Whats it worth?

[240si]

In the market for my first s13 with an sr, and found this locally. Just wondering what you guys think its worth. Guy is asking $7500 which is a little out of my price range. Thanks

[240si]

Here are the details of the car

[240si]

bump, checking it out today

[Jorgs_7]

Scope for rust on frame rails, pinch rails, strut towers, etc.

Looks pretty nice IMO. Probably resprayed, white firewall?

If SR is stock turbo, stock ecu, etc. Id say $4500 to $6500 pending the details found in-person and primarily the paint

Was trim and windows pulled for paint?, single stage or BC/CC? Stuff like that.

[240si]

cool, appreciate it, he told me over text that the car is from florida and has zero rust which is crazy for PA 240s, and im sure its been painted it looks too fresh

[zombiewolf513]

Frame rails uncrunched?

[240si]

according to him yeah, but would i be able to tell just from looking at them?

[Jorgs_7]

cool, appreciate it, he told me over text that the car is from florida and has zero rust which is crazy for PA 240s, and im sure its been painted it looks too fresh

Pics can be very deceiving when it comes to paint jobs. Looks a little cloudy to me which gives concern,

[zombiewolf513]

Yeah from the side it should look pretty straight.

[240si]

so if the paint isnt too good you think i should offer lower, as long as theres no rust? i mean he wants 7500 which seems pretty steep to me

[240si]

Yeah from the side it should look pretty straight.

ooh okay perfect ill be sure to check that out for sure, any other random things to be looking for? its my first 240 if you couldnt tell haha

[Jorgs_7]

so if the paint isnt too good you think i should offer lower, as long as theres no rust?

Absolutely.

The cost/quality between a Maaco single stage black and a good BC/CC job can be a couple thousand dollars.

[Jorgs_7]

ooh okay perfect ill be sure to check that out for sure, any other random things to be looking for? its my first 240 if you couldnt tell haha

Trim pieces can get expensive to replace if broken/missing,

Look at the panel gap, (Fender to door, fender to hood, fender to A pillar) make sure it looks even and symmetrical throughout the car.

Especially being re-sprayed, could be covering up an accident that wasn't reported. Ya never know.

[240si]

Trim pieces can get expensive to replace if broken/missing,

Look at the panel gap, (Fender to door, fender to hood, fender to A pillar) make sure it looks even and symmetrical throughout the car.

Especially being re-sprayed, could be covering up an accident that wasn't reported. Ya never know.

that makes sense to be looking for that i feel like its tough to find an not wrecked 240 haha but yeah i hope the paint is pretty decent quality now im a little nervous

[zombiewolf513]

You could also get an accident history report so you know about it when you go see it.

Other than that if it runs well, drives well, and the body is recoverable; $6750-7000 is pretty fair for being well kept and tasteful. Minus a corresponding amount if there's things that need fixin.

Check all the buttons and everything to make sure it all works.

[RalliartRsX]

Bring a magnet and check body panels and such for bondo (if the panel has bondo, the magnet won't stick).

I think the price is way high. My S14 with lots more parts, full maintenance list and documented parts list (pictures, with purchase prices, etc), Rebuiltt with OEM parts blacktop SR20 (again, documented re build), no ISR or knockoff parts etc etc et sold for a little over 7K, and it was a southern car with no rust and only 2 prior owners.

On the other hand, people want diamonds for their overpriced lumps of bread, so there is that :rolleyes:

[240si]

Yeah I really am shooting for around 5k if it's in decent shape, I mean everything seems good with it I can't spend 7500 on a 240 right now haha

[Croustibat]

Welded diff
random BOV
ISR crap
no cooling fan shroud
is there even a cooling fan ? must me very thin, and i cannot see the wiring ...
manual boost controler

= i would not touch it with a pole.

[240si]

Welded diff
random BOV
ISR crap
no cooling fan shroud
is there even a cooling fan ? must me very thin, and i cannot see the wiring ...
manual boost controler

= i would not touch it with a pole.

Really? hmmm

[RalliartRsX]

Welded diff
random BOV
ISR crap
no cooling fan shroud
is there even a cooling fan ? must me very thin, and i cannot see the wiring ...
manual boost controler

= i would not touch it with a pole.

QFT. Lots of off brand or missing parts.

To the OP: Just because you put lipstick on a pig, that doesn't mean it's suddenly not a pig anymore (nice paint and front bumper in the pictures) lol!

P.S WTF is he using a water bottle as his coolant overflow?!?!?

OP, I advise you, save your money for something else..........

[Croustibat]

welded diff means this is a drift car. You cannot daily drive with one.

