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View Full Version : Looking for a S13... is this a good price for the condition?


Nackers
11-14-2003, 06:21 PM
Well my buddy has a S14b (I'm not sure with the 240 "lingo" but it has a projo headlamps) and I really like his car a lot. So I got to looking at 240's and realized I liked the S13 coupe. I saw one down the way that has been sitting at this dealership for about 2 years now (I noticed it cause it is a faded yellow with 2 black stripes... Fugly imo) and just checked it out again tonite. The price on the window says 2k, but the paint is crap, there is some surface rust as well as bubbles under the paint on the hood, right side tail lamp is broken, there is a weird dent in the trunk lid, and a nice sized dent on the rear quarter panel. From what I noticed it is a 5speed, has cloth seats, sunroof (or moonroof, I don't know the diffrence), and power windows and locks. Now, do you think that 2k is a good/fair price for this car, or since it has been sitting there for the better part of 2 years, that I should try to get it for like 1k? I know I am going to talk him down (of course) but I need money first. I really want to drive it and check out the underbody and everything first, but assuming this is all good, is 2k a fair price?

The reason I want this particular car is because it is something I could actually afford and I am going to auto body repair school (collision repair technology) and figure this would be a good project car since the teacher wants us to have project cars to work on so we can get better at CRT. Also, I can paint it and everything for cheap, and maybe do some type of motor swap eventually (but I don't want to get ahead of myself).

Another thing I am wondering since I am making this post... I know there is a Silvia front end conversion, but are the S13 Silvias the same in the rear as the US-spec 240 sx? Since the tail lamp needs to be replaced, it would be a good time to do the rear conversion, assuming that the J-spec version is diffrent. I know that the symbols/logo's are diffrent, but are the tail lamps diffrent or is the rear bumper cover diffrent at all?

Sorry for such a long post, but thank you to whomever reads this.



~Nackers

WilloW
11-14-2003, 07:44 PM
There's no way in hell that car is worth $2k, especially with the rust and broken parts. I've seen s13 in great condition that goes for like $1200 on average (high milage), I would rather take high milage over rust any day. Keep looking around man, you'll find something better.

Nackers
11-14-2003, 09:59 PM
Well lets say that all the mechanical parts are in great shape, and lets assume I can get this for way less than 2k, since I am going to school to work on this type of thing, do you think that it would be a good buy?

I realize what your saying, but like I said, I think I can get this thing for really cheap... and the interior (from what I saw) was in good shape. I think I am going to try and get a test drive Monday and see what happens.

Pacman
11-15-2003, 12:22 AM
The rear is the same (unless its a Fastback, then its different). The only difference is theres the word 'Silvia' instead of '240SX'. The emblems are different from what we have.

hondaguy
11-15-2003, 12:30 AM
yea the best thing to do is test drive but if u can get it cheaper than 1500 go for it,..........but if u wait, later down the road you might find a better 1,and also save more money,good luck

matlock
11-15-2003, 12:58 AM
I would see how cheap the guy will go and if he tries to stiff you then just walk away, chances are he'll cave or if he doesn't then you aren't losing out cuz its not worth 2k regarless of what you could do to fix it, because you could buy a lot nicer one for 2k and it could have potential. Just my 2 cents

0kami
11-15-2003, 07:20 AM
IMO 240sx with a sun roof and power windows, locks etc... just ugly, and pointless, I rather wait for a better deal, like a base model, or something with less rust.

wrigh003
11-15-2003, 04:39 PM
I'm in the market for one as well, and from the limited looking around I've done, it seems you can get a pretty nice one with a solid body, and a solid motor for about 2 grand.

Remember that rust is like cancer for cars. Would you get serious with a girl who had cancer? Probably not. Don't buy a car with cancer.

Nackers
11-16-2003, 09:41 PM
Wow, thank you all for your replies. I am going there tommarow to see how he will deal. I'll let you all know how it went.

In regards to the power windows post:
I hate not having power windows in my car now. It just sucks. I would like to have at least power windows and locks, but the sunroof I could do without. I don't plan on turning it into some mad drift machiene, but I would like to just "spice it up" a bit... if you know what I mean.

