Newly Classic: Nissan 200SX (S14)

Nissan’s fifth-generation S14 200SX delivered V8-eating performance in a handsome two-door sports coupe package.  

In the Australian automotive vernacular, the phrase “hairdresser’s car” is a not-so-subtle sledge usually reserved for attractively styled but somewhat underpowered and dynamically underwhelming sports coupes. 

Over the years, many of these have been Japanese two-door coupes, as exemplified by the Toyota Celica. But if the working definition of a hairdresser’s car is something that looks sporty but isn’t, then surely that’s also true of the original six-cylinder powered Ford Mustang, or any era Holden Monaro with a six-pot residing in the space the Good Lord intended for a bent eight.

Classic 90s Interior - Image Collecting Cars

But while it may have been Japanese and a coupe, the sizzling S14 Nissan 200SX that arrived Down Under in 1994 was never and will never be a hairdresser’s car. Instead, the S14 was a proper performance coupe that delivered cracking performance at an affordable price thanks to its very capable all-alloy 2.0-litre SR20DET four-cylinder turbo engine that utilised double overhead camshafts, 16-valves and variable valve timing to punch out a very respectable 147kW/265Nm. 

Motoring mags of the era had the S14 200SX running down the  0-100km/h sprint in the high six-second zone and covering the 400m in the high 14s, both of which were enough to easily hunt-down a stock Aussie V8-powered sedan or ute. 

A Great Starter Classic

But the S14 offered more than punchy performance, thanks to its lightweight alloy engine being well located at the front end of a polished rear-drive chassis that boasted all-independent suspension attached to 16-inch alloy wheels.

While some pundits may consider the original S14s softer styling a little bland – particularly when measured against the sharper S15 that followed in 2000 – others appreciate the subtlety of its appearance. In fact, for many owners it’s the very fact the S14 is such a sleeper, eschewing the pop-up headlights, towering spoilers and straked sills of its rivals, that makes this the archetypal ‘brute-in-a-suit. 

For Australia, the S14 200SX came in three trim levels – Limited, Sports and Luxury Sports – all with fast glass and air-con. The Sports model added a rear spoiler, ABS, and leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, while the top-spec Luxury Sports copped a passenger’s airbag, CD player and a sunroof. 

But, with the same driveline and wheels on every model, hardly anyone noticed or cared where the extra $10k went over the Limited’s $39K ask. 

It's 30 years ago this year since the S14 arrived to dazzle us with its budget performance brilliance, meaning this 200SX is now eligible for Club rego. 

Anyone looking for affordable rear drive thrills in a reliably bulletproof Japanese-made package could do a lot worse than the S14 200SX. Providing, of course, that you can find one that the drift boys haven’t already monstered. 

All-Alloy 2.0-litre SR20DET Four-Cylinder Turbo Engine

Specifications

Model: Nissan 200SX (August 1994) Engine: SR20DET 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve turbocharged intercooled fuel-injected all-alloy four-cylinder

Output: 147kW/265Nm Performance: 6.9 secs 0-100km/h; 14.8 secs 0-400m Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed auto (model dependent) Chassis/suspension: Independent, rear-drive, powered rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS.    

  Price New: $39-49K

Price Today (Condition):

$12,000 (Fair)

$29,500 (Good)

$44,500 (Excellent)