Long time 240sx owners (10 years or so)

[amolao]

27 years, proud owner since 1989.

[economix]

14 years and counting, still owning my first 240 - '89 HB with S14 SR20 that I dropped in when I was 22 and hardly had a penny to pinch. Now I'm 35, still working on the car whenever I find time, but shes's come an incredibly long way especially since I have several years of adult money in my pocket now.

Aside from the jackassery that can take place here at times, I love the community. Yes, there are some kids making their rides worse and giving a bad reputation, but you think that doesn't happen in other communities? They're everywhere, ask the Mustang folks (they're actually good people). But you see a lot of promise in this community since it's taken a great platform and tried an immense amount of modifications like crazy motor swaps and other absurd body works to find out what works and what doesn't. we bolt stuff on, take it off, and share our work with others to help provide a free lesson to others and show off our work.

[Crazyced]

I've only owned mine for a little over a year. But I have to disagree with the claim that the 240sx is the new Civic. Drive around and you still see 90's Civics everywhere. I don't know about you guys, but I can count on one hand the amount of times I randomly ran across an S-chassis driving around. Saw one in a Home Depot parking lot the other day and took a picture of it. Because it was nice? Not really. Simply because it was there, on the streets.

Most of the ones I see for sale are unplated/undriven projects. Sadly mine is one of those as well, but I bought it fully aware of that. Got too many plated vehicles already.

But who knows, I might change my mind someday and get the thing back on the street.

[2muchboost]

Bought my first Zenk in 2002. Met up with some guys in NY known as Import Fanatix where they introduced me to several people and shops that were doing work on the 240sx back then. Bought a bunch of parts from Heavy Throttle, Hybrid Dynamics, Jim Wolf etc. Then got the SR bug early 2003 and had a half-cut 180sx shipped over to me (btw from Japan to my uncles shop was $1850 including all taxes and fees....the good ol days). Took everything out including the Ogura Clutch that was in it and dropped it in. Slapped on a Disco Potato turbo and made a whoppin 320rwhp using an Apexi Power FC. Blew that setup up and then rebuilt the SR 2 more times before getting rid of the motor. Sadly I parted the Zenki last year when I moved to TX and now I am back to a bone stock 97 White Kouki with 145k miles on it.....loving the stock car with AC

Hindsight, should have left the 71k original mile KA in there and turboed it but there wasnt much support for it back in those days. Since 2002 I have done an LS swap and 2J besides the 2 fully built SRs.

Originally Posted by BossHogg

Me personally, never was a SR fanboy. I was KA-T all the way, still think its the better option. It definitely is an ugly SOB compared to SR, but I will never swap a 4 cyl for another 4 cyl. That is just dumb. As for the future.....I wouldn't even waste time on a 240, just import a real 180 or silvia. Chances are you will get a cleaner car, with a OEM installed turbo motor, and bolt on parts through out. It will be more initial cost, but a better car in the long run. My opinion.

people are swapping one 4 cyl for another 4 cyl, because one of the 4 cyl sucks shit and idles rough, has weak internals, and does not come with a factory turbo. :-P afterall, not all of us want to deal with reprogramming ecus and upgrading internals, or even custom exhaust manifolds. plus the motor looks tits.

as for owning a genuine 180sx, thats great if you enjoy sitting on the wrong side of the car. something that i plan on never doing. you know, just stating my opinion though....

[Zenkipowered]

Originally Posted by nightwalker

There are a fair amount of long term 240 owners in here. We've pretty much grown up with our 240s and have literally watched the scene change many times over. I'm just curious to hear your opinions on it; how it's changed, what you consider bad, good, and what you think the future holds for the beloved S chassis cars. Thanks. (Please keep it mature)

Owner of 240sx since 2006. which makes it about 10 years now. I was lucky I had great friends and people who helped me in what I consider the "Right way". Had only S14s, every year produced except for 1998.

