95 s14 Kouki or BUY the real deal 1997-1998 Kouki - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

TheVinylKingz · 01-22-2021, 08:37 PM

I?m on the fence!

will it be best to buy a 95 s14 with a USDM Kouki front end or just wait and buy a real Kouki??? If ever possible.

I understand that?s there are small differences, but honestly idk If it?s worth buying a 97-98

This s14 is a clean title fresh paint code: ?LS1? Deep Fushia, hardtop (non sunroof) and 4 lug (not that it matters a lot to me).

Original color code was code: ?ALO? Ruby Red

Silv1401 · 01-22-2021, 08:50 PM

Really depends on you. If it's clean then it's clean. Genuine Kouki typically sell for more. FWIW they only made about 4,000 genuine USDM koukis, whereas they made somewhere around 30,000 Zenkis. If that false sense of prestige doesn't bother you, then I would just snag it. Only real differences that come to mind between 95-96s and 97-98s are the color codes, the instrument cluster, and the fact the 96 year S14, Nissan decided to experiment with some god awful in-bay-mounted heater cable system. Obviously didn't go well and they changed it back to the in-cabin setup for 97. That last point really only matters if you plan on tucking your engine bay and keeping the creature comforts.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

***Future240*** · 01-23-2021, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silv1401

Really depends on you. If it's clean then it's clean. Genuine Kouki typically sell for more. FWIW they only made about 4,000 genuine USDM koukis, whereas they made somewhere around 30,000 Zenkis. If that false sense of prestige doesn't bother you, then I would just snag it. Only real differences that come to mind between 95-96s and 97-98s are the color codes, the instrument cluster, and the fact the 96 year S14, Nissan decided to experiment with some god awful in-bay-mounted heater cable system. Obviously didn't go well and they changed it back to the in-cabin setup for 97. That last point really only matters if you plan on tucking your engine bay and keeping the creature comforts.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

Also keep in mind OP, while you can convert a zenki to doing it right costs money. The headlights are around 330 per light now. Then you need fenders, hood, bumper cover, headlight bracket, tailights, side skirt, grill, etc. All of this adds up.

Like Silv1401 said though. Genuine kouki's sell for a lot more now as they are a lot less common.

If it is just the chassis you are after I suggest take a better condition zenki over a beat to hell kouki. You can always make it look like you want with time.

tuzzio · 01-23-2021, 09:03 AM

Buy whats in your price range and meets your requirements.

gabefromcali · 01-23-2021, 12:46 PM

Buy a Kia Soul

Kingtal0n · 01-23-2021, 01:52 PM

What really matters on an old car that you actually intend to drive, is the chassis.

If the car has never been in an accident it will have all Vin tags, original glass/hood/fenders/quarters/bumpers/doors

Check that all Original panels are in place. check the seam glues and inquire any body work.

Look at the frame underside, check the pinch weld for damage or clamp marks. Check the frame rails for malicious jacking of the vehicle. Inspect steering components.

Then drive the car and make sure it drives straight. Don't believe the owner when he says "it just needs an alignment" That is BULLSHIT. Take it right to the alignment shop and have them align the vehicle if necessary before you buy. NEVER buy a 240 if it doesn't drive straight, the frame is probably bent and the owner already tried to align it and failed so now they are selling it because it won't stop pulling to the right... because that one time he hit a tree or whatever

*burnsauto* · 01-23-2021, 07:51 PM

If you're on the fence, then don't pull the trigger just yet. You'll know when the time is right. Decisions that are on the fence leave a lot to be desired, you have a 50/50 shot of regretting what you did. It sounds corny and dumb, but its a lot like meeting a woman, when you know, you'll know. You won't have to ask a bunch of strangers on a forum.

ixfxi · 01-24-2021, 02:08 AM

i would say all of this is moot....

meaning, the benefit of buying an actual kouki is that it comes with the OEM kouki hood, headlights, fenders and bumper. but it also comes with a setback which is OBDII. I personally prefer owning OBDI cars and dont like OBDII, because I know that the engine that belongs in these cars is the SR20DET. So having an OBDI car can make dealing with smog easier. But I wouldnt call this a deal breaker, its minutia. Some people keep the KA, some people do legal swaps, some people live in less strict states. All factors to consider.

I dislike the USDM kouki bumper and when I picked up my 1996, I had no issue tossing everything out: zenki front and rear bumpers, fenders, hood, lights, and engine. Installed SR, kouki fenders, hood, and JDM bumpers. Lots of time and money went into preparing this, but I think it all worked out.

