Long time 240sx owners (10 years or so)

[DJTTon]

And as the years pass on, less and less cars will show up. Each one of them offing as veteran war survivors.

[lunchmeat]

Originally Posted by DJTTon

And as the years pass on, less and less cars will show up. Each one of them offing as veteran war survivors.

And without aftermarket support for body panels, electronics, interior bits and such, junk yards will be picked clean.

[JesusFreakDrifter]

Originally Posted by DJTTon

And as the years pass on, less and less cars will show up. Each one of them offing as veteran war survivors.

this...and the price comes along with that.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by lunchmeat

And without aftermarket support for body panels, electronics, interior bits and such, junk yards will be picked clean.

Haven't seen a 240 in a junk yard in 3-4 years now.

[lunchmeat]

I've only seen a handful of them, mostly S13s.

Guess we're fucked already.

[DJTTon]

I actually saw one in a Chicago pick n pull (I did some salvaging myself on it), it was not until this day that I realize how rare that was

[GoodShow]

I have had my s14 for more than 10 years , would have been 12 years if a drunk didnt hit me and total the first one.

I don't blame young kids for making the new scene crap. (It is actually getting much better these past few years)

I whole heartily blame zilvia and the moderators that abolished the rep system. If youve had your car from more than 5 years you would remember how good you would feel when Mr Meph/ Bh OR anyone else that you looked up to ( by this I mean had a cool car or treated people with respect) gave you positive rep, and how you hated having negative rep, it was almost like a real life reputation, if you said something stupid or disrespected people be prepared for negative rep. I think that kept the hoonigan style shit at bay, but once it became about the trader rep, I noticed a huge change with with newer members on here.

All of my friends have been some how connected to cars, and my whole life has been affected one way or another.

I was so happy to have a s14 zenki 12 years ago when most people thought only a kouki would look good. It got totaled and I went out looking for another one, people thought I was crazy to buy the same car I just lost. But I did, I drove all the way up to oakland and bought a super clean ka-t setup car that belonged to a guy whose name eludes me, but his youtube name was goondriver. Drove it back to socal, and on the freeway outran two guys in a nsx. I was hooked and certain on KA-T over the sr norm that all my friends had. I remember going to meets and people would crowd the car when the hood was popped and once they realized it was a ka not a rb or sr, they scoffed and walked away.

The car saw various forms of modification, mostly cosmetic after the turbo went out I drove around n/a for years. Ive always been active in the local community, going to meets trying to influence younger people to " be the best they could be" helping people just in general and being positive.

Once we even met a kid from Maine who bought a coupe out here on vacation, and was going to sell it before he went back because it wasn't stick, so my brother and I did a 5 speed swap for him without charge. Just out of goodwill to help encourage younger guys pay it forward.

Ive matured and realized that some things are not for some people and cars stop being a priority for people when they get inconvenient, or their new group of friends think it is lo class or childish. I cant count the people that have stopped being involved with our community to drive or lease a stock euro or luxery car to feel like an adult. Now those same floaters drive priuses and shit. Ive always felt 100% about car stuff. I will always be involved someway or another. No matter how old I get.

Ive recently achieved some childhood teenage dreams with a magazine feature or two, but that is not even the best part, I have helped manufacturers create things for our community, like Tomei Ka24det parts, and various other things, like bringing the Bride Histrix back to the market, and other things, but all of the things accomplished with my car was done with the help of my closest friends that also are on here and drive 240s, we are all diehards, and all in our early thirties.

Funny thing is my gf jokes when we get up early on the weekends and see all these silver haired old guys with their hotrods or cruisers at breakfast spots, and she says " in ten years that's you and your friends, shaking your fist at the young kids. "

Life is too short to mess with people that just dont get it, I just want to have a good time with everyone, see other people have nice cars, and inspire people with the things that we do with cars, like I was inspired by the guys that were in magazines in the early 2000s. They changed everything, customization was core, much or todays instafame builds, are the same seats, with the same fabric everywhere , LAME vinyl wraps ( because who can decide on a color, what if the internet doesnt like it?) and gutted interior with ls swaps.

Anyway, below I will post a few early pics of how the car looked and how it looks now. Don't worry, if you don't like it now that is fine, I am going to get another zenki within the next year or so.



Was really happy with this stage, then it got wrecked( reended someone who just stopped in the middle of the road with their lights off, after a turn)

spent 650 on a stock core support after the Tsunami in Japan. Got it going again..




after the repair it had a modified Navan bumper, ( without the stuped plate mounting aera and uprights and horizontal in the opening)

Cahnged wheels to Panasports( once again a huge blessing to have great people around me for that one)

and now it is this...