I may be hard with that previous post last sentence, but since it is a painted drift car with no proper cooling and 16" wheels ( you will cry when seeing tyre prices and end up buying 17" ), it reeks of trouble. I would not pay more than 4000$ for it, and this would be with a compression test done in front of me. I doubt the seller would accept that though.

[240si]

welded diff means this is a drift car. You cannot daily drive with one.

I may be hard with that previous post last sentence, but since it is a painted drift car with no proper cooling and 16" wheels ( you will cry when seeing tyre prices and end up buying 17" ), it reeks of trouble. I would not pay more than 4000$ for it, and this would be with a compression test done in front of me. I doubt the seller would accept that though.

See the only problem is no one ever seems to have nice 240s up here and everyone wants crazy money for them no matter what.. im thinking if this one seems decent in person and i throw a lower offer maybe money will talk.. I will definetly throw these points out in my arguments for my low offer

[240si]

QFT. Lots of off brand or missing parts.

To the OP: Just because you put lipstick on a pig, that doesn't mean it's suddenly not a pig anymore (nice paint and front bumper in the pictures) lol!

P.S WTF is he using a water bottle as his coolant overflow?!?!?

OP, I advise you, save your money for something else..........

Even if i can get it decently cheap and rust is not an issue?

[RalliartRsX]

Ehhhh, if you can bring the price down some, sure.

I am however, much more patient and more keen with how and where I spend my money.....and an over priced 240SX is not it :D :D :D

[240si]

Ehhhh, if you can bring the price down some, sure.

I am however, much more patient and more keen with how and where I spend my money.....and an over priced 240SX is not it :D :D :D

i completely understand what you mean... well no harm in checking it out at least to get a feel of how to shop for a 240 haha

[Croustibat]

These cars are old, and nice ones are hard to find. They also have a high price tag, because work has been done on them.

Say you get this one for 4000. You need to replace the diff first thing and probably the shafts as it is likely they are toast. Clutch and gearbox are not so drift friendly either, so set some money on the side to replace them. You are already looking at somewhere near 1000$ in (mostly second hand) parts.

Next is the 10psi of boost with no remap and no cooling system. Pics also show a strange exhaust. This says "headgasket is blown/is going to blow, or pistons have detonation marks".

No point in getting an SR / S13 if the engine needs a rebuild. Not at 7000, not at 4000$ either, because you are looking at a ~5000$+ engine building job, if done properly by someone who knows his job.

In the end you will have a crappy looking car that did cost you 10/12K$. And you will not be able to sell it for more than 7000, because it looks like crap AND people would rather buy crappy bent cars with nearly blown engine than a proper car.

If your objective was to build a race car with a forged sr20 and gobs of power, then it could be a good starting car. For 3000-4000$.

If your objective is to actually drive a car for 5000$, clearly, do not buy this one for more than 3000.

[240si]

These cars are old, and nice ones are hard to find. They also have a high price tag, because work has been done on them.

Say you get this one for 4000. You need to replace the diff first thing and probably the shafts as it is likely they are toast. Clutch and gearbox are not so drift friendly either, so set some money on the side to replace them. You are already looking at somewhere near 1000$ in (mostly second hand) parts.

Next is the 10psi of boost with no remap and no cooling system. Pics also show a strange exhaust. This says "headgasket is blown/is going to blow, or pistons have detonation marks".

No point in getting an SR / S13 if the engine needs a rebuild. Not at 7000, not at 4000$ either, because you are looking at a ~5000$+ engine building job, if done properly by someone who knows his job.

In the end you will have a crappy looking car that did cost you 10/12K$. And you will not be able to sell it for more than 7000, because it looks like crap AND people would rather buy crappy bent cars with nearly blown engine than a proper car.

If your objective was to build a race car with a forged sr20 and gobs of power, then it could be a good starting car. For 3000-4000$.

If your objective is to actually drive a car for 5000$, clearly, do not buy this one for more than 3000.

wow great insight, much appreciated.. this is the best forum on the internet from my little experience ive had with it. Its crazy when car people actually help out other car people...

[RalliartRsX]

Crousti is all doom and gloom lol!

In all honesty, the SR is pretty stout and 10 psi is only about 1-2 psi above stock boost (7-8 psi). A 1-2 psi jump is not going to blow anything up.

A car can be driven just fine on a welded diff. And I am not sure why a welded diff would kill axles........A stock diff and axles can be had for about $100

However, take note: The stock S13 Redtop SR is well over 20+ years old at this point in it's life! Keep that in mind when buying anything with a fresh JDM 20-30K mile engine..........because it's still 20+ years old for a S13 redtop at best! In addition, these cars in the North East rust to powder and are more likely than not, to be in their fair share of hits, accidents and write offs.....