The main issue now is that if you want a kouki, good luck finding one thats suitable. And if you find a zenki, good luck getting all the parts you need to convert it.

note: I never cared for the S14 to begin with. Why I own one now is beyond me.

mav1178 · 01-24-2021, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfxi

meaning, the benefit of buying an actual kouki is that it comes with the OEM kouki hood, headlights, fenders and bumper. but it also comes with a setback which is OBDII.

the only S14s that were OBDI were early MY 1995 cars for a couple of months when the car was first introduced. most of the 1995 model year cars and all 96-98 were OBDII, so this is a moot point.

ixfxi · 01-24-2021, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav1178

the only S14s that were OBDI were early MY 1995 cars for a couple of months when the car was first introduced. most of the 1995 model year cars and all 96-98 were OBDII, so this is a moot point.

maybe your right. my 95 was OBDII but i dont recall it being a pain in the ass to smog. i coulda sworn it ran on the rollers.

im probably a bit confused because my sc300 is a 95 and OBDI. back when it used to need to pass smog, it would hit the rollers too

smog... so overrated.

01-22-2021, 08:37 PM	#1
TheVinylKingz Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	95 s14 Kouki or BUY the real deal 1997-1998 Kouki I?m on the fence! will it be best to buy a 95 s14 with a USDM Kouki front end or just wait and buy a real Kouki??? If ever possible. I understand that?s there are small differences, but honestly idk If it?s worth buying a 97-98 This s14 is a clean title fresh paint code: ?LS1? Deep Fushia, hardtop (non sunroof) and 4 lug (not that it matters a lot to me). Original color code was code: ?ALO? Ruby Red __________________ S13 SR, S14 KA

01-23-2021, 07:51 PM	#7
burnsauto Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 717, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,156 Trader Rating: (5) Rides Gallery: burnsauto Feedback Score: 5 reviews	If you're on the fence, then don't pull the trigger just yet. You'll know when the time is right. Decisions that are on the fence leave a lot to be desired, you have a 50/50 shot of regretting what you did. It sounds corny and dumb, but its a lot like meeting a woman, when you know, you'll know. You won't have to ask a bunch of strangers on a forum. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-22-2021, 08:50 PM	#2
Silv1401 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR, USA Posts: 167 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Really depends on you. If it's clean then it's clean. Genuine Kouki typically sell for more. FWIW they only made about 4,000 genuine USDM koukis, whereas they made somewhere around 30,000 Zenkis. If that false sense of prestige doesn't bother you, then I would just snag it. Only real differences that come to mind between 95-96s and 97-98s are the color codes, the instrument cluster, and the fact the 96 year S14, Nissan decided to experiment with some god awful in-bay-mounted heater cable system. Obviously didn't go well and they changed it back to the in-cabin setup for 97. That last point really only matters if you plan on tucking your engine bay and keeping the creature comforts. Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

01-23-2021, 09:03 AM	#4
tuzzio Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 2,254 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Buy whats in your price range and meets your requirements.

01-23-2021, 12:46 PM	#5
gabefromcali Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CA Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Buy a Kia Soul

01-23-2021, 01:52 PM	#6
Kingtal0n Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida Age: 38 Posts: 4,649 Trader Rating: (17) Feedback Score: 17 reviews	What really matters on an old car that you actually intend to drive, is the chassis. If the car has never been in an accident it will have all Vin tags, original glass/hood/fenders/quarters/bumpers/doors Check that all Original panels are in place. check the seam glues and inquire any body work. Look at the frame underside, check the pinch weld for damage or clamp marks. Check the frame rails for malicious jacking of the vehicle. Inspect steering components. Then drive the car and make sure it drives straight. Don't believe the owner when he says "it just needs an alignment" That is BULLSHIT. Take it right to the alignment shop and have them align the vehicle if necessary before you buy. NEVER buy a 240 if it doesn't drive straight, the frame is probably bent and the owner already tried to align it and failed so now they are selling it because it won't stop pulling to the right... because that one time he hit a tree or whatever

01-24-2021, 02:08 AM	#8
ixfxi Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangin on my chest Account: BANNED #fucksupreme Age: 79 Posts: 5,923 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	i would say all of this is moot.... meaning, the benefit of buying an actual kouki is that it comes with the OEM kouki hood, headlights, fenders and bumper. but it also comes with a setback which is OBDII. I personally prefer owning OBDI cars and dont like OBDII, because I know that the engine that belongs in these cars is the SR20DET. So having an OBDI car can make dealing with smog easier. But I wouldnt call this a deal breaker, its minutia. Some people keep the KA, some people do legal swaps, some people live in less strict states. All factors to consider. I dislike the USDM kouki bumper and when I picked up my 1996, I had no issue tossing everything out: zenki front and rear bumpers, fenders, hood, lights, and engine. Installed SR, kouki fenders, hood, and JDM bumpers. Lots of time and money went into preparing this, but I think it all worked out. The main issue now is that if you want a kouki, good luck finding one thats suitable. And if you find a zenki, good luck getting all the parts you need to convert it. note: I never cared for the S14 to begin with. Why I own one now is beyond me.