Tell me what you think

[RallyGT]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&cardist=7#top

Its a 96 240 on auto trader. please tell me what you guys think.
If its in good condition, price etc.

[blargonator]

that is nice, but on problem is it is automatic. if you are looking for an automatic then it seems nice. i never see that generation of the 240sx

[Raziel]

My friend has a 230sx that is auto. He hates it. Hes taken it to two track events. The first one he didnt have LSD and the second one he got himself a LSD. Both times he told me he was doing really shitty. Auto is just hard to keep in the powerband which is required for drifting.

[ankyle62]

automatic! dont do it! trust me.

[mranlet]

How much money do you have to deal with?

For the same price you could get a RMS13, get Silk Road Coilovers, a rollcage, LSD, and 2 additional sets of wheels.

-MR

[mranlet]

What about this one?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...or=&cardist=13

DOHC and manual, a lot on the clock but that's not a problem. If you took it to the right shop, you could get a swap and still be under $7k.

-------------

If you're open to other models:
Miata:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...or=&cardist=38

FC:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...or=&cardist=41

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...lor=&cardist=9 - $1,100, if there's somethig wrong it could be fixed

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...lor=&cardist=3 - $1,500



-MR

[RallyGT]

well, i have 500 now. when i save up 2g's (which will be like a month from now) my parents will give me a 5g loan. and the escort will sell for like 1000-1500. so ill have around 7g's to spend....depending on how fast my car sells. Ive narrowed it down to 3 cars....
240 (any year)
99 mustang
early 90's mr2 turbo

[RallyGT]

i went and look at that one MR. its nice, but my mom has this thing about "chopping" (as she puts it) cars. she doesnt understand that modding a car is a good thing.
id really like to get that one...and i could do a swap at Modern Garage for 3000 (black top). so im gonna try and talk her into it...

[mranlet]

Out of those, the most insurance-friendly will definately be the 240....

Do your parents know you're interested in drifting?
Do you prefer coupe versus hatch?
Is gas mileage a concern?
Do you demand luxuries (Stereo, nice carpet, power accessories, a/c)?


You'd be best getting a S13 in manual and buying a LSD for it, then upgrading as you go.

-MR

[mranlet]

Ordinarily I would PM you, but since the thread is about this topic...

The best way to "talk your parents" into a car or doing something with a car is to emphasize the durability aspect of it. Show them some magazines and ads so that they can see that aftermarket parts are really huge improvements over the cheaply produced factory parts. Let them know that you have the knowledge to work on it yourself if you need to (if you do have the knowledge). Tell them that there is a enthusiast following of the kind of car. Tell them that the SR motor is from the same exact car but was unable to be produced in the US.

Just make sure they don't think that you're going to do something stupid. If you are under loan then you sure as hell don't want to bring home a ticket or a dented up vehicle that you got street drifting.

If you've got other questions I'd be happy to try and help, as I've totally been in your situation, as I'm sure a lot of other people have been.

Good luck with the car hunt!

-MR

[nissanguy_24]

3 grand for a hatchback with 230k on the clock? not worth it. hatchbacks are worth less then coupes because there more common. and 3 grand for a DOHC coupe with 230k on it is alot. If it had under 150k and was a coupe i'd say make a deal. However not in this case.

That car really shoulndt be worth more then 2 grand with those many miles. And if your going to do a swap SOHC hatchbacks are even cheaper..

However the auto S14 has like 70k on it? thats a great deal, and it really isnt a huge issue to go to a manual transmission and a auto is actually pretty good for learning the basics. I learned on one. I didnt hate it at all, in fact its one of the best automatic transmissions i have ever drove. Theres a point when you will want to step up, and thats what im doing when i swap in my new motor... However to learn its pretty great. I dont know about the price. i really havent kept up with S14 pricing. but if you wanted to turbocharge the KA or anything thats a perfect canadate. And a low millage turbo KA can be killer.

i'd say go for it unless you just have your heart on an engine swap.. then i'd fine a cheap one with the engine past its prime.

[mranlet]

I really just think the koukis are ugly as rat farts.

The options that Autotrader is giving you aren't very good - the want ads in the newspaper would be a better bet, or to post on some Nissan forums to see if anyone around you is selling. I still stick by getting a S13 in manual from the factory and then upgrading. The less you'd have to pay back your parents the better!

-MR

[nissanguy_24]

Originally posted by mranlet
I really just think the koukis are ugly as rat farts.

-MR

As for pricing with SOHC S13s... they can be as low as 1500 here. Even in decent condition. and this is southern california.. I know drifting is getting big and these cars are getting popular However they are not rare, dont pay too much for a S13, especialy a hatchback!, just because you think the price has gone up. Coupes are another story here because they are more desired and more rare. However i wouldnt pay more then 3500 for a good millage DOHC coupe. If it was in emaculant condition with some bushings replaced or something like under 100k with no body damage at all (mine has a few dings nothing big) and a SE i would consider 4Gs.. but nothing more.