is this car good?

[Hornlesscow]

hey guys i know im kind of new here and im sorry if i posted this in the wrong section but to be honest its kind of confusing lol. ok to start you off i am a high school student with almost no money and i am trying to go to college soon but i need a car for around 3k. i will not be able to insure the car yet due to health insurance reasons but i will use the time i have to make a project car with little purchases here and there. but since i know so little i need a reliable car that runs really well and has no "big money" issues. i live in maine so i cant go too far which is why this car is perfect. can anyone please help me? i can barely afford the car let alone college so i need to make the right decision. i am willing to swap the body parts that need swapping if that makes a difference for the rust. thank you for all that read this :bow:
http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/428211-91-240sx-hatch-sr-swapd.html

[Hornlesscow]

also a general estimate of how much money is needed to make the car really reliable would be greatly appreciated.
i know i have a low post count but i really dont have much to say. although trying to learn from this site its not helpful unless i own a 240sx so i hope purchasing this makes me a very active member in this wonderful community.

[benarovi]

seems like a piece of shit rust bucket

[S141S]

seems like a piece of shit rust bucket

I'm gonna have to agree with above post. Look for a clean STOCK 240 to work on for the time being if thats what you truly desire. Or better yet get a Toyota or something more reliable until funds become available to support something nicer. I wouldn't exactly consider a swapped 240 as extremely reliable anyway especially one pieced together by someone other than yourself.

[Hornlesscow]

thanks for responding so quickly. i know but i dont have much money and its pretty close to where i live. i will have a dealership check it out before purchase but will the rust be able to be taken care of with a really cheap body kit just to get me by until i can get a good one to look like a kouki s14 or maybe a skyline?

@s141s i get what your saying but as you may know that is really hard to find around my area and i have my heart set on one since i have heard amazing things about these cars. and i do work at a dealership so if anything is giving me trouble down the road im sure i can get some help. also as i stated above i am going to have the nissan branch checkk out this car head to toe.

[brandonp33]

Dude thats a clean 240 for the price. I think you should buy it if everything runs good and is registered. That's real cheap for a s13 with a Sr20 swap running. The idle issue shouldn't be too big a deal.

[brandonp33]

I would get it if i didn't live in California way on the other side of the continent lol

[Hornlesscow]

thats precisely what im thinking but with limited funds im very hesitant as i have heard rust can be a car killer and since this might actually happen for once i want to hear from the experts before i make a stupid decision that i will regret forever.

[AdrenalineS14]

If motor is healthy and all you needed was a replacment ecu to fix idle issues id get it save some more money and find a rust free clean shell and swap the goods over lol

[soreballz]

If there's that much rust that you can see, imagine how much rust is going to be hiding elsewhere.

[Hornlesscow]

If motor is healthy and all you needed was a replacment ecu to fix idle issues id get it save some more money and find a rust free clean shell and swap the goods over lol

im not sure if i can do that but is there a way to take care of the rust some other way? a body kit perhaps?

If there's that much rust that you can see, imagine how much rust is going to be hiding elsewhere.

thankfully the car is not too far for me to check out

[S141S]

I speak from experience when I say rust is car cancer. And for someone with limited funds I would stay away from something with that much rust unless you can cut, weld and fab up your own pieces to replace that or know someone who can help. I have jumped on 240's that I fell in love with too for prices I couldnt resist however, in the end it's not worth it for a rotbox. Save some more money and buy something you can be proud of. My 0.02 cents.

[brandonp33]

Yeah rust is bad its like cancer it just spreads fast. But you can just cut all the rust out before it spreads. Then later when more funds are available you can just fill the empty holes that used to be rust. Shouldn't cost too much.

[lude4life13]

No. Simple and straight. This is a swapped (not by you) and rusted car. After spending money on the body to take car of the rust, you will almost surely have to dump money into fixing a bunch of things that the people who swapped it did not do. Good project car? Maybe. Good reliable car for someone who has no money and need to worry about college? Hell NO!

[Hornlesscow]

I speak from experience when I say rust is car cancer. And for someone with limited funds I would stay away from something with that much rust unless you can cut, weld and fab up your own pieces to replace that or know someone who can help. I have jumped on 240's that I fell in love with too for prices I couldnt resist however, in the end it's not worth it for a rotbox. Save some more money and buy something you can be proud of. My 0.02 cents.

i really appreciate this but im 18 and never owned a car so finding one so close and cheap has gotten me very excited although i wont buy it if i know i cant get rid of the rust but i might look for a shell before i purchase but would a body kit take care of the rust issue because this would fix all my problems? and would i be able to buy any model shell like a s14?

[Hornlesscow]

@lude i will have a nissan dealership check it out to see exactly what it need though and i do work at a dealership. i dont mind spending a couple hundred dollars here and there but i just dont want to spend more than 2k for repairs under the hood for at least a year. and as far as the body goes i want to buy a body kit anyway so i dont mind.

[brndck]

even if you had very strong mechanical/automotive/auto body skills i would still say that this car is going to be a very costly and difficult investment.

