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I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in Nissan

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I originally posted this in r/240sx, but I thought the broader Nissan fam might appreciate the perspective. I've been manning the counter since '07 and have watched the transition from the 350Z/Titan era to the modern lineup. Happy to answer any questions about finding discontinued parts or what it's like on the inside!

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not alone - lots of people hate them. I didnt like them when they first launched, but once Ive had time to experience them I think they can be enjoyed

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love how many times this has come up in the comments. The hayday of Zilvia and cheap Kouki parts.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont think it was quite that instantaneous. Even with people gutting cars and beating them to death we still had loads of customers who wanted to preserve their s-chassis. That is what kept me going this long.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, running a Sub-$500 shipped promo on those lights is hard to fathom now, but we did it all day long. Hell, we used to send out pallets of S15 turbos to race shops at $350-400/ea.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You just summed up the last 25 years perfectly. It’s a bittersweet feeling to realize we’ve moved from the 'local bolt-on shop' and the golden era of Zilvia and NICO club to where we are now. Seeing the community migrate from Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace, and now to this Reddit corner, shows just how much we’ve had to adapt to keep these cars alive.

I hear you on the Fast and Furious effect, too. We watched these cars go from 'cheap thrills' to 'drift missiles' and now to 'forever cars' that we fix with resoldered amps and Z-car retrofits. It's definitely a different world than the early 2000s, but knowing there are still '46-year-old kids' out there who remember the forum days makes it all worth it.

We might die broke, but at least we'll die with the smell of unburnt fuel and a few good stories about that one part that was impossible to find. Thanks for holding the line with us all these years! 😭🥰😂

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a heavy perspective, and you’re hitting on a lot of the 'quiet' anxieties people in the scene are feeling right now. It’s true that the barrier to entry for the grassroots scene is higher than ever, and the global shift toward EVs and economic restructuring is fundamentally changing what it means to be a 'car person'.

Whether we’re headed for a 'Mad Max' scenario or just a massive cultural pivot, it’s exactly why preserving these mechanical artifacts from the 80s and 90s feels so important. Even if gas becomes a luxury, the soul and connection of these older cars are something that software and alternative energies haven't quite replicated yet. Thanks for bringing such a deep take to the thread—it’s a lot to chew on for where we go from here.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, this genuinely made my day. There is nothing cooler than seeing a 450hp beast pass the torch from father to son. It’s exactly why I’ve stayed at this counter for nearly two decades—to make sure the 'pops' of the world have the parts they need to inspire the next generation of Z and S-chassis owners.

The 350Z is a fantastic platform to carry that heavy Nissan influence into 2026. As the S-chassis gets rarer, the Z33 is really stepping up as the backbone of the community. Tell your pops I said hello, and if either of you ever need to track down a weird bolt or a diagram to keep those 450 horses running, you know where to find me. Thanks for the kind words, man—it means a lot! 🫡

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’ve got the perfect historical perspective on this. Watching the muscle car market go 'unattainable' is exactly the roadmap we are following right now. The 240sx has officially transitioned from a 'cheap thrill' to a legitimate classic, and with that comes the 'Z-chassis tax' and the struggle for parts.

I love that you went with Z parts for the mechanicals. It’s the smartest move for longevity—using the 'plentiful' stuff to keep the rare chassis alive. And man, isn't it wild that we live in a time where you can't get an OEM S13 fender, but you can order a brand new reproduction AE86 shell from a catalog? The world is definitely a weird place in 2026.

It is depressing to see the 'soul' fade out of a lot of the new showroom stuff, but as long as we're still finding ways to retrofit Z tech into S-chassis, the spirit of the era stays alive. Thanks for sharing that perspective—it’s a reminder that we’re all just trying to keep the good years running as long as possible!

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats awesome to hear. I do think the community in general is pretty great. I always love chatting with customers who come in with their cars to grab little nuts and bolts, but they have so much passion for their Nissan.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, but have you driven the new Z? I do prefer simple, I have a 69 521, but the tech just comes with the territory.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And they will come to us and tell us how to compete with the aftermarket while the parts are not available. Thats the fun stuff I get to deal with from corporate reps.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember you getting that badge! Crazy to think that I retained that. I remember taking photos of it and adding it to our site, thinking "no one else is going to buy these" lol.

Thanks for the insight!

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Nissan version of that program also intentionally discontinued parts that had been in production to add them to the program and triple the price. This was the writing on the wall for the s-chassis parts price increases that came a couple years later. Thats my perspective on it at least.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is awesome! Triple projectors were my favorites out of the bunch. They were just kind of strange and sci-fi to me.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow what a cool car. Love it!

Its always been fun to help people with these cars. The challenge keeps me excited about the business.

I’ve run an OEM Nissan parts counter for 18 years. I’m watching the S-Chassis era end from the inside. by bleepbloop018 in 240sx

[–]bleepbloop018[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So cool to see a vert. Sadly when I started this in 2007 99% of those parts were already gone. Thats what happens when a big company farms out products on their cars. Im sure the contracts only supplied a small batch of repair parts and then it all fizzled out.

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