Purchasing a 240SX [Archive] - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

JRas

07-27-2007, 03:27 PM

I am looking into getting a 240SX for my first car. I wanted to know what I should be looking for when purchasing one I really like the Kouki 1997-98 but I can't afford one. I was thinking I should get a Zenki 1995-96 and just make it look like the Kouki. Is there any downsides to doing that? I really don't know much about cars and would be considered what some people call a noob :P

anyone willing to teach me the basics?

Thanks,

James

ZX88

07-27-2007, 03:34 PM

by the time you do the conversion it will probably end up costing more than just buying a kouki. zenki's are awesome as is.

check out this site it has a lot of useful info
http://240sxforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85222

GabeS14

07-27-2007, 03:35 PM

how much are you looking to spend?
first of all.
my friend just bought a 180sx type/s13 for 2500 with sr installed,
i think you can get a 95 for anywhere from 3000-5000
and 97-98 from 4500-6500 depending on its condition and reason for selling.

Kn1ves

07-27-2007, 03:38 PM

depends on location too

240sx_sr20det

07-27-2007, 03:43 PM

Yeah, 95-96 Zenkis are hard to find on the East Coast (NE area), and 97-98 Koukis are almost damn near impossible.. Sounds like you like the Kouki front end better. If you can just wait and find a Kouki, it'll save you the trouble of the swap.

az_240

07-27-2007, 04:42 PM

I picked up a kouki in AZ for 4 Gs.... 100k... straight body. I honestly just got lucky:)

If you plan on swapping engines the 95s are the best s14s to get since you dont have to deal with the OBD2 bs.

No downsides other than actually having to do the work and the possibility that pieces will not line up perfectly

sikkk240

07-27-2007, 04:49 PM

this could help if your that much of a noob.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=181881

JRas

07-27-2007, 05:21 PM

depends on location too

Arizona

I have $5,500 to spend If I could get a Kouki for that I'd be happy

cheapest I've seen them for sale for is
$8,995

20 til 3

07-27-2007, 06:04 PM

for that price, honestly you could find a slightly damaged zenki and do a kouki front...

but you could also find a zenki for 3500 around there and have a little money for spring/strut upgrade, and maybe fix a few things if there is anything wrong with it

good luck searching, go for a SE if you can, they have better sways, 5 lug, and front/rear aero

rckymtnkouki

07-27-2007, 07:36 PM

WOW i really feel lucky i just picked up a 95 zenki for 800 bucks but best of all it has tein he's, n1 exhaust with the kouki front end and dash weird part about it its 0db2??? no draw backs here i love it!!! just keep looking on 240 sites youll find one.

rckymtnkouki

07-27-2007, 07:39 PM

this should help.
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=150653

iwishiwas-all*

07-27-2007, 09:38 PM

oh god, not again.
go to nico or something, bother them not us with this nonsense
240sxforums mabe?

JRas

07-27-2007, 09:45 PM

oh god, not again.
go to nico or something, bother them not us with this nonsense
240sxforums mabe?

I understand you guys probably have to deal with a lot of this stuff but you also don't have to be a dick about it.

Jung918

07-27-2007, 09:49 PM

I understand you guys probably have to deal with a lot of this stuff but you also don't have to be a dick about it.

You will get that a lot on this site so you should be prepared. I paid 9.2k for my 98 with 130k miles. It was a little on the high side but I didn't want to deal with the conversion.

JRas

07-27-2007, 10:25 PM

You will get that a lot on this site so you should be prepared. I paid 9.2k for my 98 with 130k miles. It was a little on the high side but I didn't want to deal with the conversion.

I found one in my area pics are pretty blurry but it seems to be a Kouki he is asking for $6,000 he doesn't mention a year or miles though.

There is also a Zenki 95 for $5,500 with 218k on the body and 20k on the engine it seems to be nice but I really prefer the kouki look and with 218k I've been told I'd probably have to replace springs, shocks (or a coilover setup) camber arms, and possibly bearings.

nissanguy13

07-27-2007, 10:34 PM

look through the Cars For Sale thread on this site, look in your local paper,go on the internet. Look through like wheels and deals or whatever you have as your local Free car paper in AZ. I dont know how much a kouki is there, but if you buy a really clean nice one with low miles at a dealership here in SoCal its $8,000-$11,000 and not much cheaper through a private party. Zenkis are probably more within your price range, and you might be able to find one already converted too.

LongGrain

07-27-2007, 10:50 PM

is it really necessary for you to bold the words kouki and zenki everytime you type them?