NOT what you want if you are looking for a solid and reliable daily driver

ESPECIALLY if you are on a starving-college kid budget.

dammit, now i want cup-o-noodle

[AdrenalineS14]

Sorry but no a body kit wont fix the rust problem its only gonna hide it, plus there's no sense in buying a kit on a rust eaten car save that body kit money and find yourself a shell if you really really want this car and yeah if you really wanna S14 shell you can swap the motor in it... but its not just an easy drop in and drive you gotta consider other things like re-wiring, motor/tranny mounts and the list goes on! In all honesty your really better off looking for some other 240 if that's what you really like just seems like this car is gonna be to much hassle for a broke college student man

[Hornlesscow]

even if you had very strong mechanical/automotive/auto body skills i would still say that this car is going to be a very costly and difficult investment.

NOT what you want if you are looking for a solid and reliable daily driver

ESPECIALLY if you are on a starving-college kid budget.

dammit, now i want cup-o-noodle

lol. i dont really get why though. the only problem i see is the idle and rust and if rust can be cured with a new body kit i wouldn't mind and i can live with an idle problem for now and i just got a job making roughly 280/week until fall unless i stay here for college so i dont mind spending around 3-4k on the car until summer 2013

[Hornlesscow]

Sorry but no a body kit wont fix the rust problem its only gonna hide it, plus there's no sense in buying a kit on a rust eaten car save that body kit money and find yourself a shell if you really really want this car and yeah if you really wanna S14 shell you can swap the motor in it... but its not just an easy drop in and drive you gotta consider other things like re-wiring, motor/tranny mounts and the list goes on! In all honesty your really better off looking for some other 240 if that's what you really like just seems like this car is gonna be to much hassle for a broke college student man

Thank you soooo much you just answered my main question lol i will take your advice and just keep looking but the only problem is my max price is 4-5k and my max distance is NC but i did find this car
http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/431367-tw-89-240sx-xe-5-lug-lsd-140k.html
oh and that price range is set for april 30 if things go right but for now my price max is 3k

[soreballz]

lol. i dont really get why though. the only problem i see is the idle and rust and if rust can be cured with a new body kit
*le sigh*
Rust cannot be cured with a new body kit. It can be covered, but not "cured."

[Hornlesscow]

*le sigh*
Rust cannot be cured with a new body kit. It can be covered, but not "cured."

thank you, i was afraid of that. so now im looking at this car which seems to be perfect if the owner can swap the transmission or if a dealership would do it for under a thousand. http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/431367-tw-89-240sx-xe-5-lug-lsd-140k.html

thank you for all who replied, and are still continuing to reply, you guys are really making me feel welcomed. its almost 3:30 am and i have school in a couple of hours so i have to go but i will read and respond to all future replies tomorrow.

[justinbyrant]

if the first car has rust on the outside that bad then the spare tire well and probably most of the rear of the car is going to be covered in rust as well since its a hatch and everyone knows the tail lights always leak, plus if you want to get into cars buying someone else's work is not the way to do it, how can you take pride in something you didn't do?

anyways it looks to me like the second one, the red coupe was stolen, and looks like someone fucked with the wiring, probably just stole the stereo and what not but i personally wouldn't risk it.

look on cl and stuff, you just have to be patient and the perfect one will fall in you lap, get a little honda daily for mileage in the meantime and just keep looking, and do some research so you know what problems they commonly have (like rusty spare tire wells in hatches) so you know what to look for when you find one

[touge_g35]

I'd honestly could say that my college years were my most,"Maaaaaan I'm sooooo broke!" times in my life and it wasn't spent on bars and partying.
Depending on what you are majoring in you might not even have time to really work on the car if it needed work.
Although having a car to work on will definitely keep you sane through these times but you do not want to put more pressure on yourself than what you already have.
But this is your decision so just like everyone else has added in I will contribute my advice by saying,
"Do whatever makes you happy and hope that it will serve your purpose, there is no fate but what we make for ourselves." That last bit was quoted from Terminator 2 :D

So if you want to have an SR240 or any RWD car to fool around in and get you to school even though it has rust then do it. But do take into consideration of the consequences in the decisions you make as many people have listed the scenarios above.
Personally from experience and what I would've done at your age, even though I know money is tight I would just find something that was somewhat and mostly reliable and easy to deal with if work was needed.
I bought an sr5 AE86 while in school and it had a rod knock, did I regret it? No, was it a smart decision? No, but I had fun working on it and doing a GTS swap, I still have it to this day because it still makes me happy just as it did from day 1.
Also a fixed up 240 will get you more girls than a fixed up 86, with an 86 you will just get dudes so yeeeeah, think about that :D

[XiaoAZN]

Yeah, I'd stay away from both of those cars. I agree with justinbryant with the stolen comment. Also it looks like the wiring has been messed with--basically a huge headache in the making.

Just keep lurking Craigslist and be patient if you truly want a 240.

Being a poor college student myself, however, I would suggest getting something else. As justinbryant suggested a stock, cheap and reliable Honda is probably the way to go...

[wuddup]

dude from the sound of it you shouldn't be getting one of these "project" cars or an s13 in general. what you need is a reliable daily to get you to and from school with no issues and probably an easy fix here and there. a body kit would not fix rust as you keep asking, a body kit would just hide the fact that there is rust on the frame, or anywhere else that is much more critical than surface body rust. also, hearing that you've never owned a car, are low on cash, and on a budget, an s-chassis probably wouldn't be ideal for you. It's an almost 20 year old car (depending which chassis) and you would be getting huge headaches if you're main priorities are school and not starting a project. you'll run into problems you probably never thought of, etc. etc. And plus you could save some of that money and put it towards insurance, because once you're in an accident, or get pulled over for no insurance...you're basically fucked and going into some serious debt you probably can't afford. But if you're seriously considering joining the zilvia community i welcome you, i'm just saying maybe now is not the time, especially the car you linked. Just wait around a bit and find a clean unmolested car and if you're into cars, learn how to do your own maintenance and upkeep.

