1978 Datsun 200SX from North America - Comments

Originally purchased car for $200.

Got it to run for about a week then stopped. Have yet to figure out why.

Replaced starter/solenoid. No change.

Rebuilt Carburetor. Same.

Nice look to the car, but didn't really have a chance to drive it. Hard to locate parts/mechanic due to year.

Plan on fixing it up with a 185 to see if it will run then.

You've had this non-running car for five years?

I haven't had a chance to get it running due to military stationing. Car is currently located in Boise, Idaho and I live in San Diego, Ca. My current residence doesn't have anywhere I would be able to work on the vehicle and I don't make enough to go back and forth to Idaho to fix it.

I have a '78 200SX which I bought new in '77 & she still runs great. Parts are getting harder to find, but you can go online to classicgarage. com and Tim can find almost anything mechanically that you need.

Check your electrical system, especially the trunk light. It is a 10-amp draw, & will kill new batteries in 24 hours or less. Just cut the wire & tape it up. I did this 15-years ago & haven't had a dead battery since.

Also check circuit to tail lights, if continually blowing fuses.

Good luck finding the problem.

I intend to keep mine until the wheels run square, since I still get 18-20 mpg back & forth to work & 32.5 on trip from San Francisco Bay Area to Reno 2 years ago in winter.

Dec. 9 2005 yesterday. Today Dec. 10 2005.

1. 2005 Chevy colorado LS vortec rated at 240 hp...

2. A co. worker of mine has a 1978 datsun 200sx...

3. thought I could mess around and blow his doors off...

And just like that 1.. 2.. 3.. he blew my bumper off. We were just getting on the freeway, just starting off, when next thing I know he is gone and I'm barley at 40 mph. I get to about 70 and I don't know where he is. Now mind you, I used to race for big money, and I know how to drive a stick like a stick, and an auto like a stick. I stood no chance against this 200sx. $25,000 dollars for my truck and now it feels like $2.00. Now i'v raced imports, I've raced hot rods, I've raced motorcycles, but last night I had my A$$ handed back to me, used and abused. untill next time "Big W." untill next time...

I just bought a 200SX (1978 too). It's awesome.

For parts, you might try searching on "cars.com" or other car sites and just buy cheap, old, non-working one. I have had the hardest time looking for something as insignificant as taillight cover (I hit a truck yesterday and busted my taillight. Gah, I am so stupid). Knowing me, a taillight won't be the only thing I'm gonna butcher... so, I'm just gonna nip this in the bud and buy a cheap car for parts. I suggest you do the same, since you seem to be looking for parts that are more important than my little taillight cover.

By the way, did you post a comment on this dude, Peter (?) 's "cardomain.com" page? That's funny (if it was you) because you seem almost as obsessed with finding sites related to 1978 200SX as me. Or finding someone that can tell you where to find parts, anyway.

Good luck with you car!

My first car was a 78 200sx. I was surprised myself, and won quite a few bottles of jack, and cases of beer dragging. Could be due to the weight ratio and the rear-wheel drive. The five speed on that car was awesome, I once even beat an 82 corvette. I'm currently looking for another car, as this was the car my wife and I had "relations" in the first time. Gonna take me awhile due to low budget, but I'm keeping my hopes up! P.S. by the luck of the car, will be married 20 years Valentine's day 2007!

Came across this site while looking for a 1977-79 200SX and was hoping anybody could help me find one to buy. I live in Cent. Fla, but would be willing to ship the right one here. Please contact me if anyone can help. Thanks!

hotrod43@netzero.net

I'm glad I stumbled on this site. I am a Datsun owner (81' 4x4 truck)...have had a long time. A neighbor of mine has had a 'parked' 200 sx for years. Every walk I make to our mail box, I glance at the car... wondering what they plan to do with it. Something has always told me that I would somehow end up with it. I recently heard a rumor of them thinking on selling it to our local junk yard. It still runs. Just needs TLC. I have already left a note on the car. It won't be hauled off if I have anything to do with it

I always thought the body style was a bit ugly... Bath tub style. But since I love all Datsuns, and thanks to comments on this site... I now know that the 200sx had some get-up and-go. I'm hoping to get it for $50-100...then spend months if need be getting it looking fresh again.

Thanks to the rest of you for the great comments. Chances are I will re-sale it if anyone is interested.

Cycle_cowboy@yahoo.

I've been shopping for a cheap, reliable car to get me thru the winter and I ran across a 200sx. I've seen this car sitting there for years and heard there was a for sale sign in it, so I stopped and asked. When I asked how much he told me to make an offer, well I didn't want to insult the guy, (I had no idea) and right off he told me a lifter was knocking. The interior is in really nice shape, outside, well it's 1978! Finally I got him to give me a price $300, well that's certainly in my price range, but, so while I'm researching what it will cost to fix a ran across this site, I'm so excited, my ex has an '82 vette that would be so much fun to beat... LOL!!! Hopefully I will find it will be economical to fix.

I've got a '78 Datsun 200sx that used to run like a champ. It was my dads car and he took great care of it. Like a dip**** I didn't check the oil regularly and the engine seized up. Don't know if I want to have it rebuilt due to $$$. I was wondering if anyone is interested in parts. I don't want to scrap it (my dad is already rolling over in his grave) until I give enthusiasts, like my pop, a chance at it. You can contact me at enknapp@hotmail.com. I live in the Denver area.