240sx for sale on CL...

[paulxcook]

Can you guys that know what you're talking about take a look at this: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/car/654426926.html

I've always liked the 240sx and 300zx and this seems like a pretty decent deal, but at the same time with all the stuff he's done to it I wonder if it's really too much car for me. I don't do much in the way of working on cars, changing my own oil is the extent of my skills.

so, a few questions:

- Is this as good of a deal as I think it is? The power in this thing seems awfully high for the price.

- Is this the kind of car that you really need to be constantly working on to keep it running well? I'm guessing you can't just roll into a Nissan dealer and have them fix a problem.

- Is this car even insurable?

- With a turbo on it, will it require premium-grade fuel? It says the boost is adjustable, is it possible to adjust it to a point that it wouldn't require that, or at that point is having a turbo pretty useless?

As you can probably tell, I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to cars, and I'm ok with that. I'm just casually looking for a semi-cheap, fast and fun-to-drive car. My guess is this is too much car for me, but maybe I'm overestimating the car.

 

[Arkaign]

(1)- I wouldn't recommend a tuner car for a DD, especially not running 11-20 on the boost.

(2)- Yes, it's insurable for liability, for full coverage it might get tricky as far as covering all of the parts, and you'd probably get charged out the butt.

(3)- That tune probably requires 93 octane. It might even have a setting for racing gas.

It doesn't look bad as a project/2nd car, but I really would hesitate to depend on it for my meat and potatoes transportation.

 

[996GT2]

It would be a good secondary car or track/drift car, but as a DD it might be a little too harsh/unreliable. For $5400, it's not a bad deal considering the tuned CA18DET engine (which is nearly bulletproof) and the lot of aftermarket parts on it.

If you buy it, you should probably get it professionally tuned for 93 octane gas, since the seller states it's not fully tuned as is. Simple maintenance like oil changes wouldn't be hard to do yourself, but you might need to go to a tuner shop to get specific parts fixed.

 

[dud]

"As you can probably tell, I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to cars, and I'm ok with that. I'm just casually looking for a semi-cheap, fast and fun-to-drive car. My guess is this is too much car for me, but maybe I'm overestimating the car. "


There is your answer. This is a nice car but it is not for the novice of faint-of-heart. This is not a daily driver ... and may get you into trouble (with all that power) if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: dud
"As you can probably tell, I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to cars, and I'm ok with that. I'm just casually looking for a semi-cheap, fast and fun-to-drive car. My guess is this is too much car for me, but maybe I'm overestimating the car. "


There is your answer. This is a nice car but it is not for the novice of faint-of-heart. This is not a daily driver ... and may get you into trouble (with all that power) if you don't know what you are doing.

Yeah, I figured. Oh well. I'll stick with looking for used closer-to-stock models for now, as it would need to be a daily driver.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: dud
"As you can probably tell, I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to cars, and I'm ok with that. I'm just casually looking for a semi-cheap, fast and fun-to-drive car. My guess is this is too much car for me, but maybe I'm overestimating the car. "


There is your answer. This is a nice car but it is not for the novice of faint-of-heart. This is not a daily driver ... and may get you into trouble (with all that power) if you don't know what you are doing.

Yeah, I figured. Oh well. I'll stick with looking for used closer-to-stock models for now, as it would need to be a daily driver.

In that price range, you can pick up 5-speed Maximas with ~100k miles or so. Lots more reliable, comfortable, and still pretty quick.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: dud
"As you can probably tell, I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to cars, and I'm ok with that. I'm just casually looking for a semi-cheap, fast and fun-to-drive car. My guess is this is too much car for me, but maybe I'm overestimating the car. "


There is your answer. This is a nice car but it is not for the novice of faint-of-heart. This is not a daily driver ... and may get you into trouble (with all that power) if you don't know what you are doing.

Yeah, I figured. Oh well. I'll stick with looking for used closer-to-stock models for now, as it would need to be a daily driver.

In that price range, you can pick up 5-speed Maximas with ~100k miles or so. Lots more reliable, comfortable, and still pretty quick.

Like this one? http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/car/663472125.html

He's certainly selling it hard. Seems pretty low for a car with that mileage.

edit: nvm, it's automatic, should've looked closer.

 

[Arkaign]

Yeah, Maxima's are 9 out of 10 times automatic, but the manual ones are out there. Look for SE model ones.

 

[nismotigerwvu]

You guys are acting like the CA18DET wasn't a stock motor in these cars (in other parts of the world). It is a fine little motor (a work horse really), and is certainly capable of being a DD. My only worry is that the asking price isn't too far out of the range of a clean s13 without a swap, so maybe there are some little electrical gremlins in there. But if it runs fine I would jump all over that. I use a high comp KA powered 240 as my DD (300ZX TT as my toy), and it certainly isn't too harsh. My 55 year old mother loves to drive it whenever I'm in town and says it is "The happiest car in the world". If she can enjoy it, I'm sure anyone can.

 

[alkemyst]

Without knowing the struts and shocks I don't know how anyone is commenting on ride quality.

The CA18DET is about a $2k swap complete. It's not a horrible deal if the car is mint. Still the SR20DET would have been better. Either one should give great performance.

The engine was made for turbo so 11-12 psi is not that crazy.

You will more than likely want to run premium no matter what. I am not sure why people get so put off by that if they want performance...the fuel will probably be the least of your worry.

If you are driving 'fun' figure on tires to be where most of your money is going to go.

I have info on them stock at my website: DriftKat.com


I have a 98.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: nismotigerwvu
You guys are acting like the CA18DET wasn't a stock motor in these cars (in other parts of the world). It is a fine little motor (a work horse really), and is certainly capable of being a DD. My only worry is that the asking price isn't too far out of the range of a clean s13 without a swap, so maybe there are some little electrical gremlins in there. But if it runs fine I would jump all over that. I use a high comp KA powered 240 as my DD (300ZX TT as my toy), and it certainly isn't too harsh. My 55 year old mother loves to drive it whenever I'm in town and says it is "The happiest car in the world". If she can enjoy it, I'm sure anyone can.

