Buying a car already modded or mod myself?

[RedlineRacer]

I'm at a dilema. As I posted the other day, my car was totalled by a lady who wasn't paying attention and ran all in my rearend. Now I am looking for another S13. I have been talking to a guy near me that has a S13 with everything pretty much done that I am looking for (SR, good suspension, and nice paint job). He is selling it for $6500. I think this is a little high, but the car is in excellent condition. Should I buy this car or find a stock S13 and buy it for around 3k and put 3.5k into it. I think it will take more than 3.5k to do what I want myself. I think buying a car already modded takes the fun out of modding a car, but there is still plenty to do to the engine (pretty much stock) and I have almsot all the parts in my garage to do a sil-80 (s13 silvia) conversion. Also, I think I am going to have a hard time getting a small personal loan for 6k. I don't have any colateral and I am trying not to have my parents co-sign for me. Any advice would be apreciated.

[aznpoopy]

if u can't get the money for the car then the sr s13 isn't even an option. a car shouldn't take up all your disposable income and its certainly not something worth putting yourself in debt over. that's just experience from someone a bit older. (you sound young cuz of the whole parents co-signing stuff).

as for the car, mods never sell for what they are worth so if the guy knew what he was doing you may be getting a very good deal. on the other hand, if he's a total jackass with modding you might be getting a really fukked up car. seen it happen to a few people. if u know what you're doing then take a good look at it; if not get someone who really knows their shit to take a look for you.

[M.Piedlourde]

Agree with aznpoopy on the money thing. If you don't think you're going to be able to come up with the money, this conversation is over.

I personally would never buy a modded car, for a couple of reasons. First, one of the big reasons I want a 240SX is because I want to mod it. I already have a daily driver, and any car I buy now is going to be my project. So why would I want to buy someone else's mostly-complete project?

Second, although I think the tuner craze has probably peaked, modifying imports is still a popular pasttime for a lot of people. And for every nicely done car you see, you're going to see about 10 that were hacked up by morons. Although I'm certainly no "expert", at least when I'm doing the work on the car, I know what's been done, right or wrong. If you're buying someone else's project, you're not only buying the mods, you're buying the mistakes that were made as well (which of course the seller will "forget" to mention to you).

Just my 2 cents.

[RedlineRacer]

Yeah, I know the shits strait. I've bought some parts off him before. But no matter if I buy a $3k 240sx or a 10k 240sx, I will have to take out a loan. I did that on my first 240sx. Going in debt is no problem with me. I have never had a problem with the monthly payments and I was actually ahead on payments.

[old_s13]

buying a good car is a lot like finding a good woman....

do you want one that's been done up and banged by someone else, or do you want one that is ordinary and that YOU make special.

all i know is that my s13 only had one owner before I bought it, and it was a WOMAN ;) (thats like the modern day equivelent of converting a lesbian to my own personal sex slave)

yeah.. im twisted

[Bbandit]

LOL!! you need help man :)

but yea if you dont have 6grand.. go with the stock one... if you have 6 grand go with the SR
Im pretty sure theres still a lot you can do with an SR + Suspensions... hell you can even do an infamous KA swap on that SR ;)

[Shin_Kudo]

I think the thing to do, is find someone who really knows the car and the swaps, to come check it out with you, and see if it's a good deal or not.

Personally, I'd get it if it was. I like modding, yeah, but what's important to me is driving my car, not having it sit half-assembled in the garage for months.