JRas

07-27-2007, 11:04 PM

is it really necessary for you to bold the words kouki and zenki everytime you type them?

there bolded because I copy and pasted them each time if it means that much to you I'll make sure I don't bold them. now that we are talking about necessaries did you really need to make the post? thanks for contributing.

TiNMAN

07-27-2007, 11:23 PM

only downside is that its not a true 97/98.

unwtdhero

07-27-2007, 11:26 PM

JRas

07-28-2007, 12:00 AM

Kouki conversion is mildly expensive and not worth the trouble, though they look nice i would prefer engine mods. But dont me wrong i would prefer zenki. As long as its a 1995, being a obd1. good luck though!

yep, looks like I will just have to be patient and keep looking to top it off that Kouki I was looking at is sold :( Thanks for the input everyone so far

only downside is that its not a true 97/98.

I thought they were very similar?

GabeS14

07-28-2007, 12:16 AM

yes, just be patient, because if you just buy thats not exactly what you wanted, just to be able to say you have one, you will regret it for sure.
take your time,buy exactly what you want.and you will be happy with it.

6000 is a pretty good price for the kouki, as long as it has not been in any major crashes/salvaged, and has a fairly clean body, i bought mine for 5900, and it had a dent in the rear panel only, fairly clean i thought it was a good price, you can still find koukis here in cali, for 5000-7000, i say this because i am consistently checking for them.
if you have a pic of the car you saw for 6000, let me know ill give you my opinion, and do go to that other forum (rkymtnkouki ) sugested
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=150653
print out the sheet on there and make sure to check everything on that list!

dont worry about what some loses have to say when criticizing what you ask here, as long as you dont talk about shit you know nothing about, and make sure you search before asking simple questions just be cause your not sure.print out the sheet and make sure to check everything on that list!

Farzam

07-28-2007, 02:53 PM

Get an OBDI s14 (95)

That way you can mod it up without having to convert from obdii to obdi

fromxtor

07-28-2007, 04:37 PM

How many times do I have to get linked to NICO today...GOSH! Good luck finding a S14.

JRas

07-28-2007, 04:39 PM

Get an OBDI s14 (95)

That way you can mod it up without having to convert from obdii to obdi

what is obdii/obdi? I have two in my area ( 95's ) for sale.

ThatGuy

07-28-2007, 04:41 PM

JRas

07-28-2007, 04:58 PM

Type obdi or obdii into the Google search bar.
Press return.
Tell me what you find.

It should explain something along the lines of "On Board Diagnostic Systems" and the differences between the old system (obdi) and the updated, stricter system (obdII).

I am not being mean. I am just trying to get you to search a little and learn what is worth asking and what can be found by other means. :bow:

didn't have a return so I pressed enter :P didn't find much via google so I decided to search it up on wikipedia. first it said that it was an improvement over the older OBD-I but after checking out the category on OBD-I seems it has to do with emissions but it OBD-I was a failure which is why OBD-II was made to fix the problem with standardization.

so with the older OBD-I it's easier to past emission testing?

fromxtor

07-28-2007, 05:29 PM

'95 and older you wont have to emissions test only a safety check IIRC (or at least thats here).

Farzam

07-28-2007, 05:32 PM

In NC OBDI is safety only, no emissions.

Also...OBDI is just way cooler.

OBDII you'll be throwing codes all day long.

devonkyle77

07-28-2007, 05:43 PM

wow. i paid 13,000 for my kouki 5 years ago....the depreciation kills me...
i paid 5500 for my zenki 6.5 years ago, and i still see them go for close to that....makes little sense to me

JRas

07-28-2007, 05:49 PM

How many times do I have to get linked to NICO today...GOSH! Good luck finding a S14.

okay so for aftermarket performance the wise choice is the older 95 models so you don't have to take emission testing. It's starting to make sense

wow. i paid 13,000 for my kouki 5 years ago....the depreciation kills me...
i paid 5500 for my zenki 6.5 years ago, and i still see them go for close to that....makes little sense to me

I've never seen a zenki for $5,500 lowest I've seen is $6,000 and there were no miles listed if you check auto trader and such lowest you will probably find is $8,500

bigOdom1

07-28-2007, 05:53 PM

no you still may have emissions testing, its all about computers and the govt thats the man watching over our shoulder

CONSPIRACY TO KEEP US DOWN

JRas

07-28-2007, 06:17 PM

no you still may have emissions testing, its all about computers and the govt thats the man watching over our shoulder

CONSPIRACY TO KEEP US DOWN

how can you find out if you may need to?

