New guy, really need help with this purchase decision

[Essence]

Hey everyone. Obviously, I'm new.. and I have a simple question. So I'm about to turn 20 and looking to get a 240 for myself. Currently driving a hand me down 98 honda civic dx.

I'm relatively new to cars. I have some knowledge of what some things are and how they work, but I have no hands on experience and I've seen multiple sources saying 240s are a good place to start. I came across an individual seller offering a 97 240sx le with 99k miles, a clean title, no accidents and the seller says it runs great with no problems but may need some tuning. However, it's got a lot of mods.

It has an SR20DET swap, Garrett GT2871R Turbo, Remote Starter, Turbo Timer, Tanabe Super Racing Medallion Exhaust, Hybrid Front Mount Intercooler, Greddy Rocker Arm Stoppers, HKS SSQ BOV, Front Z32 Calipers, Koyo Radiator, Walbro 255 Fuel Pump, Stage 3 Clutch, Viscous Limited Slip Differential, S15 OEM Rims, S15 Steering Wheel, S14 Oem Front Lip, S14 Kouki Mesh Grill, S14 Rear Valances, S14 Kouki Wing.....

I've always heard it's better to buy an unmodded car BUT since I'm a full time college student, this will save me time and money. Though it would be nice to learn to mod cars on my own.

The asking price is $13,500. I feel like this is overpriced, but I'm not sure considering the amount of work done to the car. My car budget is around $20k so it's really not that bad, though I don't want to over pay if I have to. My main questions are, is this worth considering and is this a fair price?

[240truck]

I say buy one stock and modify to your liking rather than buying another's project.
there's less to go wrong and I'd personally like to build my own car for more hands on experience rather than buy one already built and you can't go wrong with building a stock, clean chassis.

in the end it's your decision though.

[indomiekid1]

I’d keep the civic as a dd, buy a decent 240, and go from there.

13k is…eh….. do you have pics of the car?
13k is plenty to build a nice nice 240, to your taste.
Plus like you said your new to this, do you want to buy a car you have no clue about and think its running good, but a couple months later have problems?

[dorkidori_s13]

dont buy someone elses project unless you know what youre doing with cars... even then it can still be a nightmare!

i would highly suggest you do one of a few things since youre a n00b to the car world...

1) dont waste your money on a project car, go to college, get a career, THEN buy a project car when you have the financial means to support a money sucking habit like building a car

2) work your ass off for the next few years, save your money, buy the new Nissan IDX when it comes out

3) work your ass off, again, and buy an FRS

4) stay out of cars altogether and save yourself a lot of sanity AND money LOL!!!

im speaking from first hand experience kid, go to school, get a career, pay off any and ALL debt... get your life started the right way, THEN buy a project car. im sure the 240 car life thing seems supertyteJDMawesomeYO! but i can tell you right now, its worse than a heroin addiction... especially for someone like you who doesnt know anything about cars. the amount of money ive spent on all 5 240s ive owned over the last 12 years couldve bought and damn near paid for a house! (and i know how to do MOST of my own car work too) but, now that im in my 30s and ive spent A LOT of time devoting myself to my career, i can actually AFFORD my addiction to these stupid cars and im very careful with how i spend my cash.

but, its your life... you make your own decisions!

[Essence]

Yeah I hear you guys, thanks for the input.

[indomiekid1]

"may need tuning""????

[indomiekid1]

yes. overpriced.

[indomiekid1]

dorkidori, you right man!
in the end its your choice, just like everything in this world.

[zombiewolf513]

Get something as close to stock and new as possible. Period. Keep it stock and start with small jobs and work your way up to larger and larger projects. Be prepared to spend $100-$500-$1000 at any given time to repair replace or upgrade something.

Recently went in for a $200 base tune, and found out my clutch is slipping, so i need to buy another to replace it, but not only do i just need another, i need one that can handle more power now... $$$$$$

Go with dorki dori and do #2. The car will be yours from the start, its new, itll last, youll gain more pride in cherishing it.