1995-1998 Nissan 200SX: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Optional antilock brakes
- Steering/handling
- Acceleration (SE-R)
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Rear visibility
- Acceleration (base and SE automatic)
- Ride
Vehicle Highlights
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.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | 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 Score: | 41 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX.
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.
Our road test for the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX is right for you.
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | 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 Score: | 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.
Our reliability study for this generation Nissan 200SX includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Nissan 200SX .
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 |
Our price chart for this generation Nissan 200SX details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1998 | |||
| 200SX | $2,400-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $500-600 |
| 200SX SE-R | $2,900-3,500 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| 1997 | |||
| 200SX | $1,900-2,400 | $1,300-1,700 | $300-400 |
| 200SX SE-R | $2,400-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $500-600 |
| 1996 | |||
| 200SX | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
| 200SX SE-R | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1995 | |||
| 200SX | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 200SX SE-R | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Nissan 200SX include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
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 | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| 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 |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 115 | 108 | 5-speed manual: 30/40 4-speed automatic: 28/37 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Nissan 200SX include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-1998 Nissan 200SX directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
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.
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