ThatGuy

07-28-2007, 06:17 PM

Try contacting the Arizona DMV :duh:

http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/

Google + 5 seconds of my life.

JRas

07-28-2007, 06:33 PM

Try contacting the Arizona DMV :duh:

http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/

Google + 5 seconds of my life.

I didn't see it on there but I typed Arizona Emission in google:

Unless specifically exempted, all 1967 and newer vehicles (including diesels) that are registered in the metro Phoenix (Area A) (http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/images/areaa.html) or Tucson (Area B) (http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/images/areab.html) emission test areas must receive an emissions inspection no more than 90 days prior to registration.

Exempted Vehicles:

Model year 2003 or newer, except reconstructed, vehicles
Model year 2005 or newer original equipment alternative fuel vehicles
Model year 1966 and older vehicles
Vehicles designated as "collectible" (requires collectible vehicle insurance, reported to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division by insurer)
Electric powered, golf carts or vehicles with engine displacement of less than 90cc
Motorcycles registered in the Tucson metropolitan area
Apportioned vehicles (licensed in more than one state)
Vehicles leased to a person residing outside the emission control areas
Vehicles transferred between dealers (wholesale)

amanalone11

07-28-2007, 06:48 PM

Craigslist FTW?

JRas

07-28-2007, 07:04 PM

Craigslist FTW?

I've been checking daily there are a couple koukis on there but there either over my budget or over my budget and automatic :P

there is a couple zenkis on there also but I prefer the kouki look so I think I may wait out for one.

ReLiC

07-29-2007, 09:29 PM

fliprayzin240sx

07-29-2007, 09:39 PM

I've been checking daily there are a couple koukis on there but there either over my budget or over my budget and automatic :P

there is a couple zenkis on there also but I prefer the kouki look so I think I may wait out for one.

You like the kouki front end so much...go get a EG civic for $1k and drop the rest of your money into putting the Kouki front end on to it, problem solved!!!

JRas

07-30-2007, 05:19 PM

I bought my 96 zenki se for 3400... it came with a decent sound system, 2 tvs, some nice 18s, and some other extras. I had to drive over 2 hrs to pick it up, but it was worth it.

You should try searching in places that are a few hours away from you. Sometimes you come up with much cheaper deals. And just remember, be patient. Don't rush into purchasing a car. Wait until you get exactly what you want, otherwise, you'll be wanting to get rid of it very soon.

Good luck!!

I've been on auto trader searching 500miles. I found a nice one in Texas searching under no distance I like it but it's 871miles away.

there is a 97 and a 98 on Craigslist. 97 is $9,000 firm and 98 is asking $8,000 ( which is automatic )
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/380421691.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/366097780.html

ronmcdon

07-31-2007, 02:31 PM

I'd say just wait it out and be dilligent with searching every day. Out in socal, seems like the average going rate 2 yrs ago (maybe more afforable back then) was 5k for a zenki, 6k for kouki's. occasionally there would be zenkis for 4k or so, but they would get snatched up quick. personally i don't think koukis are worth it given that the differences between the 2 cars are just cosmetic.

I got a 96 zenki shell w/120k for 2500ish. I was going to do a swap later on anyways. Reasonable enough for me!

PhilVia

07-31-2007, 02:46 PM

i agree with most of the replies here ... just invest on a kouki.
I recently purchased a S14 Zenki and already spend $3,000 on the conversion...damn and just this week saw a fix up kouki for less of what I spend on my Zenki....
good luck thou its best to built your own you'll appreciate it more

JRas

08-05-2007, 02:37 AM

how flexible are people on there asking price? I keep seeing em but there all pretty much out of my budget and this is even ones not in my area. the cheapest I've seen is $6,000 and that was when I was first looking and it was sold when I emailed the dude. the average price it seems is $8,500-$9,000 at least what I've been looking at ( craigslist in AZ, and CA, autotrader 500miles distance )

chibo

08-05-2007, 09:20 AM

Have you made your way over to www.az240sx.org ?

inertiaticism

08-05-2007, 09:34 AM

I paid $1800 for my '95 and my roommate got his for $2500.
If you can't find a zenki for under 6k, don't bother buying one, they're not 6k worth of car stock.
You could travel and get a kouki for that much, or get an S13 with a lot already spent on it.

