Should I buy this s13?

[TurtleF1]

Hey. I'm new to the forum, but i have been creeping around here for awhile admiring build threads and doing some research. I have never owned a 240sx but I am fairly mechanically inclined. I've been looking for a project and while i prefer the s14, in my area the s13's go for much much less. I found this project. It hasn't been started for 5 years but he said nothing was wrong when he put it in storage. What should I look for when i go to buy and what should I offer? Thank you very much.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5461189416.html

[KAT-PWR]

Not a bad deal. Make sure it starts. Check for rust. Make a list of the bushings and things that are leaking and need to be replaced.

[TurtleF1]

He said he just wants it gone. He hasn't attempted to start it and he isnt going to mess with it. It seemed a little sketch but for $6-700 is it worth the gamble?

[Reece]

Worth that price for sure, definitely has lots of potential to be saved

[TurtleF1]

Ill have about a 4k budget. Is that enough to get this thing driving good? I want a daily and weekend drifter. Nothing over the top for now and it will be a progression type deal.

[DriftingBrandon]

Ill have about a 4k budget. Is that enough to get this thing driving good? I want a daily and weekend drifter. Nothing over the top for now and it will be a progression type deal.
Depends on the condition of the car over time. Most likely, yes.

He said he just wants it gone. He hasn't attempted to start it and he isnt going to mess with it. It seemed a little sketch but for $6-700 is it worth the gamble?

Yes. Could always part it out and scrap it if it goes wrong. Or swap into another shell.

[adicarlo]

I would want to see what some "rear quarter panels" will fix. I rather buy a car with a bashed from fender then quarter.

cons for me are:
1. single cam
2. questionable quarter
3. whats up with the hood alignment.

pro:
1.price
2.manual windows
3.nice interior
4.manual decent interior.

I would buy if:
1. motor swapping.
2. into doing body work (i am not)

[S13-Dreams]

look for rust, then buy. 4k is a whole lot of money for a budget, make sure it runs and such. get it running right and the single cam KA is surpisingly robust. some 1000 dollar coilovers and a vlsd and you should be sideways in no time. just purchased my first s13 that's real similar to this one. also make sure you make a list of small things like the sunroof seal/ the latch and also try to verify the window motors work that small crap can nickel and dime you to death trust me the replacement sunroof latch I ordered was 68 bucks.

[TurtleF1]

I wouldn't mind a swap, just down the road. Id like to start building a KA but i want a daily now.

Im not a body pro. Are the rear quarters that big of a bitch?

[TurtleF1]

Where are the big rust places on the S13's?

[S13-Dreams]

theres a buying guide on here that details what you should look for when buying a 240. if youre gonna swap, save for a swap, don't bother building a KA. if that car has been sitting its gonna need new fluids, a tune up, if the radiator is rusted a new radiator. but for less than a thousand for a pretty complete car I wouldn't hesitate to purchase that, even just for the spare parts

[TurtleF1]

Why not build a KA? What would you swap? I really dont care to swap in a SR.

[S13-Dreams]

looking at the pictures again I noticed on the one that shows the engine bay it looks like the fan is spinning along with the pulley by the fan, im not the only one who sees that right?

[S13-Dreams]

and I was saying if you are going to swap then don't build the ka, otherwise don't swap and build the KA, that's just the way I spend money personally, I don't invest in things im not going to keep.

[FMFsx]

Where are the big rust places on the S13's?

I'd watch for the sub frame, frame rails, innerwheel wells front and rear.! Check the strut towers, also look to see if any holes have been drilled could lead to rust ex: the old spoiler if it had one.. That's what I've seen there's other obvious places but these are the ones they can be missed. Don't be scared to give the floor pans a nice tap too check if they're solid look down by the pedals under the steering wheel I've gotten taht before ... Hope this helps!

[adicarlo]

and I was saying if you are going to swap then don't build the ka, otherwise don't swap and build the KA, that's just the way I spend money personally, I don't invest in things im not going to keep.

