Drivers who prefer a rear-wheel-drive coupe will get a rewarding yet undemanding experience on twisting roads. Responsive steering and a taut suspension help tame demanding pavements. Even with its independent rear suspension, though, the 240SX suffers from a somewhat harsh ride. Still, it's compliant enough to avoid most discomfort; it takes quite a big bump to knock this coupe off course. Watch out for reduced traction in snow-belt areas, too. Early engine performance did not match the coupe's handling capabilities. Acceleration was strong enough at low engine speeds but fell a bit short at the high end, even with a 5-speed. The twin-cam engine introduced in 1991 is better, but still a little rough and rather loud. Torque is sufficient to move the car rather quickly with automatic transmission, though a 5-speed is needed to get the most out of the stronger 4-cylinder engine. Tire noise invades the interior via the open rear cargo area in the hatchback. The driver-oriented interior sports easy-to-read analog gauges and no-nonsense, mostly convenient controls. Seats offer support as well as comfort, though some road testers have found them to be overly firm. As in most sport coupes, rear leg room is nearly nonexistent, but the front seat is sufficiently spacious.

Value for the Money
Although the 240SX does not deliver quite all it promises, its capable engineering and eye-catching design are hard to resist. Still, we'd pick a Mitsubishi Eclipse or its Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser cousins.