240sx Popularity: How did it happen?

[180sxmaniac]

So my friend recently bought a 350z and I assisted him in finding the right Z to his liking.One thing I noticed was man there are quite a bit of Z's available and for reasonable prices considering it's one of the few Japanese FR layout cars that was released here in the states in large quantities. Right now would be the perfect time to buy a Z because eventually it will end up like the 240sx as far as it being difficult to find a clean one. So I began to think and I wanna now from everyone out there when did the 240sx become "THAT CAR" that everyone had to have. Specifics would be great. Like what type of people owned most of the 240sx say a decade ago? Was it easy to find an S14 as it was an S13? How much did it cost to buy a 240sx from a private party about a decade ago? Did people selling there 240sx realize the potential of the car? Really interested to hear feedback from everyone!!

[Felipe]

your going to have to ask some one that is 50+

[usdm180sx]

Originally Posted by Felipe

your going to have to ask some one that is 50+

I'm not 50 lol but when I bought my first s13 hatch new off the lot in 1993. The "in" cars were hondas, acuras and dsm cars. NO one was modding the 240sx.

At the time drag racing was really popular at LACR with "Battle of the Imports" and al that.

But I always loved the 240sx because I know of the car's potential so I had all the Hyper Rev magazines and I wanted to learn as much about the sr20det and why these cars were super popular (if not the most popular car) to mod in Japan.

The s chassis was as popular in Japan as the fr-s is today.

The 240sx and ae86 are the only 2 cars I know of that became popular after production stopped.

Circa 2000-2001 drifting started becoming popular in the states and that's when these cars became so popular here in the states.

Speaking of which, I recently got out of the s-chassis game and got this:



Advan Racing GT's would look so sick in black haha

[The Dude]

Honda tech members stumbled upon drifting, realized they couldn't do it with their civics, then immediately bought 240s and ruined all of them. Now they have taken over zilvia.

I bought mine a decade ago for 2700ish (1995 SE with abs/vlsd that still works).

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Honda tech members stumbled upon drifting, realized they couldn't do it with their civics, then immediately bought 240s and ruined all of them. Now they have taken over zilvia.

I bought mine a decade ago for 2700ish (1995 SE with abs/vlsd that still works).

Lucky you,was the car still in mint condition as far as paint and interior etc

[EDacIouSX]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Honda tech members stumbled upon drifting, realized they couldn't do it with their civics, then immediately bought 240s and ruined all of them. Now they have taken over zilvia.

I bought mine a decade ago for 2700ish (1995 SE with abs/vlsd that still works).

I got mine in 2004 for 5600. 107,xxx miles clean chasis bone stock minus 4 blown struts mod (har har), and an apexi exhaust.



Basically yes, Honda people discovered what drifting was/is and that's about it. community went to shit when honda buddies from the 90s bought up 240s.... you can also thank tokyo drift.

[DJ-of-E]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Honda tech members stumbled upon drifting, realized they couldn't do it with their civics, then immediately bought 240s and ruined all of them. Now they have taken over zilvia.

I bought mine a decade ago for 2700ish (1995 SE with abs/vlsd that still works).

This is very much true. I bought my first 240sx in 2003 when people were still a Honda craze and high school people looked at my car and said "why you buy a Ford Phobe." Then drifting and initial D happened and people then asked "do you drift your car?"

I bought my car because I wanted a nice looking and fairly simple RWD car because my dad has Nissan 280zx turbo and he had me daily drive a 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S (also RWD). I "was" looking for Honda Civics, but they were around $3000 range and I found a Nissan 240sx (was looking at 300zx) for $2300 1 owner 110,000 miles. Drove it, felt like the Celica GT-S, loved it.

Production numbers In the United States

All models (including convertibles):
1989 - 68118
1990 - 60582
1991 - 34534
1992 - 27033
1993 - 21471
1994 - 1391
1995 - 25114
1996 - 7334
1997 - 3655
1998 - 2178

I remember doing a report about sales numbers for 240sx as a Statistics project

Judging by the numbers, I say it sold pretty damn well in 1989 to 1992 "only' because of the following conditions:
1) 1982 to 1991 was the generation were demand for "coupe" vehicles were very high.
2) car was pretty cheap brand new, but I do know the S14 . I actually found previous owner's sales receipt of my 1991 Nissan 240sx was $16K OTD...bought by a college age lady (also found 1992 Santa Monica college booklet).
3) 1989 to 1991 models look better than its competition (Honda Civic and Honda Prelude)

Then the numbers went down because of the introduction the 4th gen Honda Civic and 4th gen Honda prelude due the following:
1) Honda's incredibly aggressive sales and marketing to compete with Toyota. You would get cars via invoice price without haggles. While MSRP existed, people would get these cars at almost 20% off of MSRP.
2) Nicer curves to fit the "demand."
3) Growing trend of buyers no longer looking for a "sport coupe" as a vehicle.

