Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 Reviews

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Good Points: Amazing handeling.
Great looks.
Lots of power, torque and responsiveness.
Reliability.
Cheap to service (although what you save on servicing, you will pay on insurance).

Bad Points: Poor Interior trim fit and quality.
Clutch feel iffy.
Terrible fuel consumption.
Not enough space in the rear for additional passengers.

General comments: I've had my Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 for close to 2 years now and it still puts a smile on my face every time I plant it.

Overall, the engine is very resilient and can cope with extensive modifications. Service it with new, high grade oil and filters every couple of months and it will be as reliable as the day the car was bought. VCT units sometimes fail and make a terrible clackering racket, but they are an easy enough fix. I should add that this is something that I havent encountered as of yet (knock on wood). The engine can feel harsh at times, but this is not a fault and should be overlooked. The turbo is quite competent, but just doesn't have the viceral energy that the earlier T25's did on the S13 models. That said, the car does accelerate better than the earlier models. I

The gearbox has great feel, with the synchros giving a firm but not overwhelming resistence before succumbing. The gearshifter throw is very smooth and progressive, making every shift rewarding. I personally enjoy rowing through the gears and sometimes do it needlessly. Unfortunately, the 6 speed box does have its deficiencies, especially after extensive improper use. Whining sounds are common and should not instigate worry - if the sound is excrutiating (is audible with the windows open or the radio on medium volume), turn away. One of the synchro sets also has a weak point, whereby a circlip can distort and allow the cog to move laterally on its spline. Generally the gearbox is strong, but should be treated with respect.

The clutch is the only component of the driveline that has an odd feel. It is very resilient and with proper use, generally wont fade out. However, it is hard to release at the exact moment. It takes finnesse to use, but overall it works well once the driver has become accustomed. It is distinctly unique - a european car has a completely different feel in this regard.

Overall, the car is very tactile; it loves to be thrown around and has an astonishing amount of grip due to its low center of gravity, low curb mass and excellent chassis. I must emphasise that the chassis is amongst the best of them, even by todays standards - the car does not flex at all. It is easy to send the tail out, especially after exiting an apex at full throttle. However, the cars perfect weight distribution and independent suspension will iron everything out if you know what you are doing. It may be an intimidating drive for some in the wet, but it can be extremely fun and very rewarding for those who are well aquainted. Unfortunately, there is no traction control to deal with slippery conditions, so you need to be alert. It should be treated with respect.

The suspension has excellent compliance and is generally firm enough to guarantee great handelling, but not too firm so as to rattle fillings. It is virtually impossible to bottom out, even on a swoopy track.

The interior is very comfortable and the climate control is easy to use with its analog switchgear (the Japanese Spec R models had a digital climate control). The 6 stack CD playe is surprisingly good for a stock unit and even includes a tape deck. The Clarion speakers are amongs the best that I have encountered in a stock vehilce, far surpassing the sound quality that higher priced car brands like BMW have. This is from first hand comparison. Some cars had a plastic steering wheel, which is intially not a strong point, but easy to settle into. The stock steering wheel can easily be replaced with a leather Japanese spec wheel.

The seats, although not buckets, are extremely supportive and comfortable. They do lack height adjustment, but it isn't really needed. The trims do have a tendency to scratch, and show their age. Some parts of the interior do have an inherent tendency to rattle - this includes door trims and the passenger side airbag covering. These problems are an easy fix though.

Overall, the S15 is a great car, which will prove to be extremely rewarding for its owner. You cant really go wrong.

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The Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 is reliable and easy to tune. Versatile. Uncomfortable back seating

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Car gets lots of attention! I purchased a spec S Nissan 200SX GT, one of the last available in Australia. This car is superb, it smokes most imports & v8 aussie cars even the 6.0 litres with stuff all mods.

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Highly recommended, great sports car!
After spending under $3500 on a turbo back exhaust system, air filter, intercooler, Apexi Boost Controller I achieved 175 kw at the wheels...that translates to around 215 KW on the fly and under 5 seconds 0 to 100 km..she creams most standard Falcons, Holdens, rx8s, 350zs etc...
Don't do anything drastic to the exterior, apart from OK wheels its stunning as it is...you will be a cop magnet! I would recommend getting nice rims and lowering the car a little. ...

