Discussion
I'm looking at getting a new car in the next 2 months and I have narrowed it down to these two. Any one driven both?
I have come up with these two as i'm looking for
200+ bhp with potential for more
RWD or 4WD
Reasonable insurance (ruled out skyline r32/3, Imprezas and Evos)
Budget - 3.5k
Are there any other cars i've missed?
I have come up with these two as i'm looking for
200+ bhp with potential for more
RWD or 4WD
Reasonable insurance (ruled out skyline r32/3, Imprezas and Evos)
Budget - 3.5k
Are there any other cars i've missed?
Edited by 205jsy on Friday 22 April 12:47
I had the same decision over a year ago same cars. Now have a GT4 prices have droped alot since I bought mine tbh if you get a good one its a bargain 255bhp (JDM) 225bhp(UK) standard. Get over to the GT4OC lots of info & probably the best place to buy as most members you can check the cars background etc. I do like the 200sx & think there a good car but just picked the GT4. As with both cars they are old now & there are going to be dogs out there but if you want the 200sx check out the SXOC good info when I last looked.
Well, when I was looking for a Japanese turbo car, I looked at all of them, including RX7, etc, and I went with the MR2 Turbo, purely because they were RWD, mid engined, very bloody comfortable, good boot, and was only slightly slower than a Supra in a straight line, but very nice indeed in the tai sties. Out or your choice, I'd go for the 200SX, but in ,y opinion, the MR2 turbo is better than both.
I had pretty much the exact same decision to make last year to, the S14 and GT4 were the only things jap & turbo that were cheap enough to insure at my age.
Went for the GT4 in the end purely because it looked liked the more intersting car to own; 4WD, some rally history,lary looks but still reasonably comfortable.
So far it has been excellent, handling is spot on and for a car with such complicated suspension the noise/ride is pretty good. Has ample power even in standard form and is really engaging to drive.
Only downsides are (which everyone will tell you) the superstrut suspension is costly (I've replaced both fig 8's already) so check the history of this. The Gearing/Box could be better, the standard long throw and tall geared box doesn't suit the rally car ethos imo. Oh and its very costly on fuel (or is it me with a heavy right foot?)
Either way I love mine to bits!
Went for the GT4 in the end purely because it looked liked the more intersting car to own; 4WD, some rally history,lary looks but still reasonably comfortable.
So far it has been excellent, handling is spot on and for a car with such complicated suspension the noise/ride is pretty good. Has ample power even in standard form and is really engaging to drive.
Only downsides are (which everyone will tell you) the superstrut suspension is costly (I've replaced both fig 8's already) so check the history of this. The Gearing/Box could be better, the standard long throw and tall geared box doesn't suit the rally car ethos imo. Oh and its very costly on fuel (or is it me with a heavy right foot?)
Either way I love mine to bits!
McGtfour said:
I had pretty much the exact same decision to make last year to, the S14 and GT4 were the only things jap & turbo that were cheap enough to insure at my age.
Went for the GT4 in the end purely because it looked liked the more intersting car to own; 4WD, some rally history,lary looks but still reasonably comfortable.
So far it has been excellent, handling is spot on and for a car with such complicated suspension the noise/ride is pretty good. Has ample power even in standard form and is really engaging to drive.
Only downsides are (which everyone will tell you) the superstrut suspension is costly (I've replaced both fig 8's already) so check the history of this. The Gearing/Box could be better, the standard long throw and tall geared box doesn't suit the rally car ethos imo. Oh and its very costly on fuel (or is it me with a heavy right foot?)
Either way I love mine to bits!
Start a "My Garage" blog mate. Would be good to see! Mine is costly on many other things! Went for the GT4 in the end purely because it looked liked the more intersting car to own; 4WD, some rally history,lary looks but still reasonably comfortable.
So far it has been excellent, handling is spot on and for a car with such complicated suspension the noise/ride is pretty good. Has ample power even in standard form and is really engaging to drive.
Only downsides are (which everyone will tell you) the superstrut suspension is costly (I've replaced both fig 8's already) so check the history of this. The Gearing/Box could be better, the standard long throw and tall geared box doesn't suit the rally car ethos imo. Oh and its very costly on fuel (or is it me with a heavy right foot?)
Either way I love mine to bits!
