I have 10g's to spedn 5g in cash and 5g in credit. I am 19 years old, this would be my first manual transmission car. This is going to be my main tranportation, so it has to be reliable, easy on insurance The cars i've driven are a 2005 Mazda6 s plus some others. I recenlty came across 1996 240sx se with 63,000miles and it looks immaculate inside and out and the guy is asking for $8999. Does this sound too good? it seems like a young owner. I like the fact that its a rear wheel drive car with potential to do damage while maintaining reliability. My second choice is a 1997-up prelude, looking to buy from a dealer if its a prelude( warranty issue). the car would have around 100,000miles on the prelude if buying from a dealer any suggestions on other cars? any help would be appreciated.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=200076262&dealer_id=57729934&car_year=1996&mod_bookmark_id=null&search_type=both&num_records=&make=NISSAN&distance=100&model=240SX&address=98047&certified=&advanced=&max_price=10000000&bkms=1151297023869&min_price=00000&end_year=1998&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=22

I sure as hell wouldn't pay $9000 for what appears to be a mostly stock car, low miles and good condition regardless. He'd have to have a well done SR swap or something to justify that. You're knocking on the low end of a Twin Turbo Z at that price.

Personally I'd call the guy, ask how much he wanted, laugh at him for a few minutes and if doesn't hang up tell him I'd pay $4500, maybe $5000 for it if you got me hammered first.

It's still just a 240SX. It just ain't worth $9000. Not to me anyway.

I like the fact that its a rear wheel drive car with potential to do damage while maintaining reliability.

What?

Yep, nine grand is far too much for a 10-year-old 240SX. I think the 240SX is a solid choice for you. Sure, you can afford a 300ZX Twin Turbo, but that's way too much car for a 19-year-old who's never owned a manual before. But you can find a nice 240 for less than that.

I thought the 300ZX's Especially the TT's were unreliable due to the verheating caused by the turbos, and the cramped space under the hood

pluss insurance will take a pound of flesh off of your for a 300...

Reliable and easy on insurance? Can you get the old 2dr Imprezza RS's for $9000?

300ZX TTs aren't unreliable, but they do get pretty hot, and they are pretty cramped under the hood, and they require frequent maintenance. If you wanna thrash it constantly, then I hope you know how to do your own maintenance (I sure can't on a 300ZX), and like to do it often. But you're right, insurance would probably be killer on a car like that.

If you want something reliable and affordable but still fun to drive, the 240SX and (I can't believe I forgot!) the 1st gen. Impreza 2.5 RS are your best bets.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=200076262&dealer_id=57729934&car_year=1996&mod_bookmark_id=null&search_type=both&num_records=&make=NISSAN&distance=100&model=240SX&address=98047&certified=&advanced=&max_price=10000000&bkms=1151297023869&min_price=00000&end_year=1998&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=22

It just ain't worth $9000. Not to me anyway.


I love how he puts fully loaded but it's not even an SE.

But you're right, insurance would probably be killer on a car like that.

Insurance looks at two things. The car and the driver. If you're a relatively good driver and the car is old(er)...then it's going to be a low payment.

I've had a not so stellar history...around 5-6 tickets (took classes for 2, one got thrown out by judge thanks to lawyer friend), 2 accidents (ones that were my fault) and I only paid 355 every 6 months for a non-turbo 300zx 2+2.

I changed cars and now I have a '06 VW GTI 6 spd United Grey. Now...provided it's a safer car and arguably not a sports car like the Z was...but my payments have gone up 150 bux. Why? More expensive car to insure.

So I am sure if you get a 90 300zx Twin Turbo...it wont be KILLER

Never mind on the 240sx, i did a carfax check and it has a rebuilt title, with 4 prior onwers and has even failed california emiisions once or twice. What a retard to sell a rebuilt 240sx for 9g? I must admit, i was pretty damn dissapointing when i got the carfax report back, i was plannin on buying that son a bitch. the 240's around here are being sold FAST!. There's one that has 140k on it that's selling for 7g by a dealer. i think thasts a b/s price.

I only plan on selling mine for 3500, 4000 tops. If I could get more I'd be trying. It has just under 100k miles...99,976 lol, and a manual. I haven't decided on using ebay or a newspaper yet.

