1992 Nissan 200SX 1.8 16v turbo
Summary:
Best performance for the cash
Faults:
Nothing (only had it a few months).
General Comments:
Awesome performance in a budget car.
Rear-wheel drive.
Very easy to tune.
Great low driving position.
Great fastback shape.
Looks like Kitt!!
I have to say, this is absolutely the best car I have ever owned. It has an unbelievable 0-60 in 6.7 seconds, and cost only £1800!!
The ride is low and smooth, and all the things I love about a sports car, that sadly seem to have been forgotten by Nissan (excepting the prohibitively expensive Skyline and 300ZX) and other car makers.
The shape is a classic (although the pop-up headlights are an acquired taste in a retro-stlyie way!). Looking at the sweeping bonnet from the front gets me every time; there is simply nothing like this car on the road for the price.
The car is also rear-wheel drive, another thing that car manufacturers seem to have forgotten about (apart from BMW... boo... hiss). Letting the back-end out on this turbo beast can be a little hairy sometimes, but a real proper driver experience.
The cabin is spacious in the front, but cramped in the back (it's a sports hatch, you're not going to be carting the family around in it)
I really believe that this car will become a modern classic. There are so few around.
If buying one, pay close attention to the rear-spoiler. It's a notorious rust trap. Mine is just starting to show a brownish water stain from where the spoiler is bolted. I'll have to remove it and get a different spoiler.
You can tune this baby up to about 400BHP with upgrade engine packs from Norris Designs. All the accessories you will ever need for your 200sx can be bought there.
I notice too, that all the reviews on this site show a happy face. Everyone LOVES this car!!
I have an auto. I had reservations about it at first, but the car offered had such low mileage that I took it. The kick down on the auto-box is superb, but there is the inevitable delay when pulling off from a junction that is a bit frustrating. The auto box has an 'overdrive' switch, which stops the car changing from 2nd to 4th and gives you a more progressive and torquey acceleration; uses more fuel though!
You MUST buy this car. I really cannot find any fault with it. The manual would be a bit swifter off the lights, but the auto can outclass pretty much anybody who insists on driving up your a** flashing their headlights!
It's a little thirsty. I do motorway run everyday, and get about 250 miles from approx 45 litres of fuel.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd September, 2004
13th Feb 2006, 08:09
Yeah, my boot lids is the same, got a quote of £200 to repair mine. apart from that I cannot fault this "pocket rocket"
1st Mar 2006, 12:00
Great car. We're working on one that had to get it's turbo changed. It started spraying oil into the cylinders. The inter-cooler had to be cleaned along with the exhaust pipe, plus the air filter has to be changed, along with the spark plugs. The front brakes are totally worn (disc and pads), and the shock absorbers probably have to be changed as well. The rubber absorbers for the stabilisers have to be changed, because they're cracked. The gearbox, differential and motor oil is going to be changed. It's a 1994 model 200sx, 1.8 litre turbo. I reckon it's the Type-s version because it's "only" 170 (or 180) horsepower. I agree with the spoiler problem: same rust marks, and this one doesn't even have a spoiler. All in all, a good car with a comfortable cockpit. Good car to drive in Gran Turismo. The pop-up headlights will make it stand out of the crowd.
13th Apr 2006, 15:47
Yeah, mine has the same rust problem under the rear spoiler. I`m planing to remove it. I think it looks much more cool without it. Everything else is perfect. Great car!
22nd Mar 2005, 00:59
My 200SX also was showing the brown water marks from where the spoiler meets the boot lid. The body shop I took it to told me that 'they all do this' and the trouble starts when water gets inside the bootlid where the spoiler clips onto it. The boot lid will then start to rust from the inside out. By the time you notice it, it's too late. I had to get the spoiler removed and the rotten metal cut out and new let in and resprayed. The whole job cost £200+VAT. If you're planning on keeping the car for a few years I think it's worth it.