The good so far? Builds have gotten a lot better and more styles have and are being pioneered in a way. And I hope that will continue, to those who prefer Oem styling thats fine. in the past 8 years of owning a 240 its always been Oem styling and im just a bit over it. dont hate it just like having a kit, especially the one I chose.

the bads? People can be too opinionated these days. Im sure we have all heard this before, but each person at one point in the car scene has or will act cocky, better than others, or talk smack about others. Its okay to have your opinions but important to be respectful. I agree with others in lately its been about the fame game.

Everyone wants to get the next trendy thing to be the star of the web. But this cant be helped (and thats another story). As for building or owning a 240 the bads I see these days are laziness. Not just new kids but adults too who just dont take pride in their ride or responsibility and end up building what online people call "missle/junker cars"

The future? Like the forefathers of the USA or our parents, or grandparents who have done things right in their lives. We need to be guided and taught in the right manner of way. As so called "Veterans" whatever that means, should look to guide and do it in patience and perseverance. But thats what it takes to raise a child, a community. And there will always be children who come in and ruin things but we just need to keep guiding.

As for the 240 market, eventually there will be another affordable chassis we can all afford since we are older now and hopefully make more money. And our 240sx will become what the AE86 is now become since the FRS/BRZ release.

One piece of advice for any newcomers is, build the car for yourself but research and study up the culture and its history. You dont have to please everyone because its your build just do it tastefully.

my rant for the year

[CrimsonRockett]

Originally Posted by ixfxi

people are swapping one 4 cyl for another 4 cyl, because one of the 4 cyl sucks shit and idles rough, has weak internals, and does not come with a factory turbo. :-P afterall, not all of us want to deal with reprogramming ecus and upgrading internals, or even custom exhaust manifolds. plus the motor looks tits.

as for owning a genuine 180sx, thats great if you enjoy sitting on the wrong side of the car. something that i plan on never doing. you know, just stating my opinion though....

I'll have to agree with that.

KA-T takes quite a bit of effort to make it look good. Although I do see plenty of KA-T set ups that are 100% functional, they look terrible. Spark plug wire placement, wiring all over the place, etc.

Quick comparison:

Your average KA-T.


Lots of cleaning up.


Simple, sexy SR.


...but, I have a soft spot for KA-T set ups. The fact that it requires a bit more effort to pull off a clean look. I love that challenge.

Back on topic, I've owned my current S13 for almost 10 years now and no plans of ever getting rid of it. Most parts costing more than the purchase price of the car itself.

[spooled240]

My main gripe with the SR was how expensive they were to swap and build. I remember pricing out a full s14 sr20 swap back in 07 and it was around 6k for a measly 200whp with a fmic and full exhaust.

So instead I built a ka-t putting down 268whp for 3k, and it was really reliable. Just a pain in the ass with all the custom work.

Had the sr20 been as as cheap as they are now I probably would have went that route.

[KoukiKid]

Owned my Kouki since 2005. Although it's had its changes, I, like most on this thread, am aiming to finish it as an OEM+ build. No widebody, no mad camber, just keeping it clean although it isn't at the moment. This car saw me through my crazy driving days of high school, broke young adulthood, and now I finally have a stable enjoy income to start making it nice again.

I dislike how kids can get their hands on these cars and just wreck them, but it'll happen with every cool car a teenager can pick up for $2k and drift the shit out of.

I will say the benefit of the drift craze is that it encourages kids to get out and work with their hands. I think you could argue that this "trend" or whatever has seen more people out workin on cars than ever before. Even if it's half-assed, you can only half-ass something so much before you learn how to do it properly, so I have to give some kind of credit to those out there trying to learn. Luckily, 240's are plentiful enough that it isn't really endangering anything at the moment if someone botches stuff on them.

With that being said, I see the future of 240's just as most classics have ended up. I think finding an unmolested clean car is going to be near impossible here in another decade or two.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Jarom717]

Originally Posted by mogli9000

Nowadays its just a bunch of poor kids with no morals or self respect. They encourage stupidity and ghetto behavior. Street drifting during the day. Godspeed is the best. I love zip ties. JB Weld is the only option.

I stopped working on 240's for customers because of this. Its a great feeling not having to touch an utter piece of shit.The older OG's are still around, but most moved onto Z's, skylines, or left cars completely.

