alright guys. I have a 89 240sx. Its a 5spd but has many minor problems. For example . . . the clutch slips, the interior behind the front seats is pretty much shot, the driver side window is shattered and the regulator and motor is shot, the speed sensor/governor is shorting out, needs new tires, etc. My buddy is trying to sell me a 1990 nissan 300zx 5spd 2+0 with minor problems for $2000. Im wondering should i keep the 240 and fix all its minor problems and then go from there or should i buy the 300 and fix the starter on it and go from there. Any honest input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Why don't you ask yourself what car YOU want?

 

Get the one that you think is pretty...that is all.

 

300zx's are terrible cars. virtually impossible to do any minor repairs/servicing that would have been very easy on the 240. i say keep the 240, try replacing the clutch master cyl b/c the piston seal might have gone bad.

 

They're not terrible cars. They have a lot of potential and look beautiful. But they are definitely money pits. Buy a Z32 and you're just asking for trouble, unless you've got the funds to fix all the things that will inevitably go wrong. Especially on a $2000 one. Parts for those cars are insanely expensive compared to the 240sx. The N/A cars are also sluggish and lack power. You will save a lot of money in the long run, and probably be happier, by just fixing your car.

 

I appreciate all the input guys. I think i have decided to keep the 240. I know all the problems with it and i have spent the last year and a half trying to learn all i can about it. If i was to get the 300zx then there might be problems with the car the owner is telling me about. I know whats wrong with mine. Im getting a $1000 in a week so i can fix all the minor problems with that. Then come the upgrades.

 

Yea a n/a 300zx might be a little power starved, but i don't think that is a valid statement considering his other choice of cars is an '89 SOHC KA-E. Project Car just dynoed a '90 SOHC at 86.2- that might be a little sluggish.

 

Props for sticking with the 240. The problems you mentioned aren't that bad. In the end you can do way more to the 240 than you could ever do to the 300. One more thing to consider: making mods to the 240 are cheap enough that if you make a mistake and end up with solid ugly, you can always buy something else. Do that with a 300 and you got solid ugly for days to come.

 

Yea start off with a KA24DE swap form JGYcustoms.com $200 (shameless plug)

 

i really appreciate all the input. Now i have really no idea where to find the parts that i need for the makeover. I need to start off by getting a new clutch. I also want to do a KA24DE swap but i want to make sure i am not getting screwed when buying the motor for the swap. I also need to go ahead and fix the driver side window because it shattered. I am wondering if i can do all this for around $1000 if i do the swap myself. If you guys know of anywhere i can get the motor that doesnt need alot of work. I dont want to be buying a problem. Im 17 and its my senior year in high school. Thanks in advance....

 

My advice on finding a motor: Find one in a salvage yard and get it for cheap. Then rebuild the hell outa it. Most KA's these days either have excessively high miles or the freshly rebuilt motors are expensive. Im rebuilding mine using all new gaskets and having the head completely rebuilt, the crank polished, and using all new basics (I.E. Rings and bearings). All in all the grand total comes to roughly 900 dollars. Add in fluids and basic tuneup pieces and it comes to a little over 1100 dollars. Thats a lot less than a longblock. In fact, i have a 95 longblock that has some sort of compression issue (a.k.a. needs a rebuild) that you can have if you wanna pick it up.

 

ok. So how much would it cost me to rebuild that motor to running condition? Just a ballpark. Also where are you located? Thanks again.