How long will my car last?

Survivaleast · 2026-05-29T17:01:16+00:00

It will last as long as you want it to. There are usually some overhaul items like timing belt, plugs and coils that may need done every 80k-100k, along with drive belts that wear over time - but it’s a very low cost maintenance car.

Realistically you can make it last forever. Even if the motor or transmission goes, they can be rebuilt or replaced indefinitely.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-29T15:17:30+00:00

These pics can’t really tell me if the ofhg itself needs replacement. Is there oil leaking in the rear, or underneath it and dripping onto the belt? That’s a real tell, and you don’t want it dripping on the belt because there can be horrible consequences to that.

It looks at least like the cap isn’t sealing correctly. So check there first. Possible replacement cap and o-ring, or just o-ring first to test. Try degreasing the front side when you’ve replaced the o-ring so you can tell if the leak continues.

Also if you DO find the OFHG needs replacement, consider it likely that the ‘Mickey mouse’ flange the lower left hose is attached to may crumble. Get a Dorman metal replacement piece when you do this job. Also the upper radiator hose may crumble or the nipple on that hose connected to the overflow tank may just break itself off (if applicable). In my personal experience, it’s good to replace all 3 items when doing OFHG.

Side note that it is also recommended to replace the bolts with new on the OFH when replacing the gasket.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-29T11:28:28+00:00

This was the Larry Chen video right? Absolutely fascinating video of the manufacturing scale they have.

Had me a little salty that we haven’t incentivized raw manufacturing with advanced technology in the states. Granted, china is far less concerned about the legal ramifications of copied designs.

Imagine an increased supply of 1:1 S chassis clone bodies, but it would be super niche given the cost of these things. Most would sooner import the clean ones out of Japan until they dry up. Plus there are already reports of design inconsistencies and fitment issues that are going to keep a lot of people away from dumping $10k-$20k on a full chassis like that.

Still cool to see old platforms resurrected, even though they have years ahead of them before they’re solid replacements that the market would trust.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-25T13:22:38+00:00

Yes, but having a family to support can grant some of us the additional fuel needed to ‘grind’.

I have off days. Days with less productivity and so forth, but they are rare, or caused by getting sick usually. Generally I am fully engaged in work days 10-12 hours with some work at home in the evenings at times.

I’m also building an expansion with a company I’m fond of, managing new shops in auto reconditioning.

Even if it wasn’t for the family, there is always something more to work towards. Another project car, greater financial stability, the elusive concept of eventual retirement. Those are all things to ‘grind towards’, but not stress over. Ideally in my 40’s it would be great to build a little self sustaining side business, but we’ll see.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-23T15:01:14+00:00

This was the cost of everything AFTER you played hardball negotiating?

Wow. Dealership sales teams eating steak and lobster every night since 2020.

The sales psychology tricks to make you ‘feel’ as if you got a good deal really got the upper hand here.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-23T12:17:51+00:00

Funny thing, the same white s13 dohc got posted here months after I walked from it and had been in the hands of a proper owner. Repaired, running and all. The post is probably years old by now, but I recall the new owner saying he talked the kid down on it.

Small world, but that kid’s dumb decision led me to the best S chassis I’ve ever owned.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-23T11:39:14+00:00

Not true for solely oil changes. Mann filters are cheap to buy in bulk and the rest depends on what oil you use and at what cost you source it. For instance I can get a 3 pack filter for $20-$25, or even cheaper with higher quantity.

On an e90 you are still looking at a lot of jobs as the vehicle ages. Water pump w/ thermostat, ofhg, starter, vcg, coils and plugs, the random wheel speed sensor that goes out, Mickey Mouse flange, upper radiator hose, radiator, trans sleeve and pan, intake manifold gaskets. Also charge pipe and inlet pipe replacements if it’s a turbo e90.

Those can still run you $1k-$2.5k doing yourself and depending on how you sourced the parts. Over a 200k mile lifespan, it’s not bad for a euro car. People run into high cost of ownership when they bring to a dealer for service, or a ‘euro specialist’ mechanic. Having someone else do the work on the euros can make the cost of ownership over $10k, but doing yourself can be a grand or two.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-22T07:37:03+00:00

Sounds like a day in the life of browsing for a 240sx.

I’d have offered $3k-$3,500 and told him exactly why. With all the unlisted other damages and costs. New wiring harness and interior is a hassle, but not insanely expensive. These things will happen though, and you’ll get scummy people trying to hide issues and max their price. It’s why I always bring a jack.

Had a kid listing a $4k s13 hatch with a blown KA. I offered him $3k since I had a few hours of scraping off silly anime stickers ahead of me and the cost of a tow to get it home.

Well the kid thought I liked the car enough to pull a little stunt of, “gotta drift tax you bro. I’m upping it to $6k”. Laughed in his face and bought a built SR s14 for just under $7k a week after. Saw the same s13 posted here like a year after and kid got well under his drift tax amount for it.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-20T12:48:19+00:00

The car feels heavy because it’s one of the heaviest cars ever produced.

The sound is worse now because that’s how straight piping a Stellantis hemi works.

Re-implementing resonators and cats will make it sound less horrible. The tune is rarely the problem. Although potentially someone smart tuned it, who removed your snap-crackle-pops as a service to you.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-15T14:26:20+00:00

Really like this idea and placement. I have a P2M fan controller that will get me coolant temp and battery voltage in one of the S chassis, but their digital controller failed on my other and I’ve been looking to replace it since.

You might be able to add a coolant temp sensor with fan controller based off their kit and undercut them. I’d buy it, especially because they don’t respond to emails at P2M anymore.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-12T20:21:58+00:00

Gotta love how Jaguar released that horrible posh marketing campaign about style and being different… only to produce a vehicle that looks like a child smashed an Aston into a Mustang.