Toyota in my experience is better made than Nissan (feels more well made,
expensive & refined)
I have a R33 GTR now and the similar competetor (the supra) is far better made, more sturdy and feels nicer to be in but lacks the rawness of the GTR.
Had a celica GT (not GT4) and it was a really nice car for what it was.
I would opt for the GT4 out of all 3 mentioned
expensive & refined)
I have a R33 GTR now and the similar competetor (the supra) is far better made, more sturdy and feels nicer to be in but lacks the rawness of the GTR.
Had a celica GT (not GT4) and it was a really nice car for what it was.
I would opt for the GT4 out of all 3 mentioned
LandingSpot said:
Start a "My Garage" blog mate. Would be good to see! Mine is costly on many other things!
I will do; yours was a really interesting read! I don't keep petrol reciepts but have managed around 28mpg driving off boost once or twice so its nice to know i'm not the only one who feels it!what are the BC's like as a daily driver if not wound right in? I'm weighing up KYB's & Fensport TRD Springs VS Coilys as there's not much difference between the two price wise!
Oh and yours looks very tidy wheels are spot on :-)
McGtfour said:
I will do; yours was a really interesting read! I don't keep petrol reciepts but have managed around 28mpg driving off boost once or twice so its nice to know i'm not the only one who feels it!
what are the BC's like as a daily driver if not wound right in? I'm weighing up KYB's & Fensport TRD Springs VS Coilys as there's not much difference between the two price wise!
Oh and yours looks very tidy wheels are spot on :-)
Yeah high 20s is average i think for quick road driving. I don't drive it like I stole it, but do have a good blatt now and again!what are the BC's like as a daily driver if not wound right in? I'm weighing up KYB's & Fensport TRD Springs VS Coilys as there's not much difference between the two price wise!
Oh and yours looks very tidy wheels are spot on :-)
The BC's aquite impressive actually! 30 settings of adjustable damping although I'm only a few clicks away from the softest setting. The fen roads are terrible for bumps and I'm not keen on feeling them anymore than I have to. Roll is still waaaaaay reduced than standard.
The KYBs are an excellent road option and cope well on track too. Mate had a sprint car on KYBs!
Am going to be changing the wheels soon, fancy a change. I'll update with pictures when they're fitted!
LandingSpot said:
Yeah high 20s is average i think for quick road driving. I don't drive it like I stole it, but do have a good blatt now and again!
The BC's aquite impressive actually! 30 settings of adjustable damping although I'm only a few clicks away from the softest setting. The fen roads are terrible for bumps and I'm not keen on feeling them anymore than I have to. Roll is still waaaaaay reduced than standard.
The KYBs are an excellent road option and cope well on track too. Mate had a sprint car on KYBs!
Am going to be changing the wheels soon, fancy a change. I'll update with pictures when they're fitted!
Hmm I'm torn I'll have a think as I've got discs n pads to do first! But cheers for the heads up, what wheels are you changing to? I fancy a change from white on mine fancy black....The BC's aquite impressive actually! 30 settings of adjustable damping although I'm only a few clicks away from the softest setting. The fen roads are terrible for bumps and I'm not keen on feeling them anymore than I have to. Roll is still waaaaaay reduced than standard.
The KYBs are an excellent road option and cope well on track too. Mate had a sprint car on KYBs!
Am going to be changing the wheels soon, fancy a change. I'll update with pictures when they're fitted!
What difference did the decat really do? I fancy a bit more umph at some point but views are mixed some say just a bit more boost is all you need others say decat makes a huge difference on these
No experience of the Celica, but I've owned a 200sx for 8 years with no rel;iability issues and I am running 280 ish hp and try to do a couple of track days a year.
There are no significant reliability issues with the 200 as long as they are looked after. old S13s that are modified can have big end issues if they are not looked after. The S14 has Wing mount intercooler issues (sorted by going front mount) and sometimes spray bar blockage which can lead to big end issues but again not an issue if regular oil changes. VVT rattle another issue - but not a big one.
There are plenty of 100k mile plus examples that have been modified and running 280ish for 50,000 miles. I personally know of several 200k miles examples.
Parts are relatively cheap and you can get a good S14/S14a for the price you are looking at.
As someone has said handling out of the box is not its best point as it was a 'grand tourer' when made, but again this can be resolved by coilovers or KYB's. I run KYB AGX and eibacs on mine and its a nice compromise.
