240sx vs del Sol

[JeffNJ]

Ever since the very first day I started driving my del Sol, I've noticed something: It truly seems to inspire in others the need to drive faster around me.  It doesn't matter what they're in, another sports car, an SUV, cargo van, twenty year old 4-door sedan, whatever ... it's like, I can't be going faster than them.

Again, this happens a lot.  Why is that?  The del Sol, at least to me, does not appear all that sporty.  I mean, the 240 was clearly a sportier looking car.  Why didn't people constantly feel the need to prove stuff around that one?

Like tonight, for example.  I got on a highway going about 60 or so (using the onramp as the acceleration lane it is, I entered the highway at highway speeds).  This was just fast enough to match the relatively old and wildly unimpressive car in the left lane with a hood that looked like it was going to fly off at any moment.  

Well, upon joining him on "his" highway, this driver felt the need to speed up.  #### bent on learning how fast he was willing to go, I eased up slowly to 80, to see if he would too.  Sure enough, he kept dead even pace with me.  Mind you all, this was Rt.208 - a 55mph zone not known for speeding on.

I turned to my girlfriend-esque (long story) passenger and asked her to look at that car and tell me honestly if it looked like the kind of car that would be going 80 if I wasn't right next to it.  She agreed it did not, and backed me up that she too has noticed a lot of people feeling the need to speed up when I got near them.

So, I dropped back down to 65 and let him take the lead.  Once a good couple of car lengths in front, he too dropped to 65.  We both maintained this speed past the area I know to be frequently staked out by cops.  When I saw there wasn't one there tonight, I dropped from 5th to 3rd and accelerated to 80 with relative ease.  Just about to pass him, I dropped to 4th to push the needle even farther to 90 as I whizzed around him, and once in the lead, put it all the way back into 5th just to let him watch my taillights vanish at 100.  I'm not sure if he tried to keep up or not.

Now, there was no glory whatsoever in completely toasting this car.  I'm pretty sure he had pushed his ride to the max just maintaining 80 for that little bit awhile back.  It's not like there was any kind of contest in passing him.  I just felt like saying, "I didn't want to race you, but you seemed to want to race me.  Well, that's what it's like.  I'm in a sports car, and you just aren't.  Try to accept that next time."

But, my point is this ... that never used to happen in the 240.  Why is that?  And again, this happens constantly in the del Sol.  Is it that the 240 looked like a car that shouldn't be messed with, and this one doesn't?  Does it offend people that a car which doesn't look like it should be in front of them is?  Do they think a del Sol is inferior to them and they can easily take it on?  Or does the del Sol truly look like more sportier a car than I give it credit for and people think that I want to race them just because I own one?

I welcome all theories.

[dmaestro]

It's because it's a honda. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[mastalee]

What del Sol trim do you have? &nbsp;Do you have the VTEC trim? &nbsp;It is kind of funny tht you are comparing these two cars, since these are the two cars I am looking to buy. &nbsp;

I owned del Sol Si before, how much different is it from a 240sx? &nbsp;And how dependable is the 240sx, I heard all Nissans have electrical problems, is this true?

And as far as the people's need to speed on you; it just happens to any import car.

[MK]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I welcome all theories.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Small penis syndrome.
Besides, its a honda so theyre not exactly hard to beat.

anyway, banter aside <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
Nissan had problems full stop with quality control up until about 1989-90 when they really clamped down hard on the factory's to pull up their socks. Anything after 1990 is solid as a rock though and about as abuse-proof as most Toyotas.

[Zemus]

Does your car have a kit on it, if it does, ppl think it is pimped out, and they might just want to prove themselfs, and tell all their red neck friends about how their 77' S10 beat a decked out &quot;riceburner.&quot; PPL race me all the time, Right now i have an 85' Monte Carlo, and it is rather fast, and it can take almost anything that isent decked out, and i race everything, just cuz its fun, thats all

[JeffNJ]

Nope no kit, a completely stock Si. It has near identical pep to my 240, I have the same difficulty or ease in beating or losing to the same types of cars. It's just that in the 240, the need to try didn't seem to arise as often.

To the person trying to decide between this an a del Sol, I've made some lengthy posts comparing them from an owner's point of view on both. In a nut shell, the del Sol comes down to it's roof. Seriously, that rocks. We've had a few days recently where I could take advantage of that, and I can't wait for more. But, for pure driving enjoyment (when it's cold out), I gotta say I prefered the 240. Albeit, only slightly.

