Buying First 240sx

[Rezonate]

I'm getting a job, Going to make enough to get a car soon. I'm wondering what to get as a first? I really like s13 rears but i love the Kouki front end. So I'd probably end up getting a kouki but I am not sure if its my best bet. My friend will sell me a S13 frame for $300 or a S13 with ka24de, (Almost all the way stripped out, I should know as I have worked on it) for $1,000 I could go online and look too but I'm not sure what exactly to do. Any pointers or tips would be great, I do have a small general knowledge of 240's as i have been around them for about 6 months working with my friend, He has 3, the nice one has a rb26 in it. But any tips on what to do would be great.

[DopeSpike]

Buy a complete car, and don't bother getting a 'project car', since this is your first car. Then slowly begin to work on it and get an idea of what you're working on.

[nighthawk48]

Here's a tip: don't do it! run! and what he said ^^^
lol
DO your research and figure it out yourself. You won't be happy unless its your taste and what you want...otherwise it wouldn't be your car. If you want US to tell you what you want, well then you have other issues...

It's just like buying any car except with a lot of hidden problems...not every case, but quite frequent.

You won't learn unless you fail.

[Rezonate]

Good point nighthawk, I really want a Kouki but they are expensive, and I live in the Dallas area so most of them are real beat up and nasty because of the low lifes. I found one last week for like $500 because it was a guy having kids and needed to sell it and some cholos bought it and jacked it up, I tried buying it from them and they were all like "Na spek a engrish ese"

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Don't do it !
Buy a car that's not going to rape you of your hard earned money! Honestly, get a reliable car.

[Rezonate]

I'd die for a s14 Kouki 1997/8 with power doors but no sunroof. Not sure if that exists or if id have to redo the wiring harness on a non power door body. Id like a RB in it too. And it would have to be White, Black, Or a Deep Red color. So much i could do...

[Rezonate]

Found a Niceer looking one 98 kouki 240sx (http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3845815321.html)

[Rezonate]

Another but with sunroof nissan 240sx s14 kouki (http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3766536728.html) Kinda asking alot i'm thinking.

[SuperBlackS14]

You really need to listen to us...

I love these cars. But... They're broken, rusty, cheap---ly put together, money pits.

Granted I took the "Square-peg, Round Hole" path, wherein, I blew more money than would ever be prudent on one, and am so far into it, I bought another (OBD-1) so I'd have less headaches driving it daily...

Just to be clear, I don't recommend that ^.

What I do recommend, is you getting a car you can drive daily AND enjoy. You can have a lot of fun with a small turbo like a Mazdaspeed3 and it will be reliable to boot... If you're on a shoestring budget, try some cheapo-civics that aren't modded to shit... THEN once you have some real money, get something new, like an FR-S or 370.

If nothing but an S-Chassis will do... Be prepared, to have a seriously limited going out budget, less free time due to working on and researching problems with your ride, and for it to most likely need things too expensive to warrant your money right now (like paint... bushings... transmission...) also, you're GF/BF probably won't like that you shower the car with more money and attention than them...

Not everyone has the same experience tho, and you may find a cherry that needs no work... But, the odds are against that...

I also would search in the future so that no one here calls you a noob for not searching and making people answer your questions that even I'm sure have been answered elsewhere and in depth. Also, don't ever post ads here and ask for our opinion. It's YOUR car and you can tell a lot more by looking it yourself than asking us to judge by pictures.

Also, please don't take this as a "We don't want your kind in the S-Chassis scene" or me trying to tell you how to waste your money. I'm literally relaying my experience, so you have a frame of reference.

Were I to do it all over, I would have enough for a new car if I hadn't blown it all on my S14...

[blessedhellrider]

save up ,buy decent shape car(good running,straight body/paint ) ,coilovers and wheels . dont bother with HP. just have fun with it!! and for the love of God, respect it ,dont drive like an idiot.

also ,everyone that has replied ,is true.

[fliprayzin240sx]

You sound like you're 17, you dont need a damn project car...

