You got a job, you make the bills, why are you driving a 240sx?

[simmode1]

I keep the 240 around because even though I can afford a newer sports car like a 335i, I'd constantly be too worried about beating on it because it would surely be my daily driver and only car.

Additionally, while I love sporty coupes, I'm starting a family so I need some bigger & more practical like a truck or SUV. The cheapass 240 will hang around to serve as my weekend car/disposable little whipping dog to beat on whenever I want to cut loose.

But there is also no reason I also wouldn't substitute the 240 for some other equally disposable 80's or 90's FR or MR sports car like Miata, MR2 turbo, MKIII Supra turbo or turbo Z31. They're all about the same price range.

[Bobafreak]

I got rid of both s13 s14s recently. I just grew up and got tired of tickets. Im happy with my Lexus but since part investments are adding up alot into that now. I would like to get a dd and keep the mileage low on the Lexus. So now i may look for a s14 to dd. Nothing fancy. Not even coils and wheels. just a standard daily. Shit i may buy a civic 4 dr. Cant beat a full tank for 25.00.

[Silverbullet]

I simply can't afford a high end sports car like an M3 or GTR with my current budgeting, or atleast can't justify that type of spending on an automobile.

Most of my salary from my job goes to my real estate ventures, and the rest are spent on personal bills, and going out to eat and such (i eat out a lot). I'm also trying to save up to go backpacking in Europe after I decide to quit my job.

I figure my S13 will provide as much satisfaction as a high end vehicle, and is much cheaper to maintain. Truth of the matter is I don't even have that much money to finish my 240 as I'm just focused on other stuff in my life.

It all has to do with one's focus. If my focus is all about cars. Yeah, i could easily have that M3 or 911 or be running a competetive drift program (which was my plan after graduation while i was in college), but I find more value and personal gratification working on my entrepreneurial ventures, which is buying rental houses currently. I'm content with dailying my E39, with a drift car side proj.

[dudermagee]

My 240 is more powerful, handles better, and is more reliable than any other comparable newer car that I would buy\afford.

[tiggertsi]

i've always liked 240's. always wanted one, always heard how good they handled out of the box. after getting one i can see why there is an attraction to these cars. and with that being said i honestly believe in another 5 - 10 years these cars will be considered "classics", of which i have owned and driven many cars that are considered just that.

[Chronicle]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Overall, the Gallardo handles about the same but it is quite a bit faster in a straight line.

Do you really think so? If so, that really puts things in perspective to how great the S Chassis really is as a base. I'm certain you had quite a bit of suspension work before you made the trade though.

[t_rempel]

^might want to reread the entire post you quoted.

I still drive mine because it's cheap, fun, and it has a lot of sentimental value for my wife and I. Aside from that, whenever I've considered moving on, I always return from test drives liking my car even more.

[Chronicle]

Originally Posted by t_rempel

^might want to reread the entire post you quoted.

I still drive mine because it's cheap, fun, and it has a lot of sentimental value for my wife and I. Aside from that, whenever I've considered moving on, I always return from test drives liking my car even more.

I mean, "Megan racing suspension" is still kind of vague.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by Chronicle

I mean, "Megan racing suspension" is still kind of vague.

I had all that megan shit on my car, arms, coilovers, the works. Gonna see if they make suspension parts for the gallardo. Already contacted godspeed and those fools dont. Pretty upsetting cuz I was hoping to have some baller suspension to go with my Lambo.

[sw20>>s14]

I've gotten a few more cars since getting my most recent S14 in late 2006. Logic would argue that I should sell it and move on. Especially since I plan on adding another one to the stable in the near future.

I put a good amount of work into my S14, but I'm not gonna lie and act like it was a lot because a lot of you guys and your builds put me to shame.

I love my 240 and it still puts a smile on my face, but to be ABSOLUTELY honest, the underlying reason why I can't let go of mine is because I don't want it going to a fickle and trendy hipster that's going to put a roof rack on it, or sticker bomb the interior, or pull the fenders to shit until it looks like a half eaten onion ring, or purposely rust the hood, or dump the shit out of it so him and his friends can have a dick measuring contest of who's the lowest, etc.

THAT is my main motivator for holding onto it for dear life.

[e1_griego]

Originally Posted by dudermagee

My 240 is more powerful, handles better, and is more reliable than any other comparable newer car that I would buy\afford.

This is how I try to rationalize it, too.

