The $32,750 stock S13

[burnsauto]

Hey Guys!

Cruising around bringatrailer.com and noticed that this car just sold a few days ago. Kind of broke my brain for a second. I still can't figure out the special factor that makes it so amazing. Sure, its in good shape and all factory, but I just couldn't believe it when I first saw it.. I was figuring stupid low miles, or a rare production number (like the first 1990 produced, or something like that).

We've all watched the prices of our cars go up over time (I bought my first one back in 2004 for $300), but it this where we are headed? Or is this just a fluke by someone who severely overpaid for what could be called a "museum piece"?

Here's the link I found

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-nissan-240sx-4/

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1595116719e28c3fe56f6c05aaereceived_80903703283384 0-scaled.jpeg?w=1240

Also, included is a small chart they had of the sale of S chassis' over the last few years, you can start to see things make a slow and steady trend upward, but that one that just sold really stands out..

https://i.ibb.co/QcC3JHM/download.png (https://ibb.co/pPRB1Kd)

[S14rebuild]

This was already posted and a discussion presented in the "your doing it wrong thread pt.2"

Fyi

[burnsauto]

This was already posted and a discussion presented in the "your doing it wrong thread pt.2"

Fyi

I figured it had to be covered...I just couldn't find it, I don't really go on that thread that much, wouldn't really think this would be "doing it wrong". Maybe a sign of the times. I've worked in shops for years, hearing older guys say all the time "If I knew what they were worth now, I'd never of sold my *insert car*". Just as a casual observer, I see the Japanese car community heading in the same direction. This car made me look up production numbers, which scared me. I was watching Robbie Nishida, and even he was commenting on how S chassis and JZX's are getting harder to find, and more expensive..to the point where he's building a chassis with little aftermarket support just because the price is there.

I really need to stop thinking adult conversations can be had on zilvia..:picardfp:


crazy thing is, I wasn't even on bringatrailer to look as 240's...I was originally on there looking at VW dune buggies..lol.

[S14rebuild]

No worry, i agree with what u said...these prices are going crazy for 240s now adays

[zombiewolf513]

Its because the buyer is an idiot or generous. Its not "museum quality" I bought my first grey sohc 240 in ohio for $2000 that was in better shape than the 33k. I bought my 4th 240 red sohc for $500. I bought my mint white 92 for $3500, and my mint black one for $2500. I bought a mint kouki s14 with SR for $5000 in 2007. The bottom sheet metal and subframe on that $33000 impulse buy are rusted out lol

They will become more valuable in original condition like all classics. Person with too much money gave it to someone with probably not as much money

[mav1178]

We've all watched the prices of our cars go up over time (I bought my first one back in 2004 for $300), but it this where we are headed? Or is this just a fluke by someone who severely overpaid for what could be called a "museum piece"?


Its because the buyer is an idiot or generous.


https://zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=6392508&postcount=246

The winning bidder was bidding on a car he owned new in 1990, he even met his wife in the car. Same with the next higher bidder for ownership.

Several of the high bids were placed by people that had money or are into old cars. You can click on the name of the bidder/comment to see their bid or comment history.

It's probably a fluke thing for this specific car. The previous S13 listed on BaT ended up selling around $8000 to high bidder that didn't meet reserve, 1989 XE Coupe fully loaded, under 50k miles but automatic, one owner. I was bidding on that car but I had accidentally talked to the owner a month prior to listing.

[smoketherear]

there was an article stating the guy bought this car because it was the same spec and condition that he had when he met his current wife. Kinda hoping to see this thing parked next to a few exotics . i dont mind this price trend being on the rise, itll be easier to re apraise my 240 under my collectors car insurance hahaha

[mav1178]

You know what will fetch a lot of money? A stock S13 w/ Super HICAS, low miles like all the others on BaT.

[mav1178]

there was an article stating the guy bought this car because it was the same spec and condition that he had when he met his current wife. Kinda hoping to see this thing parked next to a few exotics . i dont mind this price trend being on the rise, itll be easier to re apraise my 240 under my collectors car insurance hahaha

It was in the comments section on the auction...

"This was the first car I ever owned. Same color, model, trim, etc.. Met my wife in this car and my brother crashed it :( This will not be a drifter.. Been searching 3 years for it."

