View Full Version : Buying 240, what to look for?
Alright guys, I just joined today and my only other post is an obligatory intro. I've been drooling over 240s for the past year or two and since I'm leaving for the military in a few months, will have the money to be purchasing withing the next year.
The main issue is I'm also attracted to the 350z, which would in all honesty, end up being cheaper for me. I can drop 15k up front for the 350 and be done, or buy a 240 (probably going for an s14) and put another upwards in 25k over the next few years to make it the vehicle from my wet dreams.
Question:
-What should I look for when buying a 240? Any outward things that should be an instant red flag on the transaction?
Side Question:
-My idea for an s14 isn't original. I want an s15 front end, a bit of kit, and I believe an lsx crate engine swap. What am i looking at price wise there? I've figured it to be around 25k total, am I way off? I'd like to know what Im getting into before I take the plunge.
Thanks guys in advance, sorry for the long post.
benarovi
03-03-2012, 10:50 AM
ghetto riggness, rust, jack up the car look at frame, look under front fenders for frame damage, motor noise, mostly whats ghetto rigged. gl
Sumslapper
03-03-2012, 11:07 AM
Lsx, s15 front and a zenki (95-96) since your going to put that front end on it, all that alone will be at least 14k. Throw in a bell-bottom body kit, aligning it and paint and add another 3.5k. Add another 2k for labor if your not doing the swap yourself. Throw in 2k for a nice set of wheels. I would say your estimation is pretty accurate, + or - a few thousand depending on your haggling skills.
What to look for? The normal. Clunks, ticks, squeals, cracked dash, vibrations etc..Don't go and buy someone elses half-assed bucket of a project. Start fresh and as close to stock as possible.
Save yourself a couple thousand and don't do the s15 front that shit is whack on all chassis except a s15. Do a lot of research before pulling the trigger.
Do a lot of research before pulling the trigger.
That, my friend, is my current plan! It's a hell of a lot of money, and will be my first vehicle, so I'm definitely paying attention to details.
I like the s15 front-end, it isn't necessarily a Florida thing. However, I would probably leave it until last on the list in case I changed my mind.
I'm just really trying to know what I'm getting myself into here.
Anyone have any good reasons to take a 240 or a 350?
iamthewinner
03-03-2012, 11:20 AM
Dam another fl strikes again
Phlip
03-03-2012, 11:44 AM
I would strongly suggest NOT doing this as your first and/or only and/or daily vehicle.
Daily driven projects are a recipe for disaster.
I would strongly suggest NOT doing this as your first and/or only and/or daily vehicle.
Daily driven projects are a recipe for disaster.
Understood, and that is where some of my doubt springs from. Which is why I would lean towards an LS swap. I can get motor, trans, and all needed parts from the assembly line, and cut down on reliability issues.
Unless you believe it could be a disaster for a reason I haven't thought of?
shaggy sr
03-03-2012, 12:24 PM
pics would help, son. leave s14 alone. no s15 front. oem is better
90white240
03-03-2012, 12:30 PM
DD project= no go. If you really want to work on a 240 then buy a cool dd, then an ok s14 and build it slowly.
I'm kinda surprised to see more objection to the front end than the LS swap. Most people seem to find the LSx blasphemy. Interesting.
FRpilot
03-03-2012, 12:53 PM
Save yourself a couple thousand and don't do the s15 front that shit is whack on all chassis except a s15. Do a lot of research before pulling the trigger.
Agree on this, but if you are still hell-bent on doing an s15 conversion, do it on an s13 hatchback. at least it flows better on that car.
look for rear quarter panel damage, back of car to see if its been rear ended, and front to see if its been crashed. front body panels can be easily replaced, but body work is expensive. as for engine, make sure it will last you a while if its a dd (by a while i mean like 50k miles), but at this point most of these 20 year old cars will need a replacement engine sooner or later.
best advice is to not use your daily as a project car, at least mechanical modifications.
I'm not super hell bent on it, and who knows, my project aims could change. Just looking for advice and insight for now.
misterdumby
03-03-2012, 01:21 PM
why are there so many what should i look for in a 240 threads? :zzz:
the_boss
03-03-2012, 01:25 PM
Alright guys, I just joined today and my only other post is an obligatory intro. I've been drooling over 240s for the past year or two and since I'm leaving for the military in a few months, will have the money to be purchasing withing the next year.
What military are you in?
blessedhellrider
03-03-2012, 01:27 PM
if ya want a clean DD no cracked dash. and a good head liner.other than that .rock it oem the flashiness can come later just get your paint code.
wide body and stuff will hide your rust and what not.
Boss, US Army. Enlisted but not shipped yet, hence the leaving in a few months. I leave in July. Which is why I also said this will be a birthday present to myself in the upcoming year.
*edit- Hadn't mentioned specifics earlier because I didn't see a need to add too much random personal info that wasn't needed unless someone asked.