And ultimately, if I ball it up, it's relatively cheap/easy to do a chassis swap.

[IIIXziuR]

Thanks for the advices, guys.
I guess I need to get motivated.
I'm going nowhere in life.

[Def]

I could probably buy something quicker if I really wanted to, but I like to keep my hobby pretty cheap relatively speaking. Plus it's fun to tinker with the 240. I don't think twice about plasma cutting some stuff on it and breaking out the welder, which I enjoy. I wouldn't do that quite as easily on say a C6 Z06.

I have thought a few times about getting an FD3S, as I've always loved them, but I think it'd lose the cheap and easy to replace thing. Like my S13 caught on fire at the track - it sucked bad, but really wasn't that expensive to bring it back (which shall happen very soon).

[xBtony]

Because it makes me smile. No other reason. I've had fast cars, comfy cars, nice clean cars, luxury cars, with heated seats and amazing ac and none of them made me smile as much as driving my shit box of a 240.

[ejkisela]

I am an old man. I have been into cars since I could remember and driving/racing them since I was 16. S chassis wise, I have had one since 2001, different ones from CA19 gt3037s to the current SR TD06 20g sometimes T67 25G. I also had a missile red one up till this month; sold it to my broher. I don't drive mine everyday, I have a comfortable daily van for that.

It's a throw back for me. I am a ae86 guy (still have one) but love all cars. Like some of the above, I buy all stuff in cash. I have the ae86, 180sx, HiAce, Roadster, and a 00 spec Integra R.

I like the sound, the feel. The chassis is a little flexy, but with all the solid points in the suspension, it feels a lot better.

I like having purpose cars, so I guess that's why I have a few of them at any given time. I too thought about purchasing the new 86, but the motor is a deterrent for me. The rear seats are small too. Providing I have a seven year old, space back there is a necessity.

We live within our means. We invest, we have a faily large house that we own in Japan, and we are both professionals so it makes living a little easier. The cars are just toys to have fun.

I have always been told don't daily your race/beat up/otherwise hoon car. I have tried to stick to that for 22 years. I have always had at least two cars at one point.

Botoom line, they are like putting legos together and they don't break often. Awesome cost/performance ratio. Sr with some cams and a bolt on turbo is a great motor. Hell even stock they can do almost everthing you want them to do, and chassis is capable.

[Mikester]

^^Sui???^^

I had a grip into my 180SX in Okinawa; and decided to strip it & bring everything home when I came back stateside in 2008. Since then, I've had the motor fully built; and completely re-did the 240 hatch I bought here (except for exterior- which is next) inside & from the wheels-up... It's not a daily- It's a garage queen I refer to as my fun-mobile...

It's a great way to blow off steam and a lot of fun to drive. Fully redone/improved interior, all the comforts including AC & a 400+hp SR under the hood. I drive a modest, paid-for 2004 Solara as a daily (33mpg @75mph on the freeway!) which has been virtually maintenance-free- and our 3rd car is a BMW 330i E90 sedan with all the bells & whistles.

I make more than enough to support the 240 now that I'm over the hump of buying everything I wanted for it... Knowing what I know now, I would have sold out & bought a used M3... but being as deep into the fun-mobile as I am these days; there's no real turning back lol

Besides, there is a certain amount of comfort in having a toy that I am intimately familiar with. Albeit- I'm 42 & getting to the point where working on cars is not the great fun it used to be. THIS is why I'm glad to be nearly ready to have the body work done and fully enjoy it.

[fliprayzin240sx]

In the larger scheme of things...I dont have a car payment. Sure I've spend money on the car but it doesnt add up in my head to the depreciation value of buying a newer car, making payments on it and by the time you pay it off, its value is less than half what you paid for it. I myself is in that cross road right now. My S14 is put back together, putting decent enough power (420whp), wheels, suspension. It needs paint but dont really care too much about that. What kills me about the car is the lil things. It needs a new rack, tie rod ends, replace the rear window since the previous owner pulled all the defroster elements off and I'd need to fix the leaking rear quarter glass. I think I'm just more tired of working on it than anything else. Just need to accept that these cars are not gonna be perfect since they're simply old.

If I decide to replace it, I want either a G37 coupe($25-30K) or a C6 Z06($37-45K), but the whole car payment thing is whats keeping me away.

[nathanong87]

Originally Posted by IIIXziuR

How are you guys so successful at life.
I don't understand.

you, buy a ferrari.

