Nissan Problems

Who says looks don’t sell cars. Take Nissan’s brilliant 200SX turbocharged coupe for example. Few cars in 1996 could match its performance, but few people tuned in because of its bland looks.There wasn’t much on offer in 1996 if you wanted a performance car. Holden had its V8 SS, Ford had its XR6, Mazda its little MX5, but that was about the extent of the choices before the 200SX and the turbocharged Subaru WRX came on the scene.With the arrival of the new turbo cars sports car buyers had the choice of two cars that delivered unprecedented performance for the price.The WRX was a more radical model heralding a new type of performance car to the market, while the 200SX was a more conventional sports coupe.The updates to the 200SX in 1996 and 2000 enhanced what was under the skin a very good package with a more aggressive look and a longer list of features.The 200SX story begins with the launch of the all-new S14 model to the local market in 1994 when it took the performance segment by storm.Subaru had only just launched the WRX which would lead the turbo revolution, so the 200SX presented an appealing proposition to anyone who wanted an attractive sports coupe that backed up its sporty looks with sporty performance, and at a reasonably affordable price.If the first 200SX was a popular pick, the updated model in 1996 sharpened the package.While the first model had the performance it was a fairly bland looker. Its lines were soft and rounded; they simply lacked the aggression expected of a car of its type.That changed in 1996 with the release of the first update when its lines were sharpened, it was given a new grille and headlamps and a much meaner stance. All of a sudden it was a car that commanded your attention.Under the sharp new skin lay the same 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 147 kW on tap at 6400 revs and mountains of torque from way down in the rev range the 200SX was quite a performer with the power to reach 100 km/h in around six seconds and cover the standing 400-metre sprint in 15 seconds.One of the problems that plagued many early turbocharged cars was turbo lag, but there was none in the 200SX, and the engine was silky smooth right through the rev range.Either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto backed up the S14, with the five-speed being replaced by a six-speed in the S15 of 2000.Drive went through the rear wheels, which gave the 200SX its great appeal. While it handled with impressive poise and great road holding it could be driven on the throttle and it was always possible to induce oversteer for a really fun ride.If there was a criticism of the 200SX it was the ride, which could be hard and harsh, particularly in the sportier versions like the S15 Spec R.In the S14 Nissan offered 200SX in Sports Limited, Sports and Luxury versions of the 200SX. In the Sports Limited model you got alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cloth trim, central locking, a driver’s airbag, and an alarm.Add a rear spoiler, ABS, and leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and you had the Sports model; then add a passenger’s airbag, CD player and a sunroof and you were in a Luxury model.With the S15 model change the choices became the Spec S and Spec R. The S had plenty of fruit, including alloys, ABS, air-con, central locking, immobiliser, CD player, and dual airbags; the sportier R came with rear spoiler, side skirts, sunroof, and six-disc CD player.GT versions of the S and R models released in 2002 were dressed up with leather trim, chrome alloy wheels, drilled racing pedals, chrome door handles and a ‘performance’ rear wing.Sadly the 200SX vanished from our showrooms in 2003 when Nissan moved to the 350Z.The 200SX has an enviable record in service. It’s a fundamentally sound sports car and will stand quite a pounding from enthusiasts with no outward sign of distress.The turbocharged engine stands up well, but turbo engines generally need more servicing because of the harsh environment they operate in so look for signs that servicing hasn’t been done as often as it should.Lift the oil filler cap and inspect for sludge inside the cover, pull the dipstick and check the colour of the oil, which should be clear without any visible contaminants.The six-speed gearbox fitted to the S15 is noisy, has been from day one, but it doesn’t appear to translate into a mechanical problem.Check the clutch, there should be about 25 mm free-play at the top of the movement, and it should fully disengage at the bottom of the stroke. If gears are hard to select there could be a problem with the clutch, and clutches take a pounding in cars like the 200SX.It’s worth checking a car carefully for signs it has been used in motorsport. Check for holes in the bodywork that might have been used to mount a roll cage or fire extinguisher.Look also for aftermarket modifications. Many owners fit larger turbochargers, larger intercoolers, and revised electronics among many modifications available to boost the 200SX’s performance.Agile handling, four-wheel discs, and ABS make a formidable package for avoiding a crash, but if a crash is unavoidable secondary protection is provided by airbags.Richard Salib has done 45,000 km in the 2002 200SX he bought new. He praises its razor sharp steering, excellent handling, sweet gearbox, and powerful engine which has “plenty of torque from just above 2000 rpm”, but is critical of its ride which can be harsh, its rawness in terms of refinement, and its low seating position which can limit visibility. Mechanically it has been “rock solid”.Twelve months ago John Cusumano bought his “dream” car, a 2001 200SX Spec R that has done just 33,000 km. He loves the turbo performance without any lag, the handling and road holding, and the styling, but reckons they’re overpriced, and hard to handle in the wet, and he doesn’t like the noisy gearbox, and the loss of power in hot conditions. Like Richard’s car John’s has been very reliable.• aggressive styling more in keeping with performance image• tearaway turbo performance• strong mechanical package gives little trouble• noisy six-speed gearbox• harsh ride on rough roads• well balanced handling with good road holding• caution needed with aftermarket updates• avoid cars with clear motorsport usePound for pound there are few cars that can compete with the 200SX. Exhilarating performance and road holding at an affordable price.

