Soul searching

[AKADriver]

I've got a line on a '95 S14 base model 5 speed for sale cheap...  It's in the same mechanical condition as my S13 (~130k with full service records etc), but much better visual condition.

Now I'm not into the spit'n'polish thing, and driving a rusty/dented car has its charms, but sometimes it's just depressing to see my spare tire well full of water, listen to my rattly sunroof, etc.  Even though I like flogging a REALLY cheap and trashed looking car at the track on the off chance that I might ball it up worse, this one isn't much more expensive...

I've owned my S13 for about 9 months and in that time I've not really done any work to it.  It's still what I'd call completely stock.  I was planning on starting in on my S13 next year but there are many little things that need changing that a stock S14 already has.  Of course my S13 would be legal for SCCA ITA, but I think if I ever get into w2w racing I'll just buy someone's already sorted racer...

[Natty]

I am around 9 months with my fastback too. I got it last February.
I do feel sad because the tranny is about to go, my rear tire well is a bathtub, my fron suspension needs work, brakes need work, interior is trashy, and the sunroof is cracked (rattles like mad too).
I have thought about the S14 route, but they just don't have the same look to me (warning, that was mu opinion). I still love it so much though. It's so fun, fits me good, is somewhat original, and I get lots and lots and lots of compliments on it (stock, BTW). I'm gonna keep it till it dies (hopefully in 6 years) and then see if there are any S14's left.

I am in college, so a beater is a good car to have, but it doesn't look like a beater. It's also alot cheaper than an S14, cause my car is worth nothing.

In your case, you have the VR6. I am guessing that is the daily driver and the S13 is your track/fun time beater?
If so, keep it. But it is a tough choice you have to make.

Drvie the S14 though <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I hope you keep the S13 though, so you can still answer all my technical questions <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':alien:'>

EDIT/UPDATE - My bath tub in the rear spare tire well is now a skating rink. It's 27 degrees outside and it froze. But I still love that shitheap. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Jeff

[sanmiam]

I drove both when I was looking for a car, and liked the more "refined" look and feel of the S14. &nbsp;I did like the exterior of the S13, but the way the 14 handled and felt inside was worth the extra money. &nbsp;I love it and it is a car I can be proud to put money into. &nbsp;I will say that of the ones I drove the S14 did not feel as "tight" as the 13 hatches I drove, but did not seem to lack any of the handling/acceleration. &nbsp;The S14 just seemed to be of better quality though. &nbsp;Just IMHO.

[Natty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (sanmiam @ Dec. 05 2002,03:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I drove both when I was looking for a car, and liked the more "refined" look and feel of the S14. I did like the exterior of the S13, but the way the 14 handled and felt inside was worth the extra money. I love it and it is a car I can be proud to put money into. I will say that of the ones I drove the S14 did not feel as "tight" as the 13 hatches I drove, but did not seem to lack any of the handling/acceleration. The S14 just seemed to be of better quality though. Just IMHO.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
So, what your saying is the S13 is the better track car &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
I do agree, the S14 is more refined and honestly, if I had the cash, I would drop my S13 for an S14 in a heartbeat because all I need is a daily driver (psstt, don't tell my car that :hehe) . But the S13 still fills the role.
I still don't like the look of a 'non-fastback' though.
Jeff

[AKADriver]

I did some heavy thinking and decided to stick with the S13.

I'm still a big fan of the S14 but the $2000 it would cost over the going rate for a '90 hatch would pay for a lot of stuff on my S13. &nbsp;I can fix the hatch lid, fashion a sunroof blockoff plate, get some S14 seats, and paint it flat black without even getting halfway there.

Plus I have other priorities, before my GTI reaches 100k (It's over 91k now) I want to replace it with something newer and less tiring to drive. &nbsp;Thinking about a slightly used WRX wagon, or if I can get one a Neon SRT-4. &nbsp;That's not too likely, though, because I just heard they're limiting SRT-4 production to 1500 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'>

[adey]

Good choice. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> I'm a huge fan of the S13 hatch myself, its body lines are soooo sweet. I honestly have NO idea why others like S13 coupes and S14s so much, the hatch just has the best visual impression; it looks similar to other beautiful cars out there such as the FC3S, which is another car that hardly gets enough love!
Anyway.
I think you made a wise decision! Good luck with the WRX wagon, those things are expensiveeeee.

[Silviaholic]

My out look... I would really rather not decide between the four cars. The 180sx, s-13, s-14, adn s-14a are all VERY good looking cars too me. But digging deep down what you all have said is pretty damn true. The 180sx has a very "sporty" appeal to it, while the s-14 has a refined look as well as a more comfortable ride, IMHO. Now to me... I love the s-14a. To me, the S-14A's headlights are more exotic and appealing than the s-15 heads. Like I said, my honest opinion.

Hands down the 180 seems to be much more efficient in the twisty turnies, i see a low center of gravity, with a BAD ass stock suspension and a 50/50 (or close) weight displacement..
i would much rather have the 180 for the auto-x. But I am a man of style AND refinement with racing abilies. I think we all agree that with the right driver the s-14(a) can be a monster on the auto-x track...

im babbling...

o so what the thread was started about... im dropping my 180 for a s-14a in june.... engine problems and the fact that I love the s-14a. &nbsp;Dont get it twisted, if I could find a 180 with the KA24DE in as good a condition as the s-14a I would probably be all over it... but I love that s-14a

and my 180 bites me... so many problems and so little money...

