I’m bored at work so I thought it would be interesting to see what members have purchased after owning a S chassis. I know a few of non S chassis owners still actively use this forum (including me).
I’ll start.
What did I buy?
A 2000 Honda S2000
Why?
Wanted something more suitable for grip driving. It needed to be RWD, under $20,000, reliable, have great balance, not be too annoying to DD, and have decent fuel economy. My choice was mainly between the S2K, 350Z an E46 M3. I ultimately went with the S2K since it was the best handling of the bunch (M3 and 350z understeer too much for me), has the best fuel economy, the best looks IMO, and good reliability (most years of the 350Z are good too). The S2k is also faster in a straight line when compared to the 2003-2005 350Z without the HR motor.
What do you miss about your S Chassis?
I miss the indestructibility, the power, the low cost of maintenance and repairs and the low cost of insurance. It is also much easier to work on when compared to the S2K. For example, to change the clutch on the S2K, you have to lower the engine crossmember (to get to the top tranny bolts), which means disconnecting the intake, steering rack, exhaust etc. What a bitch…
Will you be back?
Yes, I want to get another S chassis for a winter beater.
I was driving my S13 barely at all and and couldnt let the investment of time and money sit idle. Additionally, my S14 was initially intended as a DD but was a bit too small for a single child seat + a full sized passenger. I made the decision to sell the S13 (took a while) and to use the S14 as more of a track car and get a more reasonable daily. That said, i was not willing to compromise and get a sedan or a van for my DD. I did consider current BMW 3 series’ but they are too expensive to buy and maintain. The 350z doesnt have rear seats. The G35 was really the only logical choice. I test drove it with child seats and it all worked out.
What do you miss about your S Chassis?
Ramesh you hit the nail on the head. 240sx’s are so easy to make fast and fun. They handle incredibly when properly set up and are altogether the most rewarding drive i know of on account of value. I went through 4 primary chassis with various motors and other parts carried over crash after crash.
What i also notice about 240sx’s, especially compared to $20k sport-compacts (S2K’s, G35’s, 350z’s, BMW’s, STI’s) is that when you come across a 240sx in good shape with some mods you can be pretty certain the owner knows what he has and knows what he’s done and why. He’s actually a car guy / gal. The same is not true of the $20k sports coupes. There are way too many douchebags who know dick fuck all about cars who carry a payment now that they have a decent job, put some mild mods on it and think they know what they’re doing, but they dont. I can’t beleive how much more knowledgable the 240sx guys are around here as compared to most Z33/G35 guys and others. There is no comparison.
I get more comments on my S14 from random people (drivers, pedestrians etc) than i do in the G35 for that very reason. it’s 75/25 in favour that i could be a douchebag in the G35 and 90/10 in the 240sx that i’m not.
Will you be back?
I havent left completely and if i ever do it will only be temporary. I intend on having a stable of well-built, ready to drive Nissans. S13, S14, GTR, etc. etc. forever.
Sorry for the shitty cell pic but i dont even care to take decent pics of my cars anymore:
I still love my S car and, until 2 weeks ago, I NEVER thought I’d be selling it. I will always have a spot for 240s but I could not pass up the opportunity to buy this car. It has the best of everything: GM smallblock, Mazda chassis, Ford rear end. Power (and powerband) is ridiculous. Balance is wicked good. And to top it all off it looks pretty and sounds epic.
i have always maintained that cars assembled in japan in the late 80s to mid 90s are the best built cars ever.
seriously… the interior on a 240 is so nicely put together compared to sooo many other cars… even cars that are 20 years newer! simplicity ALWAYS wins.
Will you be back?
Maybe. If I am, it will be in a kouki s14. If there are any decent ones left by then, that is.
Why?
I was reaching a point in my life that i decided i needed to be done with impractical cars that kept sucking money. I thought the s13 was a financial vice for me and i’d be more responsible with my money if i had a car i was less eager to modify. This is a half truth, am i still spending the same amount of money on my is300? No, but the bug has not gone away, i regret selling my s13 every time i see another one. The only reason the is300 is not more heavily modified is because aftermarket support is just too pricey. for the same price as adjustable rear LCA’s for my is300 i could also get a full set of bnib multilink for the s13, kind of ridiculous.
What do you miss about your S Chassis?
I share the same sentiment as Bing, Ramesh and Mike of course. For me the most specific thing i miss the most would be the carefree attitude of driving (its coming back in the lexus; probably not a good thing). I’d been through so much with the s13 that fender benders, broken suspension and ugly bodywork wasnt such a big deal back then. I miss the fact that aftermarket support was so easy to come by and was so affordable.
Will you be back?
Hopefully; i regret ever parting out my car and i really want it back. unfortunately, its not in the cards right now as i’m still finishing school and looking to get my own place.
Because I am stupid, and I wanted something slow, ugly, impractical, and old.
What do you miss about your S Chassis/would you go back?
I don’t really miss my s-chassis cars too much. If I go back to s-chassis it will be to an s13 that is already built. I just wanna make it pretty. I DO miss r-chassis. I will have another couple r32’s. A 2 door gtst, and another 4 door.
So yes, I’ll be back. Unless I make it to a z33 first.
Hey Ramesh, car looks even better in person. Lastnight when we were talking I still had my silvia, today it was sold.
I have already a daily driver so I’m not sure what to replace it with or if at all. I do love lapping though but I’m challenged to start riding and well get a bike too. Anyway congrats to all of you on these nice replacements.
It’s good that former S-chassis owner can still be cool on the forum and off when they meet up.
Catch you guys on the flip.
Z
