Buying a high mileage 240 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

CHASE86 · 12-24-2003, 12:49 PM

I am 95% sure im buying this 1993 240sx coupe 5spd with a sunroof with a sr20det redtop in it. The car has 190,000+ miles on it and the motor has 20,000. The car looks in great shape. I carfaxed it and it was clean. What should I look for when I go see and drive it?

Thanks,
Chase

thelinja · 12-24-2003, 01:28 PM

Well, the main thing I would look for is rust. Remember, the car has 190k miles on the chassis and will have some wear and tear on it. I'd also take it for a test drive to see how the motor runs. Check for boost leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks, etc. I'd ask how long ago the motor was installed and who installed it. If a shop did it, I'd call the shop and talk to them about the car. I'd research also to see if the shop is reputable.

CHASE86 · 12-25-2003, 12:19 AM

The car had the motor put in at 196,000 miles and it has 197,000 miles on it now. It was put in by Epik Motorsports. I am getting a good deal on the car. The person who is selling it has answered every question I have ever asked him. He is selling it because he is a DJ and needs a SUV to move his equipment.

Here is a link to the car.
http://www.epikmotorsports.com/siteh...oupe_page.html

Mr. Spool · 12-25-2003, 12:28 AM

Seems kinda odd that he would put 3500+ into the car and then sell it only 1k latter. I would deffinitly be a little weary and check over the engine with a fine tooth comb. I would guesse that the body and drive train should be in good order or else he would have dropped all that money into that first. You would think that he would have thought of the need for the suv last month when he dropped it off and had it swapped in. just my 2 cents

thelinja · 12-25-2003, 08:40 AM

Maybe he just wants to sell the car quickly. Who knows. I'd take those window stickers off though, they don't fit well at allll.

CHASE86 · 12-25-2003, 12:25 PM

Yeah I am just worried about the high mileage of the car and how the suspension parts will be worn out. I could have up to $2,000 just to get the suspension in good working order. Then again that would be replacing all the stock parts with high quality after market parts.

**Phlip** · 12-25-2003, 02:35 PM

I if the chassis has 190k+ and the engine has been swapped (I don't believe that 20k shit personally) the only things I would worry about if I were you would be body and suspension. Make sure that there is no rust or other form of decay and then check the suspension to make sure the springs aren't worn to shit and that the shocks aren't blown... I don't know how much they want for the car, but this could prove to be a really good deal. I will tell you now that if Epik did all the work on the car, then you have a STELLAR piece of work, look at the volkswagen GTI over in off topic for proof of this, and then there's Jeff from Epik with the V-Mount intercooler setup that quite honestly gives me wood... They were at the dragstrip about 3 weeks ago and were with a guy that in an SW 20MR2 turbo running CONSISTENT mid-12s, so I will vouch for their work...

CHASE86 · 12-26-2003, 12:16 AM

Well the owner of the car is a member his name is 240silvia.

silversube7107 · 10-25-2006, 12:00 PM

i plan on getting a 240 soon and am looking at a high mileage one. If i plan on swapping the moter, new bushings,coilovers and repaint as soon as i get the car should i worry about the miles on the car if it has little rust? thanks

silverarrow27 · 10-25-2006, 12:16 PM

High mileage cars are underestimated and are one of the cleanest to tell you the truth. I've seen much nicer cars with high mileage than low mileage ones. And if you're getting a high mileage sports car, you're most likely going to end up replacing all suspension parts anyway. If shocks and springs are dead then use that as a bargain as it needs immediate attention...everything else will need time and money.

I've seen so many people pass through Zilvia, NICO, and Freshalloy with their new sr, rb, ca, or ka swap so it doesn't bother me if he decides to change his mind after the swap. Look for rust and do a carfax report on it if you're worried.

ranisron · 10-25-2006, 12:30 PM

Check for RUST under fenderwell, frame rails, rear hatch (if it's a fastback).

See if the interior smells funny - may be there's rust inside from odd reasons...

Test drive the car - COLD --> since it would possibly reveal problems with the engine, tranny, etc.

*ManoNegra* · 10-25-2006, 02:51 PM

Complaining about high mileage when looking at any 240 is an oxymoron.