For the two years I owned my Nissan, it never gave me any serious kind of trouble. I bought it with 67k miles on it, and sold it with 114k. Every mile between was a smooth one. The Honda I've only owned a month, so I can't really tell you much about it's reliability yet.

As for SOHC vs DOHC, I bought the Si essentially because I couldn't find a VTEC. However, I have since learned that modifying mine to put out more power than the nicer engine is generally a lot cheaper than footing the extra cash to buy the car with the nicer engine. Buy whichever you can find first, I say.

That's assuming you buy the del Sol at all. Find both and test drive 'em. If you can, and I stress this point, find a long winding road so you can really get a feel for how they both drive. It's the only way to know which one you prefer.

But, back on topic, Honda or not .. I think the appearance of the car is the root of this. I mean, someone driving an Explorer certainly shouldn't have any kind of Honda or Nissan allegiance. And, it's not just the Japanese origin, I don't think, because like I said, people left the 240 alone.


(Edited by JeffNJ at 11:54 am on Feb. 4, 2002)

[idunit]

What year is your del sol? &nbsp;My sister had one and it took about as long to get to 60 as a 900lbs man trying to find his belly button. &nbsp;It was just plain sorry. &nbsp;And if you had the AC on... forget you wouldn't make it up a freakin hill.

[thewholefnshow]

Your car looks cool enough to be fast, but cute enough to beat. The 240 looks fast, there is no sleeper about it. The only thing sleeper about the 240 is that it is slower than it looks. Everyone races honda's cause everyone from a 110hp base model up to the impressive sir and type r trims race back. Most people like to feel fast, but not really at the risk of losing. The 240 looks like it will beat you, the Del Sol... well how big of an engine can be in there anyways right? That's my take on it. I used to get that in my neon too, everyone liked to push it to see how fast it was, I dunno why, maybe cause they all thought they would win or something...

[JeffNJ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from idunit on 9:31 am on Feb. 4, 2002
What year is your del sol? My sister had one and it took about as long to get to 60 as a 900lbs man trying to find his belly button. It was just plain sorry. And if you had the AC on... forget you wouldn't make it up a freakin hill.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Mine's a '94. &nbsp;I am going to assume your sister had the lowest trim level, an S. &nbsp;Mine's an Si, and although I havn't clocked it yet (I will soon - I promise), I predict it's 0-60 time to between 8 and 10 seconds. &nbsp;I make this prediction because the 240 was 9, and this one feels just about the same.

thewholefnshow, once again, I think you've hit this one square on the head. &nbsp;They probably do wanna race me now because it'd be fun to win, but not in the 240 because it was easier to realize they'd lose.

Oh well, as long as little miss radar detector is being quiet, I'll just keep reminding them they're wrong. &nbsp;Whenever she's beeping, hey, go right ahead - passing me only gives cops a different target. &nbsp;=)

[dave2u]

yeah i got all that in reverse
when i had my last car (nissan primera 2.0egt)
even though i had 17inch 7 spoke and full bodykit and spoties etc and was stiffened and definitely sporty i was still in the realm of the knobhead (well at least thats what they obviously thought)
Cos you had prats trying it on all over
Probes
mercedes
Toyota avensis
to name but 3.

But now i`m in my s14a and it looks mean as fook i cant remember being messed with once.
Apart from one incident with a guy in a Jaguar XK8.
At lights , 2 lanes , turning to one lane a bit up the road.
I wasnt even racing cos i feel childish if its grudging like that.
Lights changed and he floored it .
He had to put me in my place , so to speak , cos his car probably cost £20,000 + now!
I bet you he was worried though <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
I just let the fat bast*rd go.
So what!
Tosser!
Hence my desire for an uprated turbo this year with boost upgrade so i can start flattening XK8`s too and seriously putting some aggorant noses out of joint.
Apart from that
Nothing
Most peole just LOOK at your car and make their mind up who`s on top etc.
Like a visual heirarchy on the road.
I have images of pulling out a gun and pointing it at the guy and watching his face.
heheheheh...i`d love to do that....ugh....where dya go fuc*wit <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[wherezmytofu]

notice:
Civic Del sol

i hate all civics.....they suck bitch dick...thats right transexual dick....so i hate the del sol...except with s2k lights and b18c5 midengine conversion <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>..... GOOD OPTION 2 DEL SOL!