[smoketherear]

I remember reading something about that some where , thanks for the quote. I find that pretty cool . People call him dumb but honestly the car was listed for like 6k on the Facebook pages and everyone laughed at the kid selling it. Everything on BaT reaches a completely different audience and that what people fail to realize. Everything always sells for more than the average price.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[burnsauto]

it just comes down to a matter of intention. We look at a stock car as a beginning, and the new owner looks at that car as an end.

When I got my first chassis, I didn't even really care about the condition of it, just the price, and that it existed. I didn't notice that the chassis was in pretty good condition, and the previous owners had taken decent care of it. But..not many 18 year olds have that kind of perspective. I thought I'd replace every piece of the car..now I search the internet for OEM pieces..

[KA24DESOneThree]

This was a fluke/exception. Two bidders got into a war based on nostalgia. The 26k-mile DOHC car in Missouri that sold in November of last year was a nicer car- and that car was also driven up by nostalgia (the winning bidder had a similar 200SX in NZ, and the losing bidder was also the losing bidder on the auction we're discussing).

That's not to say that there isn't an upward trend in the market. We've already seen an increase in the prices of decent S-chassis; the guy in San Diego selling a $30k S14 and the guy in LA selling a $9k DOHC-swapped '89 (which I'd love to see the VIN of so we can check mileage history). There's an $8k '91 in the Bay Area with more than 130k miles. Dizzariot sold his for more than $8k.

Increases in car prices mean increases in the manufacturing viability of restoration parts from aftermarket companies. Increases in car prices mean more dealer inquiries for discontinued parts. Net positive for all of us, especially those people with nice cars to begin with.

[tromer9]

Not worth the money, though good for the seller.

[burnsauto]

This was a fluke/exception. Two bidders got into a war based on nostalgia. The 26k-mile DOHC car in Missouri that sold in November of last year was a nicer car- and that car was also driven up by nostalgia (the winning bidder had a similar 200SX in NZ, and the losing bidder was also the losing bidder on the auction we're discussing).

That's not to say that there isn't an upward trend in the market. We've already seen an increase in the prices of decent S-chassis; the guy in San Diego selling a $30k S14 and the guy in LA selling a $9k DOHC-swapped '89 (which I'd love to see the VIN of so we can check mileage history). There's an $8k '91 in the Bay Area with more than 130k miles. Dizzariot sold his for more than $8k.

Increases in car prices mean increases in the manufacturing viability of restoration parts from aftermarket companies. Increases in car prices mean more dealer inquiries for discontinued parts. Net positive for all of us, especially those people with nice cars to begin with.


I'm with you on everything you said. Nostalgia is a powerful thing though. With enough time, I think we'll start to see these flukes happen more and more often. Not saying are cars will become hemi cuda's or anything like that (leave that to the R34's, etc) but still I'm glad to see that some value (not just monetary value) is being assigned to the chassis.

[ZenkiKid]

there was an article stating the guy bought this car because it was the same spec and condition that he had when he met his current wife.

Hey all jokes aside sentimental value/nostalgia is priceless for many people. Congrats to the seller and the buyer for finding exactly what they were looking for.

BUT with all that being said buyer probably couldve saved a bit by importing one.

[KA24DESOneThree]

An import wouldn't be a 240SX; he owned a 240SX. The car sold in November could be purchased as a 200SX, but nice ones there seem to be even rarer. I know that seems like a pedantic distinction, but nostalgia's usually all about pedantics.

One of my customers' cars was delivered in a color I've quite literally never seen in person. His car would be worth more if painted its original color, like $20k+ more. However, his kids have only known it to be a black car and their nostalgia drove him to repaint it black.

[coupesallday!]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-nissan-240sx-6/

Curious to see what this coupe brings. Such a clean car!!

[mav1178]

An import wouldn't be a 240SX; he owned a 240SX. The car sold in November could be purchased as a 200SX, but nice ones there seem to be even rarer. I know that seems like a pedantic distinction, but nostalgia's usually all about pedantics.

One of my customers' cars was delivered in a color I've quite literally never seen in person. His car would be worth more if painted its original color, like $20k+ more. However, his kids have only known it to be a black car and their nostalgia drove him to repaint it black.

Yup.

Plus I don?t know that many 50-70 year old people that would want an imported RHD car, unless he stationed in Japan originally prior to meeting his wife.