Not going to lie it was not an easy decision to chop up the car and make this. Since this build, I have met many great people, have been very fortunate with the reception of it from people, and I don't regret it, I will have it forever, even when I am old, or when people tell me it is not cool. I stay true to MY vision, I didn't build something for someone else, I pushed my own boundaries.


If you are a young kid reading this, don't doubt yourself, help people around you, they will end up helping you, stay positive, work hard.

I never thought I would have this kind of car, or even ever have my car on any magazine, let alone to be on the cover of an option magazine?!?!?! it is still crazy and unbelievable to me. More things are coming and the future of our community is stong, more and more parts are being made, so many more people are pursuing greatness with their builds. 10 years ago a sr20vet was nearly unheard of, now I know a handfull of guys going that route. Anyway, thanks for reading, I enjoyed this thread and I miss the involvement of all the ogs. Zilvia really used to be an amazing place, just like D1GP was amazing in comparison to what someone experiences at FD. Thanks to anyone that has helped or motivated me in the past. Long live carlife.

[Mister.E]

Originally Posted by Corbic

Haven't seen a 240 in a junk yard in 3-4 years now.

It's really rare these days. I think most of the wrecked ones get cut up and sold as scrap.

[5280VertDET]

As a member of the Datsun community I can say this; used parts will be scarce, quality shells (not cars) will tough to find, parts manufactures will be few, but great, enthusiasts will be few but many admirers.

I am ok with this. Same as it is now (for quality parts) but less fuckbois. That being said; as if it's not already, innovation will be static. The only reason the "missle crisis" exists is that it's the only uncharted territory. Soon, they will fade and all will be right (except inovatice parts).

[wkpainter]

Whenever i buy a house i hope to buy a 2 car unattached garage and do a full rotisserie/ media blasted restoration on my 89 hatch. I think the restoration will take atleast 3 years. I plan to do a rebuild on my SR and get it up to about 300whp. I think then i will finally be out of the "build" process and be able to enjoy it without putting money into new upgrades year after year. I've had the car for almost 11 years now and will never sell it. I only drive it around 300-500 miles a year. I would like to increase that to 2000 a year.

Are any of you committed to doing/paying for restoration work to your car as it ages and the body begins to rust?

[Mister.E]

Originally Posted by wkpainter

Are any of you committed to doing/paying for restoration work to your car as it ages and the body begins to rust?

No rust in these parts of the dry ass desert. If i did a restoration, though, it'd be on a hatch and not my S14. I don't think I'm that dedicated to dumping more money into another build on an old vehicle, so it would likely never happen anyway. My current build has already taken far too long. Maybe some day when I'm older, I'll build a 350z or something. My current mind state is that I'm sick of working on shit and i want to go have fun with my car. Those views could completely change a few years down the road; who knows?

[S-REVV1]

I picred up my 95 S14 in 1998, it was an Arizona car and after 6 months the first owner wrecked it so I got it for 3000$ . It took me a year to put it back together as parts were so expensive. I have done the s15 front kouki front ( current status) been through 6 sr20's. I was buying harnesses from Yuri of wiring specialities when he was doing them out of his house in Framingham Ma, and was under the company heavy throttle. Going V8 next. I'll never sell it. With 38 thousand original miles on the car I will keep it till I die!

[turboshoebox]

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.

I don't know who the hell you were buying ur clips from but a nice s14 clip was around 4k or so in 2003 lol

when i did my swap it was basically stock. all the other mods didn't come till after. I did get pretty carried away with engine mods later after the oem swap w/ stand alone, turbo upgrade and everything in between minus a built bottom end and ended up w/ about 20k in the motor alone. This was long before all the cheap alternatives like isis part.

[lunchmeat]

Originally Posted by wkpainter

Are any of you committed to doing/paying for restoration work to your car as it ages and the body begins to rust?

Already there. Here's my other projects
uploadfromtaptalk1463111903125.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1463111935495.jpg

[silverarrow27]

Originally Posted by turboshoebox

I don't know who the hell you were buying ur clips from but a nice s14 clip was around 4k or so in 2003 lol

when i did my swap it was basically stock. all the other mods didn't come till after. I did get pretty carried away with engine mods later after the oem swap w/ stand alone, turbo upgrade and everything in between minus a built bottom end and ended up w/ about 20k in the motor alone. This was long before all the cheap alternatives like isis part.

