s13 reliability/life

[exceed]

i have been looking for a 240sx for awhile now, and most of the ones i find have over 100k miles. do the KA motors last well over 100k? i am hesitant to buy one with that many miles, waht do you guys say? if i get one with 100k+ will it last me until perhaps a swap? thanks

[SilviaNinja240]

KA's are pretty beefy, and It would be REALLY REALLY hard to find a S13 with under 100k miles, I've seen a few KAs even over 200k miles, if you take care of it... it will take care of you

[91CRXsiR]

my KA has 160K.. its hasnt given my any engine problems

[andrave]

mine's pushing 170,000 miles and I would trust it on a drive across the continent...
I drove it to florida and back from WV last may, and I drive it regularly on trips of4 hours or more...
I have seen plenty throw rods or blow head gaskets at around 200k, and a few that lasted beyond that. If you take care of them, they are durable as hell....
I love imports.

[orange-grey]

While searching for the perfect S13 I came across many with over 180k miles and one with 240k. Luckily I found an old lady car with 85k complete with flower seat covers and tweety bird floor mats. I now have about 105k and can honestly say its the most reliable car I've ever had, despite regular autocross and drag race thrashing. Also very easy for shadetree mechanics to work on since its still relatively low-tech compared to most newer cars.

[exceed]

yes, trying to find one with under 100k has been quite hard! i dont have all that much cash and with what i have, i would like to buy a s13 with a straight body and all mechanically working. i dont want to buy it and have it die on me or just have loads of probs, which would require me dumping loads of money in just to fix it. so i hope if i find a s13 to get, it will last as long as you guys say! thanks

[AmherstSR20DET]

Close to 165k miles on the thing and it runs like a dream.

If you're looking for a FB, try to find one WITHOUT the OEM spoiler on it. That was my problem and I have to "speed holes" forming on either side of my third brake light. I love the power boost I get from the things, I just wish they had a more appealing look to them.:D

[MorganS13]

listen for the timing chain guide rattle... if its not there by around 100k miles then its a good sign

[masta]

Well from what I hear, the engine is not what you should be worried about.

It is the electronics, rust and leaks you should be watching out for.

[misnomer]

152k, replaced front main seal, and that's about it.

They're pretty reliable motors, I wouldn't worry about them that high mileage unless you are going to be significantly modifying it, you'd want to rebuild it in that case.

[Kookaburraz]

My 238.5k KA will be replaced in 2 weeks by a 47k KA. The headgasket has gone, due to some overheating. If not for that, it would be staying in. I drive it 800 miles a weekend about twice a month, even with the bad headgasket.

[sykikchimp]

finding one without a rear spoiler is important, but if you want an SE model, it will be hard.

A little timing chain rattle is gonna be heard on ANY 100k mile KA unless the timing chain has been replaced. and even some that have had it replaced still do. (mine for example.. they didn't remove the guides.) A LOT though is bad.

Look for rust on the strut towers, and on the frame, and on the trunk if you see the spoiler.

The washer nozzel on the top of the car tend to leak water as well. make sure it's really well sealed up.

if you look at 89-90 models, beware of leaky injectors.. you will see stains on the valve cover if they leak.

Rough stumbling idle is another one of the KA's common problems when they get a ton of miles on them. Not necessarily a bad thing, but does give you something to haggle with. usually can be fixed with some Carb cleaner down the IAA valve hose.

Notchy transmissions seem to be a problem w/ high miles. especially 3rd gear.


My advice is to think about anything you are gonna mod on the car eventually.. then think about all the things that WERE NOT included on that list. Make sure everything thats NOT on the list is in acceptable shape with the car.

[andrave]

I second that no spoiler tip... my spoilered 89's hatch is rusting away while the rest of the body is fine.

[silforty]

I got a low milelage S13 in jan of 2001. It only had 107 when i got it. I have so far put about 35xxx on it and i've only driven it for about 22 months. It has given me no probs at all, and i trust it so much that i'm taking it on a 2000 mile trip for a week. Great cars, real reliable. To bad they're sorta slow.

[zephyr]

my s13 has 113k miles on it
ive had it for 3 years and the only problems ive had are valve cover gasket, a small oil leak, and i just replaced the tie rod ends
i think my shocks are on their way out too
nothing really besides wear and tear...and even that is minimal compared to some other cars
...like my moms old 3 transmission chrysler :p

[citizen]

I bought my 92 coupe last month with 54k miles, its as solid as a rock =)

[four]

JEFF!!!!

Tell greddy to hurry up with my front lip!
arraghhh

hehe
this is noel.

just sayin what's up

[white_89]

I bought my 89 in january and it had 175,000 and since then i've put anothe 5,000, and i've never had one engine problem, and the previous owner said all he ever had to replace were the accesory belts

[Fastback180]

1990 and mine has 249k...I've only had to replace the radiator. Some timing rattle, but a quick stomp of the gas gets rid of it.

[Zemus]

My Ka is GREAT, if only it had more power..

I have a 90 sohc with 120k i put 20k on it, all "Beating the **** out of it miles" and it just keeps kicking back, the other thing i had to change was a water pump

[exceed]

Originally posted by citizen
I bought my 92 coupe last month with 54k miles, its as solid as a rock =)

where in cali r u? ive been looking and cant find any! that i like..

[citizen]

Im in marin county. bought my 240 in the city. where have you been looking?

[exceed]

im in SF, searching craigslist, autotrader, yahoo, newspaper. all over bay area, cant seem to find one that is worth getting

[kanekz]

Well my KA is rolling on 207K.....and this is a S14 I might add. ;) The previous owner put mostly highway miles on it and had it well maintained. Just remember to do your regular maintenance and should by alirght.

[mrmephistopheles]

I just drove my 163k S13 KA across the country (so now it's a 166k KA) with NO problems.

[wingsnthangs]

I have a 91 S13 and its KA is pretty solid. Bought it April 2002 and it had a little over 100K mi on it. Since then, i have replaced the starter and fuel filter, which isnt unusual of older cars. The work was simple and cheap.

[exceed]

another question, if i cant find a 91-93 with DOHC, do you guys think the 89-90 SOHC have enough power to drive stock for awhile..?

[Bliss]

Might want to define "enough." I'm sure it will get you around town, but so will any other car.

[wingsnthangs]

Errr...enough power for what? Stock 89-90 SOHC KA24E has 140hp. We dont know how much you need. But considering many people drive stock SOHC and seem to manage, yes its enough.

[exceed]

i guess i was just comparing to waht im driving at the moment (stock 94 accord auto). when i get on the freeway i have literally floor it all the time just to keep up with traffic. if i dont floor it, i see line of people behind me and someone tailgating me, epsecially those stupid taxi drivers. so i guess i was looking more at power when on the freeway...city of course should be fine

[nrcooled]

Originally posted by exceed
i guess i was just comparing to waht im driving at the moment (stock 94 accord auto). when i get on the freeway i have literally floor it all the time just to keep up with traffic. if i dont floor it, i see line of people behind me and someone tailgating me, epsecially those stupid taxi drivers. so i guess i was looking more at power when on the freeway...city of course should be fine

Adding power is not a problem. Getting a reliable engine to mod is the main concern.

I had 100k on the KA when she got pulled for the SR and it never gave me a problem. But I am very meticulous about maintenance.