Ok...well i'm very excited to be getting a 240...and i think i found one!!! HOWEVER...the car would be a project...and i need a lot of advice on what to do...as well as whether or not i should buy the car...

The car i think i want to buy is a 1989 240 Fastback. Now I went last night and checked out the car...and there were a lot of things i have questions about. The first is that i noticed the car had 5 lug wheels...i was under the impression they came w/ 4 stock. So first off could someone clear this up for me?

Next up is there are two spots of body damage...very minor on the rear bumper...and a somewhat major spot that is totally contained to the passenger door. Now the paint is pretty bad on the car, so i would plan to just replace the bumper and door, and have the whole sucker painted. So my next question is, how much should i expect to pay to get a door and a bumper...used is fine of course...probably junkyard or maybe someone selling online...

Alright....next in line...the turn signals are a little screwy. Both work in taillights...right, left, and w/ hazards...now in the front both bumper lenses light up w/ the lights on...however...only the drivers side (left turn signal) side will blink with the turn signal on. So I'm assuming this is some sort of electrical problem, like w/ a relay maybe? or is there a second bulb in that lense that blinks for the signal? It doesn't work w/ the right signal or the hazards. How hard you think this will be to fix?

Lastly there are little misc. pieces that are missing or need replaced. The two lenses or reflectors (not sure what they are) on the side of the bumpers need replaced *one is missing, one is broken in half*. How expensive would these be to pick up?? Also, part of the gauge cluster doesn't light up...it's not a MAJOR issue...but rather just an annoyance. I assume this is just a bulb needing replaced...and i have done a similar fix on my honda before. But my question here is just how hard is it to get to the gauge cluster??

So let me know if you guys can answer some of my questions and also what you think bout me buying the car. The seller is asking 1600 but i'm trying to aim between 1400-1500. Thanks in advance for this TON of help...thanks so much everyone. I'll be back soon....haha

 

Yeah all S13's had 4 lugs stock.

How does the car drive? How many miles? What condion is the engine in? I'd say unless it's perfect except for what you said I'd definately not buy it. Sounds like you gotta put a bunch of money and work in it . Though you say you only wanna spend $1400-$1500 I don't think you'll find any good 240sx for that much. You'd do much better with around $2000.

 

I should also say if you're looking at a SOHC make sure you look at the injectors to make sure they aren't leaking cause it's an expensive fix.

 

With all you mentioned you could probably talk him down to a grand...get your buddy over there without you one day...have him make an offer of 700 max...wait a few hours and then come back and offer him the grand...I guess he will bite.

 

the car runs really well actually...it has a 149000...and yeah..i am willing to spend up to like...2000...that's no problem. but i figure i wouldn't mind buying this and doing the work and then painting if the body pieces wouldn't be too expensive.

also just fyi...i plan on an sr20 swap within a month of buying the car.

so the five lug is a conversion? how beneficial is this on a 240? i know on honda's it makes a big difference in terms of brakes and suspension.

thanks for the help guys.

 

The Folks at Sport Compact Car Mag said that it made a huge difference, but they weren't sure if it was worth the money or not as the whole reason for them doing it was to put the Brembo Gran Turismo Brakes on it. If you are going to do it, do when you get rims...myself, I dont think I need to do it anytime soon so I may stick with the 4 lug.

 

i don't understand... why would someone leave the car stock in s**tty condition and do a 5-lug conversion
i would skip that car and look for something better...
i've paid $5000 for my 92 SE coupe last year...but it's worth all the money...thing is flawless...

 

Because some peoples priority is on WHAT they have and NOT on how they can handle...
Be carefull... If the BUMPER is dented. It can't, it is urethane. If it IS dimpled, the frame support underneath could be damaged as well.
If the Door is creased at the edges, the door should be replaced, not fixed. Look for rust at the rear Hatch spoiler and at the bottom of the door jambs in front.
also, if the 5 lug was done, make sure the lines were replaced and the hubs are new or rebuilt..
Just some ideas..

 

for the bumper and door if you can find them at a junk yard in good condition would be cheaper than getting brand new parts. i got the left front fender, hood , and front bumper for about $130.oo at a junk yard. but it is hard to find 240's in a junk yard so you'll have to check several places. i have a 92' that i've been piecing back together for a couple months. as long as there really isn't any damage on the back quarter panels , and it is in fairly good shape i would say it is a good buy .