I agree, I know s13 red tops and black top clips were going for around $2500-3k. Complete swaps were going for around $1500-2000 depending on red top or black top as well.

If I remember correctly, s14 clips were going anywhere from $3k-4k depending on zenki or kouki as well. Like I've said in other threads of this similar nature, even a whole complete almost mint s13 silvia front end would go for no more than $800-1200. Now we get hacked half assed front ends going for $1k+. The s13 aero bumper would go for around $350-500 then. Now, they're $800-1k just for the bumper alone.

[ILoveJDM]

Originally Posted by turboshoebox

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

Spec S starting at $6000 CDN, or $4600 USD, Ive seen probably 4 examples of these in the past 2 weeks,

Spec R, starting at $10,000 CDN for a higher mile (150,000KM** -> 93xxx miles) which is $7800 USD, up to $18000 cdn for a GOOD condition 60,xxx KM version. ($14000USD)

[Quail]

Originally Posted by wkpainter

Are any of you committed to doing/paying for restoration work to your car as it ages and the body begins to rust?

Absolutely. In this part of the world it's essential if you want to keep your old Japanese car!

[cgtdream]

I have owned an S14 project car for nearly 10 years now. Always wishing and wanting to work on it. Watching the fads pass by and the chassis become rarer and rarer. Now it is just a relic, sitting in a storage unit half complete. At some point I wanted to sell it....Then it changed to wanting to keep it, seeing how it is a nearly dead breed. Perhaps someday when I have a kid, ill let them have it. If they can get it running they can have their own car. Otherwise, I think that car will be sitting there wistfully for the next 10 years.

I have owned other cars, and increased my range of driving techniques. But deep down I really regret not getting my first real project car up and running. Even though I have had successes with other cars. Great thread btw.

[cgtdream]

On another note, and during my recent visit to Okinawa. Learned from my buddies there that finding an S14 in a junkyard (even in the junkyard dense island of Okinawa) was becoming very rare. If you guys have one, hang on to it. Not that many left in the land of the rising sun, which means whatever is left in the world is all there is and will be.

[CamryOnBronze]

Originally Posted by GoodShow

Long, nice guy post

Great read- definitely agree with a lot of what's being said. Helping people and avoiding hostility to newcomers is definitely the way to continue the hobby and the lasting friendships that come with it.

[Corbic]

Originally Posted by Mister.E

No rust in these parts of the dry ass desert. If i did a restoration, though, it'd be on a hatch and not my S14. I don't think I'm that dedicated to dumping more money into another build on an old vehicle, so it would likely never happen anyway. My current build has already taken far too long. Maybe some day when I'm older, I'll build a 350z or something. My current mind state is that I'm sick of working on shit and i want to go have fun with my car. Those views could completely change a few years down the road; who knows?

Three Cheers!

[UniqueAutoCreations]

This is a really great thread. I'm really glad to see that there are still owners out there that really love their cars and aren't just looking to chew them up and ruin it for the next guy. Even still, there is way too much of that going on. I'd love to see more of people wanting to put them back together and restore them so we can preserve what is left of these poor cars.

I became interested in 240's when my wife Jennifer (girlfriend at the time) bought one back in 2005 when she was going to college. It was your typical "needs everything" car but she liked it and we spent the whole summer putting together a decent car for her to drive around. It wasn't three weeks of it being back on the road before a truck speeding through a school zone ran a stop sign and total it. She was fine but the quarter was pushed into the back seat, so we had to start over. We found a 91 hatch with a bad engine to replace the lost chassis and we rebuilt the car again. Then along came a really nice 93 hatch that we couldn't pass up. This became her project car. I started getting ideas for what we could do with it but her vision was a little different. That's when I decided that I had to have one too. That's when I picked my 92 coupe. Long story short, but I went a little car crazy with it and 6 1/2yrs later I've built three decent S13's and now am in business making aftermarket parts for them.

I just want to help people enjoy their cars as much as I have. I hope in the future we see more quality builds that are put together and executed well.

[Quail]

Nice car UAC; custom front fenders or the mother of all flares?

[UniqueAutoCreations]

Thank you. They are custom metal flairs. I built them myself and it's one of my favorite part about my build. Looks so natural it could have been factory!

Your S14 is totally sweet too. So much class!

[Quail]

Originally Posted by UniqueAutoCreations

Your S14 is totally sweet too. So much class!

Thanks man, and yours! Keep doing what you're doing with UAC as that's the kind of activity that will help to keep these cars on the road.