One of the questions my professor asked me was "Would a new version of 240sx be successful in today's market." I replied "no way, not possible (see 350z sales numbers over the years)"

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by DJ-of-E

This is very much true. I bought my first 240sx in 2003 when people were still a Honda craze and high school people looked at my car and said "why you buy a Ford Phobe." Then drifting and initial D happened and people then asked "do you drift your car?"

I bought my car because I wanted a nice looking and fairly simple RWD car because my dad has Nissan 280zx turbo and he had me daily drive a 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S (also RWD). I "was" looking for Honda Civics, but they were around $3000 range and I found a Nissan 240sx (was looking at 300zx) for $2300 1 owner 110,000 miles. Drove it, felt like the Celica GT-S, loved it.



I remember doing a report about sales numbers for 240sx as a Statistics project

Judging by the numbers, I say it sold pretty damn well in 1989 to 1992 "only' because of the following conditions:
1) 1982 to 1991 was the generation were demand for "coupe" vehicles were very high.
2) car was pretty cheap brand new, but I do know the S14 . I actually found previous owner's sales receipt of my 1991 Nissan 240sx was $16K OTD...bought by a college age lady (also found 1992 Santa Monica college booklet).
3) 1989 to 1991 models look better than its competition (Honda Civic and Honda Prelude)

Then the numbers went down because of the introduction the 4th gen Honda Civic and 4th gen Honda prelude due the following:
1) Honda's incredibly aggressive sales and marketing to compete with Toyota. You would get cars via invoice price without haggles. While MSRP existed, people would get these cars at almost 20% off of MSRP.
2) Nicer curves to fit the "demand."
3) Growing trend of buyers no longer looking for a "sport coupe" as a vehicle.

One of the questions my professor asked me was "Would a new version of 240sx be successful in today's market." I replied "no way, not possible (see 350z sales numbers over the years)"

Not really strange to me how the S14 barely sold,the late 90s was arguably the greatest few years of sport cars ever. So I can easily see how enthusiast didn't waste their time on a ka24de S14 when there were turbos cars running around everywhere. In the late 90s you had the supra,rx7 FD,3000gt VR4,Eclipse GST,300zx all turbo cars and many of em twin turbo. Then you had fast NA's like the SC300/400,mustang,camaro,corvette. Back in the late 90s if you really wanted an affordable rwd car the miata was the answer so with that said the 240sx was almost the lost car of the late 90s at least here in the states. Because of the poor sales of the s14 the s15 wasn't released here. But even if the s15 was released in the states the Japs woulda made sure to send us some bs ka24 motor in the s15 anyways.

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by 180sxmaniac

Not really strange to me how the S14 barely sold,the late 90s was arguably the greatest few years of sport cars ever. So I can easily see how enthusiast didn't waste their time on a ka24de S14 when there were turbos cars running around everywhere. In the late 90s you had the supra,rx7 FD,3000gt VR4,Eclipse GST,300zx all turbo cars and many of em twin turbo. Then you had fast NA's like the SC300/400,mustang,camaro,corvette. Back in the late 90s if you really wanted an affordable rwd car the miata was the answer so with that said the 240sx was almost the lost car of the late 90s at least here in the states. Because of the poor sales of the s14 the s15 wasn't released here but even if the s15 was released in the states the Japs woulda made sure to send us some bs ka motor in the s15 anyways.

your post makes it sound like Japan wants to keep all the cool stuff for themselves, and swap in any crap leftover engine's they have for US sales lol

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by OrangeVirus1

your post makes it sound like Japan wants to keep all the cool stuff for themselves, and swap in any crap leftover engine's they have for US sales lol

yea pretty much I mean think about it, really the 350z was the only car released in large numbers here in the states. The Evo,Sti, Rx7 Fd,Supra Turbo, are some of Japan's most legendary cars and they were released in limited quantities. The 240sx didn't come with an Sr20 which still boggles my mind considering all the other turbo Japanese cars that were out at the same time. I really don't understand that one. The s15 nor any of the skylines were released here so the Japs really did screw us with Ky jelly. I mean honestly we as a community magnify the greatness of the s13 and s14 as if they were Skylines but rightfully so bcuz an s14 is the closest thing we will get to an s15 or skyline.

[Oakville]

cheap FR with parts a plenty, very easily swap-able. I assume the Z33s will come down...but not as much, I think its still holding its value because its considered a more expensive car (when new) than the 240 was. V6 vs 4 banger right

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by Oakville

cheap FR with parts a plenty, very easily swap-able. I assume the Z33s will come down...but not as much, I think its still holding its value because its considered a more expensive car (when new) than the 240 was. V6 vs 4 banger right

Yea ur right the z33 ain't gonna be as cheap as a 240sx anytime soon but if I recall sticker price on a z was 30k+ now you can find a nice one for less than 14k so they're quickly losing value every year

[OrangeVirus1]

Most likely it was a normal everyday car, that car enthusiasts found out how to swap and then watching touge drifting thought " wow I wanna do that" and started the craze.

It's like any other car man.

What made people wanna turbo Chevy Cavaliers? people figure out how to mod what they have..