[Rezonate]

Alright, Thanks for all thatSuperBlackS14, I already have a car, but only until I buy my own. But I'd love a S-Chassis, Thanks for all the pointers and ill keep that in mind. I've been around civics as a good friend has one and I like them alot but FWD isn't really for me. I've though about a Mazda but the only model I truly like is the Rx7 FD and that is alot of work. I'll just keep my eye out and let my funds pool up until I find the right one. I'd look into a 350z/370z but they aren't my body type. Can't stand hatches for some odd reason. Maybe a Skyline R32 if I hit the lottery lol

[2.5T_/<ouki]

Please don't buy a 240.

[Rezonate]

Please don't buy a 240.

I already have a daily though. Its a 93 GMC Sierra 3500. Puke green with cold ac that i fixed myself. And I love working on cars why not start now?

[fliprayzin240sx]

I already have a daily though. Its a 93 GMC Sierra 3500. Puke green with cold ac that i fixed myself. And I love working on cars why not start now?

Why? Because of this statement...

I'm getting a job, Going to make enough to get a car soon. I'm wondering what to get as a first? I really like s13 rears but i love the Kouki front end. So I'd probably end up getting a kouki but I am not sure if its my best bet. My friend will sell me a S13 frame for $300 or a S13 with ka24de, (Almost all the way stripped out, I should know as I have worked on it) for $1,000 I could go online and look too but I'm not sure what exactly to do. Any pointers or tips would be great, I do have a small general knowledge of 240's as i have been around them for about 6 months working with my friend, He has 3, the nice one has a rb26 in it. But any tips on what to do would be great.

Sounds like you have better things to use your money on than a money pit like a 240sx. Last thing you need is to be living pay check to pay check.

[DJ-of-E]

I already have a daily though. Its a 93 GMC Sierra 3500. Puke green with cold ac that i fixed myself. And I love working on cars why not start now?

Unless you're going to mechanic school, you're wasting your time and # on it.

Then again, everyone, it's his money and his decision.

I kept my 240sx stock for a very long time because I rather save money to study in Japan for a year...

...worth it?...oh fuck yes.

BTW, the moment you make less money in an hour than a $20 meal at a restaurant, you're doing it wrong in life.

[KevinEdgar]

Don't buy a 240 if you want to drive it around on the regular. If you plan on building it (aka letting it sit in the garage for years) then do it and regret the whole process later on.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Buy a bone stock 240sx. Bone stock. No cold air intakes. No springs or struts. No speakers. No stickers. Nothing.

[206sx]

just dont buy it off some kid and you should be good

[240boi115]

find a clean bone stock one. one that you can make your own mistakes on not rely on what someone else has done to the car..they are hard to find but they are out there :D i just scored a clean zenki le for 3k so im living proof... finding a kouki will be kind of hard unless you have at least 5k due to them being the most wanted of the bunch of 240's. just keep an eye out and remember this OH GOD PLEASE DO!! you will NEVER get the full amount of money you've put into it when or if you sell it! so think wisely about the money pit you decide to buy

[Suprareal]

I wasent expecting everyone to say not to get a 240 haha
My opinion is that it can be a reliable car if your not dumb about it. Im 20 and have 2 240s and on top of that a seperate daily driver. Ive put money into all 3 cars and my sr20 hatch (which is reliable as hell id drive it out of state without second thoughts) ive put a estimated total of 4000$ and counting into it and dont regret any of it. If i dont wreck it i can probly still get my money back out of it (in my opinion) but id probly never sell it so i dont care haha.
Also... i bought my hatch not knowing much about cars and completely learned on it, did everything my self, and everything worked out so i got another. and probly will get a s14 in a few months haha Just saying dont be dumb, spend your time, do it right the first time, and keep tab on how much your spending if your worried about that haha

Ill probly get flamed for saying all this positive stuff but im happy with my 240's. But i will agree with everyone, it is a moneypit no doubt.

[ryandh]

I regret every nissan I have ever owned in the 25 years of my life... especially my R33 at the moment. I fuckin hate that car with a goddamn passion- but oh how I love her so.
Only hate it because my wallet hates it, and my wife hates that, which means I catch shit for it, meaning no trim, meaning I'm pissed and not performing well at work...then your life is just in a downward spiral and you find yourself waking up in a gutter at 3:18 am with a hooker named Kandy and a couple empty needles still in your arm and you sit up and think to yourself... why the fuck did I buy a 240sx.