[Cool Kat S]

Stick with the S13. While I was stationed at Okinawa, practically all the Japanese drifters I talked to prefered the s13 / rps13 for drifting and track use. S14s look retarded IMO, especially a USDM MCS14. Those things look like a guy in serious need of braces.

[Silviaholic]

OUCH!!! I can not, for the life of me, see how you can hate the 97/8 headlights. &nbsp;I love that aggresive look... GRrrrr and stuff...

but once again, everyone is entitled to their opinion. &nbsp;Why were you in JP? &nbsp;Military? &nbsp;I have two friends who are Marines in JP...one who wont stop telling me hes bring a R-34 to the state....right. &nbsp;He cant do that can he?

[Cool Kat S]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">OUCH!!! I can not, for the life of me, see how you can hate the 97/8 headlights. &nbsp;I love that aggresive look... GRrrrr and stuff...

but once again, everyone is entitled to their opinion. &nbsp;Why were you in JP? &nbsp;Military? &nbsp;I have two friends who are Marines in JP...one who wont stop telling me hes bring a R-34 to the state....right. &nbsp;He cant do that can he?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

The headlights are fine, it's just that the aggressive lights do not match the soft curvy lines of an s14 and definitely do not go with the US "retarded cousin" front bumper.

Yeah, I was in Japan for military reasons. Your friends are right, they can bring whatever car they want over here. I have an R33 and an Evolution V sitting in my garage right now. Just one of the great benefits of being an army man.

[Silviaholic]

Then why are you playing with USDM 240's?

Shit, if I had an r33 at home....well I wouldnt be home..


edit:

wait, what about emissions and smog and carb and giving me your evo V?

[AKADriver]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ Dec. 06 2002,9:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...I honestly have NO idea why others like S13 coupes and S14s so much...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Two words: torsional rigidity. &nbsp;The S14's got it in buckets; the S13 coupe's got just enough; the S13 hatch is a WET NOODLE. &nbsp;But a roll bar and some careful bracing should fix it. &nbsp;I just wish I didn't have that damn 40 pound rear glass. &nbsp;Oh, the way the hatchbacks tend to leak and rust pisses me off too.

I really don't care what the cars look like. &nbsp;The fact that the 240SX is a good looking car is really just icing on the cake.

[HippoSleek]

Torsional rigidity indeed. &nbsp;The only benefit to the s13 is that OEM suspension is stiffer and that if you wreck it (on a track), you can shell the car for less than an s14. &nbsp;Aside from that, there is really no benefit to the s13.

The point about cost is debatable though. &nbsp;I don't know what an s13 goes for, but s14's are dirt cheap lately. &nbsp;Given the same mileage, the s14 seems to be going for $1500 or less over an s13. &nbsp;Pretty crappy for me, but the way the market seems to be going. &nbsp;(I don't know how much of this is a "winter penalty" for a rwd coupe that sucks in snow - like what happens to 'verts).

At any rate, it seems that for $4,000-4,500 you can get a nice s14. &nbsp;s13's seem to go at $2000-3000. &nbsp;$1000 of chassis bracing might make it as stiff as an s14 (as well as raising the weight to s14 levels) - and then you have the s13 specific problems (hatch, 4-lug, etc.).

A tough decision, but it seems you made an informed one and one you can live with. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> &nbsp;

BTW: since you were shopping and had found a good deal on an s14 - did you find the going rate to be the same as I noted above?

[nrcooled]

Keeping the s13 was a good choice. &nbsp;I love mine and since the suspension went on I wouldn't trade it for any car (maybe a couple). &nbsp;I have put a lot of work and time into my ride so maybe that is biasing me opinion some. &nbsp;Anyway the s14 is sexy but w/ the proper work to your s13 ::investing the money from s14 to the s13:: you can elimiate the leaks get your hands on a sunroof cover (I have seen them just can't find 'em) and get the sway bars off an SE and you sir will have a worthy car for not alot of money. &nbsp;

But the condition of your car will really make the difference. &nbsp;I was lucky to get a fairly clean '91

[AKADriver]

$4000 seemed to be the low end of S14 prices and the high end of S13 prices, at least right now. &nbsp;I was surprised to see some cheaper S14a's, if I was shopping for a new daily car RIGHT NOW I might pick one up. &nbsp;They'll probably be more expensive when I'm ready to buy in the spring.

Most of the nicer S14s were listed for around $5-6k.

[onefast240]

Can't decide, do what I did. have both an s-13 and s-14. I got my 14 first and stumbled a crossed a family whos daughter had gotten a new car 6 months before i found them and sold me the s-13 for $500 bucks. Only for me to buy another s-13 with 62,000 yes 62,000 miles on it for $200. Some luck huh. Just the fact that your here and posting shows you love 240's so if you can afford it or happen to find ridiculous deals I would get it and keep um both.
Or buy the real deal S14 silvia thats on E-bay. He wants 9200 here and driveable.

[Ni5mo180SX]

I dont know if you can call it "moving up"