1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Nissan 200SX. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Nissan 200SX.

1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Review

Nissan revived the old 200SX nameplate for a new sport coupe, introduced in the spring of 1995. The 200SX came in base, SE, and sportier SE-R models. All shared their front-end appearance, front-drive chassis, dashboard, and many dimensions with the Nissan Sentra. Base and SE editions shared Sentra's twin-cam 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. The SE-R inherited the 140-horsepower 2.0-liter engine used in the previous 2-door Sentra SE-R. All three came with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic, and were equipped with dual airbags. Antilock brakes were optional in the SE and SE-R.

Year to Year Changes

1996 Nissan 200SX: The SE and SE-R gained new body-colored mirrors and door panels.

1997 Nissan 200SX: All models now included a rear spoiler, and the base model adopted the same interior trim as its SE and SE-R companions.

1998 Nissan 200SX: All models got new headlights, revised bumpers, and white-face gauges. Also, base models replaced 13-inch wheels with 14-inchers. 200SX did not return for '99 but its 140-horsepower engine continued in the 4-door Sentra.

1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Road Test

Pros	Cons

Optional antilock brakes	Acceleration (base and SE automatic)

Acceleration (SE-R)	Rear visibility

Steering/handling	Ride

Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Regardless of model, the 200SX offers better-than-average passenger room for a small coupe, especially in back, though this cabin isn't huge by absolute standards. Space is adequate up front, and adults have at least a fighting chance of fitting into the back seat. Cargo room ranks near the top of its class. Instruments are well-positioned and clearly marked in a functional, ergonomically designed dashboard that puts most controls close at hand. Visibility is fine except dead-astern. The SE-R has above-average grip and modest body lean, which produce safe, enjoyable travel on twisting roads. Steering is firm and centers well. Ride quality is rather jumpy over rippled freeways and harsh pavement. In terms of performance, the 200SX comes in two distinct flavors. The base engine provides adequate acceleration with the 5-speed but slow pickup with automatic. Moving a big step up, the SE-R's 2.0-liter four has enough torque for swift passing and even for pulling the optional automatic transmission. Gas mileage also is appealing with either engine.

Value for the Money
Overall, there's much to like about the 200SX--especially the SE-R. It's a reasonable, moderately priced alternative to such higher-cost coupes as the Ford Probe and Mazda MX-6, thus definitely worth a test-drive.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Nissan 200SX SE-R 5-speed	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	4

Total:	41

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.

1995-1998 Nissan 200SX 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.

Dashboard lights: The check-engine light comes on due to a problem with the rear heated oxygen sensor. (1995-96)

Doors: The power door locks may spontaneously lock or unlock due to a problem with the master switch. (1995)

Engine noise: The timing-chain tensioner guide tends to break and the chain becomes very noisy. (1995)

Fuel gauge: The gauge may not register full due to the pump wires interfering with the float arm. (1995)

Sunroof/moonroof: The sunroof may tilt up, but not slide back due to a problem with the lifter mechanism. (1995-96)

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	$610

Alternator	$320

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$740

Brakes	$200

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$430

Constant Velocity Joints	$1,230

Exhaust System	$175

Radiator	$325

Shocks and/or Struts	$520

Timing Chain or Belt	$770

NHTSA Recall History

1995 w/ABS: Hydraulic actuator was not properly purged; bubbles can cause increased stopping distances.

1995-98: Water can enter and displace grease in wiper-arm linkage joint, resulting in gradual wear over a period of time that could lead to separation of wiper-linkage assembly.

1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1995
200SX	$1,400-1,900	$900-1,200	$200
200SX SE-R	$1,800-2,300	$1,200-1,600	$300

1996
200SX	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300
200SX SE-R	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500

1997
200SX	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500
200SX SE-R	$2,600-3,100	$1,900-2,300	$500-700

1998
200SX	$2,600-3,100	$1,900-2,300	$500-700
200SX SE-R	$3,200-3,800	$2,500-3,000	$800-1,000

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.

1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	99.8

Overall Length, in.	170.1

Overall Width, in.	66.6

Overall Height, in.	54.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	2330

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	10.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	35.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	31.4

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

Powertrain Options and Availability

Base-model and SE versions of the 200SX used a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 115 horsepower. A bigger (2.0 liter) four with dual overhead camshafts went into the SE-R. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic might be installed.

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

dohc I4	1.6 / 97	115	108	5-speed manual: 30/40 4-speed automatic: 28/37	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	2.0 / 121	140	132	5-speed manual: 23/31 4-speed automatic: 23/30	5-speed manual: 28 4-speed automatic: 26.2

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

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1997 200SX

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: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX Review:

Nissan 200SX

Nissan 200SX Road Test

Nissan 200SX Reliability

Nissan 200SX Prices

Nissan 200SX Specs & Safety

Nissan 200SX Photos

Nissan 200SX Full Review