Daily Driver? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

DjBaMBaM · 01-15-2002, 03:35 AM

Deciding between the 240sx S14 or MR2 Turbo. Liek both body styles, but tend to like 240 more cause I've always wanted a Silvia! Mind you, what I plan to do is later on, but in addition an Rx-7 3rd gen to accompany my 240. Gotta love both cars <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>. Honestly, which car would you guys wholeheartedly recommend? Anybody have any MR2 experience?

Heard they were a bi*ch to work on due to the mid-engine placement. Have to take off turbos before anything is reachable. Plus I'm a semi-newbie when it comes to cars and I don't think starting off with an MR2 is going to help any which is why I think the 240 is the best car to go with for the price and the fun factor <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>.

(Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:44 am on Jan. 15, 2002)

DuffMan · 01-15-2002, 03:39 AM

S14 will be cheaper to maintain, and probably cost less to buy (assuming equal milage). MR2 turbo would obviously be faster, but if it's only a daily driver, that might not be as important. If you buy an FD than pretty much every other stock car will seem slow. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

DjBaMBaM · 01-15-2002, 03:49 AM

I like that combination. I'm going to go chill for awhile on mr2 faw board and see what i can dig up about them. But to put it in a nutchell, how come you say the MR2 will be better?

(Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:52 am on Jan. 15, 2002)

*DSC* · 01-15-2002, 06:26 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from DjBaMBaM on 3:49 am on Jan. 15, 2002
I like that combination. I'm going to go chill for awhile on mr2 faw board and see what i can dig up about them. But to put it in a nutchell, how come you say the MR2 will be better?

(Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:52 am on Jan. 15, 2002)
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>It'd be faster stock for stock cauz its turbo and the 240 isn't.

NOSfEDs12vh45dett · 01-15-2002, 09:44 AM

Yeap, try getting turbo out of one when it's blown, and try will be faster stock, if the 240 not, get a SR20DET.

anyone know the main comparison(stats) between the 3s-gte vs the SR20DET say 92'

tnord · 01-15-2002, 09:44 AM

2 of my good friends have MR2 turbo's so i can tell you a bit about them.  In stock form, i wouldn't say they are bad daily drivers, but they can't haul much if that's an issue.  In reference to reliability, it's a toyota, it's reliable.  But when something does break, it is a pain in the ass to repair. I have watched both my friends by these two cars stock, and turn them into insanely fast street machines.  The MR2's potential is much higher than the USDM 240, but if this is to be your daily car that might not be an issue for you.  One of the two guy's MR2 is pushin about 275 (yes he dyno'd it) to the wheels on a stock turbo and handles like nothin you've ever seen.  If it were me, i would get a 240, and i am definitely not biased.  Hope that helps.

Ni5mo180SX · 01-15-2002, 08:53 PM

If I were you, id probably go with the MR2 based on the fact that you'd have a pretty quick car without needing to get too technical and the 3SGTE's reliabilty. I work at Toyota and I honestly cant remember any 3SG(T)E motors coming in for serious work.

chickenmanq · 01-15-2002, 09:03 PM

Yeah, but turbos do wear out, and since the car's older, there's a good chance you'll need to replace it sooner or later.  I'd go with the 240sx for reliability, but I do like the MR2 better.  Smaller, better placement.  Also harder to work on.  Kinda depends on whether or not you're a do-it-yourselfer.

Ni5mo180SX · 01-15-2002, 09:11 PM

It all depends on the cars history. Just cause things wear out doesnt mean you shouldnt buy them. Ok a 240s pistons wear out, maybe thats a reason you shouldnt buy one. I personally consider the 240 ahead of the MR2 and in certain areas ahead of it by leaps and bounds but for the beginner that doesnt have too much know how, I dont think it would be a good idea to get themselves involved in a 240. But thats my opinion. Try driving both and see which one suits your style better. And you might as well cross the RX7 out of there too. Its almost impossible to find one with a motor in decent shape. Trust me im still looking. lol

Klah Kalash · 01-15-2002, 09:21 PM

Personally, for daily driving, i'd definately take the s14, otherwise, the MR2-T would be great for performance..
My cousin owns two MR2 turbos(one runs a 12.6, the other a 13.4)

Anubis · 01-15-2002, 10:10 PM

It would be fun to do an engine swap on an RX7, put in a supra engine or something. well whatever.

tnord · 01-15-2002, 10:17 PM

rx-7 swap? you can't do that, that car is so great because of the inherently lightweight coming from the small rotary engine, remember, reducing weight helps acceleration, braking, and handling

*DSC* · 01-15-2002, 10:26 PM

I think as far as rx7 swaps go, they just put in more engines <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I heard of 3 in 1 car :o heh, how about the new ones that the US will never see <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> they come with 2 engines don't they?

