Around 2005 I purchased an abused but unmodified Nissan 240SX. Its suspension was done for and the interior smelled like an ashtray, but it was an absolute blast of a car to drive, well at least once I had replaced the suspension. Around that time, the sport of drifting was becoming quite popular, so many of these cars ended up being extensively modified and wrecked. Even then, finding a stock example was getting to be rather rare. The example seen here is a second-generation car and while it has seen 150k miles, it hasn’t been turned into a drift car. You can find this clean driver here on eBay in Elka Park, New York with a current bid of $20,000.
The seller purchased this second-generation 240SX from a relative in 2020. It had been parked since 2006, so between its mileage and sitting, it needed work. So, the car was treated to a full service, detailing, and repairs. The only parts that aren’t factory correct are the cross-drilled brake rotors and suspension, but the seller has the original suspension components if you want to put it back to factory specs. There’s no word on what brand or specifications the new suspension parts are, but they do give the car a nice stance. If they are from the Japanese market 240SX (known as the Silvia), then I would be inclined to leave it alone. If they are “performance” parts, I’d have the seller put the original parts back in. This appears to be a well-optioned car with the factory sway bar, so as long as the original parts aren’t worn out, it should handle nicely without being too rough to use daily. I made the mistake of installing lowering springs and stiffer dampeners in my 240SX and while it was a blast to drive it made for a rather rough daily driver.
As was often the case, we didn’t get the highest-performance version of the car here in the States. In our market, all 240SXs were equipped with the KA24 series of engines. While a durable engine that offered decent performance, the Silvia received either the CA18 or SR20 in both naturally aspirated or turbo form. By 1997, all Silvias were equipped with the SR20DET, which produced over 200 horsepower. The KA24DE found in this car is rated at 155 horsepower and lacks the tunability of the SR20. That’s not all bad though, as it does mean that these KA24 engines tend to hold up well. Given the car’s relatively low curb weight and 5-speed manual transmission, 155 ponies are plenty to be fun for a daily driver.
The second-generation 240SX was a bit bigger and better equipped than the previous generation. The interior isn’t exactly luxurious but is comfortable and in good shape. The wood grain inserts look a bit off to me, but that was a factory option and is likely original.
I really did enjoy the 240SX that I owned. It was dependable, fun to drive, and easy to work on. I’m not sure how the parts supply looks now, but back then, you could get OEM and aftermarket parts easily. Hopefully, that’s still the case so that you can keep this car on the road. Given how many have been wrecked or modified, finding one in good original condition is really quite rare. With any luck, someone will see the value of this Nissan and keep it as is. Unfortunately, most of the people willing to spend this kind of money on one will want to customize it. So, who else here has fond memories of the 240SX?
It may be a good driving car,but it sure is ugly.
The “Rental White” doesn’t help,& that long hood looks
like there should be a six cylinder under it.And then
there’s all those cheap looking tacky add-on pieces.
But I guess if you’re inside of it,then you don’t have
to see all that.
I like it.
This is a rare one. I think they only had this updated look for one or 2 years before they stopped making them. I still prefer the early ones though as I like the pop up headlight look better. And the skirts and spoilers on this model have a tacked on look. Still a rare and cool car
$20K and rising? 150K miles? Seriously? Good luck!
Yeah I think Datsun should dig up the 240 & start making it again then I’ll pay 20 grand but for that money on a used car it better be a 1996 impala SS hey Detroit you listening ? Don’t change a thing start making 1996 impala SS well you could put a LS in it like factory like lol
I remember an occasion at a tyre shop, talking to a young Honda owner about ‘car stuff’. He was in to have his recently installed ‘sports suspension package’ taken out and replaced with the original components. Said he took his elderly parents out for a ride and they nearly had their false teeth rattled out their mouths from the overly stiff set-up. Another friend bought a Nissan ‘people mover’ that rode good on the test drive but was hell on the highway home with the uprated stiffer suspension. “Don’t go near a car that’s been worked on with unknown parts” was my suggestion. If it ‘aint stock, walk away. You never know what mess is behind those shiny new rims.
I had a ’94 240 SX SE Convertible … customer owed more than book and, as owners were prone to do, trade-in values are always way under book … I offered the boss book on it and he said “of course you do” … I said “make the deal or not” … this was ’97 and the car only had 44k miles on it … I put another 200k+ on it, only replacing the radiator and the auto antenna runner – they’re plastic and tend to crumble after years of use … drove it all over US, Canada, including several trips from Napa where I was living at the time to home near New Orleans … got pulled over outside Stockton – cop said I was doing 127, called me a smart-ass when I said it was governed at 125 … kept it when I bought my ’04 350Z Touring six-speed in ’05, later giving it to my daughter, having promised it to her when she graduated Navy boot camp … she hydroplaned it into a guard rail in North Carolina, didn’t get hurt and accepted the price of a ticket to New Orleans for it … I cussed the tow guy for doing it as it only need some fender and hood work – and possibly a little left front suspension repair … that little car had close to 350k on it and never missed a day due to mechanical issues … some of that I attribute to Slick 50, but mostly to the great Nissan engines and proper maintenance … take care of your car and it will last …
“I cussed the tow guy for doing it”
For doing what?
My daughter had just had an accident … she was on the way to visit my parents … the tow guy said he would buy it for the price of a bus ticket to New Orleans or he’d just leave it where it was … it was pouring rain in buckets – he took advantage of her and got a good car, even if damaged … reckon I forgot to mention she had my one-year-old granddaughter with her …
I have a red 1995-240 Silvia in showroom condition and I am sure I will never capture that kind of money.
Thanks for the clarification.