How Rare are 98' Nissan 240sx In the States?

[Perfect Balance]

Get a Trueno...

Or a Nissan Z-car.

For my first car, I want either a Honda Beat or a Buick Grand National, but either of the above would be okay.. I know I could afford the Grand National, but I don't know about the Beat.

Oh right.. Actually, if possible, I'd get a Mazda AZ-1. But that's probably not possible.

Location: New York City

 

[Jim Prower]

Um.. I suggested a Z-car or a Trueno.

You realize they never sold the Trueno in the U.S., right? You can get a Corolla GT-S, Good luck finding one, though. Drift fad, anyone?

Oh, AZ-1, Beat? Dude, are you planning on moving to Japan or something? We never got Kei cars.

Sorry to crush your childhood dreams underneath the rock of reality.

If you want a GN, Start with a standard Regal, and build up a clone using a Turbo Buick mill when you get the money. probably be cheaper.

 

[Duke]

Sorry to crush your childhood dreams underneath the rock of reality.

👍

If you want a GN, Start with a standard Regal, and build up a clone using a Turbo Buick mill when you get the money. probably be cheaper.

Plus, when you wreck it - as everybody does with their first car - you won't be destroying a real, factory, numbers-matching Grand National.

 

[Azuremen]

Honestly, get a total crap box for your first car. Kids with nicer first cars is just a bad idea...

I had a Tercel, a 94. Beat the unholy crap out of that thing, and learned alot while I was doing it. Because it was cheap and slow and stuff, I pushed the hell out of it on dirt roads and snow. Learned quite a bit of slide control from all that. And i didn't care much when it got damaged.

So get a beater, drive it like mad, learn something in it. Don't worry about shopping carts hitting it, or bouncing off the curb. Once you have a couple of years under your belt, get a nicer car. I sure as hell know I would have either totaled my MR2 or something similar if it had been my first car. Thing still scares the crap out of me at times.

 

[1X83Z]

Plus, when you wreck it - as everybody does with their first car - you won't be destroying a real, factory, numbers-matching Grand National.

I don't get why people say this. I've been driving for four years now and have yet to be involved in a car accident; that includes my first car, which spent time in the body shop only once, to correct a mechanical flaw. And I drive the hell out of my cars. For the record, I've seen a Honda Beat in the US, and if you can find one for sale, which is a big if, they shouldn't go for that much money. What I can't figure out is why someone would want one...

 

[Keef]

Everyone says new drivers wreck their first car because...they do. I'll bet that yellow Carrera GT that over 70% of new drivers wreck their first car.

And that means either you're aging prematurely or you aren't driving hard enough.

 

[Duke]

No offense, Doug, but 4 years is not an exceptionally long time to be driving without an accident. You could easily have one tomorrow. You complain mightily when people use anecdotal evidence to contradict you, so don't try to get away with it here. The fact is: "Results not typical" or "Your mileage may vary".

Insurance on unmarried males under 25 is very expensive because the fact is that the vast majority of people in that group have accidents. This is a FACT that is just as valid as any that you choose to back up your points when you tell us not to use anecdotal evidence.

You may not have cosmetically damaged your car, but you've broken it through driving it like a teenage male.

 

[1X83Z]

No offense, Doug, but 4 years is not an exceptionally long time to be driving without an accident. You could easily have one tomorrow. You complain mightily when people use anecdotal evidence to contradict you, so don't try to get away with it here. The fact is: "Results not typical" or "Your mileage may vary".

Well you said 'everyone' wrecks their first car, and now we've changed it to all under-25 males have high insurance, which is a bit different, so perhaps my evidence, though anecdotal, was timely.

And that means either you're aging prematurely or you aren't driving hard enough.

I never crashed, but I did get a ticket. 76 in a 35. Also this happened. Four times.

I think I'm driving hard enough, and no one who's aged prematurely would do that.

So perhaps there's another explanation - that not all people crash their first cars.

 

[Duke]

Well you said 'everyone' wrecks their first car, and now we've changed it to all under-25 males have high insurance, which is a bit different, so perhaps my evidence, though anecdotal, was timely.