*AceInHole* · 01-15-2002, 10:39 PM

DSC... are you talking about the rotaries??? like how the 13b is a 2 rotor engine, and the 20b is a 3 rotor???

Ni5mo180SX · 01-18-2002, 11:14 PM

lol two engines. Yea there was an RX7 with Supra motor in Turbo magazine. But they said that the cars only good for straight line because of the weight balance and they couldnt even get a hood on the car(?!?) which is pretty gay unless its for drag only. The 13B's an excellent motor if tuned right and fickle if used incorrectly.

*AceInHole* · 01-18-2002, 11:18 PM

13B's in the FC's are always blown though... I wanted a '91 FC (they had the circle tail lights) turbo but couldn't find one in good condition so I settled for a 240sx... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>   plus I needed a back seat... i guess.

duderiffic · 01-19-2002, 12:10 AM

Hey man,
    I have little experince with MR-2 cars, but I have driven on.  Performance is unreal for the price, but @ 6'3" I could barely fit in the #### thing!! And what fun is hauling ass when you're machine packed into a vechile?  Not too much!! A 95-96 S14 seems small to me too! But my 98 has just the right amount of room.

Is that just my imagination or is the 97-98 with different seats a lot more roomy than the 95-96?

Jeff

JeffNJ · 01-21-2002, 08:27 AM

Why didn't I reply to this one sooner?  Man, oh man.

Okay, you need to buy whatever you want for your fun car.  The 240, the MR2, doesn't matter.  Drive it on weekends, on dates, etc, etc.

For your daily driver, you need a black '88 Accord LXi with manual tranny, 100k miles, and all the options (including power moonroof) that anyone could ever ask for, and a tan interior.  Now, that .. that is a commuter car.

"Oh, but wise Jeff, where ever would I find such a beautiful ride?" I know you are all asking yourselves.

Have no fear!  I would not let you down.  It just so turns out (coincidently enough) that my father is selling one.  Fancy that.  Anyway, he wants $3.3k because that's full KBB value, and the thing <i>is</i> in meticulously immaculate condition.  But I bet he'd take less if you offered it.  I mean, hypothetically.  =)

ps: It's in Wykoff, NJ (that's in Bergen County).

thewholefnshow · 01-21-2002, 01:48 PM

Get an old FC and put in a tri rotor... that will decimate all and cost less... before the swap. Those tri rotor engines push 500 hp like nothing, and they are ten times the engine the dual rotor is... but wait, you were looking 240 or mr2 right? Well, mr2s are rarer, and even harder to find parts for, as well as weighty.. plus they are two seaters, they are wicked googly fast and look nice as #### but ... so is an s14 with an sr20 and 300 worth of turbo, electic, and intercooling options...

Takumi · 01-21-2002, 03:04 PM

If you want an RX-7, be prepared to have your car sitting on your driveway doing nothing or sitting at a shop because shit tends to break after a while. Reliability is an issue. Yea, it's great for telling people, "Yea, I have an RX-7 and it's fast", but if it ain't going nowhere, it ain't worth it. RX-7 turbos seem like weekend cars rather than something you depend on to commute to and from work or school. The MR-2, well, the mid-engine is a bit hard to work with and the aftermarket parts for 'em cost more than most cars. Fun cars nontheless and have TONS of potential to be extremely fast street cars, plus they look SO #### nice. They're just not too practical for anyone new to cars to tune. Now the 240SX, slow in it's stock form, the only way you can get it to "truely" go fast is a turbo kit or an SR20DET. Other than that, it's also a fun car to drive, cheaper than the other cars you were considering, and easier to maintain and work on.