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by OrangeVirus1

Most likely it was a normal everyday car, that car enthusiasts found out how to swap and then watching touge drifting thought " wow I wanna do that" and started the craze.

It's like any other car man.

What made people wanna turbo Chevy Cavaliers? people figure out how to mod what they have..

Yea I get that,just curious how easy/cheap they were to buy and like around what year did they really become popular here in the states

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by 180sxmaniac

Yea I get that,just curious how easy/cheap they were to buy and like around what year did they really become popular here in the states

Well my car new ( as per the DMV ) was only 14k$.. so some of these cars sell for more then a brand new one with zero miles.

I'd just take a wild guess and say around the same time the TT supra came out. The cheap teens found an "equivalent" to the TT supra with their budget... RWD 240sx. lol

[xoxide]

Originally Posted by OrangeVirus1

I'd just take a wild guess and say around the same time the TT supra came out. The cheap teens found an "equivalent" to the TT supra with their budget... RWD 240sx. lol

What?

240sx is the budget supra.. said no one ever.

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by xoxide

What?

240sx is the budget supra.. said no one ever.

I actually know a dude from high school who had a 240sx and called it a supras little brother.. that's what gave me that idea.

[KiLLeR2001]

S-chassis is the little brother to the Z-chassis, not the Supra.

And you can thank Tokyo Drift (2006) for the drifting craze.

[holemilk00]

I bought a 97 SE brand new two years after graduating high school. It was $23k after tags and shit. The 240 scene has gone way down hill since, it started as soon as people in the states started to learn about drifting and applied their "I want to do that, but I work at McDonald's" mindset to our cars. I remember when I had my 97 people didn't know what the hell it was, I had someone ask me almost daily what kind of car it was.

[xoxide]

Originally Posted by holemilk00

I had someone ask me almost daily what kind of car it was.

I still have that problem today. That or is it a skyline.

[holemilk00]

Originally Posted by xoxide

I still have that problem today. That or is it a skyline.

True, my 97 was bone stock. My black car now is far from it. So I still get those questions, but it's understandable.

[xoxide]

Originally Posted by holemilk00

True, my 97 was bone stock. My black car now is far from it. So I still get those questions, but it's understandable.

Sometimes I wish I didnt drive such a "clean" 98, because I cant really go anywhere without someone approaching me about the car.. Sometimes its a little sketchy if you know what I mean.

[holemilk00]

Oh and hack job kids were ruining s-chassis' for drifting state side way before Tokyo drift. Initial-D had some of the Honda kids into drifting.

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by holemilk00

Oh and hack job kids were ruining s-chassis' for drifting state side way before Tokyo drift. Initial-D had some of the Honda kids into drifting.

I never even knew what drifting was until my friend with a 240 ( mr 240 is a supra's little brother dude ) showed me Initial-D videos.

And that was back when "drifting" was doing donuts in a parking lot.

[holemilk00]

What do you mean "back when"?? 70% of the drifting videos posted on YouTube today are still 1st and 2nd gear donuts.

[OrangeVirus1]

Originally Posted by holemilk00

What do you mean "back when"?? 70% of the drifting videos posted on YouTube today are still 1st and 2nd gear donuts.

I just mean back When I was first starting to get into cars.

[Agent S14]

I loved the car back in 1996 when my parents were looking at a 1996 pathfinder to replace our sentra I was still in elementary school when I saw it. Years later when I was 16 I was looking for a mr2 turbo but it was out of my budget. I looked for similar RWD Japanese car found a 96 se reminded me of how much i loved the car as a kid and I bought it in 2004. Still drive it everyday never regretted buying it, the car makes me happy.

[180sxmaniac]

Does anybody know the sticker price from Nissan for the S13 and S14 USDM?

[KOUKIboy]

Originally Posted by 180sxmaniac

Does anybody know the sticker price from Nissan for the S13 and S14 USDM?

S14 was about 20k back in the day, it says so on my registration... I remember I didn't know jackshit about Nissans, until my cousin got me a Super Street I saw Ricky Chu's S14.5 and instantly fell in love with S Chassis, I was originally gonna get a CRX, then a Maxima, finally I found my S14 for 800 bucks lol, it was crashed on the driver's side and quarter panel. Found a new door, and had the quarter panel cut and welded, painted the car and bam!!! 1500 S14 w less than a 100k on the motor I got an S14 because I wanted to be different, way before the DRFT craze, and everybody had a honda back in those days....

[180sxmaniac]

Originally Posted by KOUKIboy

S14 was about 20k back in the day, it says so on my registration... I remember I didn't know jackshit about Nissans, until my cousin got me a Super Street I saw Ricky Chu's S14.5 and instantly fell in love with S Chassis, I was originally gonna get a CRX, then a Maxima, finally I found my S14 for 800 bucks lol, it was crashed on the driver's side and quarter panel. Found a new door, and had the quarter panel cut and welded, painted the car and bam!!! 1500 S14 w less than a 100k on the motor I got an S14 because I wanted to be different, way before the DRFT craze, and everybody had a honda back in those days....

Do you still have the S14?Neat story by the way.