GhostlyCoupe
03-03-2012, 02:07 PM
Best advice: Don't buy a car owned by anyone under 30.
fliprayzin240sx
03-03-2012, 02:18 PM
Shit you'll be deployed enough so its not like you'd be too worried about down time. Find a car as close to stock as possible. Check for rust (under the chassis, wheel wells, under the windshield cowl) and if you decide to get an S14, dont get one with sunroof.
Shit you'll be deployed enough so its not like you'd be too worried about down time. Find a car as close to stock as possible. Check for rust (under the chassis, wheel wells, under the windshield cowl) and if you decide to get an S14, dont get one with sunroof.
Which is part of why I don't see having a project as a DD isn't *that* big of an issue since I won't have much daily driving to do...
Thanks for the tip about the sunroof, I've heard they can get bad leaking issues in the past.
*edit- The way I see it, I can plan big shop times around me being deployed or training.
fliprayzin240sx
03-03-2012, 02:33 PM
Well the issue you have is, what if its not done and you come back? Hope you like bumming rides for a while. Seen it happen enough times, hell happened to me. Dropped my car off before I got deployed, came back 6 months later and my car barely got touched. Personally, if you have that much money saved up, get a non-project. Last thing you need is trying to work on a car in the dorm parking lot. Not like you're gonna have a garage to work on your car since you'll be stuck living in the barracks. These cars are just too old to be reliable and issue free.
Well the issue you have is, what if its not done and you come back? Hope you like bumming rides for a while. Seen it happen enough times, hell happened to me. Dropped my car off before I got deployed, came back 6 months later and my car barely got touched. Personally, if you have that much money saved up, get a non-project. Last thing you need is trying to work on a car in the dorm parking lot. Not like you're gonna have a garage to work on your car since you'll be stuck living in the barracks. These cars are just too old to be reliable and issue free.
Sadly true. However my older brother is a 240 fanatic who would jump at the chance to hold onto and work on it, given he isn't paying for the parts aha.
I do get your point though. That is something I hadn't put a whole lot of thought into. Perhaps I may go the route of trying to find somebodies baby up for sale and finish it off to my taste. Probably the cheaper, simpler, but not as satisfying route.
fliprayzin240sx
03-03-2012, 02:42 PM
Saves you money in the long run, hard to make an E2/E3 paycheck stretch. You'd be too busy killing your liver with alcohol than anything else.
I'll be shipping as E3 =] (means next to nothing in the long run, but the extra money each month will be nice)
As far as killing my liver, not my style. Lost a good friend in school that way, ever since then I haven't been much of a fan.
On topic, however, I could just play the waiting game until someone decides to part with what I'm looking for. I actually just found pretty much exactly what I'm looking for going on ebay this morning, unfortunately I don't have the money at this time.
fliprayzin240sx
03-03-2012, 02:53 PM
Haha...trust me, you'll be doing alot of drinking, theres no buts or ifs about it.
blessedhellrider
03-03-2012, 03:25 PM
Best advice: Don't buy a car owned by anyone under 30.
thats really good advice :D
NissanEnthus
03-03-2012, 08:18 PM
I say we start a whole section called "Wet Dreamers" for noob threads like this. Just sayin...
KravingAKouki
03-03-2012, 08:28 PM
As you can see, youll run into the average dickbag/asshole. Just watch out for the clowns with insane drift tax, theyll be dicks half the time, but since it has that doesnt mean a deal cant be came upon just dicker reasonably
scott883
03-03-2012, 08:38 PM
buying a 240 was the worst thing that ever happened to me. i would get a geo metro and call it a day.
rob22
03-03-2012, 09:22 PM
buy a 350z and swap an LS in it.
lude4life13
03-04-2012, 01:38 AM
Best advice: Don't buy a car owned by anyone under 30.
I think that is bad advice. I am under 30 and take exceptional pride and care in all of the vehicles I have ever had, including both 240's.
I recommend looking for someone who you can tell takes care of the car and knows what they are talking about. Find that and you will be comfortable with the cars past and how it has been treated. Other than that, look for the regular things you would look for when buying any other old used car.
Phlip
03-04-2012, 05:12 AM
I think that is bad advice. I am under 30 and take exceptional pride and care in all of the vehicles I have ever had, including both 240's.
You only say that because you're under 30...
IF what you say is true, then you are the exception, not the norm and are barely even a MINUTE minority. As it were, advice to not own a car previously owned by a >30 individual is quite sound and a simple perusal of Zilvia and its memebers' cars will confirm that.
buying a 240 was the worst thing that ever happened to me. i would get a geo metro and call it a day.
My lord, I've had a moment of clarity. Thank you for opening my eyes to the light!
buy a 350z and swap an LS in it.
I'm not impressed by anything about the 350z enough to put that much time and money into one.
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