Just some friendly advice to you take it or leave it and at the end of the day it's your decision not ours just trying to help.

[Hornlesscow]

thank you all for your advice and trust me i will take it! all except the honda :p last thing i need is to be labeled a a rice burner lol. i really want a clean 240 with at least a turbo and that's it because i want to have some fun with the car but turbos can be a bit pricey so it would be nice to have something untill i can upgrade. i do understand it will be a bit of a headache but i understand and enjoy the headaches because although ive never owned a car i have taken care of some as i would my own, and i really enjoyed the project i did in those cars because i see everything as a puzzle and i dont play to lose haha. i will keep looking and hopefully by the end of my 3 month goal i find something i can really see myself in.

[KravingAKouki]

save up for college instead of getting a 20+ year old car, that is a maintenance whore.

[S-Nation S13]

Wtf...just look at the cancer it has..

[Tokona-x]

I would stay away from the rust car its going to be a big hassle for you, just be patient you'll find something.

[Drift_86]

I say look for automatic with low miles I think they are usualy means they been less abuse

[nissanfreak317]

After spending the past year working on and off on a rusty chassis to try to bring it back to life, I would say not to bother with super rusty ones. Look for a decent straight body with minimal rust, your life will be much easier and it will be worth the extra $800-$1500 you will spend.

[n8RPS13]

Dude I wouldn't even get a car for your first year of college. You should be living in the dorms and not have to worry about transportation. If you do so decided that you have to have an s chassis you absolutely need to start reading as much as possible about them. They are old and need maintainance. Nissan is notorious for having wiring issues. I had a buddy that worked at a tuner shop and it was owned by this old japanese dude that always said "Nissan all wire, No power". Meaning that if you have a wiring problem get ready for it not to run. There is a lot to these little cars and buying an old project can be awesome if you have and knowledge, time, and funds. I'm a marine have no time but funds and some knowledge. My project has been going on for three years.....just some food for thought.

[Hornlesscow]

Thank you all for your replies i will definitely take them into consideration, and i have learned that patience is a must for these cars.
@n8RPS13 thanks man ill definitely read into it and a car is a must because i have frequent doctor appointments so i need a ride and if i am paying(which i am) i am definitely getting something i like lol which is a 240sx because the possibilities of things to do to it is endless.

[mrmittens]

Sorry to join the thread after it seems to be at its end, but I would agree with most people and don't buy any of these. The best thing to do is save up and wait for something clean unless you have to have a car. I had a job over summer and had to get to school at the same time, so I had to have a car. If I could, looking back on it, I would have saved my money and waited for something else to come along.

Buying a used car is like shooting a shotgun at a deer: it will be cheaper than buying something that has been carefully processed, but you may bite a bullet.

As for rust, engine problems, and other things; if you buy a car where the owner is knowledgeable and honest about what is wrong, and you have the money to fix it, you will have the time of your life. If the previous owner was like the one who owned my car before me, you will think everything is all right until it breaks down on you.

[chiboy002]

did no one notice that the ad says "previous owner title signed to me"
car isn't even registered in the owners name yet. wonder why

[Walperstyle]

If you are in Highschool and have no money, you should not have a 240sx.

Lets say you did buy one, you defiantly don't want to be modifying it. I waited until I had a house and garage before I started to 'play'. Priorities.

[yetijeff]

Dude I've had my stock single cam pignose hatch for a lil over a year now and, granted it's ugly and slow as dick, with suspension and minor power adders it has been fun and reliable. U don't need turbo to have fun, and I definitely wouldn't suggest it if uve never owned a car. I picked mine up for 1500 and prolly over the course of the year+ I've put another 1000-1500 into it in suspension upgrades, and its been the most fun/reliable car ive owned :)

[nissanfreak317]

Yeah, I picked up my first S13 for $1500 when I was 17. 160k coupe, one owner, pretty clean. Drove the piss out of it until I was old enough/had the money to do an sr swap. After the swap it was no longer a dd though, I already had another car waiting to take on that task. Stock/lightly modded 240 = good dd IMO, Swapped/heavily modded 240 =/= dd.

[laurentj23]

Gonna make it simple for you.
1. A swapped project car thats not done by you, is like taking a gamble. You dont know what's going on with it. It can be perfectly built and swapped or it can be a pos. usually a perfect clean swap rAn min of 5 k..so think abt it.
2. You said you work at a dealership and they can fix your car if there's a problem..thN why is reliability is the main concern for you ?
3. If you're looking for a reliable car, stick to a stock car or close to it as possible. Get a honda( not all honda or toyota are ricey) my other honda hAs 325k miles, and it' still running.
4. Be prepared to spend more extra cabbage when you buy a used car especially when it is more than 2 years old. I bought my s14 stock and still put down arnd 500 more dollars on preventive mantainence just to make sure it runs reliable and good. It only has 123k when i bought it.

[Nicelyphe]

First 240..Not worth it. SR or not..Theyre cheap enough to pick up and easy enough to install..That rust is not cheap/nor easy to get rid of. It only spreads, and it probably has no frame rails.

