New to 240SX, couple questions

[dw02]

Hello, I am deeply considering purchasing a red 1995 240SX SE with 116,000 miles.  The guy's original price was 5995, but when I went to check the car out today I got him down to $4400 dollars.  The exterior on this car is very good with no dings and only a scratch here or there.  It has a sun roof.  The interior is perfect except it is a bit dirty (which I can clean in a couple hours) and one tiny rip in the passenger seat.  It needs new motor mounts definitely, but I didn't notice anything else wrong with the car.

I'm assuming this is a good price?  Can anyone tell me how long these cars last?  I'm not too familiar with them, as I've been hanging around the 3000GT board for a few years.  I just found this site a couple days ago when I found the 240SX.

What goes wrong in the high miles?  How much is a rebuild?  The car was owned by a woman and is stock, so it was most likely taken care of well, but I'm not sure how long these cars are good for.

Thanks.

[twofortysx]

It sounds like a good deal.  I might be kind of wary about the fact that it's a 95 with that many miles.  You should see if they are highway or freeway miles and also why he is selling it.

I always reccommend using carfax (http://www.carfax.com) and running a VIN check to at least get a good idea of the cars history.  

Just be aware that a car with that many miles will obviously start developing problems sooner than one with far less.  

Once you've checked it, driven it and made sure there aren't any other better deals out there, I say go for it.

[Drifting Ricer]

I have a 95 with 127,000 miles <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>. I pad $2,900 for it.The engine has a small leak under it. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>. Stupid KA. Who cares I got my heart set on a SR that's final. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>.

[AceInHole]

Drifting Ricer: you're selling me that KA dirt cheap when you go SR <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

The KA will last a long time with proper maintenance. &nbsp;Checking the quality of the oil in the car and the compression of each cylinder will give you a general idea of how well it was maintained.

[Anubis]

I have a 95 Base model 240sx and it has ALOT of miles...and it still runs excellent. I've taken really good care of it so that might be why. With my new INJEN intake system it runs even better! late

[dw02]

So what are some things that I should be looking for tomorrow when I check the car out again? &nbsp;What are some things that go wrong on these cars that I definitely need to check?

[Anubis]

I took mine to a mechanic before I bought it and they gave me a 111 point inspection or something...thats how I figured out what was wrong with it. Other than that, mines kept going because of the regular maintance i guess. The KA might not be the fastest, but its pretty reliable for the long run. Good Luck..Later

[DSC]

Definately take it to a mech that you know and trust, not just some random shop. If you don't have a mech, ask your friends who is a good one. Don't buy it w/out takeing it to a mech and if the seller won't let you have it inspected than don't buy it...they may be hideing something. Sounds like a pretty good deal though. If it checks out clean both by your mech and carfax (both worth the money) I say go for it.

[dw02]

how much is a rebuild on one of these cars?

[misnomer]

Depends on what needs to be done, a basic rebuild with stock components I've heard mentioned in the nieghborhood of one grand.

As far as reliability goes, the KA24 is #### near legendary <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[ka24et]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from dw02 on 5:32 pm on Jan. 7, 2002
It needs new motor mounts definitely, but I didn't notice anything else wrong with the car.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Why does it need new motor mounts?

[ZeroGS14]

mmm sounds like a great price...id say take it to a mechanic and have him check it out b4 buying it tho

[mistert]

something tells me it doesnt actually need new motor mounts, and its just your first time in a 240

[dw02]

Well, you're probably right, it is the first time I've ever been in a 240. &nbsp;My friend said it needed new motor mounts, I guess he could be wrong.

[JeffNJ]

If you don't know a good mechanic, or even a friend's, you can always take it to a Nissan dealership. They do a pretty thorough job, and will want about seventy bucks to do so. However, if you tell them it's because you're considering buying the car and are really friendly about it (maybe tell 'em if it does need work, you'll bring it to them) (even if you won't), they might not charge you.

I did this when I was selling a car (when buying, I go my trusted shop) so I could get an official &quot;check up&quot; in writing to show people. I told the dealership that I was going to include any paperwork they gave me with the sale, and they considered it free advertising, I guess, because they didn't charge me to look it over. &nbsp;But, like I said, being friendly helps.

If you can get away with it - this I've never tried, and only thought of now - you should pretend you're trading it in. Wow. Then they'd really nit-pick it.

(Edited by JeffNJ at 11:15 am on Jan. 8, 2002)