StaticX27

08-05-2007, 11:15 AM

Same here, I paid $1500 for my 95. You can find zenkis and koukis for cheap if you just keep looking for em. Just make sure you buy something you want, don't just buy something because it's there. I made that mistake and I wasn't happy at all.

JRas

08-11-2007, 04:57 AM

found a 1996 240SX SE with the S15 conversion done and a SR20DET swap

tell me what you guys think

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3886/30359888jg8.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9394/50999433wm6.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7989/40356630xv2.jpg

JRas

08-14-2007, 07:43 PM

I am in dire need of help trying to find a car. I will be attending college on the 18th and have no car.

I seriously can't find a 97-98 in my area cheapest one right now is 8,000 and it's an auto.

Pank

08-15-2007, 06:08 PM

stop looking for modified cars. check the newspaper and drive around and hit the local "used car for sale" corners (the ones sold by private sellers). I literally see like 2 s14's for sale a week here in NC, maxing out at like 7k for a spotless '98. Paying 8k for a 10+ year old car that only sold for ~20k is ridiculous. You can get a fucking LS400 for that much

JRas

08-16-2007, 01:21 PM

I cheapest I've found is $8,200 for a 98 automatic

If I could just find a 97 240SX SE manual stock

I look on craigslist, autotrader.com , and cars.com daily I've only seen two go for around my price and I was too late for both.

they normally are up for sale at $8,500 and my budget is $6,000

edit: checked craigslist today found a 97 SE :D for $5,900 it's an auto so I am gonna try to bring it down enough so I can afford to get it converted to manual which is what $800-$1,000 for a shop to do it?

cars looking at:
97 SE $5,900 automatic little modifications moss green some kind of exhaust. ( in CA live in AZ ) 137k miles on the car
97 SE black automatic hks carbon ti exhaust $6,200 ( in a rush willing to negotiate ) but he may already be sold yet to get a reply back also has white leather interior. has 106500 miles on the car ( in CA live in AZ )
97-98 year not mentioned SE manual miles not mentioned looks stock ( + in my area )

JRas

08-26-2007, 12:02 AM

was gonna purchase a 97 SE auto with 137k miles this weekend but the guy decided to sell it to someone else on friday. sent me a sorry email :|

back to finding a car again :(

LB.Motoring

08-26-2007, 12:04 AM

BustedS13

08-26-2007, 12:06 AM

buying a 240sx is a lot like getting an incurable disease. these forums are more like cancer survival meetings in a church basement than anything.

you don't want none.

turn and run. now. while there's still time.

StaticX27

08-26-2007, 01:04 AM

irax

08-26-2007, 01:25 AM

cars looking at:
97 SE $5,900 automatic little modifications moss green some kind of exhaust. ( in CA live in AZ ) 137k miles on the car

ITS SILVER MOSS! not MOSS GREEN! get it right...

BUY THAT CAR! its sick as fuck and you know it!

JRas

08-26-2007, 12:19 PM

Oops, reposted.

Seriously, just look for a bone stock one, since that's about all you will be able to afford for now. Modify later as you have time and money, having the coolest car and a mountain of debt isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I can't even find a bone stock one for a good price. There is a 98 auto black leather seats with rims going for $7,500 and another bone stock auto for $8200

ITS SILVER MOSS! not MOSS GREEN! get it right...

BUY THAT CAR! its sick as fuck and you know it!

It's been sold I told the guy I'd be down this weekend to buy it and he sold it friday. he sent me a sorry email :mad:

hustlervibes

08-26-2007, 05:43 PM

I don't know how much of a problem you would have without having a "real" kouki, but the main noticible difference that is 99% of the time never changed is the gauge cluster (zenki has overlaping cirlces and kouki has 2 full circles)

I have somewhat of a rarity problem and i'm on my 2nd kouki and only 18... As mentioned above don't buy the car...it's horrible it will consume your life. I live in CA and bought my first kouki for 6.8k and 2nd for 9.2k (rapped because of tokyo drift)

Either way, be patient and you'll get one.

JRas

08-26-2007, 09:06 PM

What is up with the cars being so much more than kbb and nada? I rarely see good prices.

lowest kouki I saw was $5,900 also saw one for $6k in AZ but it was sold before I had a chance.

I am looking at 95-98 now so If i can get a good price on a 95 I may just buy it.

What do you guys think of this one? How much do you think these two cars are actually worth? Thanks
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/403358049.html

I like this one a lot but it's out of my price range:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/380421691.html

DAM DRIFTERS HAVE PUT A DRIFT TAX ON THESE CARS!