And, perhaps, a 240SX doesn't literally weigh more than a 3000GT. But now we've changed that to "it's a metaphor", which is quite a bit different. Hmm? Anecdotal evidence from anyone else, no matter how relevant or timely, means nothing to you when it contradicts your opinion. So don't expect your anecdotal evidence to mean gospel to us in return.

Don't get all snippy, Doug. The rules of engagement are the same for both sides. Learn to recognize that, or expect to continue getting lambasted by pissed-off people.

 

[1X83Z]

And, perhaps, a 240SX doesn't literally weigh more than a 3000GT. But now we've changed that to "it's a metaphor", which is quite a bit different. Hmm?

But I said it was a metaphor from the beginning - literally!

"The new Civics are pretty quick. And those '95-'98 240SXs are heavier than 3000GTs. 3000GT being a metaphor for 'heavy thing.'" From here.

Anecdotal evidence from anyone else, no matter how relevant or timely, means nothing to you when it contradicts your opinion. So don't expect your anecdotal evidence to mean gospel to us in return.

So the everyone thing was opinion?

 

[Duke]

I'm not bothering with this, because you're going to play it literally when it suits you and otherwise when it doesn't. I'm tired of crap like that. I have to put up with enough of it when I don't have a choice about it, so I'm not about to when I do have a choice about it.

Take that anyway you wish.

 

[Jay]

Everyone says new drivers wreck their first car because...they do.

Speak for yourself. I busted almost every mechanical piece in my first car (and then repaired them myself) but after 6 years of ownership was still able to sell it in good running and straight body condition.

Why did the mechanical parts keep breaking? Unreliable? No, I thrashed the living daylights out of the car, taught me a lot in both car control and mechanical but I was lucky never to crash it (though I had come close a few times).

 

[YSSMAN]

Accidents happen. I've known kids that I went to high-school with who went through three cars in the two years they were able to drive...

...Heck, even I totaled my car. It wasn't my fault (stupid Asian girl pulled out in front of me on a yellow, near head-on collision... Needless to say, my VW 'won,' but it was a total loss...), but it happened...

Everyone gets at least one good wreck. It may be a fender-bender, a run-in with a deer, or some kind of full-on collision with another car, but it will happen. All it is is just a matter of time...

 

[JCE]

My first wreck at the age of 18 wasn't my fault. Someone came into my lane and hit me head-on @ 60mph. Not always is a teenager's first wreck their fault. However, I do still claim that AMERICAN teenagers are the worst drivers here. The facts speak for themselves. Period.

Now, can we get back on topic? This poor guy just wanted a simple answer to his simple question. And all we did was blow it away with useless BS. I think I was the only one who actually directly answered his question on post #8.

 

[1X83Z]

I'm not bothering with this, because you're going to play it literally when it suits you and otherwise when it doesn't. I'm tired of crap like that. I have to put up with enough of it when I don't have a choice about it, so I'm not about to when I do have a choice about it.

Fair enough.

However, I do still claim that AMERICAN teenagers are the worst drivers here. The facts speak for themselves. Period.

I think YSSMAN pegged the worst group of drivers, although old people aren't any better than teenagers.

As far as the topic is concerned:
1. The thread starter hasn't posted in this thread since post one, so I presume he forgot about it.
2. We're having intelligent discussion, and that's all that matters.

 

[Tornado]

Eh. Toronado would understand.

Yeah, I got it.
You know whats really funny? For the price of a 240SX (which equals about double what they are worth), one could buy 2 Porsche 944s, or a single 944 S2. Which would not only have the benefit of being a Porsche instead of a Nissan, it would also completely and totally obliterate the 240SX at everything. And it also has flip-ups, so it doesn't even lose out in that important category.
Or, buy a Miata. Even the rather rare 10th Anniversery Editions go for less than a 240SX, and they are probably faster.
Hell, you could buy a Z32 300ZX for the price of a 240SX, and don't even get me started on how comically better at everything that would be over a 240SX.