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I've had my metallic blue Spec R for nearly 2yrs and I love it. My girlfriend hates but she likes creature comforts in her cars. I've got trick suspension (Cusco2R coilovers all round), Nismo brakes and braided lines (eye bulging stopping power), trick cams, ECU, ignition, Cusco LCD, Cusco suspension arms, HKS hard-piped intercooler kit, fuel pump, injectors, air flow meter and air filter, front and rear struts, Momo steering wheel, Skyline seats and all rounded off with Volks GT-N split-rims.

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With the Nissan 200SX you get a good handling, performance car for your money, not that common which is good unliker BMWs everyones got one.
Can out perform many 'high performance' cars especially when pulling away at motorway speeds!

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Goes well, gets a lot of attention, fun to drive

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I have owned this car for 3 weeks and I do not regret a single moment with it. I was fortunate enough to find a yellow one as well and I must admit I fell in love with it the very first time I saw it - it's the hottest looking thing!! Handling on this car is superb!! I've noticed this with most Nissan sports cars, such as the skylines etc, as I was originally looking for these as well. Love the ride, extremely low, yet at the same time, visibility is amazing, you can change lanes without looking ...

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Got a Nissan 200sx S14 1995 - I still love it after 2 1/2 years of ownership and 25,000 miles - probably because the Adrenalin rush it gives you when powersliding roundabouts and sweepy bends - best car for the money in its class with loads of power and stopping ability - best take care in the wet but fun if you want it to be (or if your daring enough) - powerful enough in its standard form for dry powerslides but make sure your shocks are in good nick so you can control the pendulum effect (cos ...

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I love the Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 car. I have a black auto S14 which I've had for just over a year. The handling is excellent, overtaking is a breeze and it does turn heads - especially when they see a woman driving one of these beasts! I've always stuck to Japanese cars for their reliability and extras as standard.
The main problem I've had is with the back end trying to swing out on roundabouts - you really have to take it easy in the wet - I'm not looking forward to driving it on the snow ...

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I have had my Nissan 200SX S14 UK Spec for a few months now, only modification is a PowerFlow Exhaust, as the standard backbox fell off. Its a December 1999 model with 24,000 miles, Touring version (Cream Leather) and Manual gearbox.
The car is beautifully balanced and the grip is tremedous, even in wet, this is my 4th rear drive car in 6 years and I would never buy a Front-Drive car again. The LSD really comes into its own while accelerating out of roundabouts.
Overtaking is a breeze, theres ...

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Having owned this Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 for 6 months now i've learnt a lot about the good and bad points of this car. Overall i have to admit it's a thrill to drive! No regrets at all after buying this at all. I plan to keep it for at least another 2 years before upgrading. You won't get bored of this car very quickly.

Pros:

Rapid Acceleration followed by the Turbo Power surge
Fantastic Control
Low Steering resistance
Precise cornering
Car remains low and flat to the ground at al ...

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I have a 2002 yellow SpecS with C West front bar, ROH DriftR 18x8 at the front, 18x9 back, lowered Kings Springs, 3" turbo-back exhaust, Apexi Power intake, strut brace. I was fortunate to find a yellow example since the colour is the rarest in this country (the pewter grey is the most common). There were other choices before I decided on this car. R32 GTR, R34 GTT, S3, WRX Sti, etc. I'm glad I chose the S15. And what incredible performance from such minor mods. A stock S15 pumps out 147kw at th ...

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Cornering and drifting are superb on the Nissan 200SX Spec S S15 and the turbo makes a beaauuuutiful sound and adding a garett turbo in makes in grunt more specially with a 4' exhaust and blow off valve just gets the right phoooooooosh!
A fully modified 200sx would be a dream come true

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Have a late 2001 Spec R in silver/blue which I am extremely glad I bought. The Silver is top in the styling department and being a lot rarer than the Impreza and other performance jap imports is more of a joy to own. In terms of reliability - it's a Nissan and I have yet to spend more that a penny on it (apart from servicing it). As a performance car, it's under-rated in my opinion, but then it isn't 4WD!

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The Nissan 200SX is the last of the traditional rear-wheel drive Japanese sports car that appeared in the late 80s. A very revving turbo-charged engine on a small and light body gives it good performance. Rear-wheel driven enables power-steering. 6-speed gearbox is noisy and unrefined, but gives good ratios for both acceleration and cruising. Very frugal compared to other high performance machines. Killer looks. Chassis is stiff and body movements is well-controlled. Ride is hard but never too u ...

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I love this car. Would recommend anyone looking for a car to drive one of these.

The six speed gearbox is well spaced and combined with the great SR20DET engine is a dream.