The legit crowd is dwindling. They are still out there, but they are low in numbers. The hoonigan generation has taken over.

man I wish that it still was like the days you described, I feel like since I just started 2 years ago that Im automatically labeled apart of that group. I wish I had started during the time you just described where a noob doesnt get flamed for asking a question online even after doing his best research.

I have a friend who has been in the game for about 7 years and he helped me a lot getting into it and I saw the difference between him and other guys.

[Mister.E]

Originally Posted by ixfxi

as for owning a genuine 180sx, thats great if you enjoy sitting on the wrong side of the car. something that i plan on never doing. you know, just stating my opinion though....

Oddly enough, I really liked driving RHD a lot better. May be a mental thing, but I personally felt more in control with my dominant hand on the steering wheel and my left hand on the shifter.

[silviaks2nr]

I have only driven one RHD car (a classic convertible) but I can't imagine merging on the freeway in a newer RHD hardtop being fun or safe.

[zombiewolf513]

Originally Posted by silviaks2nr

I have only driven one RHD car (a classic convertible) but I can't imagine merging on the freeway in a newer RHD hardtop being fun or safe.

With the way people drive around Phoenix, I'm sure you'd probably do a better job in a RHD car. Because you'd be the only one attempting to pay attention to your surroundings while you merge.

I never thought it was a problem, I look over my shoulder anyway

[jr_ss]

It's nice to see the different perspectives in here. I can honestly say this forum has changed and unfortunately for the worse. My ideals and my car have too changed with the time. I hate being asked if I slide the car, just because I own a 240. I'm hoping a touch of class will follow the fuckboi crowd when they roll out. No plans on going anywhere for awhile although my life and plans continue to evolve.

[Corbic]

Owned mine for 11 years now. Looking to sell it this summer. Sick of it.

[turboshoebox]

Originally Posted by spooled240

My main gripe with the SR was how expensive they were to swap and build. I remember pricing out a full s14 sr20 swap back in 07 and it was around 6k for a measly 200whp with a fmic and full exhaust.

So instead I built a ka-t putting down 268whp for 3k, and it was really reliable. Just a pain in the ass with all the custom work.

Had the sr20 been as as cheap as they are now I probably would have went that route.

I did a basic s14 kouki sr20 swap in 2003 for a 6k including full clip and labor. Included was nismo motor mounts, trust turbo elbow, blitz down pipe, tomei fuel pump and new water pump.

So what you are saying if i did this same swap today it would been way less?

[KAT-PWR]

Only 6 years here. No plans to sell the car.... Ever.

[ILoveJDM]

owner of multiple schassis' for 13 years,

Its pretty easy for me to step up to an s15/jzx100 etc. but I just keep coming back to s13's.

I am pretty salty how no one gave a shit about bomex/aero marker mirrors 2 years ago and not really before that either, and now they sell for 300+. It was hard for me to sell my old pair for $150. Canadian. Shipped.

and blitz 03's. I remember when you could get a shitty set for $900 not too long ago, same with model v's.

[turboshoebox]

how much are S15's going for in canada right now in USD?

[zombiewolf513]

Spec S about $7.5-9k. Spec R around $11-13k

[turboshoebox]

God damn!!! That is so reasonable.

[DJTTon]

Originally Posted by Corbic

Owned mine for 11 years now. Looking to sell it this summer. Sick of it.

Cant tell if troll or not, but PM me if you really are. Im looking for a new replacement

[biggie]

21 years of S13 ownership. Love the cars, hate the new dumb trends with them.

I've only had 3 of them as well. Wonder sometimes how people can mess up so many of them in such a short time.

[spooled240]

Originally Posted by turboshoebox

I did a basic s14 kouki sr20 swap in 2003 for a 6k including full clip and labor. Included was nismo motor mounts, trust turbo elbow, blitz down pipe, tomei fuel pump and new water pump.

So what you are saying if i did this same swap today it would been way less?

You had to have acquired the clip for a steal with cheap labor. 2003? The koukis were only about 6 years old lol the parts you just listed were probably close to a grand alone. Did you not include a radiator, clutch, fmic and gauges? That also adds up.

