Nissan 200SX

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. 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... 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? 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... Source: pistonheads