First car: Kouki S14, good idea, good price?

[thosim]

I am 16. My parents are selling a Jeep Wrangler for 15K which they've roughly budgeted for my first car. I planned on spending 2-6K just to be reasonable. I've been thinking about an S14 and I found one.

1997 S14 LE
100k miles
All stock except for rim upgrade and radio.
Manual (I want to learn)
In the pictures it looks in awesome condition.

Asking price: $10,000

So 3 questions:

Will this be a good first car?
Is this specific 240xs a good choice?
Is this a fair price?

Thank you.

[KOUKIboy]

So mom and dad are buying your first car at 16!?! get away from Koukis leave those to OG Nissan people and jump into a Honda....

[blueshark123]

Im guessing ur looking at that guys kouki s14 yoozef on here. Personally i think that is way to much for a stock 97 get something a bit cheaper since its your first car and u will statistically crash it, being rwd in ny in snow doesnt help that statistic either. You can easily find a similar car for 6k or less

[Starfire97]

okay tell this guy to gtfo, you're lucky. my parents bought my first car too. 10k is way too much. There's a 98 in Nassau County, LI for $4200. Auto. Buy it and convert it. for that 10k you can build a fairly nice car.

[206sx]

do you have any mechanical experience? 10k is a bit pricey and I suggest learning how to drive a manual on some other car

[thosim]

Basically, I NEED some car because we'll only have one and it's my moms. My dad lives away most of the week. Since we were selling the Wrangler, their thought was: "we can sell the Jeep and buy him a car with the money".

Obviously I'm a little guilty of stupidly wanting a sports car that I may not be able to control. I like cars. But I don't think it's unreasonable to buy a 240 for $2-6K as a first car. As for my budget....not mine to decide. I'm trying to be conservative seeing how I may crash it/guilt of spending money that's not mine.

I think I've decided on one of these cars, but will probably pass on the 10ker.

okay tell this guy to gtfo, you're lucky. my parents bought my first car too. 10k is way too much. There's a 98 in Nassau County, LI for $4200. Auto. Buy it and convert it. for that 10k you can build a fairly nice car.

How much is a conversion?

And link to that car?

Thank you for the feedback and advice everyone. :wan:

[silviaks2nr]

You should buy that car and then trade me interiors. I want that ivory leather!

[blueshark123]

^ thats not a bad deal for 4200 if you need any advice on these cars pm me. Im a expert on them.

[ManoNegra]

Will this be a good first car?

Not for a 16 year old's first car.
I can sympathize with you wanting one but something FWD, good on gas and cheap is what I would recommend from experience.

Get that first, then get the 240 as a second project car to work on and learn.

Is this specific 240xs a good choice?
Is this a fair price?

Price seems high but depends on condition and availability in your area.
They can be had from $4k - 9k, although most are piles of shit on the lower price spectrum.

[Goofs]

If you really want something RWD and manual, get an is300 for that price.

[KiLLeR2001]

Get an S13 in a standard color for around $2500. Store the additional $7500 in your bank and use it to fix shit that breaks and upgrade failing components because it will happen. After a year or so if you haven't wrapped the car around a pole yet, start looking into suspension, brakes and wheel options.

[thosim]

Not for a 16 year old's first car.
I can sympathize with you wanting one but something FWD, good on gas and cheap is what I would recommend from experience.

Get that first, then get the 240 as a second project car to work on and learn.


So hard to hear when my parents are OFFERING to buy me a 240sx and I'm paying nothing. Having a car that I think is cool is an incredibly attractive idea to me. I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone here how much I want to drive one of these things :hitit: However no driving experience+NY snow is pulling me back the other way. We'll see what I decide on....

[G5SR20240]

lol i think its funny when you have people with bad opinions on what you should get since your parents are willing to buy you a car. I've personally had to work for everything I have, but honestly, i wish i was able to get things from my parents but free stuff ended for me about 15 years ago and im only 29. Enjoy that kouki if you end up buying it and respect the fact that your parents are in a position to buy you a car. Respect the car and don't be dumb with it, they are becoming more of a rare commodity and there are tons of people on this forum that will hate you on for having it at the tender age of 16. Keep that in mind if you pick that car up

[thosim]

lol i think its funny when you have people with bad opinions on what you should get since your parents are willing to buy you a car. I've personally had to work for everything I have, but honestly, i wish i was able to get things from my parents but free stuff ended for me about 15 years ago and im only 29. Enjoy that kouki if you end up buying it and respect the fact that your parents are in a position to buy you a car. Respect the car and don't be dumb with it, they are becoming more of a rare commodity and there are tons of people on this forum that will hate you on for having it at the tender age of 16. Keep that in mind if you pick that car up

Yeah......I understand that people dedicate lots of time and money into these cars. I also understand why my situation would make someone irritated. There's nothing I can do but be smart about driving it and understand that I'm lucky.

