General Comments:
Pure enthusiasts drivers car. Not a quiet cabin nor too refined, but so much interaction you can't believe it. You can throw this car sideways at will with a slight blip of the accelerator into a nice power slide.
The front end holds tight into all corners and provides accurate feedback to the steering wheel.
Upon entering you lower yourself into the drivers seat. The cockpit fits tight like a glove.
Beautiful driving position with short throw gear shift lever in perfect position.
Six speed manual box is a delight to throw around without baulking between gears. The clutch too seems faultless.
The limited slip differential (ex GTR Skyline) is the best in the business and plants power well to the ground and also provides precise feedback when ready to break loose. The rear end is easily controlled under dry slide conditions.
I purchased the Spec R for the additional features despite this model being slightly heavier and therefore slower.
I have driven a Type R GT although the leather seats proved to be less than impressive and the rear spoiler interrupts the drivers view while looking out of place.
It should be noted that the S15 200SX will break rear end traction and spin around on any driver who lacks attention. The turbo charged, rear wheel drive, and limited differential combination make this a lethal weapon in the wet with great care required to keep it on the road. Once mastered though the S15 is the most fun you will ever have in the wet.
I have replaced one set of tyres at 35,000 kilometres which were all worn evenly.
Standard inter-cooler limits power delivery although 200kW is easily recognised with minor modifications.
This is a car that will outlook and outperform 99% of the cars on the road. No other manufacturer has this combination for under $100,000.
12th Nov 2002, 03:51
Your comments on the Nissan 200sx are spot on! I had the manifold go on me not long after I got my car (not a cheap item to replace.) I feel the performance is good for a standard car (even better if it was not d-tuned though) I was very impressed by the difference in power after I made a couple of mild and cheap mods IE. hks exhaust, b.o.v. (not affecting the power, but it sounds great) and a little boost improvement. It does lack in the cornering department, but once again a little modifying will make a lot of difference. One thing that could be improved upon is the take off power (before the turbo kicks in) but overall the car is great and I am very happy to own one.