1991 Nissan 200SX review from UK and Ireland

Bodywork required work in the usual places. Rear sills rusted through (new ones built and fitted), slight rusting on the front suspension pillars (welded with patches), stone chips on the sills (probably due to incredibly fast accelerating all the time) and also required some work on 2 minor dents probably incurred in shop car parks.

Turbo blew soon after I got it. Again this was expected and I fitted a new one with the uprated oil feed pipe. Beware, the Nissan 200SX turbo blows after 50,000 to 60,000 miles. This is because the original oil feed pipe as a brake union type bolt fitting requiring a sharp bend in the oil feed pipe which encourages clogging up of the pipe and also causes the feed pipe to run very close to the exhaust manifold. The result is preheated oil, carbonization and eventual oil starvation. Mine actually caused the turbo shaft to snap. If you own one it is cheaper to remove the unit whilst it is still working and have it checked and worn parts renewed. If you wait for the unit to fail and it snaps it may cause parts to be sucked into the inlet manifold with obvious catastropic results.

The new turbo blew within 14 months due to leaking inlet valves. This resulted in a build up of carbonised oil on the exhaust side of the turbo increasing the bearing wear. Also the oil was becoming pressurised by the leaking valves causing wear from the inside of the bearing in an outwards direction as well.

Had the head refurbished with one hydraulic tappet replaced due to seizure. Had a new turbo fitted as well to replace old one. Bottom end looked fine so I left that.

Once wouldn't start for no reason at all. Later discovered that it may have been the seized hydraulic tappet that may have had something to do with it.

On the whole this is an excellent machine. It is very fast indeed and will do 155mph and 0-60 in 6.5 seconds as standard. However, you have to work the engine to make it go, let the revs drop below 3200rpm and you'll stall the turbo and lose the thrill.

The interior is comfortable and the driving positon is low and great. Visibility is not brilliant due to the large pillars, but with blindspot mirrors fitted as well I have got 360 degree vision.

The brakes are very keen but if you try driving at speed on winding roads it very quickly suffers from brake fade.

Nissan parts are very expensive. Eg: I snapped the adjuster bolt on the air con pulley and rang for a new one. £14.00 and I would have to wait 2 days for it. I didn't since I got one from a nut/bolt shop for 50 pence. The point being, shop around, second hand or Motor Factor parts are half the price and are often better quality.

It is tail happy if you buy crud tyres. I run Goodyear Venturas and I have no problem with it.

Steering is very light and sensitive.

On the whole the running costs are low considering the performance. Most of its failings can easily be put right with modifications, but I wouldn't do this myself since I would prefer to save money and get a 300ZX instead.