With that said, I'm not going to be buying the car. Maybe another 240sx. The whole other issue is do I even want a RWD sports car....or a economical teenager's first car...car. It's a battle of will because honestly...I think my parents trust me with whatever I choose as long as it's below $7000ish and looks like a respectable car. I wish this opportunity upon every single one of your 16 year old selves

[FRpilot]

get something a bit cheaper since its your first car and u will statistically crash it, being rwd in ny in snow doesnt help that statistic either.

THIS.

Despite how confident you are, experience is more important

[SupaDoopa]

If you have your heart set on a S14, get a zenki. Exterior OEM parts tend to be more plentiful and much cheaper and the spare money you save from getting a zenki over a kouki can get you some other stuff. If you parents are ONLY buying you a car and not letting you keep the rest of the cash, you may as well. As stated, statistically you will destroy that car unless you're trying to be featured on Hellaflush or some other hard park website. In that case, kouki is what you're looking for.

If you're adamant about shredding tire, get a S13 and build it. You can even find an already swapped car with tons of upgprades - some cars even with built swaps and fully built suspension - for under your 10K mark depending. Especially with a kouki with that mileage, it's not that rare.

As for the asking price of 10K for a stock kouki, pass. I've seen koukis with work and/or swaps go for around there or it's a good price after negotiations. It's your money and your car so that really is entirely up for you but be smart when you buy the car. Check it in an out, drive it to ensure there is nothing funny going on, and check the frame rails twice over.

Hopefully this helps.

[GreenApple]

I got my koukie 98 5sp SE for $12,183 after taxes and plates, dealer wanted $13k on the price tag, with 11,890 miles on the chasis and motor. Thats as close to a brand new 240 as you can get. Have paper work/carfax/autocheck.

talk that seller down to 7-8k range, show him cash they'll be more tempted in for favor. then again it depends of you even know how to negociate.

[blueshark123]

This guy wants alot less with a sr and a lot of mods in ny http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/532568-97-se-kouki.html . But i think stock is safer for a new driver honestly.

[SupaDoopa]

Offer that dude with the black on black 8,500$. It'll give you 1,500$ to fix any issues that may occur in the immediate future. Bam.

[NAIRB]

A kouki is a terrible first car.

If you have never worked on cars, buy something newer that you wont have to do maintenance too all the time. Drive it for two years or so untill you have enough money for an extra car, then buy a 240.

Or ignore what everyone is saying. Drive the car year round, let it rust to shit, slide it into a pole or something else. Which then drives the prices up on these cars even more so us that still have them can sell them for some stupid amount of money.

[blktopsr20]

do it kid. buy the kouki. just don't put stupid parts on it. Then end up parting it out here on zilvia and have everybody feast on it.

[jmotley]

Best advice you're going to get... look for something cheap, you're parents will love you for it... and maybe you can swindle more parts money from what you could've spent. But do your research, you don't want to spend that parts money fixing the previous owners problems. And most people that want to sell something that high are snakes so stay away from em. and don't be scared to negotiate!

[fliprayzin240sx]

RWD car for a first car and winter not that far away...I wouldnt do it.

[Cjkouki2010]

Just being a purists... Yes Do it... Don't pay 10k flat, try and talk him down but if it's a real unmolested kouki le do it, factory le's are the hardest to come by and a kouki is anyway kinda. So as far as 240'Sgo u got the best of the best ... But yeah being 16 and knowing nothing about them just don't f up a great car

[PeaceOnesxWai]

Doing it wrong, get a S13 shell and V8 bro

Why is zilvia so nice today?

[Boost_Fiend]

2014 Nissan Versa - $11,990

[stev0n]

If you want as S14, the absolutely get one! I wish I had the spare cash for an S14. But remember, without chains, when the roads are covered in snow/ice, you probably won't be able to drive it.

And expect to be replacing the clutch within a year. You will probably burn the hell out of it learning to drive a manual.

EDIT: But $10k is a retarded horrible price.

[mechanicalmoron]

I, personally, don't reeeeally find rwd to be that bad in the snow.

I find a manual to be horrible in the snow. There's little snow where I live so I've never done much in it, but I'm entirely unable to drive up the tiniest incline, as soon as your tires slip they melt the snow and you have no chance, when I think an auto would crawl right up it.

Of course if you don't shift very carefully, this manual aspect could combine with RWD to be very dangerous, if you lose traction and can't regain it, you can't just let go of the gas if the road's very slippery because engine breaking can be enough to lose traction.