[Kingtal0n]

Pics ouf our cars now?





-You cant beat the look of the car, its hard to find something that appeals to everybody and this style seems to.
-the low weight is incredible, potential for MPG is real, and power/weight ratio
-Parts are cheap, easy to find, and the car is easy to work on, engine comes out in 2 hours or less.
-Many options for performance. you can slide it, daily, highway, drag, handle, brake, track it
-the right chassis is so rare the value tends to increase, making this one of the only cars I know of that you can sink 10k into and get your money back with profit
-nobody knows what it is. the price tag is "??". When I pop my hood people think I have mass $$ invested into custom work when its just an ancient stock engine from the 90's.

hard part is finding the right chassis, once you get there you just need to take your time and do it clean.

[TSL]

Oh man think the lsd I took must be kicking in.

[mr.nismo.]

Originally Posted by GoodShow

I have had my s14 for more than 10 years , would have been 12 years if a drunk didnt hit me and total the first one.

I don't blame young kids for making the new scene crap. (It is actually getting much better these past few years)

I whole heartily blame zilvia and the moderators that abolished the rep system. If youve had your car from more than 5 years you would remember how good you would feel when Mr Meph/ Bh OR anyone else that you looked up to ( by this I mean had a cool car or treated people with respect) gave you positive rep, and how you hated having negative rep, it was almost like a real life reputation, if you said something stupid or disrespected people be prepared for negative rep. I think that kept the hoonigan style shit at bay, but once it became about the trader rep, I noticed a huge change with with newer members on here.

All of my friends have been some how connected to cars, and my whole life has been affected one way or another.

I was so happy to have a s14 zenki 12 years ago when most people thought only a kouki would look good. It got totaled and I went out looking for another one, people thought I was crazy to buy the same car I just lost. But I did, I drove all the way up to oakland and bought a super clean ka-t setup car that belonged to a guy whose name eludes me, but his youtube name was goondriver. Drove it back to socal, and on the freeway outran two guys in a nsx. I was hooked and certain on KA-T over the sr norm that all my friends had. I remember going to meets and people would crowd the car when the hood was popped and once they realized it was a ka not a rb or sr, they scoffed and walked away.

The car saw various forms of modification, mostly cosmetic after the turbo went out I drove around n/a for years. Ive always been active in the local community, going to meets trying to influence younger people to " be the best they could be" helping people just in general and being positive.

Once we even met a kid from Maine who bought a coupe out here on vacation, and was going to sell it before he went back because it wasn't stick, so my brother and I did a 5 speed swap for him without charge. Just out of goodwill to help encourage younger guys pay it forward.

Ive matured and realized that some things are not for some people and cars stop being a priority for people when they get inconvenient, or their new group of friends think it is lo class or childish. I cant count the people that have stopped being involved with our community to drive or lease a stock euro or luxery car to feel like an adult. Now those same floaters drive priuses and shit. Ive always felt 100% about car stuff. I will always be involved someway or another. No matter how old I get.

Ive recently achieved some childhood teenage dreams with a magazine feature or two, but that is not even the best part, I have helped manufacturers create things for our community, like Tomei Ka24det parts, and various other things, like bringing the Bride Histrix back to the market, and other things, but all of the things accomplished with my car was done with the help of my closest friends that also are on here and drive 240s, we are all diehards, and all in our early thirties.

Funny thing is my gf jokes when we get up early on the weekends and see all these silver haired old guys with their hotrods or cruisers at breakfast spots, and she says " in ten years that's you and your friends, shaking your fist at the young kids. "

Life is too short to mess with people that just dont get it, I just want to have a good time with everyone, see other people have nice cars, and inspire people with the things that we do with cars, like I was inspired by the guys that were in magazines in the early 2000s. They changed everything, customization was core, much or todays instafame builds, are the same seats, with the same fabric everywhere , LAME vinyl wraps ( because who can decide on a color, what if the internet doesnt like it?) and gutted interior with ls swaps.

Anyway, below I will post a few early pics of how the car looked and how it looks now. Don't worry, if you don't like it now that is fine, I am going to get another zenki within the next year or so.



Was really happy with this stage, then it got wrecked( reended someone who just stopped in the middle of the road with their lights off, after a turn)

spent 650 on a stock core support after the Tsunami in Japan. Got it going again..




after the repair it had a modified Navan bumper, ( without the stuped plate mounting aera and uprights and horizontal in the opening)

Cahnged wheels to Panasports( once again a huge blessing to have great people around me for that one)

and now it is this...


