WTB: 240SX 91-94 Northern California

[el3vate]

Hello,

I am looking for a 1991-1994 240SX in the Norcal area that is well maintained. Also I am looking for the car to be under 150k miles.
Show me whatcha got!

Thanks

[IImportSupra]

Have you tried www.AutoTrader.com?

[el3vate]

Yep. Nothing good.

[logik23]

Keep looking, finding a good car doesn't happen over night, you have to be patient, it'll take weeks, months.

[el3vate]

Yeah, I will be searching.. Not in too much of a rush. Hopefully I can find a good deal before the well before summer is over so I have something new to do.

[theDRIFTER]

Try E-BAY, Yahoo!, and the newspaper! Also, there are listings in Autotrader magazines that are NOT on the web site... so pick one of those up too! I just bought one... '91 240SX SE 5-Speed, w/ a rebuilt engine... it needs some work, but a very cool car! Like Logik23 said... "Be Patient." trust me on this, don't jump at the first one you see!

[el3vate]

Thanks.. I'll go check yahoo out. I've been looking everyday on Ebay, cars.com (pretty good site since they have the listings that are in your local newspaper too), and around forums..

I am honestly new to cars, and want to start gaining some knowledge this summer if ya know what I mean. I am still in highschool, so damn my budget it tight. A 240SX looks like a great car that is cheap, performs well, and is reliable.

I don't want to sound like too much like a noob, but what are the most important things you look for (mechanical wise) when checking out a used car?

BTW, how does your 240 run?

peace

[theDRIFTER]

Mine runs excellent, it has 189,000 miles on it, but the engine has been rebuilt. It still needs some work, like new bushings! Some things sure could use some tightening though... but all in all it is in good condition mechanically, body has 1 major dent, and needs a new paint job... the dash is cracked cuz the previous owner left it in the desert for 4-months! I'm still new to 240SX's so we can learn together! I too am on a tight budget, but any of us who didn't win the Lotto are! Make sure it runs good, no check engine light, let it idle for 15min w/out overheating... taking it on the freeway will cool it off so don't let who ever is selling it take you there right away... hard gear shifting, not good... you don't want the HICAS model... majority rules it out for drifting! Check oil, coolant, and for any leaks!

[el3vate]

Nice. How much did you get yours for? Also, which one is the HICAS model?

I really want a 240, but they are harder to find then other cars in my area. That is also good, if I find one so I can be the only person with one on the street heh. I've been also looking to get a 92- prelude, since those are also cheap, but too many peeps got ludes (and I hate them riced out cars.. I prefer the straight clean look)

[theDRIFTER]

well, the scene is leaning more toward Drifting, so you would be happy w/ a Prelude for a while, but when you see the guys taking corners and gettin' the rear end to slide out, you'll be hatin' life, regretting not holding out for the 240! Trust me, I went for a Celica back in the day(1997 senior year), I ended up putting about $15,000 into that car, now it just sits at my parents house... not even street legal any more, but goes fast in a straight line!(It's for sale in San Jose if you know anyone!) I finally have a 240 and I am now more apreciative of the simple look and more about performance of the suspension. I paid $1900 for my 240SX SE, but like I said it needs a bit of cosmetic work! When looking, remember that cosmetic work usually is cheaper than mechanical work, I would rather drive a car that looked like a lemon, than one that really IS a lemon(MONEY PIT)! You should find a decent one in the low $3000 range... good luck!

By the way, the HICAS models were the ones with the All Wheel Steering systems! They only came on hatchbacks and would say "SUPER HICAS" on the drivers side! Look for a steering rack on the rear wheels!

[el3vate]

Ah, so what models on the 240 are the best or which ones to stay away from? I am looking for a hatchback b/c I don't like the back style of the coupe/convertible version.

[logik23]

I think it's mostly personnal preference on what looks better, the coupe is a little more rigid then the hatch and the covertable only came in automatic, so....

[theDRIFTER]

Like he said, it's mostly a personal preference, the coupe does look a little nicer, and is probably the more popular of the two styles... but, that might give you an adavantage to buying a coupe cuz not as many people are out looking for the coupe! Get what makes you happy... everyone gets what they take and makes the most of it! Look at me, I sure would love a R34 Skyline, but I'll be happy w/ a S13 coupe! Trust us what ever you get you'll be happy w/, no matter what, it's a FR you could be proud of!

[el3vate]

Alright, so there are no different performance models on the 240? Like the SE?

[logik23]

There's like LE and SE or base or something, but the only major performance differences are HICAS which you don't want and a VLSD which you might want I dunno. But same engine in coupe and hatchback of the same year.