2nd 240, over priced. Automatic, body lines dont even match up. Don't go paying 3k for that.

I jumped into my first 240 purchase..Went in the middle of a snow storm to pick up this car, that the owner wouldnt even let me test drive, was late at night and dark, couldnt see any cosmetic damage on the car. Bring it home, look at it in the morning, no frame rails, hatch spare tire well is rusted out, the KA is beat, complete peice of sh...1k gone, ended up spinning a bearing on the KA and sold the rusted shell for $300.

Waited [Researched alot on furoms to learn in the mean time] a bit to get my 2nd 240 purchase, 1.2k. Clean, little bit of body dings. No rust on rails or hatch. Still a shitty ticking KA time bomb though, and a cracked windshield. That KA spun a bearing, picked up an SR for $1,750 at an importer, dropped it in for nothing cause its easy labor. Maybe $500-800 in misc parts like Intercooler/radiator/bov/bullshit. $3,400-$4000 for a car that I've had running daily driver for a year and a half with minimal issues and general maintenance. In hell of alot better condition than that first 240 you posted up for $3,300.

Personally don't rush it..Especially with these cars, they're like a hit or miss anymore. Unless you have the funds to dump into it and have a daily driver and can afford the down time.

[landins13]

reliable daily under 3k.....buy a 4 door automatic civic.

[Hornlesscow]

Personally don't rush it..Especially with these cars, they're like a hit or miss anymore. Unless you have the funds to dump into it and have a daily driver and can afford the down time.

thanks man hopefully in three months i will have around 5-9k but most likely 5-6k and i hope i can pick up a nice s14 for my birthday(april 9) which would be the best present for me to get myself lol but at least it will give others a good idea on what to get me

[Hornlesscow]

sorry to seem persistent lol but i have 1 more vehicle for you guys to inspect and let me know what you think as you guys are the experts :)
http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/433280-fs-92-ka-t-caged-240sx-coupe.html

i pm the owner and this is what i got
Originally Posted by Hornlesscow
hey man i just have a couple questions about your car
1. when is the last time its been driven?
2. how often it it driven?
3. any maintenance records?
4. inspection dates?
5. what is on the trunk?
6. any rust?
7. price negotiable?
8. are you willing to let me take it to a nissan dealership for a head to toe check at my own expense?
9. and if i do purchase it will it be able to make the 150+ mile drive back to maine?


doesnt get driven often
not a daily
does it look like i would ahve maintenance records?it doesnt even have heater boxs and motor/trans are from 97k mile car
not inspected(pretty sure cage would prevent that without knowing someone)
piece of intercooler piping on trunk for my g35
little rust here and there nothing major
is negotiable
you would be wasting yout time bringing it anywhere to be looked at if you dont know how to work on your own car this isint for you it is a great start to a drift car
car will make 150 mile trip without issue

[fliprayzin240sx]

Why the fuck are you insisting on getting pieces of shit S-chassis? This one looks like straight out micky mouse shit. I'd stay away from this one like it got the HIV.

First off, you said you're broke. Why the fuck do you want a PROJECT CAR?!?! You need a dependable, cheap, good mileage car. Gas on a turbo car isnt cheap and insurance for these cars for somebody under age isnt exactly cheap. Get a something else and stop looking at these cars all together until you get your ducks in a row!!!

[Hornlesscow]

Why the fuck are you insisting on getting pieces of shit S-chassis? This one looks like straight out micky mouse shit. I'd stay away from this one like it got the HIV.

First off, you said you're broke. Why the fuck do you want a PROJECT CAR?!?! You need a dependable, cheap, good mileage car. Gas on a turbo car isnt cheap and insurance for these cars for somebody under age isnt exactly cheap. Get a something else and stop looking at these cars all together until you get your ducks in a row!!!

im not entirely broke but i just cant go over budget because right now my budget is at 2.5-3k because that all i have atm but by the end of april i will have at least 5k then im done saving for a car and i will be putting my priorities somewhere else. i dont really want a project car i want a dependable running(minor things probably wont bug me as i work at a dealership so i may be able to have someone teach me how to fix it) car that i can do stuff to when i have money/time. and i know im stubborn but when i find something i like its hard to talk me out of it. i HAVE to have a 240 and see what ive been missing out on.
also i can only buy 1 car so i dont want to waste money on a car that i know i will soon scrap.

[laurentj23]

im not entirely broke but i just cant go over budget because right now my budget is at 2.5-3k because that all i have atm but by the end of april i will have at least 5k then im done saving for a car and i will be putting my priorities somewhere else. i dont really want a project car i want a dependable running(minor things probably wont bug me as i work at a dealership so i may be able to have someone teach me how to fix it) car that i can do stuff to when i have money/time. and i know im stubborn but when i find something i like its hard to talk me out of it. i HAVE to have a 240 and see what ive been missing out on.
also i can only buy 1 car so i dont want to waste money on a car that i know i will soon scrap.

Buy mine so i cant a car with better gas mileage like hondahatch or something!

[Hornlesscow]

Buy mine so i cant a car with better gas mileage like hondahatch or something!

Sorry man ur too fat away haha ur on the opposite end on the country lol

[DJ-of-E]

im not entirely broke but i just cant go over budget because right now my budget is at 2.5-3k because that all i have atm but by the end of april i will have at least 5k then im done saving for a car and i will be putting my priorities somewhere else.

i dont really want a project car i want a dependable running(minor things probably wont bug me as i work at a dealership so i may be able to have someone teach me how to fix it) car that i can do stuff to when i have money/time. and i know im stubborn but when i find something i like its hard to talk me out of it. i HAVE to have a 240 and see what ive been missing out on.

