91' S13 Coupe SE, $3k. Worth it?

[Anto]

I went to check out a car today, but i'm not sure if it's worth it.


Here's the deal:

RED 1991 S13 Coupe SE, 5 speed.
NEAR MINT INTERIOR. Seriously. Looks untouched
Very clean engine bay. All fluids looked clean.
Original Manual + paperwork in the glove compartment.
Trunk is damn clean.
Clean Title, passed smog with ease.

The bad part:

The odometer stopped working at 96k, but judging on the car's interior + exterior, I would be surprised if it was anything much higher than that.
Digital Speedo + HUD aren't working.
Rear bumper is sagging down. looks like a slight impact mark on the center of the bumper.
Sunroof works fine, but the metal bar running across the front is bent slightly up. You have to push it down for the sunroof to close.

You guys think it's worth it for $3k + tax and lic. fees? I've been looking for a few months for a nice S13 SE coupe, but couldn't find any.

Good deal? yes? no?

[mjjstang]

i donno, is it worth it? to YOU? to me no 240 unless it is s14 is worth 3 grand. plus interior pieces can be picked up for cheap, id rather worry about how great the exterior is. if he doesnt take 1500 tell him to get lost.

[Anto]

That's the thing, I don't mind getting a more raggedy s13 for $1500 that I can fix with my own money, instead of paying $3k for one. The car is being sold by a used car dealership, so I don't think they'll go lower on the price. Exterior paint is niiiiiice.

[Agamemnon]

Flash some cash in his face. If they dont want it, don't get it.

[S13SilviaGirl]

Used car dealership means they gave the guy $800 for it...and are making their money back...

Rear bumper sagging? and slight impact mark...uhmm, I would say check the frame. My civic was rear ended at 50+mph while I was stopped and the only thing that looked wrong with it was the paint was scratched and bumper dented/slightly moved fwd...yet it snapped the frame in the back.

Personally, I don't think it sounds worth 3K...dealerships also pay people to make the car look as new as possible. There is no lemon law in CA iirc unless it is a new vehicle. Sooo you buy it your stuck with it and any problems.

I would wait and be patient, there are good deals to be found...I just got an LE coupe for $500 in cali. Needs a new engine, but, that is a easy fix. Hell, search the forums and auto trader for cali...I saw a few nice coupes a couple weeks back for sub 2K...

just my measly two cents though.

oh and like Agamemnon said, never pay what a dealership is asking...always offer lower...they have the room to go lower...haggle w/them if you really want it.

[Anto]

I guess it's back to the waiting game.

Thanks everyone!

[OMGWTFBBQ]

whats the blue book

[Ricks15]

It dont sound too good man!!! try to shop around a little more. If you only knew the exact millage than that would be good way to low ball those people who want 3K for the car. IF you can find all the flaws that the car has and negotiate for a lower price than you can do it. Thats how i did it 4 years ago with my 240 you gotta low ball as much as possible cuz there a dealer anyways. Back then I paid 2,300 for everything including papers, tax, License and reg. But the stickers took one hell of a long time to get cuz those dicks at the dealer tryed to pull some shit.

Good luck.

[S13SilviaGirl]

Rick just reminded me of something...I think in order for a cardealership to sell a car in Cali, I believe it has to have a working odometer...someone correct me if I am wrong?

[Ricks15]

:( Thats a good question too and I dont know the answer to it. But I bet you seen or have heard of those rinky dinky type of dealerships in the city classified papers. Especially here in Los angeles there are lots of small used car delerships that sell cars that are in terrible conditon and with only a few or maybe more messed up things in the car.:( Thats why you the consumer has got be "Trucha"-carefull and really see what you're getting you're self into. Like my 240 damn it looked so clean but when I started stripping it I noticed there was a big old hit on the rear, but from the outside it looked so good, Almost half of all the body work on my 240 is covered in stinking bondo:ghey:. But none the less used car buying can be cool but most of the time it will be a real bitch

[ch1873857]

I went to check out a car today, but i'm not sure if it's worth it.


Here's the deal:

RED 1991 S13 Coupe SE, 5 speed.
NEAR MINT INTERIOR. Seriously. Looks untouched
Very clean engine bay. All fluids looked clean.
Original Manual + paperwork in the glove compartment.
Trunk is damn clean.
Clean Title, passed smog with ease.

The bad part:

The odometer stopped working at 96k, but judging on the car's interior + exterior, I would be surprised if it was anything much higher than that.
Digital Speedo + HUD aren't working.
Rear bumper is sagging down. looks like a slight impact mark on the center of the bumper.
Sunroof works fine, but the metal bar running across the front is bent slightly up. You have to push it down for the sunroof to close.

You guys think it's worth it for $3k + tax and lic. fees? I've been looking for a few months for a nice S13 SE coupe, but couldn't find any.

Good deal? yes? no?

its not too much work. just check the frame and probably offer 2500 esp if your paying in cash

[Agamemnon]

Rick just reminded me of something...I think in order for a cardealership to sell a car in Cali, I believe it has to have a working odometer...someone correct me if I am wrong?
Taken from www.yourlemonlawrights.com

ODOMETER FRAUD– the mileage that is showing on the odometer of the vehicle at the time of purchase determines the condition and value. The issue of possible fraud comes into play if;

the odometer has been disconnected or turned back.


the vehicle’s mileage was misrepresented to you.

I wouldn't purchase the car. Look around some more and dont be afraid search out of state.

[Flybert]

3000 is too much. And no worries on the motor. Have them do a compression and leakdown test. That will tell you everything. Also listen for the timing chain slap.

[Jonnie Fraz]

I agree $3000 is too much, but you could use the odometer not working as a reason to get the car way cheeper. Tell them you think it has been tampered with, they may go way lower on price. Worth a try.

[CHARLIE2020]

I dont think you'll find very many people here that'll agree with paying $3,000 for a very nice 240SX is worth just becasue its clean but if it worth it to you get it, I paid $2,250 for mine I think its pretty damn clean, I gotta give thanks to all the low ballers on this forum for bringing the price down then I jumped on it, I would have paid close to $4,000 for mine just becasue it wasn't molested and striped by another "240SX" enthusiast and everything thing was in place and worked and runs strong something thats not easy to come by on these cars thats just my opinion, but mine was pretty cherry nothing really wrong with it and had nice paint so I dunno.