It's not that it's a KA. It's that it's a single cam KA (KA24E) - I prefer (KA24DE).

From wikipedia:
"The KA24DE is very similar to the KA24E. The KA24E is SOHC with three valves per cylinder actuated by rocker arms, and the KA24DE is DOHC with four valves per cylinder and shim-over-bucket valve actuation. Design improvements of the dual cam engine include the use of a knock sensor, larger diameter girdled main bearings in the Japanese block, different oil pan (not interchangeable between Japanese and Mexican blocks), different oil pickup (front pickup on Japanese block and side on Mexican block), dipstick location (toward the rear of block on Mexican and mid block on Japanese) and piston oil squirters. In addition to the increased power and torque, the KA24DE has a higher redline than the KA24E"

[TurtleF1]

I meant it as I was going to build a KA in the meantime for whenever this one blows.

I just noticed that to. Must be a blur, he said he hasn't started it yet so I dont know.

[S13-Dreams]

and as far as swaps go sky is the limit man, you can go RB20,25,26 VH45 1j,2j, LS, SR20, CA18 anything your wallet can support you can pretty much cram into a 240. and the awesome thing is they are all so cheap compared to Honda swaps. (I previously owned a couple civics myself.)

[TurtleF1]

It's not that it's a KA. It's that it's a single cam KA (KA24E) - I prefer (KA24DE).

From wikipedia:
"The KA24DE is very similar to the KA24E. The KA24E is SOHC with three valves per cylinder actuated by rocker arms, and the KA24DE is DOHC with four valves per cylinder and shim-over-bucket valve actuation. Design improvements of the dual cam engine include the use of a knock sensor, larger diameter girdled main bearings in the Japanese block, different oil pan (not interchangeable between Japanese and Mexican blocks), different oil pickup (front pickup on Japanese block and side on Mexican block), dipstick location (toward the rear of block on Mexican and mid block on Japanese) and piston oil squirters. In addition to the increased power and torque, the KA24DE has a higher redline than the KA24E"

Im aware. Sorry if I wasnt clear enough. I will build a KA to drop in their in the future. A DOHC for sure!

[S13-Dreams]

a blur that is out of place. nothing else is blurred in that picture.

[TurtleF1]

and as far as swaps go sky is the limit man, you can go RB20,25,26 VH45 1j,2j, LS, SR20, CA18 anything your wallet can support you can pretty much cram into a 240. and the awesome thing is they are all so cheap compared to Honda swaps. (I previously owned a couple civics myself.)

I would only care to push around 300hp at some point. I just want a reliable Daily and drifter. Nothing over the top, at least for now. Just a little fun.

A KA would be the cheapest and easiest I assume.

[TurtleF1]

a blur that is out of place. nothing else is blurred in that picture.

It is an out of place blur. I dont know what to think about it.

[S13-Dreams]

Some people prefer the DE over the E, IMO if youre gonna daily it keep the E, yeah its easy to put the DE in with a few parts changes for an extra 10BHP but if I was going to the effort to pull a motor out of my car Im putting something with a snail in it.

[S13-Dreams]

either that's an old pic or he had it running recently.

also 300whp for cheap -----> http://www.ka-t.org/

and you should probably get off the computer and go check out that car.

[TurtleF1]

Some people prefer the DE over the E, IMO if youre gonna daily it keep the E, yeah its easy to put the DE in with a few parts changes for an extra 10BHP but if I was going to the effort to pull a motor out of my car Im putting something with a snail in it.

I will be building a totally separate KA24 while I daily this one and I will boost it. Drop it in when mine goes out which is hopefully a year or two.

[TurtleF1]

either that's an old pic or he had it running recently.

also 300whp for cheap -----> http://www.ka-t.org/

and you should probably get off the computer and go check out that car.

Im probably gonna go tomorrow. I work nights and my schedule is shit.