I use to have a 1985 Toyota Celica GT (old metal bodies), so believe it when they say rust is like cancer.

I've been on and off the car community when I was in college from 2003 - 2008. Believe me, I use to own a turbo KA. Once you start modding, YOU WILL NOT STOP. If you want something reliable for you, EVERYTHING and EVERY PART must be stock. When you own the car, just because you bought doesn't mean it will be the "end of all spending on the car." For a 20 year old car, things are expected to fail randomly. Fuel pump $100. Power Steering $50-$250. Alternator $80. Axles, electronics, etc etc etc.

There's no such thing as "i can do stuff to when i have money/time" during college. You're wasting the best years of your life while in college to add more stress when working on the car praying it's not going to die on you. It was a dedicated track car, but I would still shill out nearly $3000-6000k a year just on repairs, re tune, etc. I got sick of being broke all the time so I ditched it in 2005. Spent money on traveling (San Francisco for JGTC, Japan, Vietnam, China, Korea) and just relaxing with friends and eating out having a time of my life while concentrating my efforts in school to be the best damn student I can.

Now I'm barely 3 years out of college. My daily is a 370z and my 240sx (i had a 2nd one for ca smog check purposes) is currently on a $10k budget to be a "fun" weekend warrior. Think about that. Good things do come to those who wait.

[Hornlesscow]

I really appreciate you taking the time to write all that out but the thing is I don't mind spending money on my car because I'm smart with money bu stupid at the same time. Before I buy the car I will make sure I have at least 1500 for emergency repairs and every month I will set aside a certain amount of money so I can have fun with my car when on vacations and stuff. And trust me my own family is trying to convince me no to get a 240 but when I have my heart set on a car the only thing that will stop me from getting it is not having enough to buy it, which is why I'm asking the experts so you guys can tell me whether I will have to drop a lot of money right off the bat. And as far as reliability goes I can afford to not have a car for a little while and get rides from my familiy when I go to Virginia since chances are i will be with my cousin all the time anyway so he can give me rides til I fix my car and I'm sure my fam wouldnt mind giving a couple hundred if 1500 won't cut it

[Hornlesscow]

I THINK THIS IS A STEAL PLEASEE WEIGH IN and please no one bid on this because i would really love to drive her home and have fun so please im begging dont ruin this for me.

Nissan : 240SX Nissan : 240SX | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300657382517+&viewitem=)

only 20 hours left pleasee

[XiaoAZN]

I've been on and off the car community when I was in college from 2003 - 2008. Believe me, I use to own a turbo KA. Once you start modding, YOU WILL NOT STOP. If you want something reliable for you, EVERYTHING and EVERY PART must be stock. When you own the car, just because you bought doesn't mean it will be the "end of all spending on the car." For a 20 year old car, things are expected to fail randomly. Fuel pump $100. Power Steering $50-$250. Alternator $80. Axles, electronics, etc etc etc.



+1 for the truth...

[Bubba]

I THINK THIS IS A STEAL PLEASEE WEIGH IN and please no one bid on this because i would really love to drive her home and have fun so please im begging dont ruin this for me.

Nissan : 240SX Nissan : 240SX | eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300657382517+&viewitem=)

only 20 hours left pleasee

Honestly, for $2,000 that isn't all that bad. I just wish it wasn't on Ebay so you could go offer him less. If you get it, sell the wheels and get stock size wheels under it or something else that will allow you to pocket the money and drive around on cheaper tires. If the motor is in fact rebuilt and blueprinted by a good mechanic then that alone is half the value of the car from what I see.

I wish you luck, but like the others said I wouldn't be trying to fix a 240 up while going to college. I think I've invested a few years of college into my car already, but I have no degree to show for it other than knowing every square inch of my chassis and everything that has ever been done to the car.

Suggestions... Toyota Corolla, Civic, Accord, Tacoma pickup, etc...

[Eyegazm]

I personally do not condone buying vehicles off of ebay if you're looking for a daily. Check craigslist. As someone stated above,

I say look for automatic with low miles I think they are usualy means they been less abuse
Even though it has bad grammar, Words of Wisdom.
Even if it has higher miles, its still auto, which means it probably hasn't been redlining all its life.

Then there was this guy;
Why the fuck do you want a PROJECT CAR?!?! You need a dependable, cheap, good mileage car. Gas on a turbo car isnt cheap and insurance for these cars for somebody under age isnt exactly cheap. Get a something else and stop looking at these cars all together until you get your ducks in a row!!!

Not trying to deter you from doing what you want, but you will find, the game costs money baby!

[Bubba]

^ He speaks da TROOF ^

[Hornlesscow]

lol thanks guys but im used to speaking to people who know what i mean when i say something(as in they know im just speaking out of hype and its almost all BS) lol when i speak i just get too exited and speak into the future basically so let me elaborate. my plans are based over a 5-10 year span so i will keep it stock for a WHILE and save about a couple hundred dollars a month and just wait for vacations to have fun but im still in high school making 280 a week so i have a while to save for college and the good news is i have the cash to pay for this car straight up so i think things will work out with this car and i wont be paying for insurance(please dont judge me but if im paying for the car thats good enough for me) and when i think of myself with a car with sooo much potential i cant help but to lose it and im so exited that this might actually work out.