[KA24DESOneThree]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-nissan-240sx-6/

Curious to see what this coupe brings. Such a clean car!!

Stoked to see it's in Canada, has leather, and has a sunroof.

Guarantees no late-night "accidental" bids from me.

[mechanicalmoron]

Its because the buyer is an idiot or generous. Its not "museum quality" I bought my first grey sohc 240 in ohio for $2000 that was in better shape than the 33k. I bought my 4th 240 red sohc for $500. I bought my mint white 92 for $3500, and my mint black one for $2500. I bought a mint kouki s14 with SR for $5000 in 2007. The bottom sheet metal and subframe on that $33000 impulse buy are rusted out lol

They will become more valuable in original condition like all classics. Person with too much money gave it to someone with probably not as much money

Exactly - you bought those clean cars, already. They're not making them anymore.

[mav1178]

Stoked to see it's in Canada, has leather, and has a sunroof.

Guarantees no late-night "accidental" bids from me.

I'm in the process of bringing a car over from Canada...

About ~$200 brokerage, plus 2.5% duties, plus cost to transport car across border.

Vancouver BC to Bellingham WA is about $500, rest is a matter of transporting or driving it back.

If you have the right broker and transport company, it would end up adding about $700 + duties to bring the car over the border, then you can drive it home. I would've done the border crossing myself but everyone in the world hates Americans right now.

[spoolinrb25det]

Temped to toss mine up there
https://i.imgur.com/ftPlAtm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UkBUHh3.jpg

[sparko]

32k!?!? had to be a forex trader pick up...

[collegekid]

Wow it's already gone. Buyer is a dumbass

https://www.thisworldthesedays.com/32knissan240sxalreadywrecked1.html

[KA24DESOneThree]

I am trying to decide if you get neg rep for rickrolling an otherwise fairly serious and on-topic conversation.

Edit: Can a mod delete 23, 24, 25, 26?

[burnsauto]

https://i.gifer.com/1Jkf.gif

[silviaks2nr]

Got me too. Touche.

[afishysilvia]

I heard this thing got smashed already lol...

[mav1178]

S13 coupe currently sitting at ~$9700 with 30 minutes left.

[KA24DESOneThree]

$13k final price.

Fair, IMO. That combination of options, condition, and miles was a unicorn.

[mav1178]

$13k final price.

Fair, IMO. That combination of options, condition, and miles was a unicorn.

Would've gone higher but the car had everything on it except air conditioning.

You and I know, back then AC was not part of the SE/LE trim as standard equipment...

[Calver]

Not worth the money, though good for the seller.

Well, some people have deep pockets and buying more on nostalgia!

[coupesallday!]

I’m curious what a mint 1998 black se model s14 with 79k original miles would go for lol auto with no sunroof also

[mav1178]

I?m curious what a mint 1998 black se model s14 with 79k original miles would go for lol auto with no sunroof also

who knows. last S14 on BaT sold for $12k last December with manual transmission and less miles.

[burnsauto]

yeah right now it seems like finding the right buyer. Before you start seeing dollar signs though just realize that these cars are important to a very select few. Sure, kids know what 240s are, but fewer respect what they are.

[mav1178]

I?m curious what a mint 1998 black se model s14 with 79k original miles would go for lol auto with no sunroof also

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-nissan-240sx-se-7/

Currently at $12,500. Same as what you listed with no sunroof and manual.

I'm gonna bid for fun but it'll sell for $20k easily. Probably closer to $25-28k, which is what I would pay if I was after a really REALLY mint S14 without a sunroof.

Edit: ..... aaaand I'm outbid within 2 minutes.

[burnsauto]

aaaand its gone.

Even going through YAJ, I'm noticing prices for pretty basic cars is starting to creep up. An average one used to sell for somewhere around 6k, but now its closer to 9k, and if you start looking at one worth looking at, you're starting to get into the 15k area.

[mav1178]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-nissan-240sx-se-7/

Currently at $12,500. Same as what you listed with no sunroof and manual.

I'm gonna bid for fun but it'll sell for $20k easily. Probably closer to $25-28k, which is what I would pay if I was after a really REALLY mint S14 without a sunroof.

Edit: ..... aaaand I'm outbid within 2 minutes.

Car was sold for low end of my estimate, but fairly accurate.

I think the market will support $20-25k+ for mint S14s, probably closer to around $20k for S13s.

