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.
Photography Credit: Larry van Scoy
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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 we ditched the rose-colored glasses for a few to take a look back. Were they all winners, or did a few duds get released? Let’s slip on some Vans, break out the vinyl and take a trip back in time.
This week, we're looking back at a now-legendary sports car, the Nissan 240SX.
In 1991, my parents bought a brand-new Nissan 240SX. This was the first year with the 16-valve engine. Several decades later, they sent it my way. (My brother was cool with that since our dad built a birdhouse for him.)
Soon after getting the car, I did the only logical thing: fitted a set of sticky tires and ran a track day at Sebring. This was the one: stick shift, good color and zero mods other than some H4 Hellas. I eventually fitted some Enkei mesh wheels but kept the originals.
I see why my parents kept this one for so many years. It’s the right size, offers plenty of utility and delivers traditional rear-drive handling. The five-speed box is right up there with the Miata’s. Oddly, though, the 240SX was a bit of a late bloomer that didn’t get popular until it was out of production.
Faults? A few little ones. The seats always felt a bit too flat to me, and not everyone’s a fan of the motorized mice seat belts.
What happened with ours? Too many cars at the time, so we sold it just as prices started to move.
Verdict: If we’d had the space to keep it, this one would still be here.
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.
I drove one when they were new. Wanted to like it but the engine wasn't particularly inspiring / fun and the interior was really kinda blah with cheap materials. It was out shined by its competitors at the time. It was thought of as a secretary car - using terminology of that era...
Still a cool car though with mods
Feedyurhed said: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.
OMG, that means the sensor was tripping on the heat of the air in the block or head.
My dad debated NX2000 or the 240SX. He was coming out of a 200SX, which went to my brother.
My parents also had a 4DSC Maxima with a stick. I bought an SE-R soon after.
For a while, we were an all-Nissan family.
Now we all have Miatas.
calteg said: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.
If you LS-swapped it, you'd have to redo the brakes anyway... could have leveraged that "problem" into an even lower price. One man's problem is another's opportunity!
In reply to kb58 :
The welds to mount the seat to the floorpan had all been ripped out. I took that as a sign of the general state of neglect of this particular car
calteg said:In reply to kb58 :
The welds to mount the seat to the floorpan had all been ripped out. I took that as a sign of the general state of neglect of this particular car
Fair enough, but for an LS-swap, the seats would likely end up replaced and attached to a roll cage anyway :)
I love 240s!
First car I ever bought, back in 2001 when they were cheap and the average enthusiast thought drifting is what snow did. Got me through college and showed me the entire world of cheap motorsports. AutoX, RallyX, track, drift days, I tried everything I could find in that car.
I've bought 5 more over the years since, when they were great cheap cars to pick up prior to full Drift Tax. I bought one because it was cheaper than a 1-way rental car back from St. Louis, it's only real fault was steering rack bushings made from duct tape!
I recently picked up another one in rampant nostalgia: Build thread
So if the 240SX morphs backwards to the 200SX and the 1986-87 200SX V6 was similar in design to the 300ZX why can't Nissan feed us a new 240 based on a lightened up 400Z?
I called these sporty cars but in reality that backseat came in handy and the hatchback was awesome to use. I brought a steel entry door back to the lumber yard in my 200SX. Once I removed the seat and put rebar thru the car to get it.
I still want a new 510. berkeleyers at Nissan.
I bought my S13 around 2001 just as the drift scene was starting. It served as daily driver for years, but now mostly sits in my garage. Every time I take it out, I'm reminded how joyfully it drives. Needs new bushings, the AC is broken, and could use some minor paint work. It's not a very comfortable ride and it's underpowered. But it makes me smile.
These make for a great organ donor for my 1969 Datsun SRL311.
(you might have to look that one up)
Especially when 240sx owner is going to SR20, an says “I am done with that truck motor”.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
The “science” has already been worked out on install details, and SPL’s/SRL’s (1600 and 2000cc roadsters, respectively) weigh 2100 in stock form.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I was a guy with a 200SX Turbo for several years, I learned that you CANNOT speed shift these in a drag race with a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. After a rebuild that car lasted me over 100,000 miles, and then the Z32 Z car arrived, ordered the slick top version, sold the 200 to a buddy who put another 100,000 on it. Kept the first Z for over 12 years, but picked up another '90 six years ago, still in love with them.
Ive always been surprised at the relative lack of these cars on the forum; I have two and they're awesome. Well, one could be and one was....
I bought one as a spare parts car but ended up having it caged and it has sat ever since. Clean title, stripped out, sr20det swapped.
the other is my previous track car but just bolt-in cage and imported from Japan. It is a fantastic car but hasn't run in yeeeaaarrrsss
In reply to 300zxfreak :
I’m trying to recall the last time I saw a 200SX in the flesh, even at Radwood....
This was the first new car my wife owned. Thing is, she's as opposite a car enthusiast as there is, so her saying that she was impressed by its handling was a real shock and surprise. Alas, her new-found appreciation for handling didn't extend to wanting a manual, so we owned the automatic for many trouble-free years.
My parents got many years out of their 240SX as well, owning it from 1991 through 2013.
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