[XiaoAZN]

... and i wont be paying for insurance(please dont judge me but if im paying for the car thats good enough for me)...

Wait wut? Please at least get liability insurance if you're going to get any type of car.

[Hornlesscow]

Wait wut? Please at least get liability insurance if you're going to get any type of car.

lol i meant my dad will pay for insurance once he finds a way to convince the dhhs to allow one more car because of mainecare insurance reasons they wont yet.

[DJ-of-E]

lol i meant my dad will pay for insurance once he finds a way to convince the dhhs to allow one more car because of mainecare insurance reasons they wont yet.

1) Honestly, if you can't afford the auto insurance for ya, you shouldn't be putting money into a car that's literally a vampire on your wallet. If you get a 240sx, get as much stock as possible.

2) A modded car costs a lot more to fix due to high priced parts, chance of failure, and fabrication required.

3) I never buy a car unless I test driven it and inspect it for at least an hour. I could tell if the car has been in an accident or engine/part was replaced at one point. When I saw the link stating "Transmission was disassembled, checked, cleaned and reassembled" I think to myself "why would he spend all that time and money on the transmission and then sell the car?" Most people who spent all the time and money on a car would not give in the idea of selling it unless something is really wrong.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Paying for a car before you inspect it is always a fucking EXCELLENT IDEA!!! Also, anybody trying to sell something are always honest. They always show you whats wrong with the car and wont fuck you over at all...EVER!!! Car wont have rust since its from PA and I bet since he said then engine rebuilt and blue printed (for no fucking reason at all because blue printed engine are cheap to do when all you need is a rebuild), that this car runs fucking perfect!!! A couple light bulbs burnt out, thats definitely not a big deal. I bet the shitty electrical issue that almost every S13 hatches have a tendency to have when water gets into the tail lights or bad grounds doesnt apply to this car. Also, lowering springs on stock shocks will never ever blow the suspension!!! Lastly, using paint from Advance Auto is legit, they sell the best quality paint anywhere. This car definitely sounds like the best car for you!!!

[Hornlesscow]

Paying for a car before you inspect it is always a fucking EXCELLENT IDEA!!! Also, anybody trying to sell something are always honest. They always show you whats wrong with the car and wont fuck you over at all...EVER!!! Car wont have rust since its from PA and I bet since he said then engine rebuilt and blue printed (for no fucking reason at all because blue printed engine are cheap to do when all you need is a rebuild), that this car runs fucking perfect!!! A couple light bulbs burnt out, thats definitely not a big deal. I bet the shitty electrical issue that almost every S13 hatches have a tendency to have when water gets into the tail lights or bad grounds doesnt apply to this car. Also, lowering springs on stock shocks will never ever blow the suspension!!! Lastly, using paint from Advance Auto is legit, they sell the best quality paint anywhere. This car definitely sounds like the best car for you!!!

i appreciate your sarcasm but i will not be paying for the car until i go down next sunday and check it out and besides as long as it runs im fine yeah i might have to invest a grand but im ok with that since almost all the cars i have found were around 3k

i emailed him and this is what he said
Dear hornlesscow,

Sorry I really don't have time to work on it I work 6 days a week. If I were to inspect it I would keep the car. I would have to insure and register it so I'd end up spending a lot to do so. I'd say 200 and you could have it aligned with a machine, two wires hooked up and a tie rod end installed which run $12 on eBay. Thanks

- carbaughautojames

Click "respond" to reply through Messages, or go to your email to reply
Respond


From: hornlesscow
To: carbaughautojames
Subject: Vehicle condition: hornlesscow sent a message about Nissan : 240SX #300657382517
Sent Date: Feb-05-12 08:37:24 PST

Dear carbaughautojames,

also i have read the description but "should" is very uneasing especially seeing as i have to drive from maine to get the car and i hope it doesn't have any issues since this will be my daily and i know around 2k is no big deal but i have been saving for 2 and a half years and as sad as that sounds i only have around 2k and i plan on going to college next year so i need something reliable and i hope im right when i say this car is great. would you replace the lights and tie rod then get an inspection if i offer to pay on top of the sale price? only if i win that is. and if i do i wont be able to pick it up until next sunday anyway.


oh and im not worried about getting it inspected cuz i could pass it myself if something unimportant is wrong with it as i have a sticker license.

[DJ-of-E]

Is it just me or am I getting a feeling that we're being trolled real badly and real hard.

http://cdn2.mixrmedia.com/wp-uploads/girlybubble/blog/2011/07/troll-face.png


By the way, I bought my first 240sx for $2800 in 2003...I had $2200 worth of repairs afterwards. FUUUUUUUUU!!!!

[Hornlesscow]

trust me there is no trolling here in fact i have talked to the buyer and hopefully im going down to PA this sunday to pick it up then trust me you will not hear me talking about is this good any more it will be nothing but i juts did this to my ka or check this out or you should try this!!!!

[Kiro1968]

Wow what a rust bucket, not only does it have rust on the quarter panel but rust on the inside panel (floor extension panel), means wheel wells will have rust, the whole rear end, I wouldn't be surprise if the hatch has rust, the floor also, rust on the frame rails, front aprons. You'll have rust under the paint also.