Not going to lie it was not an easy decision to chop up the car and make this. Since this build, I have met many great people, have been very fortunate with the reception of it from people, and I don't regret it, I will have it forever, even when I am old, or when people tell me it is not cool. I stay true to MY vision, I didn't build something for someone else, I pushed my own boundaries.


If you are a young kid reading this, don't doubt yourself, help people around you, they will end up helping you, stay positive, work hard.

I never thought I would have this kind of car, or even ever have my car on any magazine, let alone to be on the cover of an option magazine?!?!?! it is still crazy and unbelievable to me. More things are coming and the future of our community is stong, more and more parts are being made, so many more people are pursuing greatness with their builds. 10 years ago a sr20vet was nearly unheard of, now I know a handfull of guys going that route. Anyway, thanks for reading, I enjoyed this thread and I miss the involvement of all the ogs. Zilvia really used to be an amazing place, just like D1GP was amazing in comparison to what someone experiences at FD. Thanks to anyone that has helped or motivated me in the past. Long live carlife.

I am a "young kid" reading this. I've been keeping up with this thread since the start as I was interested in the perspective of long time owners. In June I will have owned my s13 for 5 years, and it's been one of the biggest parts of my life. And I have to agree with everything you've stated. The only thing is i do have vinyl wrap [emoji85] (not because I want to be cheap but because this chassis is extremely damaged and is going to be more hacked with future plans I have) as I can't justify to put paint on it. I've been where you have as before with helping others and trying to bring motivation. But a lot of what I'm seeing is exactly as you said. Just buy something and put whatever wheels and ride height and call it a day. Out of the 20+ people who were building their 240's when I got mine there's only 2 left. Even then, one of them may be selling theirs as well. When I hop on Craigslist for shits and giggles the 190,xxx stock about to die 240 that has a beat shell is up for 3k and no one will budge. Have an Sr? Now 5k. People drift tax the shit out of them and that's also ruined it as well. It's sad but it's where everything is trending.

[GoodShow]

Originally Posted by CamryOnBronze

Great read- definitely agree with a lot of what's being said. Helping people and avoiding hostility to newcomers is definitely the way to continue the hobby and the lasting friendships that come with it.

Yeah, it really is. Surround yourself with good like minded people, and you will have nothing to worry about. Then all these other people cant help but take notice, then ask what you did, or what would you do, then you can guide them.

If people are just passing through let them, doesn't mean that they have to be as dedicated as you are to your car. It also doesn't mean that you have the right to disrespect them because they are buying parts that are within their budget. I've seen many people get into this hobby, or way of life and they just cant hang so they leave, or the second the car looks half way decent some stranger offers them some cash, and they sell it.


I keep seeing people say things like " it's nice to see people car about the car, and not want to smash it up or neglect it for the next guy"

NEXT GUY? there is no next guy. I will never sell me car, and I think it is like that for many people who are on here reading or contributing to this thread.

I don't care what car it is, but anyone that has a nice car and is concerned with the car staying low mileage, isn't a real car enthusiast they are like an automotive banker.

That kind of mentality is like have a virgin wife, wanting to keep her as close to that as possible, so you stay with her for 30 years and f*** her only once, or twice. Because maybe she will be with someone else some day and you want to keep her mileage and wear down for the next guy.

[JacksonBrown]

I worked and lived the aftermarket performance industry from 1997-2011, having owned turbo B16 CRX's, turbo Z33 (D-Sport feature) and S-chassis. Seen everything from clear corners, clear bumpers (never owned), racing stripes (never owned), window banners, Bomex to VeilSide to Origin to Vertex, sleeved motors, concrete-filled blocks, dual stage nitrous, tri-turbo Supras, 1500whp street-driven Supras (not mine), the early years of "illegals" (loosely organized street racing), Battle of the Imports, Nico, HIN, and attended SEMA from 2000-2008. Got out of the industry in early '11.


Still own a 95 S14 SR Zenki, which I daily drove from 2007-2013. It's been in my garage, on jack stands since 2013 - not because it was broke, or I got old, or tired of it. Summer was approaching and I had bought a new vehicle so the S14 got parked. Last year I began slowly going through the motor, outfitting it with new gaskets, flanges, lines and fittings.

I have some "car friends" who still own S-chassis, Supras, GTR's (we all seem to own FJ Cruisers, Land Rovers, and Jeeps now too) and we all hung out at a friend's wedding last weekend. Planning on getting together to rip through the mountains in our 240s soon. Shit will never ever end - thankfully.

Best,