1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Nissan 240SX. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Nissan 240SX.

1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Review

Redesigned for 1989, Nissan's stylish, newly shaped sport coupe carried a 2.4-liter engine rather than the 2.0-liter four that had powered its 200SX predecessor. Still rear-wheel drive, it came in 2-door coupe (XE) and 2-door hatchback (SE Fastback) form. Horsepower for the 12-valve 4-cylinder engine rated an impressive 140. All-disc brakes were standard, with antilocking optional on the SE. Both 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions were offered. XE coupes could get a heads-up instrument display, as part of the Power Convenience Group.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Nissan 240SX: A more potent twin-cam, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine arrived for 1991, as a new LE hatchback replaced the XE. Essentially the SE hatchback with leather upholstery and air conditioning, the LE was the highest-priced 240SX model. The lineup also included hatchbacks and notchbacks in base and SE trim. With new sequential fuel injection, the '91 engine developed 155 horsepower--15 more than before. All coupes got a new nose with an integrated bumper. Antilock braking, previously optional only on the SE hatchback, now could be installed on the LS.

1992 Nissan 240SX: A convertible debuted during 1992 in "Limited Edition" trim with a rear spoiler, automatic transmission, and power top, windows, and door locks. Otherwise, changes were minimal except for eliminating available antilock braking on the LE model.

1993 Nissan 240SX: Not much change marked the 1993 models, but the leather-upholstered LE hatchback was gone.

1994 Nissan 240SX: An SE convertible was the sole body style offered for '94, unchanged except for a new "cherry red pearl" color choice.

1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Noise

Instruments/controls	Rear-seat room

Acceleration (1991-94)	Cargo room

	Entry/exit

	Ride (sport package)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

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.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Nissan 240SX SE 5-speed	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	5

Total:	42

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Doors: The fuel-door catch breaks easily and the door will not stay closed. (1990-92)

Timing belt: Timing-chain tensioner tends to fail, damaging the timing cover and allowing coolant to leak into the oil pan. (1990)

Transmission leak: The pinion seal on the differential is prone to leaking. (1992)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$675

Alternator	$280

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$665

Brakes	$230

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$345

Constant Velocity Joints	$345

Exhaust System	$180

Radiator	$410

Shocks and/or Struts	$460

Timing Chain or Belt	$635

NHTSA Recall History

1990-91: Front-seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.

1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
240SX	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

1991
240SX	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1992
240SX	$1,300-1,800	$800-1,100	$200
Convertible	$1,900-2,500	$1,300-1,700	$300-400

1993
240SX	$1,500-2,000	$1,000-1,300	$200-300
Convertible	$2,200-2,800	$1,600-2,000	$400-500

1994
Convertible	$2,700-3,400	$2,000-2,600	$600-700

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door coupe	2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	97.4	97.4	97.4

Overall Length, in.	178.0	178.0	178.0

Overall Width, in.	66.5	66.5	66.5

Overall Height, in.	50.8	50.8	50.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	2800	2699	2730

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	8.6	8.6	14.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9	15.9	15.9

Seating Capacity	4	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	38.3	37.8	37.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.0	42.0	42.0

Rear Head Room, in.	35.5	34.5	33.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	25.4	23.8	23.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

For its first season only, the 240SX was equipped with a 140-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. For 1991, a new 2.4-liter four went under 240SX hoods, with dual overhead camshafts and a 155-horsepower rating. Any model might have either a 5-speed manual gearbox or optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	2.4 / 145	140	152	5-speed manual: 20/27 4-speed automatic: 20/25	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 22.2

dohc I4	2.4 / 146	155	160	5-speed manual: 22/28 4-speed automatic: 21/26	5-speed manual: 24.8 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1993 240SX

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Nissan 240SX Review:

Nissan 240SX

Nissan 240SX Road Test

Nissan 240SX Reliability

Nissan 240SX Prices

Nissan 240SX Specs & Safety

Nissan 240SX Photos

Nissan 240SX Full Review