Buy a toyota or a honda for reliability and not have to worry about fixing it at all until your done with college and have a good paying job before picking up a project. You have little money and your going to college, having a project like this you'll be focus on the project and less on class and your studies.

[laurentj23]

I m putting money that this kid will buy the car next sunday and post it fs in her in about a month.

[Hornlesscow]

no it didnt happen and im sorry i posted it here because i have a feeling someone elseon this site bought it(not one of you guys) but the person who did just made an ebay account.

oh and laurent i understand where you are coming from but please dont be so quick to make judgments and this is coming from the most judgmental guy in the world. i assure everyone on this site i am not like every other honduh ricer out there. although i appreciate a nice body kit i dont believe the car should have one untill it can back it up under the hood. and what is so wrong with me buying a car like this??? ever since i was young my 2 favorite cousins who i looked up to were mechanics and knew a thing or 2 about cars and i really wanted to be like them but never had the patience. i really want to get my hands inside of an engine but no one will let me and although i wont right away but getting my own cheap car will allow me to do just that so please look at it from my point of view, a 12 year old dreaming to one day be able to do anything to a car without any help from anyone, but then i turned 16 and my dream died when my dad said the mainecare wont allow us to have more than 2 cars and the only thing i could do was watch my sister enjoy her car while i do minor sound system installations into her car while she is gone then take everything out before she comes back, and now i am going to college and i finally have a chance to get a car(maybe if mainecare finally has a heart about this) and you guys are giving me shit for it. im used to my dad constantly saying saying its too much money even though my car is $7000 less than my sisters car and im the one paying and he saying i will have to pay for this and that even though he payed for my sisters and she never dropped a dime meanwhile im working 6 days a week and going to high school busting my ass to buy my very own car and make my dream come true. so thanks guys thanks for giving me shit. and to those of you who supported me but just not the cars i chose i would really like to say thanks because i am soo glad to see there is some people on this site i am going to get a long with and maybe one day race ;)

[DJ-of-E]

ever since i was young my 2 favorite cousins who i looked up to were mechanics and knew a thing or 2 about cars and i really wanted to be like them but never had the patience.

Honestly, if you could give us the piece of mind that you'll take those two favorite cousins with you to inspect the car. I'm pretty darn freakentastically sure they know the ins and outs of cars better than you and will make a much better sound judgement. :picardfp:

im used to my dad constantly saying saying its too much money even though my car is $7000 less than my sisters car and im the one paying and he saying i will have to pay for this and that even though he payed for my sisters

You're dad's looking out for you. A $9000 is "usually" a much better conditioned car than a $2000 car. Also, don't be deaf about your dad's advice. He lived a god damn long enough to know a car being pain in the ass costs a lot more than nine f***in thousand dollars. I've had my car stalled on a highway before and a big rig nearly reared me...I would've died and my own dad would've see my funeral.

buy my very own car and make my dream come true

I, if not most of us, have been in your shoes before. We didn't give you blatant advice because we're elitists. We actually give a "flying f***" that you do a sensible route when your young

My dream is to buy and tune my 240sx. Done at age 19....what now? If that was all that is to my dream, I would've still worked at Best Buy. I nearly missed studying abroad in Japan because the $$$ spent on the 240sx w/ ka-t. It was worth selling the 240sx w/ ka-t cuz I concentrated better at school and got "plenty" of fun in Japan.

so thanks guys thanks for giving me shit.

You could thank us by using commas, periods, and such in your posts.

Also, there is nothing wrong waiting until after college to get into this hobby. I did and now I drive a 2010 Nissan 370z all paid for and a budget to make a steady project with the 240sx without worrying so damn much about being broke.

[Hornlesscow]

Honestly, if you could give us the piece of mind that you'll take those two favorite cousins with you to inspect the car. I'm pretty darn freakentastically sure they know the ins and outs of cars better than you and will make a much better sound judgement. :picardfp:
i really would like to, but life happens and now those two are a**holes.


You're dad's looking out for you. A $9000 is "usually" a much better conditioned car than a $2000 car. Also, don't be deaf about your dad's advice. He lived a god damn long enough to know a car being pain in the ass costs a lot more than nine f***in thousand dollars. I've had my car stalled on a highway before and a big rig nearly reared me...I would've died and my own dad would've see my funeral.
you would think so wouldn't you, but he wont even help me! The only reason he MIGHT pay for insurance is because i told him if i have to pay, there is no way in hell i can afford college.


I, if not most of us, have been in your shoes before. We didn't give you blatant advice because we're elitists. We actually give a "flying f***" that you do a sensible route when your young
i completely understand, but i have my heart set on a 240 and i would do anything to make it happen. i plan on keeping it stock for a while until i get comfortable in college, and summer vacations.



You could thank us by using commas, periods, and such in your posts.

Also, there is nothing wrong waiting until after college to get into this hobby. I did and now I drive a 2010 Nissan 370z all paid for and a budget to make a steady project with the 240sx without worrying so damn much about being broke.
sorry about my bad grammar, but i type so much that all that stuff just slips my mind. The thing about waiting is right now is the best time for me, because once i start my career in medicine i will have no time to do anything. Now please no one start with "you will be in debt" because i will budget all my money to make things work out for me, and as soon as i buy my car the most i will spend is a grand then its nothing but saving for college, plus i will be working full time at the dealer during summer.