[TurtleF1]

I'd watch for the sub frame, frame rails, innerwheel wells front and rear.! Check the strut towers, also look to see if any holes have been drilled could lead to rust ex: the old spoiler if it had one.. That's what I've seen there's other obvious places but these are the ones they can be missed. Don't be scared to give the floor pans a nice tap too check if they're solid look down by the pedals under the steering wheel I've gotten taht before ... Hope this helps!

It does help. Thanks man.

[TurtleF1]

Nevermind. Guy said it just sold. Back to square one.

[S13-Dreams]

damn at that price I wouldn't expect it to last long anyway, at least there cheap over there tho, here in SoCal that guy woulda been like 3000 firm lol.

[TurtleF1]

He just hit me back and said he'd hold for 1k but i don't know if i want to pay that much

[S13-Dreams]

I thought he said it sold? and there is no way he is gonna get 1k, just play it by ear man, I wouldn't stress about it too much.

[feito]

man what a big pos car. I guess Im spoiled by all the deals we get here in texas. I wouldnt even consider it, but if you must, I think 500 is fair. That thing is beat to shit and you will have to re-do everything.

[TurtleF1]

Im pretty sure he's playing me for a fool. Oh well. There's just not alot of them around me for a decent price and id like to jump on one when i see it.

[TurtleF1]

man what a big pos car. I guess Im spoiled by all the deals we get here in texas. I wouldnt even consider it, but if you must, I think 500 is fair. That thing is beat to shit and you will have to re-do everything.

Yep. Yall dont have to worry about rust either. The deals are ok here but not great.

[S13-Dreams]

texas is probably the best place to buy a 240 im so jelly at you feito.

[Croustibat]

I would only care to push around 300hp at some point. I just want a reliable Daily and drifter. Nothing over the top, at least for now. Just a little fun.

A KA would be the cheapest and easiest I assume.

Let me summarize.

you found an unmoving piece of garbage for cheap;
you don't know anything about these cars;
you want to transform it into a 300HP reliable daily drift car;
You have a total of 4K to throw at it.

I can tell you can triple you budget right now, or get prepared for a serious disappointment.

[TurtleF1]

Let me summarize.

you found an unmoving piece of garbage for cheap;
you don't know anything about these cars;
you want to transform it into a 300HP reliable daily drift car;
You have a total of 4K to throw at it.

I can tell you can triple you budget right now, or get prepared for a serious disappointment.

Let me summarize.

Its a project. Would you rather see another s13 go to scrap yard or be fixed?For how cheap I could've gotten it for it wouldn't have been a loss.

I never said i didnt know anything about these cars. I have quite a few friends with 240's and Z's and I work on them all quite often.

I want to do it over time. Like several years. I specified that.

I have roughly 4k now that I would like to put at it. I will start building a engine now to which is outside of that 4k.

Thanks for reading the whole post before commenting!

[Tyler_240]

Let me summarize.

Its a project. Would you rather see another s13 go to scrap yard or be fixed?For how cheap I could've gotten it for it wouldn't have been a loss.

I never said i didnt know anything about these cars. I have quite a few friends with 240's and Z's and I work on them all quite often.

I want to do it over time. Like several years. I specified that.

I have roughly 4k now that I would like to put at it. I will start building a engine now to which is outside of that 4k.

Thanks for reading the whole post before commenting!

Is this one to far away for you to check out? https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5404139690.html

I would think that could be had for $800 cash considering it does not run and needs work to be able to drive it.

You could probably do the work onsite in an hour or so. Installing a dash is not difficult in a 240.

Pros: It has a black interior and the body appears to be straight. Rear quarter looks OK.

Cons: It's been lowered and has a welded diff which means it has probably been thrashed a good bit.

But, if you could get it for less than $1K and you are somewhat mechanically inclined (You have tools and internet access?) Then it would probably be a good deal.

I even got a set of (4) stock tear drops with good tires I can sell ya if you want.

I would not stress to much about it running, etc...most of the time it is something simple, like a bad/dirt MAF, bad Coolant Temp Sensor, or timing chain.

All of which can easily be fixed with a little time and the ability to comprehend a DIY guide.

