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View Full Version : Just bought a 90 fastback, but not sure if im happy...

jsr20det
03-09-2003, 08:15 PM
Im 16, and this is my first car. I always dreamed of gettin a 240sx and I was so happy when my dad bought it for me for $1100. He asked 1600 but because of some problems, we cut the price down. I bought it on friday the 8th from a romanian guy. Its a 1990 SE fastback, auto and has 80k miles, little scratches and bumps here and there.

The thing that really bothers me is that before we bought it, we took it to a mechanic to get it checked out. There was 3 problems, first being the front left wheel is shaky and will cost 200 to repair. The big problem is that the main frame underneath the tranny is very rusted and corroded. The rust has chipped away a 4 inch by 4 inch hole in the frame. The last problem is the e-brake doesnt work, but i heard thats easy to fix. Other than that, its like new. But im very worried. The mechanic told me that 1 collision and the frame will be bent and the car will have be to junked.

Other than those problems, im very happy, but the frame problem prevents me from doing the things i wanted to do. Wat are your suggestions on this? Is there a way to reinforce it? I dont wanna get into a minor collision and have to throw away my car. My friend found a 95 SE with 70k miles for $3600, I can talk my dad into selling the fastback and getting the 95 but I wanna hear from you guys first.

Also, are the SOHC KA's really had bad? Should I think of a swap before i do anything else?

So wat should I do? Opinions, advice, comments, tips are all appreciated!
HaLo
03-09-2003, 08:18 PM
You can get it fixed at a good bodyshop. I had a small hole in my floor and I got it fixed at the same time I swapped for the SR20DET.

Get estimates... Look around.
jsr20det
03-09-2003, 08:23 PM
How much would it cost to reinforce the frame? If it ends up costing more than 1 grand, I might get the 95 240sx.
HaLo
03-09-2003, 08:28 PM
I have no idea... You should check with a bodyshop.
CoasTek240
03-09-2003, 08:35 PM
dude.. like halo said u can get it fixed.. but my biggest concern is..Do u really want an automatic?.... i would sell this thing and buy the s14 if it's 5-speed... but reguardless a good shop should be able to reinforce it, but it's not cool to mess around with a weird frame.
91CRXsiR
03-09-2003, 11:36 PM
since you are only 16 years old.. i would just keep this car..

since most 16 year old drivers i have ever known crash thier 1st car and total it anyways...


you dont want to spend more money on your 1st car and smash up a perfectly good S14.. they are pretty rare you kno'
NiteKids
03-09-2003, 11:55 PM
Why do so many non SR powered 240SX owners have SR20DET in their user name?:confused:
planb
03-10-2003, 12:00 AM
Originally posted by NiteKids
Why do so many non SR powered 240SX owners have SR20DET in their user name?:confused:

because they like the engine? because they want one? why do you care??
nrcooled
03-10-2003, 07:38 AM
Originally posted by 91CRXsiR
since you are only 16 years old.. i would just keep this car..

since most 16 year old drivers i have ever known crash thier 1st car and total it anyways...


you dont want to spend more money on your 1st car and smash up a perfectly good S14.. they are pretty rare you kno'

I think the stats are 70% of new drivers will get in a accident in their first year. Be safe!
Phlip
03-10-2003, 07:46 AM
Originally posted by planb
because they like the engine? because they want one? why do you care??
Coming from the guy WITH an SR...
blatch
03-10-2003, 07:48 AM
Just drive this one and wait till you total it. My first car was a 99 accord v6 coupe. That's totalled now. Then, take the money from insurance and buy a 5 speed.

Also: Work, don't mod. Wait till your next 240 to mod.

And get another 180. Don't get a 95, you'll have more money for mods.
mad s13
03-10-2003, 01:58 PM
man..all this talk about totalling cars at 16..my 240 is my 4th car...and the only accidents I have had in my life are the kind where an animal crosses the road and hits your car...lol. I say that since its your first car..get the rust fixed if you want and just drive it and enjoy it..it took me a year and a half of paying bills and my car off before I could even think about fixing it up. All I could do was enjoy driving it which should be more than enouh for a 16 year old.


Later
Gray
misnomer
03-10-2003, 02:23 PM
The SOHC KA is a great motor, don't spring for motor swap right away unless it has issues. Also, like everybody has been saying, don't put too much work into modifying your car (if you are into that, 'cause it IS ok to not want to mod a car :P ), odds are strong that you may wreck it. I know when you're young you want to have the best looking, fastest car out there, but sometimes it just isn't worth it. It's actually kind of relieving that you didn't start with "what can I do to it" but with legitimate concerns about mechanical issues.
russian
03-10-2003, 02:27 PM
hmm when i was 16 i did total my dads caddy :) smacked the **** out of somebody while changing a cd.... it wasnt as funny back then as it is. also when you are 16, money is a curse, unless your parents are backing you up.... do like me, save your money, and when you have enough buy all the stuff you want at the same time:)
ttaddiction55
03-10-2003, 02:54 PM
The S14 you founds sounds like a real steal for $3600 even if it is an A/T. If you are confident enough in your driving ability and willing to take it slow and not fool around I would say go for it.