[justinbyrant]

you need to stop paying so much attention to the price of the cars you are looking at, look more at weather they have been modified AT ALL, plus if the car is modified more than like lets say exhaust and an intake, and other little bolt on crap and its less than 3k then as a general rule of thumb something is seriously wrong with it. idealy if you have the money for it a super clean excelent running s13 should run 2500-3000

the most reliable 240 i have ever owned was a bone stock 240sx, bought it with a bad clutch for 1700 and didn't have to put any more money into it other than oil and gas for 2 years, i bought a 89 240 with a dual cam swap less than 3 months after getting rid of my first one and spent 1500 on misc crap that wasn't done right.

plus you need to pay attention to the quality of the parts that are on these cars, ebay coilovers? wtf?!? if they aren't willing to spend extra money on suspension to do it right what makes you think they spent the money on good engine parts and shit? plus the one had a welded diff, you do not want that in a daily, trust me.

and last stop trying to get a turbo car, i don't know how many cars you have owned but it sounds to me like this will be your first real car, trust me you do not under any circumstances need a 200+ hp rwd car as your first car, you will kill yourself or someone else, start with a single cam or dual cam, all you need is some suspension work and diff work and single cams drift just fine, learning to drift in a less powerful car will help your technique anyways, get yourself a stock 89 or 90 single cam 240 and make sure it runs good, work on it being a reliable safe car first, then build your suspension and brake, and only then work on power, don't ever go fast if you cant do it safely with the ability to stop

[Hornlesscow]

i would really love to buy a stock one but as you may know they are pretty hard to find around my area.

[touge_g35]

last thing i need is to be labeled a a rice burner lol.
Even with an 86 and 240 my friends still think that my car is a ricer...but they're not car guys at all so just assume when you go japanese for a race car, it's ricer.
If I don't have god awful over-exaggerated body kits, stripes, fart can mufflers, some spoiler that looks like a gillete shaving blade and lambo doors; then I have a car.

[J90lude]

This post is similar to one of my old post. Anyway, kid let me say this. It would be a lot better to buy a stock 240. Remember real projects are built not bought. Do it the right way kid. Another thing buy a car with your own hard working money instead of family giving you money. You'll just hear them nagging about the situation, 'Oh I paid for this, I paid for that". Believe me you don't want that. Your young, so be patient. I got my first project car at 17, but it took over a year to get it running. Have to have patience kid.:cool:

[J90lude]

Is it just me or am I getting a feeling that we're being trolled real badly and real hard.

http://cdn2.mixrmedia.com/wp-uploads/girlybubble/blog/2011/07/troll-face.png


By the way, I bought my first 240sx for $2800 in 2003...I had $2200 worth of repairs afterwards. FUUUUUUUUU!!!!

Hahaha:ddog:

[Frank_Jaeger]

I bought my second 240 for $900 a year and a half ago. It runs good and I beat on it. No rust Florida car. At least 210k miles on it. Autotragic.

Maintenance yo.

I'm a poor college kid and if I can do it so can you. Buy a bone stock car, OP. Don't try to get a deal. The price might be worth the parts but you will not have a reliable car.

[jilo]

put it this way, everyone that owns a 240 is telling you to wait. if you asked for the advice and you really needed the input you should take what is said like the word of god. i myself have spent waaay too much money on cars in my life and wish i didnt. a car will always depreciate its value no matter what, buy something stock to drive back and forth and wait untill you KNOW what to do to actually go through with it. 5-9k is a lot of money to waste on a car. if youre buying it because its something you really want riht now, wait a year and see if you still want it that bad. trust me, once you get into college youre priorities are going to change real quick.

i personally get into the same thought process that you seem to. you get something stuck in your head that you dont really need, get your heart set on it, and figure out a way to make it work. trust me from experience on my part, if you have to ask advice and figure out a way to make something work, its not a good idea to go through with. i guarantee you will cause trouble for yourself in the long run. if you are going to school for a career in medicine, by the time you have a bachelors degree youll be able to afford a few of these things a year. trust me, wait and make a correct decision. you dont NEED a 240, you just want one real bad. if you take your time, read, learn and get prepared, the outcome will be far better in the long run. the down side of you uying one of these cars now with limited time, funds, and knowledge could mean you end up with no money and a rusty pile of shit that youre into for thousands. trust me you dont want that, ive gont one in my driveway right now. cars are cool, but in the long run, what do you really NEED a 240 for? if you havent owned one, driven one, or spent serious time wrenching on one, you dont have a real need for one, just a serious want. trust all of us when we tell you that good things come to people who wait. really good things come to people who wait, do their homework, and do things in the proper order.

i think most people here would agree that we'd love to see you wait, learn, graduate, and then build a sweet ass 240 down the road rather than waste your money on an old ass nissan and screw up your future. what matters now is school, concentrate on that and when youre sitting in your dorm, do a shitload of reading on these cars. that way when it comes time to jump into the fire of fixing prolems, and building a car youll be ready to take the bull by the horns.

best of luck to you in your future, which ever way you go.

[Walperstyle]

Hornlesscow,

You obviously made up your mind before you came to this forum, so either jump into it or don't.

Some of us have owned several S-Chassis cars (as well as many others). If you valued some of our opinions, then you would learn to listen.

If you plan on getting a 240sx, and you have a budget of $3500. You literally should have $9000 in the bank for all the un-forseen things that will come up. Trust me.


PS, Don't buy a Caged car for the street. Its actually more dangerous and probably against the law in some states.