1990 Nissan 240SX Hatchback from North America - Comments

All of these problems occurred within the first 3000kms of my owning this car, SEVERAL things have gone wrong at only just over 100,000km on the odometer.

Clutch Fan seized, new fan - $240.

Starter died - $250.

Faulty starter died again within 2 days.

Alternator - $375.

Car was bought from a used car dealership with a very worn and slipping clutch, so I paid to have a new clutch installed before delivery of the car.

"New" clutch blew after 3 weeks of my owning the car.

Seats were badly worn, so they were replaced before I picked up the car.

Rocker cover gasket now leaking oil all over the engine, soon to be replaced.

I do not think these engines are very reliable, but I plan to put an SR20DET in this car over the upcoming winter.

There are a couple of very impressive qualities about the 240SX though, handling and braking. With a stock suspension and almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution on the car, it corners wonderfully. This is the only reason I plan to upgrade the one major flaw with the car, low power, unreliable motor.

I have to say that I do not agree at all with that review. For one I own a 1989 Nissan 240sx and this car has 172000 miles on it and amazingly I have had to do nothing to the engine. Yeah it has an oil leak, but that is expected, along with a lot of other things that are expected to be damaged with a car with this many miles. Yet still nothing has gone wrong with my car.

I don't agree with this review. I Own a 1993 240SX, and the balance is just perfect. I now have a bad starter after 130 K Miles. It all depends on how the car has been taken care of. A timely maintenance and correct handling will keep the car in good shape. You must have bought a car, which must have been totally abused.Prasanna, Providence, RI.

The 1990 Nissan 240SX hatchback I purchased brought me back to 1974 and my new Z-28 Camaro. Handling and cornering on my SX better the Camaro by a large margin even after the difference in size has mechanically been accounted for. My 240 had only 59k miles when I bought in 2001 after two years searching for any sports car with RWD and in a higher echelon of overall condition. The previous 0wner added aftermarket performance shocks, tires, rear tower bar and and simple, exposed air filter. At worst he raced amateur level accounting for "NISMO" attached to rear under spoiler or, at best, dreamed of such with the 240 ending up being his well cared for "BABY".My mechanic, after 2 years of numerous rejections, gave his only respected approval to purchase the 1990 240 5 speed dicovering the remote starter as a bonus unknown to myself and I assume to the dealer also, to include my mentioned aftermarket parts. To sum up my thoughts: Exellent and bulletproof 2.4 motor that has acceptable pull at low rpm and impressive midband torque in highway 4th gear passing situations.Comfort, legroom and cosmetics top notch for front two occupants, backseat is nonfuntional for passengers, but is integrated with hatchback rear cargo capacity design being the primary goal and only option I can observe, but is more than adequate and earns highest praise.Reliability, body style, driving enjoyment and affordability is of the highest with the 240SX.Much more positive, and, to the lesser degree, negative topics concerning this Nissan is for later...Thanks.