At the end of the day 240si, go look on it and determine if it's for you. I personally wouldn't spend my money on another 240, but that's because I have been through the 240 community, hate the shitty market (people were giving me offers for less than HALF of what I was asking when I was selling.....The damn diff, turbo and ECU were worth more than people were offering...........fuck that!) and the people associated with it.

However, the 240 did everything I asked for and did it all VERY VERY well! It was just getting old and things started to break that I didn't want to fix

Good luck to ya!

[Jorgs_7]

Get back to us after the in-person view.

[240si]

Get back to us after the in-person view.

ill post up tonight or tomorrow morning thanks guys

[240si]

Get back to us after the in-person view.

Hey moved to 6500, car ran well, straight piped, fresh inspection, clean body and very straight... Paint is the only thing, pulled well under boost as well

[RalliartRsX]

.............So you bought it for that price??

[240si]

No, I told him I'd think about it and came back here to see what you guys thought

[RalliartRsX]

Meh. It's up to you to make that call. I have a biased view lol

[240si]

Meh. It's up to you to make that call. I have a biased view lol

It's expensive but surprising seemed solid

[RalliartRsX]

You're the one spending the dough. Try to negotiate a lower price (stock 20+ year old engine, no receipts, no coolant bottle, no coolant setup, welded diff, etc etc.)

Again, at the end, your $$$$ and it's only worth what you are willing to pay :)

Goodluck!

[240si]

There actually were fans and a shroud around them controlled by a switch wired to turn off when the motor does

[Jorgs_7]

How did the paint look in person?
Cloudy?
Single stage?
Good mask job?

....rattle canned?

[240si]

How did the paint look in person?
Cloudy?
Single stage?
Good mask job?

....rattle canned?

not a rattle can but you can tell its not a quality job, can see a little white around the window trim and what not... hood is a bit cloudy as well...

[Jorgs_7]

not a rattle can but you can tell its not a quality job, can see a little white around the window trim and what not... hood is a bit cloudy as well...

Are you cool with rocking that paint?

That is why a faded OEM finish is better, allows for a good exisiting base to re-spray over.

But now that its already been re-sprayed poorly, does that need to be stripped? Tough to know through the internet

Id ask him more details about the paint job, what was used, etc.

[Croustibat]

You know what i think of it. It is going to cost you at least as much as you are going to pay for it in the next couple of years. A fan controler can be bought for less than 50$, or built for half of that ( static switch + holder, relay, fuse holder, wire, there you go). A stock looking overflow tank from gktech is around 80$ too. the owner clearly decided he would not spend a dime anymore on that car.
At least make a compression test before deciding anything. The engines can pull well even with 110psi in each cylinder.

Ultimately, it is your money, so your choice. i know i would never pay that kind of money for a drifter's s13 with a bad paint job. But i got mine 10 years ago so things may be different now.

[240si]

You know what i think of it. It is going to cost you at least as much as you are going to pay for it in the next couple of years. A fan controler can be bought for less than 50$, or built for half of that ( static switch + holder, relay, fuse holder, wire, there you go). A stock looking overflow tank from gktech is around 80$ too. the owner clearly decided he would not spend a dime anymore on that car.
At least make a compression test before deciding anything. The engines can pull well even with 110psi in each cylinder.

Ultimately, it is your money, so your choice. i know i would never pay that kind of money for a drifter's s13 with a bad paint job. But i got mine 10 years ago so things may be different now.

how would i go about getting a compression check done?

[zombiewolf513]

youtube and a trip to harbor freight. but really theres tons of detailed writeups about it. google "zilvia compression test" and find a diy. I partially agree with Croustibat though that there are a few suspect shortcomings, and if you intend to daily something so modified right out the gate you'll need to learn very quickly how to repair things on it. Have money for parts/tools

[Croustibat]

how would i go about getting a compression check done?

Buy a compression tester, remove fuel pump fuse, try to start the car until the engine stops by being out of fuel. additionnal: clamp the fuel line.
Remove all spark plugs.
Install the tester in a cylinder, use starter motor with the throttle floored for some engine turns, until the compression tester gauge stops moving. Write down its number. Release the pressure in the tester with the button, unscrew it.
Repeat for the other 3 cylinders.

If compression is a bit low on a cylinder, you can try adding a teaspoon of oil through the spark plug hole and try it again. If compressions are back up, rings are the problem. If not, it usually is a valve not sealing well against its seat (worn valve, or seat, or valve guide, or bent valve)

If compression is low and similar on 2 adjacent cylinders, it usually is a leaking HG between the 2.

You can also test the coolant for oil contamination with strips, although i never did that so i cannot tell which one to buy.