You realize they never sold the Trueno in the U.S., right? You can get a Corolla GT-S, Good luck finding one, though. Drift fad, anyone?

I know a guy that owns two of 'em. Of course, that really doesn't solve the problem, as the Sprinter is probably even slower and more overpriced than the 240SX is. Both the Toyota and the Mercedes.

 

[Jim Prower]

I know a guy that owns two of 'em. Of course, that really doesn't solve the problem, as the Sprinter is probably even slower and more overpriced than the 240SX is. Both the Toyota and the Mercedes.

And you're sure that these aren't just re-bodied Corolla GT-S? that they're real, numbers-matching Truenos?

((GT-S and SR5 are the US market AE86s, and, as far as I know, the only.))

 

[Sakiale]

You realize they never sold the Trueno in the U.S., right? You can get a Corolla GT-S, Good luck finding one, though. Drift fad, anyone?

Oh, AZ-1, Beat? Dude, are you planning on moving to Japan or something? We never got Kei cars.

Sorry to crush your childhood dreams underneath the rock of reality.

If you want a GN, Start with a standard Regal, and build up a clone using a Turbo Buick mill when you get the money. probably be cheaper.

Import sites

I've seen them online. I'm willing to pay an extra 3K.

Class now. Bye

And also I theoretically CAN afford a Grand National...

 

[Jim Prower]

Oh, gray market imports. cars that might be, could be, not really legal.

 

[Tornado]

And you're sure that these aren't just re-bodied Corolla GT-S? that they're real, numbers-matching Truenos?

Hm? Oh, no, they are both Corolla GT-S'. Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to the second part of your post.

Oh, gray market imports. cars that might be, could be, not really legal.

And considering the cars to be imported, they probably wouldn't be legal. Unless your willing to spend a good portion more than 3 grand.

 

[Azuremen]

Gray market imports are never legal Sakiale... just try getting them registered in the US with out any record of existing in the country... Let alone making it met US safety standards without airbags, crash bars, etc. Oh, and Doug had a really good "story" about importing a Lancia

Hell, for under 10 grand he could get an MR2 turbo, which would be way the hell faster than a 240SX. Or an MR2 Spyder, which is probably faster and certainly handles better...

Or half a dozen Mk1 MR2s 6 grand into an Mk1 MR2 would make for a nice quick car. Hell, I know it does, I have one

 

[JCE]

Or, buy a Miata. Even the rather rare 10th Anniversery Editions go for less than a 240SX, and they are probably faster.

Eh, no. Miata's are slow, all of them. The only Miata that is fast is the ones where the smart owner has dropped the Ford 302 V8 in them. Great fun around a track, horrible at everything else--unless you are shorter than 5'10".

I think YSSMAN pegged the worst group of drivers, although old people aren't any better than teenagers.

Agreed. I think older people 65+ should have a physical driving test every 6 months. Sounds harsh yes, but I'm sorry old people just don't have the REFLEXES needed to drive defensively. And teenagers may have said reflexes, but for the most part they lack the experience and or maturity. 👍

Hell, for under 10 grand he could get an MR2 turbo, which would be way the hell faster than a 240SX. Or an MR2 Spyder, which is probably faster and certainly handles better...

Or half a dozen Mk1 MR2s 6 grand into an Mk1 MR2 would make for a nice quick car. Hell, I know it does, I have one

+1 MR2's (MkI & MkII only) are fantastic cars, and the MkII Turbo model is worth so much more in my eyes. Next to the Supra the MR2 is the best thing to come out of Toyota ever. My brother's got a MkI and after we rebuilt the engine--well actually rebuilt everything--it runs great and the total cost was less than $3k. And now he has a street legal go-kart!

I may love Nissan infinitely better than Toyota as a whole, and add to that a former 240SX owner I'd much rather have:

This

Over this:

*edit*
I just noticed they have the exact same wheels..?

 

[Azuremen]

I just noticed that too. Though both those look lifted to me. Been spending too much time around track prepped MR2s I think.

