New to Zilvia

[Sundi]

Hey everyone, I just found this site recently and I'm proud to now be a part of it.
I value your guys opinions and recommendations on all things car related.
At this point, I have an old '86 Honda Prelude.  It is my first car, so please don't laugh.
That will change within a year.  I've been doing some research (and still in the process of) and I'm leaning strongly towards the S14 Nissan 240SX.  I have a couple questions that I'd like to ask to make sure that this will be a smart purchase.

I'm looking for a 1995-1998 SE.  I heard there are two different styles for the S14 (95/96 and 97/98). Correct?
A few friends of mine said they have had some reliability problems with their 240SX (S13 Tho)  How are S14s?
I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.  What can I expect to pay for a decent S14? I'm thinking under 15k?
When (or if) I get my S14 240SX I plan on doing the SR20DET swap.  How hard is it to get parts for this?  Any sites/stores would be great.  Is this engine reliable?  Is it illegal, if so, has it ever been a problem?  If it is illegal, can it be shipped from US to Canada without any problems?
I also plan on doing various other upgrades.  I plan to make it go and not as much show.  Possibly S15 conv.

Sorry for long post, and I appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc. that you guys may have.  
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Sundi @ May 28 2002,6:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hey everyone, I just found this site recently and I'm proud to now be a part of it.
I value your guys opinions and recommendations on all things car related.
At this point, I have an old '86 Honda Prelude. It is my first car, so please don't laugh.
That will change within a year. I've been doing some research (and still in the process of) and I'm leaning strongly towards the S14 Nissan 240SX. I have a couple questions that I'd like to ask to make sure that this will be a smart purchase.

I'm looking for a 1995-1998 SE. I heard there are two different styles for the S14 (95/96 and 97/98). Correct?
A few friends of mine said they have had some reliability problems with their 240SX (S13 Tho) How are S14s?
I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. What can I expect to pay for a decent S14? I'm thinking under 15k?
When (or if) I get my S14 240SX I plan on doing the SR20DET swap. How hard is it to get parts for this? Any sites/stores would be great. Is this engine reliable? Is it illegal, if so, has it ever been a problem? If it is illegal, can it be shipped from US to Canada without any problems?
I also plan on doing various other upgrades. I plan to make it go and not as much show. Possibly S15 conv.

Sorry for long post, and I appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc. that you guys may have.
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
First, Welcome to the Board. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>



I'm looking for a 1995-1998 SE. &nbsp;I heard there are two different styles for the S14 (95/96 and 97/98). Correct?
--Correct - &nbsp; They changed the headlights

A few friends of mine said they have had some reliability problems with their 240SX (S13 Tho)
--The S13 only has a few known issues that if you are aware of and repair, has no real issues. &nbsp;Especially if you get the DOHC (91-94) version

How are S14s?
-- Same.. &nbsp;Very Reliable

I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. &nbsp;What can I expect to pay for a decent S14? I'm thinking under 15k?
-- ?? not in canada--

When (or if) I get my S14 240SX I plan on doing the SR20DET swap. &nbsp;How hard is it to get parts for this? &nbsp;
--not hard at all these days. &nbsp;Shops are popping up everywhere that supply motors, and parts.
check:
SRswap.com
unstable-hybrids.com
and the links page on this site

Is this engine reliable?
-- yes (depending on how many upgrades you put in it.) &nbsp;

Is it illegal, if so, has it ever been a problem?
-- &nbsp;The motor itself is not illeagal. &nbsp;I think legality is dependant upon year of motor being > or = Year of car. &nbsp;Think aything more strick than that is upon the state.

If it is illegal, can it be shipped from US to Canada without any problems?
-- no problems getting one, just getting it to pass an emmisions inspection.


I also plan on doing various other upgrades. &nbsp;I plan to make it go and not as much show. &nbsp;Possibly S15 conv. &nbsp;
-- &nbsp;An S15 conversion is a beautiful (and expensive) thing when done right. &nbsp;Good luck, and DON'T skimp.

[Sundi]

Hey thanks for the great info.

You make me feel a whole lot safer with going the SR20DET route. &nbsp;I thought it would be really costly and scarce to find. &nbsp;One of the reasons with going for the 240SX was the uniqueness of it, not too many around. &nbsp;I know some kid that also might be able to hook my up with parts, even straight from japan (he's opening his own shop). &nbsp;He owns a 1994 RX7 Turbo. &nbsp;I want to at least compete with him, and I may do a partnership with him and his shop. Anyways, thanks for the welcoming.

[HippoSleek]

Welcome. &nbsp;What the chimp said.

One more thing: &nbsp;Keep in mind that when us US'ers say "SE" it is like your "LE" and your "SE" is like our base model. &nbsp;That really confuses everyone involved. &nbsp;It only matters for little things, but that's my official welcome canadian warning. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>