College Student Part Time Getting a 240sx

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by Confuzedd

I should take my own advice

Great point. I went looking for IS300's a moment ago & they're very cheap now. Like sub-$6k for a 5spd cheap. But 240's have plummeted in value so much that selling my S14 for such a loss just makes me sad. It's like our diminishing numbers from all the stupid drift kids have had the exact opposite effect that we thought. Instead of value increasing, it's dropping through the damn floor. Guess I'll just keep it.

[hellaslows13]

Originally Posted by simmode1

Great point. I went looking for IS300's a moment ago & they're very cheap now. Like sub-$6k for a 5spd cheap. But 240's have plummeted in value so much that selling my S14 for such a loss just makes me sad. It's like our diminishing numbers from all the stupid drift kids have had the exact opposite effect that we thought. Instead of value increasing, it's dropping through the damn floor. Guess I'll just keep it.

Must be the area.

Here in Cali I have seen 5speed IS300s in decent condition go for $6-10K. 240sx's are INCREASING in value. You can no longer find a decent condition 240sx for less than $3500.. Stock unmolested 240s are dime a dozen and start at AT LEAST $4k..

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by hellaslows13

Must be the area.

Here in Cali I have seen 5speed IS300s in decent condition go for $6-10K. 240sx's are INCREASING in value. You can no longer find a decent condition 240sx for less than $3500.. Stock unmolested 240s are dime a dozen and start at AT LEAST $4k..

This. I almost think people who are saying "240s are losing value" have no idea what the market looked like 10 years ago.


I paid $2,600 for this car. No rust, less than 100,000k. It had custom long tube headers, Spec clutch and lightweight flywheel with B&M shifter.



That's a Unicorn today.


For the OP.

A 240sx is going to be as reliable as any other $2-5k car. The problem is you have reached the maximum service life on these cars. This is true of any car that is +150k miles and +15 years old. Had you bought one new you could have easily driven it for 10 years and 200k miles with just oil changes.

I worked full time, went to college full time and owned a GTI, DSM, FC and ^ this S13 in college. (Not at the same time)

It was rough in many ways. I spent my entire 21st birthday changing the PS pump so I could work the next day. Ran around all day looking for one at a pick-n-pull then all night installing it.

I got stranded one time because the water pump went out and I had to use the phone at a Walmart to call my ex girlfriend for a ride. (People have cell phones today)

I missed class one time because the cat exploded and clogged the exhaust. Ironically the night before I read online about S4s having that problem and dropped the cat... Punched it all out, installed it and vroom, away I went. Catch us, if I didn't know about about exploding cats, it would have had to go to a shop and cost me $$$ I didn't have.


I often think "man, I could have just bought a 350Z new... Had ZERO problems and it would have been paid off for 5 years now...."

Instead I have a finicky modified 240 that still needs work....



^ same car, 10 years later

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by Corbic

This. I almost think people who are saying "240s are losing value" have no idea what the market looked like 10 years ago.

</p>
Been driving 240's for 11 years now. Bought my '93 s13 hatch in 2004 for $2500. Had mismatched wheels, but was otherwise pretty clean. Bought my S14 Zenki in 2009 for $3300, also pretty clean. I can now locally find decent running chuki S13's for $1300 and S14 Zenkis for $2000. I will admit that maybe it is just an area/location thing, because it defies logic that value is decreasing. However, right now is a fantastic time to buy one in Texas. Selling one though? Might wanna wait for the upswing.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by simmode1

</p>
Been driving 240's for 11 years now. Bought my '93 s13 hatch in 2004 for $2500. Had mismatched wheels, but was otherwise pretty clean. Bought my S14 Zenki in 2009 for $3300, also pretty clean. I can now locally find decent running chuki S13's for $1300 and S14 Zenkis for $2000. I will admit that maybe it is just an area/location thing, because it defies logic that value is decreasing. However, right now is a fantastic time to buy one in Texas. Selling one though? Might wanna wait for the upswing.

Had to be. Most the cars here are rusted shut boxes. Search Craig's List Chicago.

I would not call ANY car (not just 240s) under $3k "good daily material". I browse CL all the time and most in that price range are ticking time bombs that really do need $1,500 in parts to keep you from missing work.

Tires, ball joints, struts, water pumps, batteries etc.

[spooled240]

Originally Posted by hellaslows13

Must be the area.

Here in Cali I have seen 5speed IS300s in decent condition go for $6-10K. 240sx's are INCREASING in value. You can no longer find a decent condition 240sx for less than $3500.. Stock unmolested 240s are dime a dozen and start at AT LEAST $4k..

..and it seems a good half of said is300's are salvaged. Is300's are cool, but they feel a lot heavier and sluggish than the 240's. The mileage kinda sucks too. The 4 doors, the standard options and the quieter ride are all nice though.


I've never had a problem with my 240, but I was always working on it to make sure it was maintained. I'd say go for it.

[blueshark123]

Originally Posted by simmode1

Great point. I went looking for IS300's a moment ago & they're very cheap now. Like sub-$6k for a 5spd cheap. But 240's have plummeted in value so much that selling my S14 for such a loss just makes me sad. It's like our diminishing numbers from all the stupid drift kids have had the exact opposite effect that we thought. Instead of value increasing, it's dropping through the damn floor. Guess I'll just keep it.

Stock 240sx have increased a lot from what i see.