[240sxfan6882]

I've had mine since 2003 and i've added quite a bit of money to the engine/turbo/build. I still have just under 100k miles on the chassis, and the interior needs to be put back together and it needs paint again... but I sort don't care anymore. I just drive it everywhere and it has been reliable.

I really love it sometimes when I just boost it up and it feels so light, but when I get into newer vehicles I love the technology and more luxuries of modern stuff (maybe i've outgrown it after 10 years).
I'm looking at a BMW M235i and keeping an eye for 2015 STI or something new... but when I think of selling it I almost cringe at the thought.

It's a love/hate thing/

[dudermagee]

If I got rid of my S14 for some reason, I would be getting a 240z.

[double zero]

Originally Posted by BossHogg

lol same here. Cash is king. College is overrated. The s13 to me has sentimental value and it is really one of the only cars I even like period. I have had a s13 in my life for 21 years. I wouldn't call my self a car guy so to speak. I just like what I like and that is it, mostly nissans and a few other makes/models. But my s13 is my second hobby. Stacking cash and investing is my first. I get more satisfaction watching my accounts grow than satisfying short term happiness with car stuff. Determination and discipline keep me from wiping out my shit with over the top car stuff that will just be old in 10 years. I try to keep a happy medium. Might as well wait till the right time comes to get a new expensive project car. My philosophy is a 2018 GTR will most likely be better than a 2013. So just wait it out and take care of business. My s13 will be more than fun enough to hold me over in the mean time. Sometimes yahoo japan makes things reeeeal hard though lol. Once this car is "done" (for the most part) it will be straight investing from there on out. Keeps me motivated. Live like a bum now only to retire early and do whatever the hell you want later. That is how I see life. Stay single my friend, and don't have kids.

you sir speak the truth!!

[spooled240]

If you have to ask, then sell it.

For me it was never an option to sell my s14 because it is car which is of great sentimental value to me.

[cured13]

because still cannot afford this

having job means working for minimum pay these days, even with College diploma in computer field.

[AFSil80]

$30k can get you a couple decent cars, really.

You can do the dumb thing and get a new STi...or do the smart thing and get a 996 Turbo.

[Silverbullet]

Originally Posted by AFSil80

$30k can get you a couple decent cars, really.

You can do the dumb thing and get a new STi...or do the smart thing and get a 996 Turbo.

A new STi you can beat over and over w/out problems for a while and is financable.

The 996 and older will req maint and repairs at this point.

[tricky_ab]

Um, I don't know... I always liked the look of S-Chassis cars since I had seen them sliding in the VHS Option video days.

There's two cars that I'd end up owning, and I already bought one. Next on the list is a BNR34.

For me, the parts are plenty. Its nice having the option of a large parts catalog that you can select from. I can buy things locally or import them from J-Land. There's still a lot of parts manufactures releasing/updating items.

Nice looking cars are still coming out of the woodwork, and in general...the community is still large.

[AFSil80]

Originally Posted by Silverbullet

A new STi you can beat over and over w/out problems for a while and is financable.

The 996 and older will req maint and repairs at this point.

You can get a low mileage 996 for under 30k. And Porsche's have the reputation of having the least mechanical issues compared to all other manufacturers. Like anything else...you take care of it, it'll take care of you.

Also, if you finance a car, you're gonna end up paying more than that window sticker price in the end. As Mike (seasons) was saying earlier, it's better to just throw down cash.

[K_style]

Because I am an addict.

[collegekid]

New cars aren't worth shit after you pay them off. My friend bought a scion Tc with so many options and he will end up paying about 38k. Car is worth less than 20k now even with his low miles.

I could have taken the easy route and just gotten a FRS/BRZ. I still am thinking about it. But I am still in college. I have some government loans to pay off.

My S14 has everything it needs to run but I am choosing to take my time and do everything 100% correct. I am still considering having the car dipped just so every inch gets new paint.

I also like it because If I ever am in need of money, I can sell off some parts and just use that since the shell is worthless. If I had a new car I would have to sell it and that would suck ass.

My s14 is only worth it to me, and that is what I find so beautiful. Maybe later down the road I will buy a new sports car like a Brz or a new silvia if they ever make one.
I also am a firm believer in either buying a new car straight cash or just buying some old pos in cash.

[imotion s14]

People with money lease their cars.