We lived through the ’80s and ’90s and spent a lot of time with the era’s greatest hits–drove them, raced them, even knew them when they still had that new car smell. We fondly remember shopping for Kamei air dams, Hella lamps and 14-inch tires.
But were the cars of those times really that rad?
We wondered that ourselves, so …
So, the 240SX pictured here? My parents bought it brand new. It’s a 1991 LE with a stick.
When they stopped driving it so much, they gave it to us. So, of course, I had to run a Sebring track event with it.
Fun car.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I'm envious because I don't really know if I'll ever have the chance to drive a 240SX in decent condition–or at all at this point.
I still dream of the S14 that was traded in at a dealership i worked at as a younger man. It was probably like 2002, the car was super clean, dark green paint, charcoal gray interior with a proper 5 speed. That car would bring an absolute fortune on BaT now. Dern drifters ruining cool stuff.
My wife has zero interest in cars - they were like refrigerators to her. Back when she needed a new one, I suggested she try the then-new 240SX, and a funny thing happened: she said how much better the suspension felt compared to her old car... an Oldsmobile. That still makes me laugh.
My best friend in HS, ironically, went from a Volvo 240 to a 240sx during his senior year. U.S. got the neutered motor and his was an auto, so it was a bit underwhelming.
I wouldn't mind driving a good one. I've driven "beat to E36 M3 owned by highschooler" "super high mileage worn out" and "drift slut." The high mileage one felt pretty good and I could see it being a fun car, but every bushing needed to be replaced.
Coming from a FWD Datsun the predecessor, being the 200SX felt like it was moving towards a real sports (sporty) car.
I agree the 240SX was a great, sporty car.
2 liter fuel injected engine
5-speed manual
RWD with an independent rear -R160 or R180 pumpkin with axles shafts like the 300ZX and their predecessors.
Four wheel disc brakes
When they were new they had a reputation for the engine being truck-like (since, IIRC, it actually came out of a Nissan pickup). It's been a long time since I've seen one that hadn't been ruined by the drift thing.
This was my first "sports" car... a '93 gray manual SE. Did a brake pad upgrade, clutch (didn't actually need it) and some lights and eventually a cat-back exhaust.
Wasn't a great winter car in the mid-west though so I got rid of it for an Impreza RS (which was also a great car).
Man... I really did love that 240SX though.
Datsun310Guy said:I agree the 240SX was a great, sporty car.
2 liter fuel injected engine
5-speed manual
RWD with an independent rear -R160 or R180 pumpkin with axles shafts like the 300ZX and their predecessors.
Four wheel disc brakes
Sporty is a good description - as a four seater closed coupe I have a hard time calling it a 'sports car' any more than I would a Mk. 2 Jag or a Jensen Interceptor.
There is a stock one down the street from me. I'm sure they constantly get bombarded with offers.
I'd have one but given the prices for a nice one there are other cars I'd rather have.
I was cross-shopping 240SX and Preludes back when they were nearly new when I was in high school. I wound up with a Nissan Pulsar NX, because it was what I could realistically afford.
Not to get all nostalgic, but I think that what a lot of younger fans don't realize is the absolute feeling of quality that these cars had at the time. Compared to all the domestic crap and used cars from the 80s, the early 90s Japanese stuff felt like it was from another dimension.
Not with that 4 cylinder truck motor it came with.
In reply to Tyler H :
My wife has a Pulsar NX SE; it was a fun little car.
You are correct the 240SX was positively plush compared to some of the other stuff in the same class.
I've always wanted an S15 (I know the next model) but that seems as about as likely as an unknown relative passing on and leaving millions of dollars.
Having raced one for a few years, I can say that they really like to be race cars. Very firm and planted handling out of the box, and just get better from there.
When they first came out a family friend bought one and showed it off. the day after purchase he made the mistake of leaving his dog in it while he ran a couple errands. The dog did not appreciate his new suroundings and completely destroyed the interior. I was impressed at the carnage a couple of sharp teeth can do to plastic and fabric.
z31maniac said:I've always wanted an S15 (I know the next model) but that seems as about as likely as an unknown relative passing on and leaving millions of dollars.
The S14 followed the original 240SX. The S15 never came here, but it’s stunning in person.
My 240sx story:
Just before the pandemic I decided I wanted to LS swap a 240. I found a suitably ratty example and went to go test drive it. Every panel was dented, but it was very very cheap. Right as I'm about to test drive it, the owner tells me "careful, the brakes are a little weak."
I accelerate down his residential street and the drivers seat rocks backwards. Briefly, I'm staring at headliner before it crashes back forward. The driver's seat, though in roughly the correct position, is not mounted to anything. The owner too, was correct, the brakes barely functioned. I made it about half a block before turning around and wishing him luck with the sale.
David S. Wallens said:z31maniac said:I've always wanted an S15 (I know the next model) but that seems as about as likely as an unknown relative passing on and leaving millions of dollars.
The S14 followed the original 240SX. The S15 never came here, but it’s stunning in person.
Oops, I was confusing the S14 Kouki with the S15. But I'd take either.
Although the early S15s are almost legal for import, but I'm sure they will bring staggering prices.
In reply to z31maniac :
When’s the last time you saw an S14 Kouki? Also a very attractive car.
David S. Wallens said:In reply to z31maniac :
When’s the last time you saw an S14 Kouki? Also a very attractive car.
Hell, probably college? So that means between 2000-2005.
Of all the cars/trucks I've had in my 35 yrs of driving my pearl white S14 is on the top 3 list of should never have sold it.
Tyler H said:I wound up with a Nissan Pulsar NX, because it was what I could realistically afford.
You do know the next generation Datsun 310GX became the Pulsar......and it's grandfather was the loved Datsun F10.....
My short (very short) experience with the Nissan 240SX. It would have been in the mid 90s, I worked near a "Motor Mall" that had 20 or 30 car dealerships. Sometimes at lunch I would walk around the dealerships just to get out of the office for a bit. This particular day I stopped by the Nissan dealership and was looking at a 240SX on the showroom floor. A sales associate came over and asked me if I would like to take one for a test drive. Of course I said yes, so he pulls one around and off I go. Side note: Remember the days when they actually had demo cars available, let you drive them and let you drive them by yourself with out even checking your license? Anyway, off I go. Drive maybe a mile, look down at the instruments and the temperature gauge is pegged on hot. Pull over and turn the car off, call the dealership and they come and get me and flat bed the car back. Turns out the car had just arrived and had never been prepped. They told me Nissan ships the cars without any water/antifreeze and it's added at the dealership. There was no water/AF in this car. That's my 1-2 minute Nissan 240SX test drive story. Oh ya I felt kinda bad when I got back to the dealership as I just just said thanks, got in my car and drove off.
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