HalveBlue · 10-25-2006, 03:11 PM

^^ No kidding.

When you're buying a car that's at least 12 years old with that many miles on the chassis you're gonna have some problems.

Your suspension will be crap. And I'm sure the body will have more than its fair share of scars.

Besides half the fun of owning a 240 is working on it.

Just make sure you have realistic goals and timelines. Ask yourself, is this car going to be my daily driver? Can I afford downtime if something brakes on the car? Do I have the resources to make the car run right?

silversube7107 · 10-25-2006, 09:49 PM

i am just wondering about the strenghth of the car i know i am gonna have to have to work on it thats no problem and i have about 3 other cars i can drive if i have to i just want to make it my daily driver but also a track car

Wei240 · 10-25-2006, 10:09 PM

nothing wrong with high mileage cars, mine has 200k and looks better than alot of s13's out there

strength of the car, wouldn't matter, you're gonna put in roll cage, fender brace, power brace and any other chassis stiffening goodies,
solid

(just take care of the rust, but if it's very very very very rusty, i'd look for another)

silversube7107 · 10-25-2006, 10:19 PM

yeah ok thats what i was wanting to know im trying to find one without any rust i just wasnt shure how bad miles where on the chasis thanks

ranisron · 10-25-2006, 11:25 PM

I remember one of the members here on zilvia said :

Rust is cancer to cars.... So... be careful with that.

12-24-2003, 12:49 PM	#1
CHASE86 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: WHeeling WV Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Buying a high mileage 240 I am 95% sure im buying this 1993 240sx coupe 5spd with a sunroof with a sr20det redtop in it. The car has 190,000+ miles on it and the motor has 20,000. The car looks in great shape. I carfaxed it and it was clean. What should I look for when I go see and drive it? Thanks, Chase

12-25-2003, 12:28 AM	#4
Mr. Spool Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: East Side, Michigan Age: 44 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Seems kinda odd that he would put 3500+ into the car and then sell it only 1k latter. I would deffinitly be a little weary and check over the engine with a fine tooth comb. I would guesse that the body and drive train should be in good order or else he would have dropped all that money into that first. You would think that he would have thought of the need for the suv last month when he dropped it off and had it swapped in. just my 2 cents __________________ 96' SE Turbo'd Super 60, S-AFC, SMIC, 370cc Injectors, Open Air BOV, Warblo 255 pump, Stage 3 Clutch Kyb agx, Sportline Springs Full body kit, Bomex rear, Drift sides, r34 front gunmetal rims, yok tires

12-25-2003, 02:35 PM	#7
Phlip Yes, I look like that Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In my supervillain's lair Posts: 27,980 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: Phlip Feedback Score: 19 reviews	I if the chassis has 190k+ and the engine has been swapped (I don't believe that 20k shit personally) the only things I would worry about if I were you would be body and suspension. Make sure that there is no rust or other form of decay and then check the suspension to make sure the springs aren't worn to shit and that the shocks aren't blown... I don't know how much they want for the car, but this could prove to be a really good deal. I will tell you now that if Epik did all the work on the car, then you have a STELLAR piece of work, look at the volkswagen GTI over in off topic for proof of this, and then there's Jeff from Epik with the V-Mount intercooler setup that quite honestly gives me wood... They were at the dragstrip about 3 weeks ago and were with a guy that in an SW 20MR2 turbo running CONSISTENT mid-12s, so I will vouch for their work... __________________ Weirdo And I write too!

10-25-2006, 12:16 PM	#10
silverarrow27 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Banning, CA Posts: 1,428 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	High mileage cars are underestimated and are one of the cleanest to tell you the truth. I've seen much nicer cars with high mileage than low mileage ones. And if you're getting a high mileage sports car, you're most likely going to end up replacing all suspension parts anyway. If shocks and springs are dead then use that as a bargain as it needs immediate attention...everything else will need time and money. I've seen so many people pass through Zilvia, NICO, and Freshalloy with their new sr, rb, ca, or ka swap so it doesn't bother me if he decides to change his mind after the swap. Look for rust and do a carfax report on it if you're worried. __________________ 1989 240sx XE\|2002 Frontier SC CC LB 4wd\|2011 Pathfinder LE V8 4wd