Yup, 240SXs are in pretty high demand right now, good luck finding one.

i just drove my friends nissan 240sx and that thing pulls. Even though my friend told me i drive like a girl, it made my day driving that car. I'm in love with a nissan.

Yup, 240SXs are in pretty high demand right now, good luck finding one.


yea, the fast and the furious can go to hell for that and what they did to the mk4 supra.

i've tried calling all the car dealers in the phone book and none of them had a 240, one dealer did but it had 140,000miles, the other one had 120,000 which is too much mileage for me. I'm baisically giving up on the 240sx, my parents don't want me buying a car out of state so, its either wait for the 240sx for my dream or buy a prelude. will it be worth the wait? need help

Why would 120-140,000 miles be too much? 240s are pretty damn reliable little cars, that KA motor will run forever. Mine has 220,000 miles and it still runs. Not that great but then again mine has been thoroughly and totally hammered through every back road with a halfway decent curve in it. :cool:

You also have to remember the vast majority of 240s are over 10 years old now, it is going to very, very difficult to find one with under 100,000 miles. Given that they are essentially entry level sporty coupes you're not going to find too many that have been pampered.

Have you tried:

Autotrader.com

Here is every 240SX 89-98 from $0-$800,000 within 100 miles of area code 98008. Your profile is wrong.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?mod_bookmark_id=null&advanced=&bkms=1151569291961&num_records=&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&make=NISSAN&model=240SX&start_year=1989&end_year=2007&min_price=0000&max_price=800000&distance=100&address=98008&x=72&y=12

EDIT: Okay so it wasn't that hard to find one sub 100K. Also, I was a bit wary of all the "40,000" mile listings by "CruZin Auto Sales" but I think I've driven by that place a few times and they always have a bunch of RX-7s, MR-2s, 240s and other such cars on the lot. Most of it is riced out trash but there is some good stuff there.

i found a few 240sx's on craigslist and was wondering whats a fair price for these cars: http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/176650919.html
and

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/176635315.html

I wouldn't pay more than $5000 for either.

Did you look at the autotrader link?

buddy look outside th box, there are many other choices you are blocking out.
like lets say a 2g eagle talon turbo, or a 96-99 maxima v6 if you get the maxi in the v6 and a stick they can be pretty mean, aswell as lots of room and reliable..pontiac gtp 240hp supercharged 4dr or 2dr, umm a newer ford probe"they have complete mazda drivetrains because they are the sister car to the mazda mx-6....or one of my personal fave's the 96-98 acura 3.0cl v6-vtec, my friend has one, it is smokin, it has everything, from the 2dr, sunroof, leather heated seats cd u mane it they have it! well u can only get'em in a auto but they are still very quick! my buddy roasted a 95 mustang gt, in his cl and its only got a cold air intake, it would roast a 240 and eat it for lunch...the best part:grinyes::grinyes: is all he paod was 8k "older woman 90k miles"

buddy look outside th box, there are many other choices you are blocking out.
like lets say a 2g eagle talon turbo, or a 96-99 maxima v6 if you get the maxi in the v6 and a stick they can be pretty mean, aswell as lots of room and reliable..pontiac gtp 240hp supercharged 4dr or 2dr, umm a newer ford probe"they have complete mazda drivetrains because they are the sister car to the mazda mx-6....or one of my personal fave's the 96-98 acura 3.0cl v6-vtec, my friend has one, it is smokin, it has everything, from the 2dr, sunroof, leather heated seats cd u mane it they have it! well u can only get'em in a auto but they are still very quick! my buddy roasted a 95 mustang gt, in his cl and its only got a cold air intake, it would roast a 240 and eat it for lunch...the best part:grinyes::grinyes: is all he paod was 8k "older woman 90k miles"

A little hard to read, but good post. Every car you suggested would work fine. Most of them are FWD and/or automatic, but that can still be enjoyable to drive, and certainly fast.

those choices you name are definitly nice cruising cars. haha definitly i would use them more of daily driving then for a all out car to build to make fast. i would love to own a 4th gen max and drive it everyday.