those cars soon.

[Apossiblehybrid]

you should get the red one.

[SexPanda]

theres a good site in canada with imported cars. They got all sorts of stuff from japan. Good prices. I bet you've checked it out already, but if not http://www.jdmconnection.ca/ they also have a stock in japan they can ship over.

Other than that, I like the red one. the grey ones body kit just isnt impressing me...

[heiyuu]

theres a good site in canada with imported cars. They got all sorts of stuff from japan. Good prices. I bet you've checked it out already, but if not http://www.jdmconnection.ca/ they also have a stock in japan they can ship over.

Other than that, I like the red one. the grey ones body kit just isnt impressing me...

Hahaha that is one of the two sites that listed the car a few months back when it still had front bumper/right fender damage and visisble rust.

Red car is due in within a week.

Canaduh - Nice to meet another pegger on here.

[hellion240sx]

tuff decision... they are pretty much in thesame pice range and you would have a head start with the rgrey one. what kit is that on the grey one?

[PRADOgy]

you will appreciate the car more if you build it yourself.. not only that, if something goes out you know what the hell it would be because you will know what you have replaced and what needs to be replaced or upgraded

[k's_silvia2.0]

Don't buy someone's headache.

coulndnt of said it better.

[hellion240sx]

so? what was your final decision? and what kit is the grey one?

[azanprophet]

Go with the red one and NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER buy a car without driving it first. You could get that grey shipped to you with the body and chassis in one train car and the engine in a crate in another...you never know.

Go with the red FTW.

[wangan_cruiser]

red one man. stock with a clean slate so you know and can start monitor sheit when they start to break.

[heiyuu]

No worries guys I've decided on the red one and will only consider the grey one if I am unable to get the red one.

so? what was your final decision? and what kit is the grey one?

Dmax type I. Nicest kit I've seen that uses chuki lights. It also oem fits fog/dtrl too.

[hellion240sx]

Dmax type I. Nicest kit I've seen that uses chuki lights. It also oem fits fog/dtrl too.[/QUOTE]

i was trying to find the name of that kit for a while but i never got it right! thanks. hope everything goes right with your decision!

[theronin]

Like others have said, stock is ideal. U want a clean slate. The first one sounds very yummy anyways. Much bettar imo.

[MrD]

they say we have the hottest women in canada. And you all know how hot canadian women are =D

Hope to see you driving around in either one of those cars soon.

Pfff :P Montreal is where the ladies are :fawkd:
So bought it yet?

[heiyuu]

Pfff :P Montreal is where the ladies are :fawkd:
So bought it yet?

I called my importer and he said it will arrive either the end of this week or next week.

<black weatherman from family guy>IT'Z ON THE TRAIN!!!!</black weatherman from family guy>

EDIT: I also heard montreal has the hottest hookers ever. Like "Old Town" hot.

[300hp owen]

mmmmmmmmmmmm, hookers in montreal... holy hell thats hot.
almost ANY chick in Montreal is hotter than other places.

[heiyuu]

Well the red 180sx just arrived today. Importer was busy for the whole day and told me to come by tommorrow. I went to his place anyways to check out the car... yea stalker stylezzz.

The Good:
Importer said engine is super mint. Car is really bright red and I could tell he just finished detailing it [tires were shined!]

The Bad:
Importer stated that the car's exterior and interior weren't as good conditioned as he would expect from a car with an auction grade of 4. There is a lot of paint fade everywhere and some pretty nasty rock chips. I spotted a golf ball rust bubble underneath the wing in the middle of the trunk [so I assume the mount holes will be rusty too]
Some marble sized wear and tear holes in the driver's seat.
A few cracks in the dashboard

The ugly:
Repainting the car is fine...
Replacing the seat is fine...
But where the hell am I sposed to find a RHD dashboard?

I have a meeting set up with him tommorrow afterwork. Going to bring my uncle/mechanic and if he says everything looks good it's off to the bank I go. Gonna try to get a few extra bucks to fix those things to make it "mint"

[MrD]

Where to find a RHD dash?
Well... inside any kouki s13 front clip the importer did import for one.

[heiyuu]

Where to find a RHD dash?
Well... inside any kouki s13 front clip the importer did import for one.

Sorry I'm not too sure what you mean?

[mangoes]

get the red one!!! i bought a fully built car and now i regret it because it doesn't feel like "mine." im slowly making it my own now though but it isnt the same.

[heiyuu]

Test drove it the other day. Thing really hauls. Has super hicas which feels weird to me but oh well. Going again today with my mechanic to finalize everything.

Funny stuff:
My GF's AE86 has a very clean engine, but the body needed work. So does the 180.
My GF's AE86 came with a "ZEST" double din deck. Guess what the 180 comes with?
My GF's AE86 is missing the left/passenger side vent visor. The red 180sx is missing the left/passenger vent visor
My GF's AE86 is red. Ditto.

Fuck we are going to be like those couples that dress the same...

get the red one!!! i bought a fully built car and now i regret it because it doesn't feel like "mine." im slowly making it my own now though but it isnt the same.

No worries I'm in the process of getting the red one. I've been talking to Jason from Enjuku bout stuff too ;)

Next month, $3000 bonus FTMFW!!!!