There's a difference between capable and probable.

Buying a used tuner car like this for a DD is just not wise, unless you're a gear-head who can fix things quick and cheap if and when they go wrong.

I'll agree about the motors being tough in general, but there are simply too many variables here that are unknown. How did he set up his wiring harness? Emissions/exhaust? Are the brakes stock or does he need a different size?

Fun? yes.
Decent price (provided it's in overall good running shape)? yes.
A good idea for a daily driver for someone who doesn't work on his own stuff? not really.

 

[alkemyst]

if you know absolutely anything about cars you can see the wiring...the brakes are listed...Q45's, easy to source pads for.

Same with exhaust and emissions...although the CA18DET was never sold in the US so it's a moot point.

People without car understanding should just stick with a corolla though.

 

[ayabe]

his FMIC is mounted crooked, so I have no faith in the rest of his work being up to snuff.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

**car is currently on a very basic tune and it would be beneficial to have it professionally tuned.

That right there says he hasn't finished tuning it and it runs like crap. He has exhausted his wits end to getting it running right. Someone doesn't dump that kind of money into a car and then just sell it. Something is probably fubar'ed internally which is why it's on a "basic" tune

 

[alkemyst]

I doubt it...he more than likely just bought a packaged tune online...you get much better results to dyno tune a car, but it's a lot more pricey too.

It looks like a driven car, the FMIC may have just been knocked a bit.

Without looking at it, NO ONE can tell what's up with it. The price is not terrible and many guys start builds to move on to other things....

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I doubt it...he more than likely just bought a packaged tune online...you get much better results to dyno tune a car, but it's a lot more pricey too.

It looks like a driven car, the FMIC may have just been knocked a bit.

Without looking at it, NO ONE can tell what's up with it. The price is not terrible and many guys start builds to move on to other things....

Many people also run out of cash or get laid off or need to move or whatever. Plenty of legit reasons to sell.

But cliffs :

Good chance at a great 2nd car? Yes.

Good choice for a daily driver for a non-gearhead? No.

 

[alkemyst]

right, I was responded to a person posting up crap. There are tons of great buys that people have poured a ton of money into only to run out or want to change directions.

But like I said.

People without car understanding should just stick with a corolla though.

 

[Throckmorton]

Assuming he left off the cat, it won't pass emissions

 

[Vic]

I'd be all over that car if it were for sale here. At the very least, I'd be running out to take a look at it.

Arkaign is right though. If you're not a gearhead, this car is not for you.

And as long as it's properly set-up and tuned, people pass emissions with the cats removed all the time.

 

[ayabe]

You could get a '97 240sx and slap a RB20DET(which I've seen for less than $2K with tranny and all wiring) for only a little bit more and have a much better looking/performing chassis, IMHO at least.

That is pretty much the only 240 I would ever consider owning, popup headlights FTL.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ayabe
You could get a '97 240sx and slap a RB20DET(which I've seen for less than $2K with tranny and all wiring) for only a little bit more and have a much better looking/performing chassis, IMHO at least.

That is pretty much the only 240 I would ever consider owning, popup headlights FTL.

the 97/98 will net a hefty premium...good luck finding one for even $5k in a condition worth working with.

95's are common and pseudo OBDII, the 96's almost as common.

Between 97/98 they only built 5000 units total.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: ayabe
You could get a '97 240sx and slap a RB20DET(which I've seen for less than $2K with tranny and all wiring) for only a little bit more and have a much better looking/performing chassis, IMHO at least.

That is pretty much the only 240 I would ever consider owning, popup headlights FTL.

the 97/98 will net a hefty premium...good luck finding one for even $5k in a condition worth working with.

95's are common and pseudo OBDII, the 96's almost as common.

Between 97/98 they only built 5000 units total.

5-6K around me with less than a 100K miles, but I digress.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: ayabe
You could get a '97 240sx and slap a RB20DET(which I've seen for less than $2K with tranny and all wiring) for only a little bit more and have a much better looking/performing chassis, IMHO at least.

That is pretty much the only 240 I would ever consider owning, popup headlights FTL.

the 97/98 will net a hefty premium...good luck finding one for even $5k in a condition worth working with.

95's are common and pseudo OBDII, the 96's almost as common.

Between 97/98 they only built 5000 units total.

5-6K around me with less than a 100K miles, but I digress.

post them up.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: ayabe
You could get a '97 240sx and slap a RB20DET(which I've seen for less than $2K with tranny and all wiring) for only a little bit more and have a much better looking/performing chassis, IMHO at least.

That is pretty much the only 240 I would ever consider owning, popup headlights FTL.

the 97/98 will net a hefty premium...good luck finding one for even $5k in a condition worth working with.

95's are common and pseudo OBDII, the 96's almost as common.

Between 97/98 they only built 5000 units total.

I had a '95. Sold it for $4700 IIRC. It had like 140k and the guy was going to turbo it

 

[alkemyst]

the 95/96 can be found for great deals, they aren't much different save the most notice difference in front end lighting style...and the tail lights are a bit different. Some still do prefer the early zenki's (95/96) over the kouki (97/98)

I really like my 98. It's been the best handling car I have been in, pretty economical on parts and maintenance and there is a ton out there for it, but you don't really see them coming and going.

My other choice was hunting down a 88/89 944 Turbo S...or even an 87. I could find them and most had beautiful bodies (double galvanized FTW), but interiors that werent so great...the ones that were mint were around $20-30k down here.