Yea, it's kinda like that.

[TwelveAM]

Why? Because of this statement...



Sounds like you have better things to use your money on than a money pit like a 240sx. Last thing you need is to be living pay check to pay check.

Wish I would've listened to this a long time ago..

[vehicle336]

Spending money before you've earned it is why we had a recession and people lost their homes. There's this guy, his name is Dave Ramsey, he's a super-Christian conservative, but he knows his shit about money. Google him, read his books, grow up, save money, and then when you're set, buy a car to play with.

I sure as shit wish I'd done the same when I was 20.

Or fuck it, instant gratification bro.

[Dagostino480]

first 240sx dont spend any less than 3500 on it... you dont want to get a pos especially if you are in hs. trust us from experience.

[dluevanos01]

You really need to listen to us...

I love these cars. But... They're broken, rusty, cheap---ly put together, money pits.

Granted I took the "Square-peg, Round Hole" path, wherein, I blew more money than would ever be prudent on one, and am so far into it, I bought another (OBD-1) so I'd have less headaches driving it daily...

Just to be clear, I don't recommend that ^.

What I do recommend, is you getting a car you can drive daily AND enjoy. You can have a lot of fun with a small turbo like a Mazdaspeed3 and it will be reliable to boot... If you're on a shoestring budget, try some cheapo-civics that aren't modded to shit... THEN once you have some real money, get something new, like an FR-S or 370.

If nothing but an S-Chassis will do... Be prepared, to have a seriously limited going out budget, less free time due to working on and researching problems with your ride, and for it to most likely need things too expensive to warrant your money right now (like paint... bushings... transmission...) also, you're GF/BF probably won't like that you shower the car with more money and attention than them...

Not everyone has the same experience tho, and you may find a cherry that needs no work... But, the odds are against that...

I also would search in the future so that no one here calls you a noob for not searching and making people answer your questions that even I'm sure have been answered elsewhere and in depth. Also, don't ever post ads here and ask for our opinion. It's YOUR car and you can tell a lot more by looking it yourself than asking us to judge by pictures.

Also, please don't take this as a "We don't want your kind in the S-Chassis scene" or me trying to tell you how to waste your money. I'm literally relaying my experience, so you have a frame of reference.

Were I to do it all over, I would have enough for a new car if I hadn't blown it all on my S14...

Listen to this guy! I wished I had asked the same question when I was looking for my first car. I wanted an S13 hatch since I was in 4th grade(2002/3) and there was nothing anyone could say that would turn me away. Needless to say I was stubborn and ended OVERPAYING for it. Do I regret it, not really. Would I do it again, probably not.

I worked throughout my summer and first year of college like a mad man. I did not have a "real" social life due to going to school, working, doing school work, sleeping and repeating it all over again everyday. Also, if you significant other does not share the same passion you're both going to have problems with one another. I had to find out the hard way but you live and learn. One thing I would recommend, is to be patient and the right car will show up. Don't jump at the first 240 you see and buy it.

Also make sure you have a car you can daily if something needs fixing and you plan to do it yourself, as you'll find out that often times it takes more time that you had expected. I was lucky enough to be able to use my sister truck twice a week to go to school when I had problems with the car.

The most important thing is to make sure you have money saved uo or constant income for repairs. It's not just buying a car, you gotta maintain it and pay insurance, gas, etc. I've know people around school who had to sell their car months after buying it because repairs and insurance was catching up with them. I've been too stubborn to sell my car and focus on school and as a result grades have suffered.

On a positive note, I've learned a lot from just working on the car, and taking time to fix the little issues that it had. Also, since I needed the constant flow of income I've pushed myself to open up my own business and so far is going well. It's taken time and I've fixed just about every problem it had, so now I'm at the point where I can spend money to modify it.

Not to make it seem like the S-chassis is horrible but research and learn what your about to get yourself into. It might be better to wait and buy the car after you've graduated college or when you have a stable job. Weight your different possibilities and choose the one that works for you.