I have to say the MkIII MR2 is what I would want to have, but with a 2ZZ-GE swap - which is really beyond what I could do I my garage these days. The turbo model is too... big I think. Its more of a touring car than a true sports car. The MkIII MR2s are perfectly balanced (IMO) and are quite fun even with the 1ZZ-FE. That, and for not much money than what you can guy them for, you can make them faster than an Elise, in every sense. ANd I don't mind the way it looks, once a hard top is on it.

Now, an MR2 for a first car, especially an MkII Turbo, would be like telling one to kill themselves. First time pushing it at all would end up off the road backwards. Mine still scares me from time to time.

 

[JCE]

The MkI's with no power steering and a very small margin for error in the rain would be almost worse I think.

And the MkIII is underpowered from factory I think. But, for me the worst part of the MkIII is how it looks...I hate it.

And finally, my brother and I are about to get the silver top 4A-GE to put in his MkI. 160bhp-ish before you even talk about forced induction...mmmmm gotta love those Japanese 4cyl engines. Black tops are too expensive and aren't that much more power from stock. The silver top is cheap and can easily be made with just about as much power as the black top.

 

[Tornado]

Eh, no. Miata's are slow, all of them.

What a coincedence. 240SXs are slow. All of them. And they are heavier and don't handle as well as Miatas, nor are they convertibles. And the 240SXs that were convertibles? You could cook a turkey before they got to 60.
Fun Fact: This could beat a 240SX to 60. Even funnier? So could this. And this (the car next to it? No contest). My favorite? Probably this.

Next to the Supra the MR2 is the best thing to come out of Toyota ever.

That reminds me: You could get a Mark III Supra Turbo for the price of a 240SX.

 

[Azuremen]

And finally, my brother and I are about to get the silver top 4A-GE to put in his MkI. 160bhp-ish before you even talk about forced induction...mmmmm gotta love those Japanese 4cyl engines. Black tops are too expensive and aren't that much more power from stock. The silver top is cheap and can easily be made with just about as much power as the black top.

The silvertop is wonderful, I've been running one since the end of 04. Of course, I blew it one up, and now my head is having issues from some oil starving while I was drifting... though I do have a spare, just need the time to get it on. The difference is massive, as my friend with an 86 did some comparisons in the highway, and he simply did not seem to be accelerating compared to me above 55 mph.

The Mk1's margin for error isn't great, but its not quite as bad as people make it out to be. And the turbo is only really stable if you get 93 model year and up, as they 91 and 92 had a different setup on the rear suspension that Toyota modified since people were spinning them so much.

 

[JCE]

What a coincedence. 240SXs are slow. All of them. And they are heavier and don't handle as well as Miatas, nor are they convertibles. And the 240SXs that were convertibles? You could cook a turkey before they got to 60.
Fun Fact: This could beat a 240SX to 60. Even funnier? So could this. And this (the car next to it? No contest). My favorite? Probably this.

That reminds me: You could get a Mark III Supra Turbo for the price of a 240SX.

Ok let's get into it shall we? The 1995 240SX 0-60mph is 8.3s, the 1994 Miata is 8.8s, the Saab depending on whether it is a 900 or 9000--the 900 is faster but the 9000 is not, the Mark VII with it's V8 is 7.6s, the Cutlass Cailas Quad 442 does it in 7.7s, the Isuzu numbers aren't on the internet apparently, and last but not least the 300ZX NON turbo automatic does it in over 8.5s. So let's breakdown those numbers.

Nissan 2.4L 4cyl = 8.3s
GM 2.3L 4cyl = 7.7s
Ford 5.0L V8 = 7.6s
Saab 2.3L turbo 4cyl. = 6.8s (900 turbo coupe) 9.0s (9000 turbo automatic) 7.5s (9000 turbo manual)

So, yes a couple of those are faster but let's examine them more closely.