[95240s14]

Having a bunch of 20-24 year olds pick your car is a great idea!! Why didn't I think of that. Unless you would ask for someone else to pick your nose, Pick your own car. I have owned an s13 coupe and currently own an s14 because it doesn't feel like I am still driving my crx.

[heiyuu]

Having a bunch of 20-24 year olds pick your car is a great idea!! Why didn't I think of that. Unless you would ask for someone else to pick your nose, Pick your own car. I have owned an s13 coupe and currently own an s14 because it doesn't feel like I am still driving my crx.

Well considering I've little experience with importing a car and 0% on owning a s13 it's probably a good idea to seek advice. How's that saying go again?

"He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes, but he who does not ask is a fool forever"

You're also not helping in any way and sound like an ass on the internet. I don't know if you had a bad day or you were born/raised that way, but unless you have something helpful to say, please kindly GTFO.

[95240s14]

Are you buying yourself a car to enjoy, or a car to impress everyone else.....just buy the one you want, its pretty simple. Its like the posts you see where people ask what color to paint their car......paint it the color you want. Thats all.

[shawn240sx]

Hey good luck with the purchase man...Im in cali now...originally from the peg. Good to see the 240 scene is alive and well in the peg!

[heiyuu]

Hey good luck with the purchase man...Im in cali now...originally from the peg. Good to see the 240 scene is alive and well in the peg!

Yea it's alive alrite. There are apparently 3 180sx here in peg city... INCLUDING MINE. Yep. I BOUGHT THE RED ONE. I picked her up on last week Tuesday. She spent the long weekend getting the rust holes patched up and painted, then I had to install ghetto cheap foglights I got at princess auto as daytime running lights.

Yesterday at 4pm I picked her up from the shop, and got a finished safety at 5pm. Weird how the mechanic took my word for it, and didn't even look at the work done to my car. He just filled out the papers. Guess I coulda saved myself $680 and just told him it was done :bash: :mephfawk:

At 6pm transfered the insurance from the 98 corolla over and it was $31 cheaper w00t.

As for the other "wrong" things, I'm currently "negotiating" with a few people here on zilvia about replacement RHD dashes. The rips in the seat got stitched up by the importer so they should hold up until I get some racing seats hehehe.

k pics... die 56k die!

http://members.shaw.ca/heiyuu3d/images/180sx_red/resized/DSC00008.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/heiyuu3d/images/180sx_red/resized/DSC00010.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/heiyuu3d/images/180sx_red/resized/DSC00009.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/heiyuu3d/images/180sx_red/resized/DSC00016.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/heiyuu3d/images/180sx_red/resized/DSC00014.jpg

[Phoenix_95]

Pretty clean. Enjoy :bigok:

[hellion240sx]

what is the third pic of?

[Canaduh]

i always see your girlfriend driving that ae86. I thought she was single :(

You don't find many cool girls that wanna drive an ae86.

[heiyuu]

"AE86 "Girlfriend"" says: awwwwwww...i know what you mean buddy. it's really hard to find a nice girlfriend who drives an 86. i would know. i've tried.

[WanganRunner]

Buying pre-modified tends to be cheaper because other people's messes come at an inherent discount.

My general rule is that I don't mind any pre-existing modifications so long as they aren't engine-oriented. I'll buy a stock swapped car done by a reputable local shop, but I won't buy something that's been boosted to high hell and obviously stretched out.

That said, stuff like suspension modifications, aero, brakes, repaints, etc... I'll gladly buy pre-done, as there's really only so much that someone can screw it up and if they have it'll be fairly evident visually.

Repaints in particular are great to buy pre-done, especially if they're spendy repaints. Why spend $3k to get a car flawlessly repainted inside and out when you can pay $1k premium for a car that just had it done and then do the other stuff yourself?

[heiyuu]

what is the third pic of?

I think it's the hicas pump?

[Antihero983]

Don't buy someone's headache.

agreed. but be careful, cause even stock cars can be someone else's headache...i learned that over the past four years with my car. :Ownedd:

[ecuastyle84]

damn thats a clean 180sx...motor looks so fresh

[nissanguy13]

Nice choice. Engine bay is very clean. Any pics of interior? Its always funner to get them bone stock. Then you don't have to worry about what might be wrong, or what did they do. Also you get to personalize it from the begining instead of undoing someone else's personalization.(I think that's a word?)

Psst if you decide to get rid of those turn signals let me know.

[nissanguy13]

oops disregard, double post. please delete

[nissanguy13]

Having a bunch of 20-24 year olds pick your car is a great idea!! Why didn't I think of that. Unless you would ask for someone else to pick your nose, Pick your own car. I have owned an s13 coupe and currently own an s14 because it doesn't feel like I am still driving my crx.

Someone is cranky and needs a nap. You can pick your nose, you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

[MrD]

Congrats!
It looks clean!
How's the interior? cracked dash?

[vipd240]

I'd say go with the stock one. Any car that has that many mods on it. Has been enjoyed by the previous owner! Which could mean beat to you. Just my 2cents.

[vipd240]

Car looks really clean!

[hellion240sx]

so is that the hicas pump? i'm guessing, well thats what someone mentioned. i've never seeen that