Buying a S13 and need advice

[TLVespasian]

Hey. Ive been lurking on this forum for a while now after a stint with an 03 tiburon and a 92 Prelude and a fantasy about a TTZ. I think its time to join the club.

My only dilema is which one?? I am looking at 2 one is a 90 5spd with some extras to biuld a turbo kit for 1500 and the other is a 92 auto :barf:(yuck) with 75,999 miles...for 1000. Yeah I called BS on that too but the seller seems legit.
My dilema is I dont want an auto...I could swap it and itll total to about as much as the other but Im lazy. I was also thinking i could sell the auto and make a profit and buy another....or just but the 5spd.

PS. both are SOHC

What do you guys think??

[redtop91]

Just wait until you find a Manual DOHC. If you are patient you can get a good deal and a clean car.

[black180]

just buy the manual you probly wont make a profit

[TLVespasian]

just buy the manual you probly wont make a profit

Are you serious? I see shells go for a grand ur tellin me I cant sell a clean unmolested 75,xxx mi. 240 for 2grand and make a profit?? Thats hard to belive.

[BoostedCoupe]

buy the 92 automatic. You wont regret it. ITs got hella low miles for a 92. As long as the car has no major damage and isnt rusted to hell buy it. These cars are stupid easy to convert to 5speeds. the 90 one sounds like someone elses project and thats the last thing you want.

[pr0tus]

the 92 would be DOHC if it has the original motor.

[burnsauto]

get the automatic one. odds are the "kit" on the car is a piece of crap. Dont buy into someone elses problems (don't trust others work)

[TLVespasian]

get the automatic one. odds are the "kit" on the car is a piece of crap. Dont buy into someone elses problems (don't trust others work)

I agree with you there. my Tib was turboed....but it just has some of the parts...mainly a t28 turbo and some piping..no mani

[WoolyS14DET]

Keep looking you will find what your looking for !! Trust me !! "Good things come to those who wait" !!!

[luftrofl]

I'd go with the automatic unless you NEED the manual transmission.

It's probably in better shape because of the low miles and it's probably not owned by someone who really thrashed the car.

[SR2Zero]

the 92 would be DOHC if it has the original motor.
Oh so true.:squint:

[Marc240]

Oh so true.:squint:

You need to ask h what happened to the origional DOHC motor?!?!

Ask him who did the swap, cause you should try to get all the information as possible before buying it.

[TLVespasian]

That I did not know. Hmmmmm.... I see I have some investigating to do....

Edit: My bad i was thinking about another 240 I allready ruled out. BOTH are 90s heres a limk to an engine pic http://public.fotki.com/GJant56137/nissan-240sx/cimg1747.html

BTW: how do I post pics??

[gregfarz78]

Rust is the biggest issue buying a car in this area, most 240s that old around here are rotted. I'd get the one with lower mileage its easy to do a 5 spd swap

[flip3d]

How much are you looking to spend? S14s are getting cheaper.

[WangonwWarrior]

People ask $1000 for a shell and either end up not selling them, or end up selling them for like $200-$600

[BustedS13]

just walk away.

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/11/lord1a.jpg

[JBao]

buy a car thats already built and save money.

1000 - car
800 - 5spd conversion
1000+ - coilovers
xxx - wheels/spares

the 4grand mark approaches quickly .. then you gotta fix things you need to fix (waterpump, belts, starters, broken shit).

take the easy route. seriously. seat time > building.

[an_orange_s2k]

wait and buy a 5sp/DOHC. then save some money and mod, you be happier in the long run.

[blackrms13]

92 auto with low miles for sure, if theres no rust n all that junk
5 speed swap is about 500...


and i dont think u'll want other ppl's "left over fun car"

[HIM]

your in new york so finding a s13 wouldnt be too hard for a good price, if you were in socal you would be spending twice as much for it.

[clark]

for a grand? that's it...? wtf are you doing..go get it


make sure there's not rust in any major areas (frame rails, strut towers) other shit can be fixed easily

[mrmephistopheles]

Don't get a 240sx.

There, solved your problem.

[TLVespasian]

Don't get a 240sx.

There, solved your problem.
owch. Well I want to build it myself. So buying something someone else put work into is out. Im just gona get the auto. There is absolutly NO rust on this thing. Guy bought it from a neighbor for his daughter. Then drove it 10miles to work everyday, and now has way too many cars according to him.

The plan is to use this as a DD (since my "other" car died) until i can get money for a nice s14. Then this offically becomes project weekend warrior.

[flip3d]

Don't get a 240sx.

There, solved your problem.


+1 for you, sir.

[exitspeed]

This thread is freakin lame. Read up on common problem with 240's and make sure it doesn't have any of those.

Other then that the same rules apply as buying any other used car. You obviously don't want one with 1,000,000 miles on it beat to all hell driven by some fat bitch.

Zilvia doesn't spoon feed. Do some research, figure out your priorities and either buy one or don't. I really just don't see the point of this thread.