Nackers
11-17-2003, 01:46 PM
OK, so I looked at the car today and talked to the guy... looks good price wise, but this is what I found:

'89 240sx Coupe
5 speed
148,000 miles

Accesories
-Power windows
-Power locks
-Tilt Wheel
-Cruise control
-Manual Seats
-A/C (That will have to go)

Good
-No underbody rust that I could see.
-Cheap
-Motor runs very good



Now for the bad things... I think this list is a bit longer:

-Needs new paint (piss yellow with black racing stripes is not my speed. Also the paint is worn and beat up.)
-Fair amount of surface rust. I think it can easily be fixed while at school.
-Few large dents and lots of little knicks and scratches.
-The car has been at the lot for almost 2 years and has hardly been driven, though it ran really well.
-Clutch doesn't fully engage all the time (just like slipping the clutch). The clutch slave cylinder needs to be replaced (from what he said)
-H.U.D (Heads up display). I don't know if all S13's come with this, but I liked it a lot. The only thing is since its digital, and the car is pretty old (15 years) it goes in and out.
-Interior is in good shape for the year but is Brown... eek!
-Power Sunroof (Like I said, I could do without it.) It is also missing the cover piece that slides to keep the sun out if wanted.
-Left side turn signal lens is cracked
-Right side tail lamp needs to be replaced
-Left side door handel is broken. Door still works fine but the handel is missing a small piece
-The rear window has been shattered, but is replaced now.
-No factory radio, but he says he has it inside cause thats how the window got broken and they stole the original.
-Some of the button covers (for rear defroster and such) are loose and ready to fall off. May need to be replaced
-Center consol lid is loose... looks like the screws just need to be tightened.
-Brakes are hesitant... need to bleed them



I told him that I did a Blue book value a few days ago and it said $1,500 for it, but I put in some options that it doesn't have and gave the body a better grade. Also I didn't know the miles and it defaulted at 98,000 miles for the year. He said $1,500 was a good starting price, but I would like to see it at $900 or less... preferably less of course. I am going to see what a shop would charge to replace and fix all the little problems and see where it goes from there.


Anyone have anything to add, things I may want to look for?

wrigh003
11-17-2003, 04:15 PM
The dealer said that 1500 was a "good starting price," huh?

I think that means that they won't laugh at you if you make an offer of 1500 bucks, but they'll probably counter with something higher. Or maybe they'd take 1500 in a second, who knows I haven't seen the thing, but if your description is accurate, I'd walk. What kind of lot is the car sitting on? There's a world of difference in a used car on a lot where actual new cars are sold and a lot full of nothing but used cars. Which kind of lot is this?

If I were you (and I'm not, but hear me out), even though you're looking for something that's less than perfect to learn stuff for your school as well as for your budget, if that car's really been sitting there for a couple of years, there's probably a reason for that. And maybe I'm a pessimist, but I think you can always do better (financially) buying a car from an individual than from a dealer. Check your classifieds!

Your description reads like a car that's been used and abused, and you might be (It really sounds like you would be!) buying a whole bunch of somebody elses headaches/mistakes. There are others out there, I think I'd keep looking.

-crap I write a lot-

PS- There's a mint bright red 1993 SE hatch on a lot here in the 'Ham. Called about it, and it's only *gasp*.... $4800!!! So I feel your pain, but there are also two in the paper for under 2 grand. They're out there, don't get screwed because you got in a hurry.

Nackers
11-18-2003, 12:31 AM
Yea this isn't your average dealer. They only take cash and its only one guy who owns it. I mean, c'mon... the place's name is Wahoo's...

Anyway, there aren't very many S13 coupes around here. As a matter of fact, there are hardly any 240's out here. I only know of 5 240's and 4 are S14's (one of them being my buddies) and 1 S13 with a silvia front (from wisconsin). There should be at least 2 more S13 fastbacks cause he sold the other 2 that I had an eye on for a long time.

I think that this is the perfect car for me. I know it is possible to find another for around the same price in better shape, but I think I can get him to bring the price down even more. Either way, I am selling my CD deck, sub and box, and my amp to help raise money for it (or another one if I found one). Also, my loving girl friend said she would buy that stuff for quite a bit and have me put it in the Eclipse and give me the deck she has in there now (from like the mid 90's). So I guess I am just going to get the money in hand and figure it out from there. I talked to my mom about an "advancement", but this year has been so shitty for us (people dying, blah blah) and car payments/insurance is due in Jan. and my tuition is due, I need to get my tools for school, and I need a diffrent job...

The list goes on and on, but I don't want to ramble about personal issues. Anyone else have anything to add?