kneedragger87

I'm thinking of selling my '04 TL to my g/f for the pay off, which is just over 10k. My friend has a Nissan S13 with a Greddy turbocharger kit and he wants $3k for it. I'm about to be moving to Tampa for two years to finish up my degree and was wondering if this would be a good idea. I know the S13/240sx is a fairly reliable vehicle but was wondering if anyone would want to offer some input to help me make a good decision.

I would be cutting my monthly payments from $290 to around $100.

cliffs...

-Sell TL to girlfriend for 10K

-Moving to Tampa and need reliable car that doesn't cost much to keep up.

-Buy turbo S13?

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Might want to be careful of a high-mileage turbo car. Insist on seeing documented receipts and all that. If it were up to me, I'd keep the TL.

kneedragger87

^ My parent's want me to keep it as well. It's really a toss up. I know the traffic and crime rate is much worse down there and was kind of wanting something not so flashy and wouldn't hurt my feelings if it were to take a few bumps from careless elderly drivers.

Danil ACE

Definitely keep the TL. Seriously, a 2004 TL vs an old turbo 240sx?

old coastie

I don't know about an aftermarket turbo, I would think the car was probably run pretty hard and therefore may ending up costing you money in the future. Nissans are certainly reliable however and, if he's babied the car, it might be okay. What's the year and miles?

kneedragger87

It's a '93 and the car itself has about 120k but the engine and drivetrain have about 35k. Needs some paint and body work to look as good as my TL, but I really don't mind as long as it's a solid car. On a side note, this guy has two other S13s, one is putting down 400whp at 20psi with a (If I'm correct) 78mm turbo and a rather large Spearco FMIC. This guy knows his Nissans, but I'll be going over tomorrow to his place to look further into this.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Since your friend likes Nissan, I think he takes good care of his cars. Does it have the SR20DET?

kneedragger87

Yes, it does!

neuronbob

Do you even need to ask? If you're worried about crime, get a good aftermarket alarm, which, while it won't make your car theft-proof, will at least make it harder to steal. As far as playing bumper cars in city traffic.....that's life, I'm afraid.

Neejay

iTrader: (3)

I have a s13 with rb25det.

Tampa, FL???? And you don't think the s13 will be a hot commodity there?

If money is an issue, then I say grab a honda accord/civic/cheap economy car until you graduate. S13's will be a target, especially with a FMIC.

If money wasn't an issue, and I honestly had to choose, I'd keep my TL Type-S. Again, personal preference/situation...

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Nice! For me I would keep the TL though. People might pick on you if you drive a S13 turbo.

kneedragger87

Update:

Went to check out the S13 yesterday. Car is in a primer coat and is awaiting a top layer of 350Z blue metallic. The engine bay has already been painted in the same blue. Interior doesn't have a back seat and has been gutted somewhat. The guy says if I buy it from him, he'll throw in a rather large FMIC, custom front clip that has an opening to display said intercooler, fully adjustable coilover set, full 3" exhaust, some very nice gold wheels that are staggered with a polished lip (these were on his 400hp S13), a set of BF/Goodrich gForce T/As, port and polished head, a ka24de block that has been overhauled (new bearings, pistons, etc), Greddy emanage, and a 300ZX big brake conversion.

Also, he wants to buy my TL instead of my girlfriend. I'm really considering doing this, but I'll have to wait and see how this all pans out.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

He's selling you all that for $3,000?

kneedragger87

Well, not really. When he buys my TL, he'll pay 12k and I only owe 10k, so I'll end up owing him just under 3k for everything.

TzarChasm

I don't think I would pay just under $5K for a tuner car that you are going to use as a daily driver. But that's just me, I'm old. nowadays, I am more interested in reliability for a daily driver.

phee

iTrader: (5)

what head are you thinking with?

old coastie

[QUOTE=kneedragger87;10687314]Update:

Went to check out the S13 yesterday. Car is in a primer coat and is awaiting a top layer of 350Z blue metallic. The engine bay has already been painted in the same blue. Interior doesn't have a back seat and has been gutted somewhat. The guy says if I buy it from him, he'll throw in a rather large FMIC, custom front clip that has an opening to display said intercooler, fully adjustable coilover set, full 3" exhaust, some very nice gold wheels that are staggered with a polished lip (these were on his 400hp S13), a set of BF/Goodrich gForce T/As, port and polished head, a ka24de block that has been overhauled (new bearings, pistons, etc), Greddy emanage, and a 300ZX big brake conversion.