1. The GM is a FWD slushbox with a suspension from 1895.
2. The Ford is a RWD 4000lb boat with a suspension from 1909.
3. The Saab is a AWD sport performance machine with reliability problems up the ying yang.
4. The Nissan performs well enough from a naturally aspirated 4cyl engine with a suspension from current times.
5. The Mazda would take a corner perfectly but take forever to accelerate out of it.

Take the cork screw from Laguna Seca in any of the cars you mentioned and the 240SX would be second on the list of the best performer next to the Saab sport saloon/coupe. The Isuzu would roll over, the GM would understeer into the wall, the Ford will body roll to the point of uncontrollable oversteer, the 300ZX automatic would come in third, and the Miata will be fouth because of the lack of power to accelerate out of the corner.

I'm still not advocating he get one (240SX), I still think even with it's faults (and the automatic transmission is the only one) the 300ZX is still a better car--even in non-turbo form. But honestly, dropping that list of bull**** cars to this discussion and pretending they are better than the 240SX is quite ludacris. 0-60mph isn't everything, granted it is the most used benchmark of sports cars that still doesn't make it the end all to be all.

The silvertop is wonderful, I've been running one since the end of 04. Of course, I blew it one up, and now my head is having issues from some oil starving while I was drifting... though I do have a spare, just need the time to get it on. The difference is massive, as my friend with an 86 did some comparisons in the highway, and he simply did not seem to be accelerating compared to me above 55 mph.

I thought the silver (and black) top were almost invincible? How much do you know about the silver top conversion for the MkI? My brother and I might have to pick your brain when we're ready.

The Mk1's margin for error isn't great, but its not quite as bad as people make it out to be.

For you or me maybe, but to an inexperienced teenager they are not good starter cars. 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

I may be at a misunderstanding here, but could someone please explain to me why the numbers for the Miata are that bad? Am I missing something?

...The point of the car isn't about being outstandingly quick at everything, but to be understandably quick overall. Of course, that doesn't mean that six-seconds to sixty are required to be a decent sports car. At least in my mind, the feeling that the car gives back whether going through farm roads surrounded by corn or up a twisty mountain pass is far more important than being the first through the lights.

I would care to wager a bet that the Miata would not only be easier to find, presumably for a lower price, but also cheaper to fuel-up and insure as well. Not to mention the outstanding build quality, the cheap and readily available replacement parts, and the outstanding community based around the car and the people who own them.

...Quite frankly, I can't think of too many cars that are 'better' than the Miata if you're looking for basic, fun transportation. If I can get ahold of my Aunt in the near-future, I may offer to buy hers (a '96 M-Edition, BR Green with the tan leather), simply because it would be cheaper (overall) than the VW I have now...

Granted, the car isn't for everyone. But arguing over the performance of the Miata against the 240SX just seems a bit silly. Technically speaking, they shouldn't even be compared at all, outside of the fact of course that they are both iconic sports cars from Japan.

...But if we're interested only in that, lets go about throwing in crazy old models like the Subaru SVX, the Honda Prelude (one of my favorites), the old-school Probe GT/MX-6, and while we're at it, the old Celica GT-S as well.

They're all going to be outstandingly slow by today's standards. But back then, they were decently fast cars. I mean, if we want to talk about obscure, rather fast cars, we may as well mention the Chevrolet Beretta GTZ, of which was not only faster than the M3 (of the era) to sixty, but if I recall correctly, out-handled it as well...

 

[1X83Z]

Ok let's get into it shall we? The 1995 240SX 0-60mph is 8.3s,

What modified tow truck is pulling it along for that incredible time?

Agreed. I think older people 65+ should have a physical driving test every 6 months. Sounds harsh yes, but I'm sorry old people just don't have the REFLEXES needed to drive defensively.

You know, many rental car companies now no longer rent to older drivers (as they do not rent to younger drivers) because they pose a high insurance risk.

 

[Tulok]

There is a baretta for sale for ~$1000usd here,
I have been reading alot about 626's lately, they are very quick, and the V6 has a ton of potential.
You can eat civics, and other things...and they are cheap.
you can get a 99 v6 for sub 4000 usd... 0-60 in 7.5