*shrug*

01-15-2002, 03:35 AM	#1
DjBaMBaM Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 30 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Deciding between the 240sx S14 or MR2 Turbo. Liek both body styles, but tend to like 240 more cause I've always wanted a Silvia! Mind you, what I plan to do is later on, but in addition an Rx-7 3rd gen to accompany my 240. Gotta love both cars <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>. Honestly, which car would you guys wholeheartedly recommend? Anybody have any MR2 experience? Heard they were a bi*ch to work on due to the mid-engine placement. Have to take off turbos before anything is reachable. Plus I'm a semi-newbie when it comes to cars and I don't think starting off with an MR2 is going to help any which is why I think the 240 is the best car to go with for the price and the fun factor <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. (Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:44 am on Jan. 15, 2002)

01-15-2002, 03:39 AM	#2
DuffMan Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in a cardboard box Posts: 2,517 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	S14 will be cheaper to maintain, and probably cost less to buy (assuming equal milage). MR2 turbo would obviously be faster, but if it's only a daily driver, that might not be as important. If you buy an FD than pretty much every other stock car will seem slow. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

01-15-2002, 03:49 AM	#3
DjBaMBaM Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 30 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I like that combination. I'm going to go chill for awhile on mr2 faw board and see what i can dig up about them. But to put it in a nutchell, how come you say the MR2 will be better? (Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:52 am on Jan. 15, 2002)

01-15-2002, 06:26 AM	#4
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from DjBaMBaM on 3:49 am on Jan. 15, 2002 I like that combination. I'm going to go chill for awhile on mr2 faw board and see what i can dig up about them. But to put it in a nutchell, how come you say the MR2 will be better? (Edited by DjBaMBaM at 2:52 am on Jan. 15, 2002) </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>It'd be faster stock for stock cauz its turbo and the 240 isn't.

01-15-2002, 09:44 AM	#5
NOSfEDs12vh45dett Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 92 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeap, try getting turbo out of one when it's blown, and try will be faster stock, if the 240 not, get a SR20DET. anyone know the main comparison(stats) between the 3s-gte vs the SR20DET say 92'

01-15-2002, 09:44 AM	#6
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2 of my good friends have MR2 turbo's so i can tell you a bit about them.  In stock form, i wouldn't say they are bad daily drivers, but they can't haul much if that's an issue.  In reference to reliability, it's a toyota, it's reliable.  But when something does break, it is a pain in the ass to repair. I have watched both my friends by these two cars stock, and turn them into insanely fast street machines.  The MR2's potential is much higher than the USDM 240, but if this is to be your daily car that might not be an issue for you.  One of the two guy's MR2 is pushin about 275 (yes he dyno'd it) to the wheels on a stock turbo and handles like nothin you've ever seen.  If it were me, i would get a 240, and i am definitely not biased.  Hope that helps.

01-15-2002, 08:53 PM	#7
Ni5mo180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Orange County Posts: 423 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If I were you, id probably go with the MR2 based on the fact that you'd have a pretty quick car without needing to get too technical and the 3SGTE's reliabilty. I work at Toyota and I honestly cant remember any 3SG(T)E motors coming in for serious work.

01-15-2002, 09:03 PM	#8
chickenmanq Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,000 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, but turbos do wear out, and since the car's older, there's a good chance you'll need to replace it sooner or later.  I'd go with the 240sx for reliability, but I do like the MR2 better.  Smaller, better placement.  Also harder to work on.  Kinda depends on whether or not you're a do-it-yourselfer.

01-15-2002, 09:11 PM	#9
Ni5mo180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Orange County Posts: 423 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It all depends on the cars history. Just cause things wear out doesnt mean you shouldnt buy them. Ok a 240s pistons wear out, maybe thats a reason you shouldnt buy one. I personally consider the 240 ahead of the MR2 and in certain areas ahead of it by leaps and bounds but for the beginner that doesnt have too much know how, I dont think it would be a good idea to get themselves involved in a 240. But thats my opinion. Try driving both and see which one suits your style better. And you might as well cross the RX7 out of there too. Its almost impossible to find one with a motor in decent shape. Trust me im still looking. lol

01-15-2002, 09:21 PM	#10
Klah Kalash Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 39 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Personally, for daily driving, i'd definately take the s14, otherwise, the MR2-T would be great for performance.. My cousin owns two MR2 turbos(one runs a 12.6, the other a 13.4)

01-15-2002, 10:10 PM	#11
Anubis BANNED Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Age: 39 Posts: 990 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It would be fun to do an engine swap on an RX7, put in a supra engine or something. well whatever.

