1989 Nissan 200SX 1.8 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Quick, but not necessarily fun

Faults:

Piston Rings needed replacing, which proved to be too expensive to repair.

Electrical problems - headlights, central locking.

Rust on chassis rails.

General Comments:

This car is a performance bargain, but be prepared for the hassle of an old Nissan, and the poor characteristics of the turbo.

Give the turbo time to spool up and the car will pin you into the seat. Also, it's reputation as a drifting car is well-founded as it handles beautifully once the rear end has been convinced to break free, in the wet or dry.

However, dealer service is poor, they seem uninterested in helping source parts, a common reply being they can no longer source parts.

A quick turbocharged car is rarely as much fun as a slower non-turbo sports car, and that's true with the Nissan. Despite being amazing on paper, it doesn't live up to its reputation, and I could rarely describe the driving experience as enjoyable. In the end, the constant mechanical problems combined with the low second-hand value of the car meant it had to go...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th September, 2006

1989 Nissan 200SX SX 18 turbo atomatic from UK and Ireland

Summary:

10/10 for the money

Faults:

This car is Tops, only thing that as gone wrong with it is the Turbo gaskets had gone, But that was easy fixed.

General Comments:

The car is seriously very quick and no good for a noob that can't drive.

This car is a auto and still can show other cars up. MR2 Golf GTI Very fast.

Looks are good for the age of the car and still people turn heads to look at it.

If your thinking of getting one, make sure you do your home work first.

10/10 for the money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th April, 2005

1989 Nissan 200SX 1.8 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A poor mans Ferrari

Faults:

Nothing mechanically, but the body work (sills) rotted away beyond repair.

The interior trim was poor quality and should have been leather as standard in a car like this.

The rear boot spoiler trapped water over its life and rotted through the boot skin.

General Comments:

She was a great car with enough performance to see off modern sports cars costing 40 times the price I paid for her. A true star. She one outran a viper down a country road purely because I could get the power down to the road better and believe me, the viper driver was not too pleased!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th January, 2005

7th Jan 2005, 15:21

Well, of course you beat the Viper.

So much of your Nissan has rotted away that you had a significant power:weight advantage!

12th Jan 2005, 13:26

A fair comment!, real shame about the body otherwise I would have kept her.

1989 Nissan 200SX i 1.8 16v turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I love it

Faults:

Nothing yet, haven't owned long but expect the usual Nissan reliability from a previous car with CA18DE engine.

General Comments:

Loads of features for year, ABS, PAS, electric everything. Plenty of power, but be careful in the wet. Smooth to drive slowly, easy to drive fast. Most power money can buy. Mine is mint, FSH, 190hp and cost two grand.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2001

1989 Nissan 200SX 1.8 16v turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very impressed!

Faults:

Not much: Wiper blades noisy, best replacement by Bosch, that's it at moment!!

General Comments:

Fantastic value for the power. Fastest car in its class, smooth ride at high speed, holds the road well but beware the wet - the back end swings out if too much juice is applied, great fun on roundabouts!

Will wipe the floor with GTi's, MR2's, MGF's and almost anything that isn't a raced up Cossie.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th November, 2000

1989 Nissan 200SX 1.8 turbo petrol from Sweden

Faults:

Well.. I'm driving it extremely hard... (and when one car maintenance shop forgot to refill with oil after a turbo charger change, the engine got blown when reaching 7000 rpm). Otherwise the weak point is the inlet gaskets. I have blown 3 of them and I need to change it again.

General Comments:

I am very amazed with the cars performance on all road conditions (including ice), even though the suspension could be a little bit harder. It acts very well up to 234 (real) km/h. Another weak point is the brakes which seem to overheat when trying to get the car down from above 200km/h to zero and braking heavily. Only on a few moments I have felt that I needed some extra horsepower..

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999

1989 Nissan 200SX 1.8 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Blown inlet gasket, Gearbox input shaft bearing rattles, 1 complete exhaust, 1 set of brake pads, 3 sets of tyres.

General Comments:

Over 90,000 miles and still a blast to drive. Maintain properly with regular oil change and don't thrash at the start or end of a journey. Go for air-con, not only to keep cool but to dry the screen. Cramped in back but decent boot for coupe. Go for pre-catalyst models for performance. Tends to pink on anything but super unleaded. Gearbox a bit notchy, especially 1st to 2nd in the cold. Brakes somewhat feeble. Clueless Nissan dealers a ripoff. Engine not very refined but no worries, even on original turbo. Rear wheel drive handles well but take care exiting roundabouts when wet! Great looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 1997