Wednesday 16th October 2013

Nissan 200SX: Spotted

Want GT86 on a budget? This late-90s Nissan could be the perfect alternative

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A 200hp rear-wheel drive coupe from a manufacturer of automotive white goods and hugely popular with drifters? Nope, not a Toyobaru but the Nissan 200SX.

Low miles, manual and £5K. Perfect

The parallels between the 200SX and GT86/BRZ don't end there. Kerbweights are around 1,200kg, 62mph in less than eight seconds and both have auto options that leave a lot to be desired.

But of course, there's one fundamental difference between the Nissan and Toyota (you know there's a Subaru as well by now). The 200SX is turbocharged, which gives it a noticeable torque advantage; 196lb ft plays 151. And the 200SX revs too, the limiter not far behind that of the N-A flat-four at 7,000rpm.

You will lose something in throttle response, but it does seem strange that the answer to so many criticisms of a brand-new model can be addressed by a 15-year-old car. Power increases are more easily attained with forced induction too...

Mmm. 90s Nissan.

Let's talk tyres, as they inevitably arise as a topic of discussion around the GT86. Again, the 200SX appears almost a template, with its 205/55 R16s grown to 215/45 R17s with the Toyota. Both also have a limited-slip differential and unashamedly Japanese styling, plus some semi-usable rear seats.

Tyres and diffs inevitably leads to that conversation topic; drifting. Oversteer. Powerslides. One rather strait-laced review described the 200SX's handling thus: with all that power going straight to the back wheels there is plenty of potential to get the rear end sliding. Because of this, the 200SX is the sort of car that keen drivers will appreciate, whilst the inexperienced may find it intimidating in slippery conditions. Sounds rather fun, doesn't it?

Dealer has a green one if you'd prefer...

Usually, a search for unmodified, manual S14 200SXs to feature proves largely fruitless in the PH Classifieds. Right now though, they're practically ubiquitous. The garage selling this red S14 also has low-mileage green example, plus another with a couple of subtle, reversible mods. We found as well this red manual, whilst there are even some modified cars that don't look too Need for Speed.

Perhaps because it's been largely ignored, there's something alluring about the 200SX. Regardless of the links with the GT86, it's a damn good car. Now is surely the time to grab one before they all end up like this...

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NISSAN 200SX S14 TOURING
Engine:1,998cc 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, LSD
Power (hp):200@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 196@4,800rpm
MPG: 29.1
CO2: 233g/km
First registered:2000
Recorded mileage: 57,000
Price new: £21,945 (non-Touring manual)
Yours for: £4,995

See the original advert here

 

 

[AudiWurst]

Nice low mileage car, but £5k sounds a lot of money. Presumably the drifters and modders have bought/destroyed all the cheap knackered cars by now...

[Henry Fiddleton]

I still kick myself for selling my stage 1 S14a for £2.7k 3 years ago.

Awesome machines- shame prices have shot up due to the drift scene.

[Rumple]

I had one of these back in the day, a bit cheap, mine was unreliable but a vastly superior handling/drive than the E36 328 and the E46 330 coupes that replaced it, truly great car if you get a good one.

[Motorrad]

These used to be so cheap. Time to move on to something else at 5K.

[RobM77]

I'm a big fan of these - a good friend of mine has had lots (of each generation) and I've driven one once down some twisty roads. They have a really nice neutral handling balance with reasonable controls and being a Nissan they're reliable too. Definitely a cut price GT86

ETA: £5k is indeed too much. Manual ones of that generation are rare though.

[Johnspex]

I had 2. I forgot how bad the seats were- I soon remembered when I got the second one though.

[dele]

AudiWurst said:

Nice low mileage car, but £5k sounds a lot of money. Presumably the drifters and modders have bought/destroyed all the cheap knackered cars by now...

Yup, standard ones are really rare it seems

I bought a standard one three years or so ago for £2,250 that was in better condition than this, crazy

[SteveO...]

I had a P plate S14 Touring for my first proper sporty car. It was a good car and one I still look back on fondly. Fairly quick, comfortable (for two) and discrete.

I'm getting all misty eyed.

[s m]

Great fun cars - remember having the pre-facelift demo from Nissan for a weekend. Quite soft at the back - I can see how many got binned when the weather turned bad

[Butter Face]

I miss mine every day, been 5 years since I sold the damn thing almost.

Great cars with some fettling.

[firebird350]

Anyone else prefer the looks of the original 200SX? Ok, shame it's an auto but nice condition, nice mileage, nice history and nice price!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

[U what]

The funny thing about this the the fact the auto's go for £2k and are generally better condition, to swap the auto to manual you need manual gearbox, clutch/flywheel assembly, clutch pedal and cylinders and hose and manual ecu.

[wolves_wanderer]

£5k for a 90's jap mobile

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[300bhp/ton]

Always liked these and had an S13 myself. But I think £5k is silly money for it all things considered.

[Clinton Baptiste]

My mate used to have one of these, remapped and tweaked to around 240 bhpwith 19" OZ's on it. Lovely car, wish I'd bought it when I had the chance.

[sparkyhx]

I've had mine 9 years and its currently running 310ish (stage 2a). Its an event every time it comes out. It only ever gets thrashed either on a runout or on track. I pootle between home and runout start/track start and then pootle back.

Mines P reg (S14) and 100k.

[Jazoli]

£5k is optimistic, I've had both an S13 and an S14a (just like the one in the picture), I preferred the earlier cars looks but the S14a was a better all round car.

I'd happily have either again.

[Nigel_O]

Never had one, never driven one, but my lasting impression is of a generally good bunch of owners. I'm into Fiat Coupes, but there were quite a few FCCUK/SXOC track/drag days organised, with very friendly inter-club rivalry and entertaining results. Despite the cars being near opposite (Jap RWD v Italian FWD), they were closely matched on track and even on the dragstrip

For me, the styling is a little too plain, but it definitely has a street presence, especially when (subtly) modified. I'd say that the choice of wheels is critical for the right look. Drifting fraternity has ensured that it will remain a cult car. Hopefully the Fiat Coupe will follow it, but definitely not for the same reason (if a Coupe is drifting, its well on its way to the scene of the accident....)

The article asks the correct question - where's the progress in the last 15 years? Yes, the GT86 will probably be better screwed together than a £5k 200SX, but the price difference buys an awful lot of tyres and trackdays...

[acespizee]

Love this, but i vote 350z at this price.

[Synchromesh]

Can't see what these offer over £1000 of LSD-equipped BMW E36 328i coupe. Turbo lag perhaps?