I remember an s14 sr20 swap in 2007 was about 5k. I added a grand for a fmic and exhaust (which easily could have been more) I didnt add labor since I was going to do it myself. Full clips (especially kouki) were probably over 7500 and thats if you didnt have to pay for shipping. Hell, I'll bet they're still at least 5k before shipping.

Nowadays you can get a s14 sr20 for 2000-2500 and theres a plethora of cheap used parts floating around since many people either blew them up, decided to swap it out for something else, or both.

[DJTTon]

Originally Posted by spooled240

You had to have acquired the clip for a steal with cheap labor. 2003? The koukis were only about 6 years old lol the parts you just listed were probably close to a grand alone. Did you not include a radiator, clutch, fmic and gauges? That also adds up.

I remember an s14 sr20 swap in 2007 was about 5k. I added a grand for a fmic and exhaust (which easily could have been more) I didnt add labor since I was going to do it myself. Full clips (especially kouki) were probably over 7500 and thats if you didnt have to pay for shipping. Hell, I'll bet they're still at least 5k before shipping.

Nowadays you can get a s14 sr20 for 2000-2500 and theres a plethora of cheap used parts floating around since many people either blew them up, decided to swap it out for something else, or both.

But in what condition though? Minus the blown up ones

[DJTTon]

BTW any #240orzilvia vets in the Chicagoland area?

[CamryOnBronze]

Originally Posted by ILoveJDM

and blitz 03's. I remember when you could get a shitty set for $900 not too long ago, same with model v's.

Man, I miss cheap Blitz 03s. I think I had ten of them at one point, sold all but the 4 I kept to rebuild and ended up with a few hundred in my pocket. I put about $1700 into them to have them rebuilt and then sold them for $2700. Now even the worst condition pair with poor sizes sells for $900 easily.

I feel like one of these "I've been here a super long time and everything sucks now, I am more OG than you, etc." threads pops up about once a week at this point, but I don't mind it because it stirs up discussion in an online community that has otherwise slowed down drastically in the last couple years (through no fault of its own- things have just moved to forums and more mobile-friendly mediums like Instagram.)

As for the whole "Kids are ruining these cars and I hate the community/these cars now" thing, that's never made a lot of sense to me. Sure, it can be frustrating, but it's always been this way. People were complaining about similar things in 2008 when I bought my S13 and will continue to complain about whatever the newest trend is as they grow older. It's just the way it works.

I've had a few friends say they want to sell their car because of dumb kids owning them. Who cares? Just build your car and enjoy it. Do what suits YOU and you'll enjoy it so much more. A larger mentality or what young kids are doing with the same chassis shouldn't change your enjoyment of the hobby. I get that it can be frustrating, but I haven't let it ruin anything for me.

And yes, my plan is to actually KEEP my S13 this time around. After trying my hand at a couple other platforms it's just the car I enjoy owning and tinkering with the most. Definitely going to be my old man machine.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by DJTTon

Cant tell if troll or not, but PM me if you really are. Im looking for a new replacement

Not trolling

[spooled240]

Originally Posted by DJTTon

But in what condition though? Minus the blown up ones

Usually good condition. At least that's what the owners will say or show with a compression test. Importers around me will charge around $2800 for a nice kouki sr. Zenki's should be a little cheaper.

The point I'm making is this stuff has drastically gone down in price over the past 10 years. I think it's because there aren't very many people that are willing to drop a good amount of money on these cars anymore.. and those that do are more willing to do a LS swap, etc.

[Mister.E]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

It's nice to see the different perspectives in here. I can honestly say this forum has changed and unfortunately for the worse. My ideals and my car have too changed with the time. I hate being asked if I slide the car, just because I own a 240. I'm hoping a touch of class will follow the fuckboi crowd when they roll out. No plans on going anywhere for awhile although my life and plans continue to evolve.

Judging by the responses in this thread, I think there will be a few of us some years from now that still have our 240's. We can then organize a US S-Chassis meet in which the 10-12 surviving cars will show up and discuss fuckboy behavior in the ancient online community and laugh at ourselves for still having these cars.