1995-1998 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.

1995-1998 Nissan 240SX Review

Another rendition of the 240SX sport coupe arrived in spring of 1994. Still rear-wheel drive, it came only as a notchback coupe with dual airbags. Wheelbase measured two inches longer; overall length slightly shorter than before. Inherited from the prior 240SX was a dual-camshaft 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Rated at 155 horsepower, it teamed with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Antilock brakes combined with a limited-slip differential were optional for base and SE models.

Year to Year Changes

1996 Nissan 240SX: Base and SE models wore restyled grilles, and the base coupe got body-colored mirrors. The SE coupe lost its power antenna, now operating with the same fixed-mast antenna as the base model.

1997 Nissan 240SX: A luxury LE edition joined in mid 1997, equipped with leather seats, keyless entry, an antitheft system, and a CD player. Before that, the 240SX got a facelifted body. Revisions included a new front bumper and grille, redesigned hood and front fenders, and new headlamps and taillights.

1998 Nissan 240SX: The 240SX is unchanged for 1998, and did not return for '99.

1995-1998 Nissan 240SX Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Noise

Instruments/controls	Rear-seat room

Optional antilock brakes	Ride (SE)

	Cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration is nothing special for a sports coupe. A base-model 240SX with the automatic transmission took 10 seconds flat to reach 60 mph. Takeoffs are strong enough at first, but acceleration tapers off at higher speeds. The engine produces a sporty but loud snarl under hard acceleration. Road noise also is prominent. As for gas mileage, we averaged 20.8 mpg with automatic and 25.2 mpg with a 5-speed. Sharp steering and agile reactions are the bonuses of this coupe's rear-drive chassis, but poor traction on slippery roads remains a sore spot. Ride comfort depends on the model. The firmer SE suspension rides more harshly than the base version, which does a better job of absorbing bumps and tar strips. Despite the lengthened wheelbase and wider body, the 240SX still suffers from a snug interior. Space is considerably less than the car's outside dimensions suggest, and the wraparound cockpit gives a somewhat closed-in feeling. Head room is limited for tall drivers. Even children will lack space in the rear seat, especially in terms of leg room. Seats are nicely supportive. Visibility is good all around, except past somewhat thick windshield pillars.

Value for the Money
We've not been overwhelmed by either the styling or the performance of the 240SX, before or after the '97 facelift.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Nissan 240SX SE 5-speed	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	7

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	5

Total:	43

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 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.

Air conditioner: Poor air-conditioner performance due to compressor-joint seals that tend to leak. (1995-96)

Brakes: Nissan issued a voluntary recall to replace a defective diode that will not turn on the low-brake-fluid-warning light. (1995)

Dashboard lights: The check-engine light may come on and set an erroneous trouble code for the crankshaft position sensor if certain wires in the computerized engine-control circuits are not kept separated from one another. (1995)

Engine temperature: The engine tends to overheat if any air trapped in the cooling system is not properly bled. (1995)

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	$695

Alternator	$290

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$810

Brakes	$220

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$335

Constant Velocity Joints	$430

Exhaust System	$180

Radiator	$380

Shocks and/or Struts	$460

Timing Chain or Belt	$660

NHTSA Recall History

1995: Brake-warning light will not illuminate when fluid level drops.

1995-1998 Nissan 240SX Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1995
240SX	$2,300-2,800	$1,700-2,000	$400-500

1996
240SX	$2,900-3,600	$2,200-2,700	$700-800

1997
240SX	$3,500-4,400	$2,800-3,500	$900-1,200

1998
240SX	$4,300-5,500	$3,600-4,600	$1,500-1,900

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 240SX Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	99.4

Overall Length, in.	177.2

Overall Width, in.	68.1

Overall Height, in.	51.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	2753

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	8.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.2

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	34.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	20.8

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

Powertrain Options and Availability

Only one engine has been available in this generation of the 240SX: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with dual-overhead camshafts, putting out 155 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic might be installed.

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

dohc I4	2.4 / 146	155	160	5-speed manual: 22/28 4-speed automatic: 21/26	5-speed manual: 25.2 4-speed automatic: 20.8

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

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1997 240SX

Front Impact, Driver	3

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 1995-1998 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