01-15-2002, 10:17 PM	#12
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	rx-7 swap? you can't do that, that car is so great because of the inherently lightweight coming from the small rotary engine, remember, reducing weight helps acceleration, braking, and handling

01-15-2002, 10:26 PM	#13
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think as far as rx7 swaps go, they just put in more engines <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I heard of 3 in 1 car :o heh, how about the new ones that the US will never see <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'> they come with 2 engines don't they?

01-15-2002, 10:39 PM	#14
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 44 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	DSC... are you talking about the rotaries??? like how the 13b is a 2 rotor engine, and the 20b is a 3 rotor???

01-18-2002, 11:14 PM	#15
Ni5mo180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Orange County Posts: 423 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	lol two engines. Yea there was an RX7 with Supra motor in Turbo magazine. But they said that the cars only good for straight line because of the weight balance and they couldnt even get a hood on the car(?!?) which is pretty gay unless its for drag only. The 13B's an excellent motor if tuned right and fickle if used incorrectly.

01-18-2002, 11:18 PM	#16
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 44 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	13B's in the FC's are always blown though... I wanted a '91 FC (they had the circle tail lights) turbo but couldn't find one in good condition so I settled for a 240sx... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>   plus I needed a back seat... i guess.

01-19-2002, 12:10 AM	#17
duderiffic Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bay Area (Sunnyvale) Age: 43 Posts: 464 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hey man,     I have little experince with MR-2 cars, but I have driven on.  Performance is unreal for the price, but @ 6'3" I could barely fit in the #### thing!! And what fun is hauling ass when you're machine packed into a vechile?  Not too much!! A 95-96 S14 seems small to me too! But my 98 has just the right amount of room. Is that just my imagination or is the 97-98 with different seats a lot more roomy than the 95-96? Jeff

01-21-2002, 08:27 AM	#18
JeffNJ Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 550 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Why didn't I reply to this one sooner?  Man, oh man. Okay, you need to buy whatever you want for your fun car.  The 240, the MR2, doesn't matter.  Drive it on weekends, on dates, etc, etc. For your daily driver, you need a black '88 Accord LXi with manual tranny, 100k miles, and all the options (including power moonroof) that anyone could ever ask for, and a tan interior.  Now, that .. that is a commuter car. "Oh, but wise Jeff, where ever would I find such a beautiful ride?" I know you are all asking yourselves. Have no fear!  I would not let you down.  It just so turns out (coincidently enough) that my father is selling one.  Fancy that.  Anyway, he wants $3.3k because that's full KBB value, and the thing <i>is</i> in meticulously immaculate condition.  But I bet he'd take less if you offered it.  I mean, hypothetically.  =) ps: It's in Wykoff, NJ (that's in Bergen County).

01-21-2002, 01:48 PM	#19
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Get an old FC and put in a tri rotor... that will decimate all and cost less... before the swap. Those tri rotor engines push 500 hp like nothing, and they are ten times the engine the dual rotor is... but wait, you were looking 240 or mr2 right? Well, mr2s are rarer, and even harder to find parts for, as well as weighty.. plus they are two seaters, they are wicked googly fast and look nice as #### but ... so is an s14 with an sr20 and 300 worth of turbo, electic, and intercooling options...

01-21-2002, 03:04 PM	#20
Takumi Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Age: 43 Posts: 836 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you want an RX-7, be prepared to have your car sitting on your driveway doing nothing or sitting at a shop because shit tends to break after a while. Reliability is an issue. Yea, it's great for telling people, "Yea, I have an RX-7 and it's fast", but if it ain't going nowhere, it ain't worth it. RX-7 turbos seem like weekend cars rather than something you depend on to commute to and from work or school. The MR-2, well, the mid-engine is a bit hard to work with and the aftermarket parts for 'em cost more than most cars. Fun cars nontheless and have TONS of potential to be extremely fast street cars, plus they look SO #### nice. They're just not too practical for anyone new to cars to tune. Now the 240SX, slow in it's stock form, the only way you can get it to "truely" go fast is a turbo kit or an SR20DET. Other than that, it's also a fun car to drive, cheaper than the other cars you were considering, and easier to maintain and work on. shrug