NiteKids - why do so many people have Initial D team names in their names when they will never ever go to a real touge? :rolleyes:
kuruptR
03-10-2003, 03:24 PM
who are you kidding,
rear wheel drive...a little torque....16 years old....recipe for disaster lol.... ;)
ttaddiction55
03-10-2003, 03:53 PM
Lets be serious, sure it's RWD, but it's not like he went out and bought a Vette or a Supra. A 240SX is a young man's car meant to be enjoyed by a young crowd, quit acting like you need to be 30 to rev up a 125rwhp engine. :(

Also, If the person driving it bought the car himself, or is on a budget, he'll usually think twice before trying to push it knowing how the consequences can set him back. I know I was.
Dousan_PG
03-10-2003, 04:05 PM
rolfmao

its a 240sx. where's the power? Um..sir, there isnt any.

hes not going to die in it. gotta learn somewhere. there are kids around the world learning to drive in GTRs and SR powered 180sx/s13s/14s/15s

no biggie.

congrats on the purchase. get those problems fixed and you'll happy as a pig in...
ygblat
03-10-2003, 04:26 PM
i just watched my 17 year old friend smash the crap out of his maxima this friday because he was trying to show off his new intake. now his frame's bent and his radiator is wrapped around the engine block like a piece of clay. as much as i hate to say it, modding a car becomes a huge incentive for driving faster and exploring your newfound limits. and for people my age, this is usually done on the street and not on the track, where many more things can go wrong. fix the rust, enjoy your new car and freedom, but wait to mod it (especially an engine swap).
logo20
03-10-2003, 04:27 PM
My advise, since it's your first car, is to keep it stock, take care of it and it will take care of you. And of course have fun driving it.
masta
03-10-2003, 06:04 PM
I say keep the S13 and get a quote for the frame damage.

I would not get a S14 until you learn how to drive better, that way you do not damage a more expensive car and lower the S14 population.

:D That last comment was a a selfish one. Hehehe

Anyway, learn with the S13 and who knows you might end up with it for a long time and fix it up. Good luck with it.

Man I want an S13 for <$1500. :(
91CRXsiR
03-10-2003, 07:10 PM
MASTA - you are in So CAl.. there are 240sx under 1500 EVERYWHERE..

look around
masta
03-10-2003, 07:28 PM
Originally posted by 91CRXsiR
MASTA - you are in So CAl.. there are 240sx under 1500 EVERYWHERE..

look around Yeah I agree a little; not a lot under $1500 (<4), but for $2000 there are. I failed to mention about how low his miles were too which is kinda what I want also; ones you find under $1500 will be 180k+. If it weren't for the the frame, this guy had a deal. Also ones under $1500 tend to "need work" which can be ??? ;)
drift freaq
03-10-2003, 08:57 PM
masta I could sell you a 90 Hatch in very gd cond with a DOHC installed for $2k
kurissuS13
03-10-2003, 09:48 PM
Originally posted by drift freaq
masta I could sell you a 90 Hatch in very gd cond with a DOHC installed for $2k

damn, i wish i'd have known that u could do that a few weeks ago, dave. i would've gotten it in a heartbeat. oh well, still like the fc t2...
Nismo240SX
03-11-2003, 04:10 PM
well, i got my 240 when i was 15. i had loved 240's from playing gran turismo and gran turismo 2. the only thing wrong with my car was everything was stock ;). but it was an automatic. i did know how to drive a straight, but i wasn't to the point yet i could get out and drive a stick by myself. so i wanted the automatic. bought it, and fell in love. then few months later, stumbled onto zilvia.net... feel in love some more. i'm glad i got my car and all, but now, going on 18 i'm wanting a straight... so i'm going to do a motor swap. the best advice that i can give you is get a job early. i waited too long to get one. get ahead on everybody in the game. really, i never wrecked. just don't try to learn how to do too much at once. you just don't hop in a car the first week you have it and go 100+ mph on a curvey road. i'd say in the spot i am... build your money up, keep the car, get a motor/tranny swap, buy rims, new bumper, new paint, get suspenion.... and dude you're set. sure you can do the same to a s14, but dude... i really really say stick with the s13. i hope i helped you out. i see exactly where you are coming from. been there doin that.:p