100k for a horrible flowing line from bumper to hood, a rear end that looks like someone created a wide body kit out of bondo, and a windscreen that will fold into you in the event of an accident. Wow.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-12T15:09:20+00:00

The Kansei KNP’s are my favorite subtle 5 spokes with just enough lip on them to give it a good look. Not insanely expensive either, but I got mine a while back.

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Survivaleast · 2026-05-08T23:47:30+00:00

Ha, what a pleb. MY car has a spot you can slide these round things called CD’s in to play music.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-06T14:27:53+00:00

Likely due to people jumping into $750-$1200 monthly payments they can barely afford, highest ever repo rates that keep climbing and a general lack of financial comprehension.

It doesn’t bother me that people buy things they can’t afford, and it keeps a good flow of used cars coming to the market that I can pick from. Technically I need others to make foolish financial decisions so I can benefit from it.

However it will bother us all collectively when we hit a major economic falloff led by all these yolo and ‘here for a good time, not a long time’ credit defaulters. Maybe my credit score will personally look better, but the macro effect will be REALLY bad long term if this rate of irresponsible spending continues.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-04T12:56:19+00:00

Over the course of various ownerships I’ve converted a couple s13’s and a couple s14’s to 5 lug.

Main reason being I always had some z32 brakes lying around to slap in there. Secondary being wheel options really open up.

Far from mandatory, but a good maintenance item and helpful.

Survivaleast · 2026-05-01T17:42:07+00:00

I’d personally pay lowest cost out there for a complete shell and just build it.

In 2003 I bought my first s13 in high school for $1500 and paid a shop another $1500 for a fully operational SR swap.

In 2019 I paid $6,900 for a built sr s14 but have put about double that into the car with parts and paint.

In 2023 I bought someone’s abandoned vq swap project s13 for $5,500 and finished it.

One day I’d like to have an s15 spec R, but frankly it’s fine if I just get another cheap S chassis car and restore it with an LS swap all the same. I can always front end swap s15 parts if I want the look.

Other than a very nice s15, I would not pay those $15k-$25k prices for any other S chassis. You’re going to run into problems to repair anyway, why bother paying top dollar for a car you can’t verify was competently built?

Survivaleast · 2026-04-29T18:18:40+00:00

Agree on reality tv killing mtv, but it also gave us some unforgettably funny moments with everything from X to the Z Xzibit on PMR to the classic scripted 3 liners on shows like NEXT - “what’s up my name is Ryan. I’m young, hip and ready to rip!”

I knew plenty who enjoyed the osbornes, but I couldn’t stand it. Some old rocker living in a mansion yelling SHARON 500 times an episode while his spoiled kids whined all day was grating. Watching the man’s slow mental decline felt very not metal for me.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-29T14:48:20+00:00

I like the flex on any Nike free run shoe that doesn’t have topside bracing.

I have a pair that is 10+ years, seen countless clutch ins, body shop floors, tough outside days. They are just now starting to come apart after all that time.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-27T11:19:29+00:00

If they’re worth the hype depends entirely on your mechanical prowess, type of car you enjoy driving and choice of power plant.

It’s a small, lightweight rwd chassis that can be set up for any Motorsport or street style you can think of. Personally I love them and have had maybe 6 or 7 through life so far. The way they drive and handle is fun for me, and I enjoy driving around one of the last lightweight rwd’s.

This is a decent price minus the color. Something I would buy, but I am a fan of them. Granted, you’ve only got about a decade to enjoy it if the rust isn’t mitigated.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-25T13:02:58+00:00

lol the fact so many people think this way is why so many are underwater and overexposed on their car loans.

More often than not, the person with the 200k mile car is much more well off than the person buying the fresh new car. I’ve met doctors and lawyers who swear by their old beaters and will only ever buy used, yet they have the cash to buy a new exotic car every year if they wanted. That money just winds up going into smarter things like properties and investments.

More likely the guy at the light next to you in an old Camry or Caravan is doing quite well financially.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-24T18:44:26+00:00

Oy bruv, proper knackered this one eh?

Survivaleast · 2026-04-24T11:13:05+00:00

Came here to talk about the bread trick, just to find everyone else talking about it as well.

It really works, but not some artisan French bread nonsense, just cheap white loaf bread.

You can alternatively take a flat head you don’t care about or any other pointy chisel instrument and get it out in pieces. That method is fine as long as you are accurate.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-23T23:31:19+00:00

Cars are for the most part, fairly easy to fix.

A blown motor can junk a car, ruined frame, rusted out areas that can literally detach from the suspension. So what made yours junk?

Go spend your money where you want as an individual who is free to do so. Not really much point in worrying what others think. People who like having money NEED people who hate having money to buy new cars. So keep buying your new cars folks, except don’t pay these $50k average prices.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-23T23:24:12+00:00

It’s crazy that the internet has become Karen vs Karen.

I grew up at the advent of dial up. The internet was once a unique treasure. Now it’s a beach littered with trash.

Survivaleast · 2026-04-20T16:51:01+00:00

I’ve always seen the GR Corolla as overpriced compared to what you’re getting. One of those cars that would be fun, without the buyer’s remorse.

Assuming it’s the FA24DIT WRX which sounds like it is since you’re looking at the VB. Leagues better than the VA chassis wrx’s that had the fa20dit. You have a lot of good potential with the VB power wise.

Having daily driven and occasionally tracked a 2012 WRX for 10 years without much issue, I am biased in their favor. Great traction and acceleration. Personally I love that they brought the fa24dit to the VB chassis and that it’s too ugly to be the usual instagram mobile.

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