Nissan’s 200SX sports coupe was an instant hit when it arrived here late in 1994, its no-holds barred performance overcoming criticism of its bland styling and no-frills interior. With the earliest examples of the 200SX now eight years old, it is entering mid-life as a used car, but with prices in the mid to high teens it represents great buying if you measure by the bang-for-bucks formula.Nissan has a long history of building great sports cars, its Fairlady 1600 and Sports 2000 two-seater roadsters finding a small but loyal following here in the 1960s.Although discerning sports car enthusiasts of the day rated them highly for their performance and build quality, our preference for things British back then meant they struggled to find a foothold in the local market which favoured sports cars like the MGB, Austin-Healey and Triumph.The 240Z changed all of that when it was launched in 1970. It was a stylish two-door coupe with a long bonnet and a stumpy tail, and went hard and fast with a seductive howl than can come only come from a straight six.It was a classic right out of the box, and the 200SX was something of a ’90s remake of the old classic, together with some up-to-date technology lifted from later Nissan sports cars like the awesome ‘Godzilla’ GTR.Like the 240Z it was also a two-door coupe with similar long nose, short tail proportions to the 240Z, but it copped plenty of criticism for its rather bland styling.Anyone who cared to look past the styling found a sports coupe with plenty of punch, one that could match more exotic sports cars costing two or three times the Nissan’s affordable sticker.MODEL WATCHAustralians had to wait five years before Nissan launched the 200SX here in 1994, but it was worth the wait. The 200SX was a barnstorming sports coupe that brought performance within the reach of the masses.With a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine pumping out 147 kW at 6400 revs and 265 Nm of torque at 4800 revs, the 200SX was fast and quickly established itself as the leader of the sports coupe pack which included others like the Mazda MX6, Honda Prelude, Ford Probe and Toyota Celica.There was a choice of transmissions, a smooth shifting five-speed manual was the pick for the sporting enthusiast while an electronically-controlled four-speed auto was available for those who preferred their shifting done for them.Drive was through the rear wheels and there was independent suspension front and rear, with Nissan’s multilink independent system at the rear helping put the power of the turbo four-cylinder engine down to the road efficiently.Disc brakes were employed on each corner, along with attractive 6.5 x 16-inch alloy wheels.When pressed the 1265 kg two-door coupe would stop the clocks at 6.8 seconds on the 100 km/h sprint, and rush through the standing 400 metres in around 15 seconds dead. Top speed of the manual was put at 235 km/h, the auto was marginally slower at 225 km/h.The interior was typically Japanese, sombre with dark cloth trim and hard plastics that was anything but exciting. There was seating for four, but those who were consigned to the rear seats found themselves rather cramped, while the front seat occupants enjoyed the comfort of supportive sports seats.Nissan launched three models of the 200SX, the Sports Limited, Sports and Sports Luxury.The price leading Sports Limited boasted a features list including air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and central locking. The mid-spec Sports also had a driver’s airbag, ABS brakes, rear spoiler, and the steering wheel and gearshift knob were trimmed in leather. Top of the range was the Sports Luxury, which came with the lot; front spoiler with driving lights, passenger side airbag, sunroof and a six-speaker CD sound system.With that sort of performance, and a relatively modest price tag when new of $42,500, the 200SX raced out of showrooms, and Nissan had a hit on its hands.Nissan answered its styling critics by unveiling a face-lift of the 200SX in 1996, which featured sharper lines and a more aggressive front-end look, with new tail lights while on the inside there was a new dash and some new carbon-fibre trim highlights.The S14 200SX was replaced by the all-new S15 in 2000, which brought a sharp all-new shape and a much more aggressive stance.IN THE SHOPAlthough the 200SX is generally a rugged and reliable car it’s important to have them checked out before you hand over your hard earned cash. Their appeal to sports-minded drivers means they may have been thrashed hard, and you could be buying someone else’s problem.They are prone to camshaft wear if they haven’t been regularly and properly serviced so check the service record. If it hasn’t got one, or it’s not complete, get an expert to go over it.Blown turbocharger gaskets are common, so looks for signs of exhaust gas leakage around the turbo. Also check around the turbo for oil leaks, and look for blue smoke, which is a telltale sign of a blown turbo.Early cars were marginal on clutches, but the rest of the driveline is troublefree.