[Corbic]

He said he just wants it gone. He hasn't attempted to start it and he isnt going to mess with it. It seemed a little sketch but for $6-700 is it worth the gamble?

It's worth $500 scrap guarantied.

$7-800 is fine for what is essentially a roller. Just make sure the frames are not rotted out and the glass is good.

[TurtleF1]

Is this one to far away for you to check out? https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/5404139690.html

I would think that could be had for $800 cash considering it does not run and needs work to be able to drive it.

You could probably do the work onsite in an hour or so. Installing a dash is not difficult in a 240.

Pros: It has a black interior and the body appears to be straight. Rear quarter looks OK.

Cons: It's been lowered and has a welded diff which means it has probably been thrashed a good bit.

But, if you could get it for less than $1K and you are somewhat mechanically inclined (You have tools and internet access?) Then it would probably be a good deal.

I even got a set of (4) stock tear drops with good tires I can sell ya if you want.

I would not stress to much about it running, etc...most of the time it is something simple, like a bad/dirt MAF, bad Coolant Temp Sensor, or timing chain.

All of which can easily be fixed with a little time and the ability to comprehend a DIY guide.


Thanks. I already talked to him. It's gone.

[10psitx]

I never said i didn't know anything about these cars. I have quite a few friends with 240's and Z's and I work on them all quite often.


You don't basically don't know about 240's and Croustibat is correct, if you DID know about the 240sx, this thread would not exist...the car would have been in your possession already instead of you beating on the key board.

Here is a simple rule...The car is worth X amount if the car can be parted out to cover it's cost plus 10% minimum.
The catch is knowing about the car and the value of its parts. By extension if you know that then you would not need to ask, hence you don't know enough about the car.

Find a car that's a little less of a project and use you money to do MAINTENANCE repairs for reliability. This would benefit you greatly as you intend to use it as a daily.
This advise answers to the general tone of your question "whats this car worth".... hope you understand and good luck with the search.

[TurtleF1]

You don't basically don't know about 240's and Croustibat is correct, if you DID know about the 240sx, this thread would not exist...the car would have been in your possession already instead of you beating on the key board.

Here is a simple rule...The car is worth X amount if the car can be parted out to cover it's cost plus 10% minimum.
The catch is knowing about the car and the value of its parts. By extension if you know that then you would not need to ask, hence you don't know enough about the car.

Find a car that's a little less of a project and use you money to do MAINTENANCE repairs for reliability. This would benefit you greatly as you intend to use it as a daily.
This advise answers to the general tone of your question "whats this car worth".... hope you understand and good luck with the search.

Just trying to get a little added advise. Don't tell me what I do or don't know. You cant always just go get the car, especially one that doesn't run.

[95_S14]

Just trying to get a little added advise. Don't tell me what I do or don't know. You cant always just go get the car, especially one that doesn't run.

Stop acting like you know everything. If you knew half of what you thought you did you would've Already had that car picked up ,this thread is fucking pointless. Rather than make stupid fucking pointless threads why don't you do more research for yourself and stop trying to be spoonfed like 99% of the asshats on this fucking site

[95_S14]

Just fucking move to Florida already

[TurtleF1]

Stop acting like you know everything. If you knew half of what you thought you did you would've Already had that car picked up ,this thread is fucking pointless. Rather than make stupid fucking pointless threads why don't you do more research for yourself and stop trying to be spoonfed like 99% of the asshats on this fucking site

I think ill do just that.

You cant always go get a car 30 minutes after finding it then its sold an hour after. Sorry for making a "fucking pointless thread" about a 240 on a 240 forum. Truly I am sorry.

[Almighty So]

^ you should be because they have threads for stupid questions like this already.

Go look at the car and say yes or no. Doesn't require a whole thread.

[Gingersmurf]

^ you should be because they have threads for stupid questions like this already.

Go look at the car and say yes or no. Doesn't require a whole thread.

Or at least post it in the proper thread...
http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=609900