Wow! With all this you don't think the car will be as big a target as your TL??!! Maybe you're just looking for a change from the TL? And of course if you have a tuner you're going to run it like a tuner which means expenses for the car and the traffic fines. As another poster said, buy a beater Civic/Accord, save your cash and get through school.

kneedragger87

Yeah... I don't know what to do. I really want to get out from under these payments on the TL. It's just that I've always had my eye on this guys car, but, like you said, it will attract more attention from law enforcement and thieves. As far as reliability I think it shouldn't be too bad, if anything ever tears up it's just a quick run to a junkyard or ebay, transmissions are going for $500. I forgot to mention he's going to throw in a new six puck ACT clutch as well.

I need to give myself some time to slow down and look at this logically so I can make the right decision.

mrmako

An S13, with all of that stuff is a great price, and the guy sounds like a pretty straight shooter:

IF

this is a second car. I strongly advise you do not get it.

this might fit the bill (click on the link below):

2000 Subaru Legacy

Nothing Fancy, just good transportation that will last a long time. I'm not saying this specific car will be great, but AWD during rainy times there is nice to have.

kneedragger87

^^^ Thanks. Subies have always been on my short list for potential vehicles. What do you mean by second car? Do you mean if the S13 will be a beater?

Another update...

My friend called me and said he also has an AEM high volume fuel rail as well as some larger injectors he found in his shop he would throw in with the deal. It's going to take a few weekends to get this car back together, not to mention painting it, but i think I'm going to go through with this. I would really like to get out from under the payments on the TL, but it really isn't that bad. I have a good job, but it would be nice to have some extra cash sitting in the bank.

Neejay

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, he means if the s13 would NOT be your daily driver.

Be sure to get a quality alarm installed. How mechanically inclined are you?

Aman

I'd do it. It seems like a nice change, especially the smaller payments. And you could always buy a TL once you get out of school and keep this as a beater. I'm assuming that's it in your avatar. It looks nice IMHO. And with all that extra stuff he's adding, the deal just gets better. just be wary of insurance and thefts.

kneedragger87

I'm pretty good under the hood. I know my way around and pick up on how things are done quickly. I'm still staying up nights on the internet learning all I can about turbos though. The alarm idea sounds like a must.

Smaller payments are a BIG plus. Having a fun car to beat around while I'm in school will be nice too. Sooooo many more parts for the S13 and they're much cheaper too.

That car in my avatar is what I'm shooting for with this S13. Someday it will look that good. I'll take some pictures of the S13 once my friend gets back in from visiting his brother in New York this week.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Is it going to be a Silvia or 180SX or Sileighty?

kneedragger87

I would really like to go with the Sileighty look. I love the front end of the Silvia and the rear of the 180sx.

mrmako

I was saying that the S13 should be a second car. If you're a student, you are going to have your stuff robbed from you. You'll show friends, who will tell friends, who will tell friends who are thugs, and steal it.

The Subie or even a Mitsu Lancer GTS would be uninspiring to a thief, but fun for you to have.

kneedragger87

This IS a very good point and one I need to consider. Thank all of you for your opinions. I'll let you all know what I decide to do this coming week!

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

no

tiguy99

In for the pics

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

you should definitely do it!

tiguy99

This is for the O.P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl63xOMBmaQ

Thought you'd like to see what the potential was for your car

kneedragger87

Tomorrow I will upload pictures to show how it's coming along. I have decided to paint the car white. The two shades I'm debating between are a metallic white and a pearl white (A yellow tint pearl, not a blue tint like on the Lexus IS350.)









Pearl on S14...

kneedragger87

****EDIT**** Wrong thread for previous post.



link to correct thread...

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/%2A%2A%2Anissan-240sx-re-build%2A%2A%2A-pictures-inside-719408/