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View Full Version : Checking out a 240SX


RanciD
06-20-2003, 03:42 PM
I think I've found the 240SX for me but I really want to make sure this thing is okay before I drop my money on it cause I'm just a poor high school student who needs a car that can be daily driven. I need to keep miles off my MR-2 which is a pretty impractical daily driver anyway, plus I'm sure the insurance on a 240SX would be at least a little less. It's an '89 fastback. The car is about 45 minutes from me so I don't want to have to drive out there too many times before I can make a decision, therefore I'd like to compile a list of everything to check for so I can get it done the first time. I did a couple searches but didn't find too much that didn't have to do with buying SR20s. Here's what I've got so far from searching:

Check if it's got original paint, if not then why.
Squeals or rattles coming from suspension or under the hood.
Clean title.
Rust on hatch under spoiler.
Rust on strut towers and undercarriage.
Inconsistent idle.

I know there has to be more than that. It has 160k miles on it which is a lot, but my dad's truck which has the same KA24E has 160k miles and still runs great so I know these things will go forever. I talked to the owner over the phone and he sounded oriental and didn't understand english too well it seemed. He wasn't sure what base model meant so I guess I'll check myself when I go look at it. Because of this, I don't know if it's got a sunroof, spoiler, lip or whatever else was available on the SEs. I'm looking for a base model preferably. He said it had a clean title and a little rust on the driver's side. We had a slight miscommunication about where exactly but from my understanding it's on the driver's side door. He said it had a tune up in December and runs great but he's selling it now cause he got a new car. He sounded like an older man which is good cause the car is on the inexpensive side so he probably just doesn't know what he's selling (he didn't know much about the car when I asked about the lip and stuff but it may have been because of his english a bit too) and he probably didn't beat on it. I'm going to call him back one more time before I go check it out. I asked for a VIN but he didn't understand what that meant/know what it was. Anything I should ask him when I call him back that he'd probably understand or I could explain easily? I'm really interested in this car, I'm hoping this goes well.

I'm sure I forgot some stuff so when I remember it I'll just edit it into here. Thanks to anyone who can help me! My poor MR-2 doesn't like the rain. :wtc:

EDIT 1: Ok, I'm looking at the trim levels sheet and I don't see HICAS on here even as an option for 89s. Did none of them have it? This is good because I do not want it. :)

Bill Roberts
06-20-2003, 04:34 PM
3 models of fastback.

Base. Steel rims and wheel covers, no spoiler, regular ride. New around 13.5K All of them have AC I believe.
SE Lighting package (power everything, doors, locks, windows, mirrors)
SE Sport Package (dealer installed spoiler (urrrgh rust) Stiffer suspention, allow wheels with 205/60/15 etc)

Base is good....no rear deck rust.

What color and how much?

Sounds like it is worth 1400 if it is clean...I mean really clean. Dents, 700 to 1200 if interior is great. The driver seat will have wear. That is certain. See that everything works and the fluids are clean and their is some "meat" on the brake pads and drives strait and you got yourself a good 240SX.

RanciD
06-20-2003, 05:01 PM
The car is grey (possibly silver?). He said it didn't have any serious dents.. just door dings that I'd expect in a 14 year old car. I went on the trim website and wrote down all the packages and options so I'm going to make sure and check everything out when I go see it. The site said AC was an option. I'm going to bring my dad with me, he knows a lot more than I do about what to check for so between the two of us we should be able to determine whether it's worth getting or not. I just want a base for less chassis flex from sunroof and less power stuff to go wrong. My MR-2 has power windows and a sunroof so I'm not looking for another car to cruise the strip in style in. :cool: He's asking $700.