1990 240SX - Need your help and opinion!

[drift55]

I'm in the market for a cheap, reliable & somewhat fuel efficient car. I'm a university student so I don't have a lot of cash to spend on a car.

There's a guy selling his 1990 240SX for $1800 ($CDN). It's got a little bit of rust on the body, which will definatly need work.

Plus, since this is a 1990, its got a open diff and sohc engine. I can live with the SOHC (btw, how much HP and torque does the SOHC have?), but I'll eventually have to get a limited slip or viscous diff because winter driving will be a biatch without it. Plus, I think I'll have to replace the entire hatch, not just patch it up (because of the rust).

I need your help and opinion on whether this a good deal, will the replacement parts be cheap, will the car be reliable, and overall is it worth it? If this isn't really worth it, I'll probably get a late 90's civic or corolla a little later on (which will be $5000+).

This is what he states about the cars condition:

1990 240sx fastback 5spd, 217xxx km, original dark blue paint, no power options, sunroof had this car less then half a year and invested 1000ish into fixing it up. new clutch, rebuilt alternator, new fuel pump, new lower ball joints, new battery, new back tires, some after market muffler. thats all i can think of right now. car runs with no problem and i am currently driving it on the road right now. i have etest paper thats can be used still.

rust issue underbody 4/5(last i checked) exterior 3/5- driver side rear fender needs some attention and hatch has holes needs to be replaced. those 2 are the only major spots and a few lite rust spots nothing major.
underbody is pretty decent rockers decent no holes, strut tower some surface rust.i will try and get pics of the frame/underbody when i get a chance.

interior 3/5 average wear


Here are some pics of the car:
http://img198.exs.cx/img198/4536/back4ri.jpg
http://img198.exs.cx/img198/1774/front6ay.jpg
http://img198.exs.cx/img198/8900/front27at.jpg
http://img.asiantown.net/members/11131/front.jpg
http://img.asiantown.net/members/11131/front1.jpg
http://img.asiantown.net/members/11131/back.jpg
http://img.asiantown.net/members/11131/inter.jpg
http://img.asiantown.net/members/11131/240sx2.JPG

Under body:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/3cc3ntr1c/240/under4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/3cc3ntr1c/240/under3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/3cc3ntr1c/240/under2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/3cc3ntr1c/240/under1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/3cc3ntr1c/240/under.jpg

[kevie88]

If you want a project car run away as fast as you can while waving your arms in the air and screaming.. I would definately not buy.

The rust on the strut towers, tho it doesn't look bad, is really really bad. It always comes from the inside and by the time you actually see it on the topside the strut towers are fucked. If there's ANY and I mean ANY rust on the rockers or strut towers you do not want that car for the basis of a project. Parts car maybe but no way would I build on that.

The big problem with the pics is none of them show any areas that are prone to rust, like the doglegs in the kickpanel/b pillar area, or the lower rear rockers, or the strut towers. seems like he's hiding something.

Also, I've driven RWD open diff cars all my life and never had a problem. You won't need to find a LSD until you throw (a lot) more power at it.

[DonJuan]

^ :thumbsup: esp about the strut towers. I agree wholeheartedly... step away. If your looking into it as just a daily driver, have it checked out by a reputable mechanic as I've heard that if there are signs of rust on the srut towers the car can be declared unsafe and not road worthy and won't pass a saftey inspection required by some insurance companies now.

[VIP_style]

I have had experience with early 90's 240's, my first car was a 1991 240SX, same mileage- less rust. I found my 240 to be very reliable, the idle was smooth and the drive was solid even @ 230K. I drove the car for 2 years (all i repalced was the alternator and fuel pump) and sold it in 2001 because it needed all new brakes and it wasn't worth the money to repair.

I wouldn't count this car out if you are looking for a decent reliable car, $1500 seems fair. I cant tell much from the pictures- but if the rust is all the way through on the strut tower then dont bother, there are plenty of other cars in your price range I could consider.

[drift55]

Originally posted by VIP_style
I have had experience with early 90's 240's, my first car was a 1991 240SX, same mileage- less rust. I found my 240 to be very reliable, the idle was smooth and the drive was solid even @ 230K. I drove the car for 2 years (all i repalced was the alternator and fuel pump) and sold it in 2001 because it needed all new brakes and it wasn't worth the money to repair.

I wouldn't count this car out if you are looking for a decent reliable car, $1500 seems fair. I cant tell much from the pictures- but if the rust is all the way through on the strut tower then dont bother, there are plenty of other cars in your price range I could consider.

Thanks for all the reponses guys. Due to the rust, I'll probably not buy it, but I'll go check it out in person this weekend or next weekend.

What other cars would you guys recommend? I'm also looking at some 1996-2000 Civic H/B's and 1995-1998 Corolla's. They average at about $6000, which is way more then $1500, but I might be able to get my dad to let me borrow half that.