[tnord]

i thought the del sol Si did have the vtec? we had an Si at work this summer and it definitely had the vtec in it. &nbsp;also i don't think the vtec 0-60 is over 8 sec, keep in mind you had a 240 convertable, typically when i see a convertable except for a miata or s2000 i think to myself; HA fool shoulda got the hardtop, and just pass on by without a second thought, so maybe people didn't take the 240 conv. seriously, and rightfully so

[S13Grl]

When my boyfriend and I drive around in his car, the same thing happens: everyone speeds up around him. When I'm the only one in his car, then people slow down. People of the female gender give me dirty looks. Especially girls my age. I don't know why this happens. I don't drive around with my middle finger stuck up in the air. Sometimes, I even smile. And most of the time, I listen to System of a Down really loud...

[whateverjames]

i think it's because people look at them as slow economy cars. even though most del sols are setup for economy they can be quick. kinda like a toyota paseo, it's small and wimpy and everyone knows they are slow. then they see the del sol and think the same thing. somehow me and my cousin beat an mid 80's camaro in his wife's del sol. i guess mr all american camaro guy mistook it for something he could beat (and severly needed a tune-up i imagine). i'd like to put a prelude engine in a del sol someday.

[wherezmytofu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from tnord on 9:25 am on Feb. 4, 2002
i thought the del sol Si did have the vtec? we had an Si at work this summer and it definitely had the vtec in it. also i don't think the vtec 0-60 is over 8 sec, keep in mind you had a 240 convertable, typically when i see a convertable except for a miata or s2000 i think to myself; HA fool shoulda got the hardtop, and just pass on by without a second thought, so maybe people didn't take the 240 conv. seriously, and rightfully so
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yupo the civic del sol s has the b16a3...which has vtec...but if u dont know option 2 make a mid engine rwd del sol buy putting the intergra type r engine into the trunk, which actually looks very natural and turboing it...so it's a mid-read rwd with almost 50/50 and 550hp <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[JeffNJ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from tnord on 11:25 am on Feb. 4, 2002
i thought the del sol Si did have the vtec? we had an Si at work this summer and it definitely had the vtec in it. also i don't think the vtec 0-60 is over 8 sec, keep in mind you had a 240 convertable, typically when i see a convertable except for a miata or s2000 i think to myself; HA fool shoulda got the hardtop, and just pass on by without a second thought, so maybe people didn't take the 240 conv. seriously, and rightfully so
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

The Si does have a VTEC. &nbsp;But, it's a SOHC VTEC instead of the DOHC VTEC under the hood of the &quot;VTEC&quot; named trim level. &nbsp;And whenever I make 240 vs del Sol comparisons, I always mean the '91 SE coupe I owned for two years, not the POS '93 LE conv I owned for two months. &nbsp;That was a joke - hence, I sold it.

[JeffNJ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from wherezmytofu on 11:36 am on Feb. 4, 2002
.. make a mid engine rwd del sol buy putting the intergra type r engine into the trunk ..
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Wait. &nbsp;Holy crap. &nbsp;This is possible? &nbsp;Are you sure? &nbsp;Good lord, that would be the coolest thing ever. &nbsp;Well, okay, maybe not ever - but it would certainly rule. &nbsp;I wonder if the roof holder fits in the hood. &nbsp;Hmmmm.

(as I could ever afford this anyway - but it's a nice fantasy)

[sykikchimp]

I have a little different opinion.. &nbsp;

The 240 isn't exactly the &quot;Buzzword&quot; Honda is among the rest of the world. &nbsp;I think people Race people w/ honda's b/c there is a stereo-type that All honda drivers are Ricer wannabe race boys.. &nbsp;EVERYONE HATES THAT. So they want to put them in their place. &nbsp;Kinda like, everytime you get passed by mr Rice boy in his economy kiddie car, he is laughing at you b/c in his mind you were racing. &nbsp;So, rather than let him think he beat you, you run him. &nbsp;Get it?

In the 240, your just driving another nissan &quot;economy car&quot; that looks fast but isn't. &nbsp;The 240 doesn't have the same stereo-typed mentality taped to it that ALL honda's do. &nbsp;There is no threat to their EGO's by getting passed by a guy in a 240. &nbsp;He's going fast for the sake of going fast. &nbsp;The honda guy is going fast, to prove he can go faster than YOU. (--the subconsious mind at work--)

[wherezmytofu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from JeffNJ on 9:44 am on Feb. 4, 2002
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from wherezmytofu on 11:36 am on Feb. 4, 2002
.. make a mid engine rwd del sol buy putting the intergra type r engine into the trunk ..
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>


Wait. &nbsp;Holy crap. &nbsp;This is possible? &nbsp;Are you sure? &nbsp;Good lord, that would be the coolest thing ever. &nbsp;Well, okay, maybe not ever - but it would certainly rule. &nbsp;I wonder if the roof holder fits in the hood. &nbsp;Hmmmm.