10-25-2006, 12:30 PM	#11
ranisron Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 43 Posts: 766 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check for RUST under fenderwell, frame rails, rear hatch (if it's a fastback). See if the interior smells funny - may be there's rust inside from odd reasons... Test drive the car - COLD --> since it would possibly reveal problems with the engine, tranny, etc. __________________ U13 and S13 zilvia members are friendly

12-24-2003, 01:28 PM	#2
thelinja Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,466 Trader Rating: (3) Rides Gallery: thelinja Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Well, the main thing I would look for is rust. Remember, the car has 190k miles on the chassis and will have some wear and tear on it. I'd also take it for a test drive to see how the motor runs. Check for boost leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks, etc. I'd ask how long ago the motor was installed and who installed it. If a shop did it, I'd call the shop and talk to them about the car. I'd research also to see if the shop is reputable.

12-25-2003, 12:19 AM	#3
CHASE86 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: WHeeling WV Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The car had the motor put in at 196,000 miles and it has 197,000 miles on it now. It was put in by Epik Motorsports. I am getting a good deal on the car. The person who is selling it has answered every question I have ever asked him. He is selling it because he is a DJ and needs a SUV to move his equipment. Here is a link to the car. http://www.epikmotorsports.com/siteh...oupe_page.html

12-25-2003, 08:40 AM	#5
thelinja Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,466 Trader Rating: (3) Rides Gallery: thelinja Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Maybe he just wants to sell the car quickly. Who knows. I'd take those window stickers off though, they don't fit well at allll.

12-25-2003, 12:25 PM	#6
CHASE86 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: WHeeling WV Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah I am just worried about the high mileage of the car and how the suspension parts will be worn out. I could have up to $2,000 just to get the suspension in good working order. Then again that would be replacing all the stock parts with high quality after market parts.

12-26-2003, 12:16 AM	#8
CHASE86 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: WHeeling WV Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well the owner of the car is a member his name is 240silvia.

10-25-2006, 12:00 PM	#9
silversube7107 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pendleton IN Age: 26 Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i plan on getting a 240 soon and am looking at a high mileage one. If i plan on swapping the moter, new bushings,coilovers and repaint as soon as i get the car should i worry about the miles on the car if it has little rust? thanks

10-25-2006, 02:51 PM	#12
ManoNegra Guild of Skullduggerous Intent Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Socal Posts: 7,841 Trader Rating: (48) Feedback Score: 48 reviews	Complaining about high mileage when looking at any 240 is an oxymoron.

10-25-2006, 03:11 PM	#13
HalveBlue Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: I'm somewhere where I don't know where I am! Posts: 1,549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	^^ No kidding. When you're buying a car that's at least 12 years old with that many miles on the chassis you're gonna have some problems. Your suspension will be crap. And I'm sure the body will have more than its fair share of scars. Besides half the fun of owning a 240 is working on it. Just make sure you have realistic goals and timelines. Ask yourself, is this car going to be my daily driver? Can I afford downtime if something brakes on the car? Do I have the resources to make the car run right?

10-25-2006, 09:49 PM	#14
silversube7107 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pendleton IN Age: 26 Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i am just wondering about the strenghth of the car i know i am gonna have to have to work on it thats no problem and i have about 3 other cars i can drive if i have to i just want to make it my daily driver but also a track car

10-25-2006, 10:09 PM	#15
Wei240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: socal Posts: 1,778 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	nothing wrong with high mileage cars, mine has 200k and looks better than alot of s13's out there strength of the car, wouldn't matter, you're gonna put in roll cage, fender brace, power brace and any other chassis stiffening goodies, solid (just take care of the rust, but if it's very very very very rusty, i'd look for another)

10-25-2006, 10:19 PM	#16
silversube7107 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pendleton IN Age: 26 Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah ok thats what i was wanting to know im trying to find one without any rust i just wasnt shure how bad miles where on the chasis thanks

10-25-2006, 11:25 PM	#17
ranisron Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 43 Posts: 766 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I remember one of the members here on zilvia said : Rust is cancer to cars.... So... be careful with that. __________________ U13 and S13 zilvia members are friendly