Personally I would go for an already modified one and look at its history on SXOC. The only downside is you learn a lot modifying it yourself, but on the plus side you can save a lot of money.
If you want help buying one people on SXOC will usually help maybe even offering to look one over - if you buy from a member then a quick search online and you can usually work out what issues they have been having based on tech questions.
And one last point SXOC is the best owners club there is :-)
Maybe just one of those internet 'rumours' but I thought the GT4 had a reputation for gearboxes and expensive suspension issues. Also Cambelt changes I believe are expensive as its relatively big job - 200sx is timeing chain so 'life of car'.
There are no significant reliability issues with the 200 as long as they are looked after. old S13s that are modified can have big end issues if they are not looked after. The S14 has Wing mount intercooler issues (sorted by going front mount) and sometimes spray bar blockage which can lead to big end issues but again not an issue if regular oil changes. VVT rattle another issue - but not a big one.
There are plenty of 100k mile plus examples that have been modified and running 280ish for 50,000 miles. I personally know of several 200k miles examples.
Parts are relatively cheap and you can get a good S14/S14a for the price you are looking at.
As someone has said handling out of the box is not its best point as it was a 'grand tourer' when made, but again this can be resolved by coilovers or KYB's. I run KYB AGX and eibacs on mine and its a nice compromise.
Personally I would go for an already modified one and look at its history on SXOC. The only downside is you learn a lot modifying it yourself, but on the plus side you can save a lot of money.
If you want help buying one people on SXOC will usually help maybe even offering to look one over - if you buy from a member then a quick search online and you can usually work out what issues they have been having based on tech questions.
And one last point SXOC is the best owners club there is :-)
Maybe just one of those internet 'rumours' but I thought the GT4 had a reputation for gearboxes and expensive suspension issues. Also Cambelt changes I believe are expensive as its relatively big job - 200sx is timeing chain so 'life of car'.
sparkyhx said:
Maybe just one of those internet 'rumours' but I thought the GT4 had a reputation for gearboxes and expensive suspension issues. Also Cambelt changes I believe are expensive as its relatively big job - 200sx is timeing chain so 'life of car'.
ST205 gearboxes are bulletproof and cambelt changes are relatively cheap, certainly no more than any other belt equipped 4 pot. Fig 8's can be costly though (£500-800 or was when i had mine), buy a straight one thats just had them done and you will be fine.
No experience of 200sx's though so I couldnt say which to get.
Paul.
As said above some of the suspension components are expensive and which ever person you listen to depends on whether the Cambelt is an engine in or out jobby!
Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
Edited by McGtfour on Sunday 1st May 18:19
McGtfour said:
As said above some of the suspension compound are expensive and which ever person you listen to depends on whether the Cambelt is an engine in or out jobby!
Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
That's because they are lovely! The Spec R is the one to find. More powerful than the s14, 250 my little ponies, or something like that. Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
McGtfour said:
As said above some of the suspension components are expensive and which ever person you listen to depends on whether the Cambelt is an engine in or out jobby!
Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
S15 - expensive for what they are - higher powered out of the box than a S14. Many imported ones are unturbo'd so Spec R is imperative. They have bigger wing mount but still same cracking issues and also a BB T28 turbo in some, otherwise they are an pretty much an S14 in a fancy dress (think scirroco and Golf). tuning an S14 to the same power as a S15 Spec R is easy and relatively inexpensive and beyond that they are the same car so costs and ease are the same. S15 is of course newer so that will account for some price differentiation.Good pointers about the 200sx above though sound advice
On a different note does anyone know much about the S15 Silvias? What are they like compared to the 14's? They always seem wildy expensive!
Edited by McGtfour on Sunday 1st May 18:19
Celica - I thought the cam belt was 4hrs of a job - thats a bretty big job to me. re clutch and gearbox issues is that another Celica version I am thinking about? (..........goes away to do some research).
I agree the Celica and is nice and rare but so is the 200sx only 6000ish in the uk of all models. That one major reason why I have the 200 instead of a scoob or evo. They are pretty anonymous so admiring glances are rare unless you tart up the outside - having said that it makes them a good sleeper. The most common comment you get is 'nice skyline mister'
Edited by sparkyhx on Sunday 1st May 20:40
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