(as I could ever afford this anyway - but it's a nice fantasy)
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

error i kept say option2 del sol....it actually top fuel's del sol...it was on super steet jun 01 issue:

spec:
del sol
mid-rear engine, rwd
jdm type r engine
hks gt3240 turbo
[email protected]

i'll post pix if u want...after class

(Edited by wherezmytofu at 11<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>9 am on Feb. 4, 2002)

[thewholefnshow]

I have seen a del sol with the b22 or is it h22... anyways, the 2.2 liter prelude sh engine squeezed in the back too... anything that fits in the crx seems to fit in the rear of the del sol.

[drift freaq]

Mastalee writes......
I owned del Sol Si before, how much different is it from a 240sx? And how dependable is the 240sx, I heard all Nissans have electrical problems, is this true?
------------------------------------------------------------
ok , the two cars are way different. One is front wheel drive(Del Sol) The other is rear wheel drive (240sx)
Now , rear wheel drive is much more fun to drive IMHO. that aside 240sx 's are very reliable cars and Nissans in general are very reliable cars . You my friend have been listening to too many Nissan hating Honda boys . I know there are a whole lot of them running around Los Angeles . They crack my ass up . they drool over Skylines and then when you tell them you own a 240sx they go and call Nissans junk and crap. #### stupid ricer hypocrites and most of them are driving riced civics on top of that. Do yourself a favor buy the 240 you will get an education on real sports cars and you want be lumped into that Honda rice boy crowd . Of course if thats what you like its your choice.
I will just stick with my Turbo 240 and eat Honda for lunch. hahahhaha

[transient]

Heh, I find that I have people wanting to race me all the time. The funny thing is, that it's offen these old POS trucks with glasspacks and jacked up about 2 feet. I don't even bother to downshift when I smoke em.

[keepitmovin]

My theroy is that not all people know cars an to the untrained eye they see a red &nbsp;t top with a honda sign its naturally a race car! They feel to try to test it. And in my opinion the del sol attracts a lot more attention than a 240 well not to me i scream up and down in the car when i see a 240 but to mainstream people ya know what i mean. BTW off subject hahahah oh my god i hate it when the girls go (no offense just some) me- &quot;so what does your boyyfriend drive?&quot; them- &quot;oh i dunno but its fast its a honda it has rims and lowered =)&quot; truth to tell i think i would get more girls in a del sol than a 240 s13 a lil even in s14 cuz its newer but still 240 is all the only girl i need..haha

[mastalee]

Thanks for the replies!

Man, it looks like almost everyone in here hates Hondas. &nbsp;That is what I expected. &nbsp;The del Sol is not too bad. &nbsp;Like someone pointed out, I used to own one, a Si, I sold it to try to find a VTEC one. &nbsp;I was planning on getting this VTEC trim and getting a Vortech Supercharger which gives it ~277hp/~175lbs which is pretty fast, since it would only weigh ~2500lbs.

However I am only 21 and live in CA where the import scene is big and wanted to get something different, so I thought about the 240sx. &nbsp;However I only like the 97-98 S14's and the S15's looks. &nbsp;But I can only afford a 95-96, so I was thinking of either a S14 or S15 exterior conversion. &nbsp;Although I have not seen pics or kits for a S15 rear conversion, this is my route. &nbsp;But what was preventing me was 20 out of 30 people telling me of Nissans having electrical problems.

Once again thanks for the info. &nbsp;It now looks like I would choose either equally. &nbsp;It will now depend on what deal I can find.

[drift freaq]

masta lee, &nbsp;Nissans for the most part do not have any more electrical problems than any other modern automobile . In fact I have owned Nissans since I was in high school and that goes back to 1979. I have never had any electrical problems. They have been quite reliable . I would say like I said before you need to stop listening to heresay and go out and do the research. i.e. look at service records talk to Nissan mechanics at dealerships look at JDpowers there are ways to get all this info and get it right. I think you just listen to what the average guy has to say and you don't get the facts. I could be wrong but you are coming off that way.