Anyways..... don't buy a kouki, and there's no way in hell you should spend 10k on a stock 240, kouki or otherwise (just IMO). you can get a sporty FWD car, or there's even some downright classy looking honda sedans, in my (probably ricey) opinion. Just don't rice it and don't be a tool, and there's no shame in driving one. You could even get a 240 or other rwd car, if you have the temperament to drive it safely.

Have someone who really knows how to drive manual teach you. Ideally someone with lots of practice in the snow. If you learn with a good teacher (and you have half a brain) there's really no reason at all that you should do much wear to the clutch when you learn.

[silviaks2nr]

It's pretty much a rear drive prelude and was marketed towards women. I don't see what the big deal is, if you want it get it why ask us?

[stev0n]

Not an S14, but...

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9363203970_c4390f79fb_o.gif

Lady Prelude.

[Reece]

Don't buy a Kouki as your first car. No. High chances you will crash it, and Koukis are rare enough.

Buy a cheap S13 or Zenki S14 and keep the rest of the money to do shit to it, whether aftermarket stuff or OEM replacement parts.

[silviaks2nr]

"the affordable luxury coupe"

55xxtL2InZA

[mechanicalmoron]

"the affordable luxury coupe"

55xxtL2InZA

Because the zenki was a nissan that desperately wanted to be a lexus.

[silviaks2nr]

No, it was uglier than the prelude so they had to pretend it was higher in quality to make up for it's misfortune (the lack of styling).

[zo0d]

Buy it and crash it so the price on mine goes up. ;)

Depending where in NY you live, you should be fine with GOOD winter tires on it.

If I were you, i'd be looking into Subarus. Since you're 16, you're at the age where just having a car is cool.

4 doors 4 mo' ho's.

[teh smithers]

Question 1- No. Rear wheel drive, a manual transmission, and snowy conditions lend themselves to hazardous situations, even for experienced drivers. Also, you will need a good dose of patience/time to cope with the inevitable problems of an older vehicle. However, were I in your current position, I'd still want the car.

Question 2- YES. If you're set on a 240, choose a specimen that is as near stock as possible. Cars with swaps and modifications can be had for an attractively cheap price, but you won't be aware of what shortcuts the previous owner took whilst performing his mods. 240 owners have a lovely tendency of being lazy, cheap, and dumb. I learned this lesson through experience. A stock car will not only give you the opportunity to teach yourself the ins and outs of mechanics, but it will also be SAFER. And, you'll get the satisfaction of building the car yourself.

Question 3- Hell no. Talk him down. As has already been stated by other Zilvians, cars with swaps and modifications consistently sell for under $10,000. I wouldn't pay more than $7000, and I highly suggest that you attempt to get below that figure.

[Chl_drifter]

Get a truck trust me. Plus no more need for anymore wrecked 240's

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[mechanicalmoron]

No, it was uglier than the prelude so they had to pretend it was higher in quality to make up for it's misfortune (the lack of styling).

I was referring to the way s14's look rather like less luxurious lexus front ends.

[genericforumname]

Buy it and crash it so the price on mine goes up. ;)

Depending where in NY you live, you should be fine with GOOD winter tires on it.

If I were you, i'd be looking into Subarus. Since you're 16, you're at the age where just having a car is cool.

4 doors 4 mo' ho's.

alright, I've never driven in the snow so take this for what you will but can I make a crazy suggestion? a Subaru Legacy GT with the 5eat.

bear with me, the LGT is a modable much more comfortable daily driver, pulls STUPID grip weather of any kind and should be able to be found pretty easily for around or under 10k. I mention the 5eat because those are priced lower but also because its one of the rare auto's that when placed in manual mode will hold the gear you tell it to, even to the point of bouncing on the rev limiter. a sister car to this is the Outback XT, same car basically just higher stock ride height, can just get some LGT suspension and drop it down if you want. or if you can find the unicorn, the Forester XT, lord I wish I could have found one of those when I was ready to buy. ALL THAT SPACE FOR ACTIVITIES!!!

for something similar the older Imprezza's (pre-2011 I think) are basically just non-turbo wrx's and can take almost ever single part made for the WRX and even have off the shelf turbo kits if you want more power. I found a really nice one near me but it was just too modded for me since I don't really trust other peoples work most of the time.

I have a former s14 daily that has become my project and daily a 2013 WRX, and honestly, that WRX in Florida rainstorms is kind of nuts. took it out one night when no one was on the road and found I could take normal turns at near double the speed I can in the 240 in the rain. not that I would ever encourage you to do that when other people are around lest you mutilate someone but I can say this, the only reason I bought the WRX instead of an LGT was because I wanted the extra space of the LGT wagon but they are kinda hard to find in Florida that haven't been beat to shit by moronic drivers that don't know how to treat the interior of a car, so I bought a WRX hatch.

[BossHogg]

Subaru wrx.