The Nissan ‘Z’ legend began in 1971 with the stunning 240Z, and was carried on by a series of great models. One of the best of them was the beautiful 300ZX, which was sold here between 1989 and 1996.The 300ZX was a well built high performance sports coupe that has aged wonderfully well, so much so that it is a popular used sports car today.MODEL WATCHThe Japanese car industry underwent a sea change in the late 1980s. For years Japanese carmakers had built affordable and reliable cars for the masses, but in the late 1980s they became obsessed with technology and took on the world.Among the many great cars that came from Japan in that era was the 300ZX sports coupe Nissan launched in 1989.The 300ZX was more a high performance grand tourer than a light and nimble sportster as the original ‘Z’ car was, but it was nonetheless a very competent sports car.Even today its sleek shape and smooth lines are sexy. The last 300ZX was sold here in 1986, there was a special 25th anniversary model that recalled the birth of the ‘Z’ and temporarily marked the end of the line, but it looks just as good now as it did then.There was a short wheelbase two-seater, and a turbocharged engine option, sold in other markets, but the model sold here was a long wheelbase 2-plus-2 model with a normally-aspirated 3.0-litre V6 engine.With a perfect 50:50 weight distribution the local model had a balance the others never had. And with two rear seats it could accommodate a couple of kids, or adults at a pinch, which made it a more usable all-rounder than its smaller foreign cousin.The fuel-injected V6 engine was a silky smooth unit. With four overhead camshafts and variable valve timing it was quite advanced for its time.Power was put at 166 kW, torque at 270 Nm, which was dulled slightly by the 1490 kg it was expected to propel. Even so it could reach 100 km/h in a respectable seven seconds, the standing 400 metres could be dispatched in a little over 15 seconds, and it would reach a heady 235 km/h if asked.Just imagine the same car with the turbo under the bonnet and 224 kW, and 398 Nm, surging down the drive line.Having been designed to take the turbo power the chassis was more than capable of handling the more modest non-turbo power.The 300ZX, with independent suspension at both ends was wonderfully balanced, and progressive in its response.Nissan offered the 300ZX in manual and auto form. The manual was a smooth shifting five-speed unit, the auto an electronically-controlled four-speeder.Brakes were powerful discs all round, there was ABS, and a viscous coupling in the rear axle for added safety.There were few changes over the eight years the 300ZX was sold here. Air-con became auto climate control in 1992 along with velour trim, while a driver’s airbag was added in 1994 together with CD sound and a rear spoiler.IN THE SHOPThe 300ZX was well designed and well built which means they stand up to the rigours of life on the road quite well.With little protection the body is left exposed to minor dings so look for repaired and repainted bumpers, which may not be a good colour match. If not painted properly the paint can blister and peel.While the trim was of a high quality any car that has been well used, or left in the sun, will be showing the signs of ageing. Heavy wear in high traffic areas of seats is likely, dashes can be cracked.The V6 engine is a sturdy unit and gives little trouble, but remember they are likely to have been driven hard over the years and could be suffering as a result. Major services at 100,000 km intervals require cam belt changes, platinum tipped plugs and other important items and are thus expensive. Make sure they’ve been done.Gearboxes are rugged and give little trouble, wear in drive line joints and centre bearing isn’t uncommon.For more information on the 300ZX it’s worth checking with members of the Australian 300ZX Owners Association or go to the website: www.aus300zx.com.IN A CRASHA driver’s airbag was added in 1994, which makes those cars produced after that the safest bet.Add to that a responsive well balanced chassis, four-wheel discs, ABS and you have a solid primary safety package.GOING GREYNissan only sold the normally aspirated 300ZX here, but back in Japan there were other more potent models on offer. Most notable was the turbocharged model, several of which have been brought in over the years by private importers.These so-called ‘grey’ imports offer high performance at an affordable price, which makes them an attractive buy. Indeed they can be, if you do your homework and buy carefully after doing the research.Talk to owners and seek out a reputable dealer before parting with your hard earned cash.OWNERS SAYAngela Sykes has owned her 1990 300ZX import for a year and loves it. Its lines are slick and it sits low on the road. It has a lot of room, and on sunny days the roof can be taken off and put in the very roomy boot. On the down side it is heavy, and thirsty, and the 100,000 km service was expensive.Tim Garland has owned an Aus-spec 1990 Nissan 300ZX manual since March 2004, and is thoroughly delighted with it. It has done 212,000 km, and for a car with such mileage it runs beautifully, Tim says. There have been a couple of relatively minor issues with it since he’s had it, but Tim’s main complaint is the cost of parts having just done the 200,000 km major service.LOOK FOR• Sleek timeless styling• Engine and gearboxes give little trouble• Lovely balanced handling• Silky smooth engine a delight• Parts are expensive• Major service costs are expensiveTHE BOTTOM LINEGreat looking high performance sports car if you afford the cost of parts and service.RATING80/100