[slider2828]

Damn that is cool!

[stev0n]

i bought my first 1990 pignose se hatch in 2003 for $900 off autotrader.
2 owner, 70k miles, auto, completely stock & mint.

My dumbass pulled the pignose bumper & lip & traded them for an invader kit.
The car got stolen & crushed in 2011.

my current 90 hatch i bought for $200 in 2008. Now it sits in storage at the corvette plant in ky.

the OP car sold for more than i paid for my vette AND escalade combined. Wish I would've kept mine stock!

[ixfxi]

yeah right now it seems like finding the right buyer. Before you start seeing dollar signs though just realize that these cars are important to a very select few. Sure, kids know what 240s are, but fewer respect what they are.

what is there to respect with a car? they're heaps of shit. obviously i still own mine and dont plan on selling them, but its not like we're talking cars of stature. these are garbage cans. i dont see why people think a car that sells for 10, 20, or even 30k is "seeing dollar signs" - do you guys not have jobs? in my s13 alone i've easily put what, 50-60k in parts and modifications, endless hours. i can understand that on a stock car no one is putting that amount of money, but it still takes time, money and effort to keep a car maintained. if someone sells a car and makes some extra bucks, kudos to them.

this car is going in the same direction as the 240z, except the 240z is built with even shittier quality standards. and yet, they're selling for good money. why people spend this type of money is beyond me. parts are getting harder to get, it really is an exercise in futility. and this is coming from someone who owns several of these cars and restores them.

bringatrailer is basically the result of nerds congregating and jerking off online about how little a car has been used and how original the car is.

[burnsauto]

what is there to respect with a car? they're heaps of shit. obviously i still own mine and dont plan on selling them, but its not like we're talking cars of stature. these are garbage cans. i dont see why people think a car that sells for 10, 20, or even 30k is "seeing dollar signs" - do you guys not have jobs? in my s13 alone i've easily put what, 50-60k in parts and modifications, endless hours. i can understand that on a stock car no one is putting that amount of money, but it still takes time, money and effort to keep a car maintained. if someone sells a car and makes some extra bucks, kudos to them.

this car is going in the same direction as the 240z, except the 240z is built with even shittier quality standards. and yet, they're selling for good money. why people spend this type of money is beyond me. parts are getting harder to get, it really is an exercise in futility. and this is coming from someone who owns several of these cars and restores them.

bringatrailer is basically the result of nerds congregating and jerking off online about how little a car has been used and how original the car is.

I agree with a lot you've said. There really isn't a good correlation between build quality and value. Look at 60's Ferrari's right now...10's of millions, for cars that aren't built to anything close to that. I'm not comparing the s13 to a 250GT, just using it as an example of price v. build quality.

What I meant when I mentioned the cars for "what they are", I wasn't speaking about build quality. These are cheap, Japanese cars. We all know that these aren't anything special there. I was thinking more about the less tangible parts, that I think, makes these cars special. If you view these cars as just tools to achieve some kind of goal, that's fine, but to me at least..it's more than that. Admittedly, I have a more romantic view on cars, one that not all car people share.

There is a space, somewhere, for a discussion of emotional attachment, nostalgia, pragmatic views on the S-chassis, and those who buy cars purely for investment reasons. I'm not sure Zilvia is really that space. I noticed you mentioned how the prices of 240z leaves you dumbfounded, but I'm sure to some people it makes perfect sense. It's a weird world we live in.

[ixfxi]

ive got no gripes with what youve said. as far as im concerned, i misunderstood what you meant by respecting these cars.

i really cant say for certain who is one of the oldest members in the community, but i know alex and i have been around since the old 240sx mailing list days. i got my 90 hatch in 96 and still own it. my customer bought his 95 s14 new, still has it. but i want to say that i personally saw a decline in the community and people interested in these cars around 2000. the minute fast and furious came out, everyone ditched their hondas and immediately got into drifting. part of me gets upset because even though i dont care for hondas, i was like wtf... all of a sudden everyone kicked vtec to the curb? haha i'm tempted to buy a DC2 integra. thats assuming there is something special to these cars, which i dont think there is. but i like those cars still.

i would think the majority of any modern day boy racers can easily get what they want/need out of a BRZ or Miata with less money, no headaches, and no rust. 240z or 240sx, these cars are just bad news for building & restoring