Finding a well taken care of 240SX would most likely be way out of your budget if you're looking at spending $3k on this. These cars just keep appreciating in value.

This could be a potentially decent project car if you have mechanical knowledge and another form of reliable transportation but based on your post I am to assume you have neither. I would avoid this car at all costs.

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My first car was a Nissan Sentra. It was cheap, reliable, and easy to work on. Granted, it was a 93 I purchased back in 03. Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, even a cheap Mazda (my next car was an old 626 which, again, never had a single issue except brakes, tires, and fluids) are good starter cars.