200SX s13 s14 etc

[HughesR1]

Right, currently back down to driving a little MR2 mk1 (which is brilliant), but its just my run around as I was paying back my uni debts.

90% set on a 200sx as next car, preferably s14, but haven't had much experience driving/living with one. What are they generally like to live with ?

Also, i'm all about having fun in a car rather than outright speed, but are they too drifty/tailhappy ? or can you get them quite well balanced with the correct tyres, suspension & geo etc ?

Sorry for the mass of questions, Cheers

[killingjoker]

Just sold the wifes rev2 glimited MR2, and have owned my 200sx s14 auto for the past 8yrs. Got to say in my experience of driving both cars, they are both very different. The cornering capabilities of the Rev2 were great, with some new TCA's fitted it used to corner "flat as a tea tray". Really great, only had the tail snap out a couple of times and i really had to rag it to do that. For the twisty bits i couldn't recommend it more. Great fun. However, with the s14 its completely different. Thankfully having cut my teeth on Ford's original bad boy - the Capri 2.8i (had 3 of them and a 280) - tail out motoring is the norm if pushed in the wet. The sx is, and feels, a bigger car. I felt that i wore the MR2 like a smart leather jacket, but i step into the s14. Its much more faster to drive than the MR2 was but then on the twisty stuff, the MR2 is probably quicker on the corners, however, once the road gets straight then move over MR2... i'd use the MR2 to drive the backroads to work, and the s14 to drive the motorway/carriageways down to my folks. I'd find that if i drove a long distance in the MR2 i would feel less relaxed when i hit my destination than if i arrived in the SX. Don't know if that's helped you. I really like both models but each for their own reasons. They're chalk and cheese. Best bet is to test drive an s14 and see what you think. They're both great drivers cars.

[sparkyhx]

I've had my S14 for 7 years now and love it. Its been a work in progress for most of the time, adding bit every year and its now getting to the stage where I really really like it.

Firstly the car was a 'grand tourer' when originally launched and the years have not helped the 'comfortable' suspension set up. Out of the box it is not a handler like the MR2. However that is relatively easilly sorted and I would probably look for one that has already been modded.

KYB AGX mods are medium firm and a nice road track compromise - many have been coilovered and this makes them not very comfortable on rough or bumpy roads, but handle well on track. there are hard and 'comfy' coilovers.

BUT - even with sorted suspension it is still lethal in the wet, put your foot down and you will end up sideways sooner than you can say overstear. In the dry they are relatively well behaved actually understearing if you slightly overcook it, however overcook it big style and it will snap back at you.

Bigger brake kits are also a fave mod, I have 315mm (up from 280mm) on the front of mine, some have anything upto 356mm discs and 8 pot calipers (from 2).

Tuning from the standard 200bhp to around 280bhp (stage 1) is a doddle and you would be hard pressed to find one not already done.

If you are remotely contemplating going down the modding route I would get an already modded one - what you will loose in knowledge and understanding of modding yourself will be more than compensated by the cash you save.

Reliability wise they are pretty solid as long as they are looked after. Start modding and expect things like clutches to start going.

Fairly Common probs
- fuel pump goes around 60-70k - usually replaced already need a replacement if modding
- wing mount intercooler pipes crack - replace with 2nd hand or FMIC
- spray bars clogged if oil changes not been done - can lead to serious engine issies (big ends) simple inexpensive job to check and clean and save a major issue
- heater resistor card - (fan only works on no4) - not expensive or 2nd hand micra one.
- VVT Rattle not serious but annoying and can cause issues if it gets really bad.

Otherwise you have your normal 'things wear out' costs.

Plenty of examples running big power and big miles - good luck

get over to www.sxoc.com/vbb

HughesR1 said:

Right, currently back down to driving a little MR2 mk1 (which is brilliant), but its just my run around as I was paying back my uni debts.

90% set on a 200sx as next car, preferably s14, but haven't had much experience driving/living with one. What are they generally like to live with ?

Also, i'm all about having fun in a car rather than outright speed, but are they too drifty/tailhappy ? or can you get them quite well balanced with the correct tyres, suspension & geo etc ?

Sorry for the mass of questions, Cheers

Edited by sparkyhx on Monday 5th September 11:43

[Firefoot]

I currently have a manual 200SX S14a and an MR2 Turbo. Love them both, but as has been said, they are very different.

I have driven the S14a in all weather (including snow). The only time in 6 years of ownership that the back end got away from me unexpectedly was on the Nurburgring in the wet. Even then, I was able to correct it. I am definitely no driving god, but basically, don't drive the SX like an idiot and you will be fine. You must have decent tyres though. Mine is stage 1 with 280bhp and I love it.

Get on the owners club for lots of good, detailed advice

ETA - S13's suffer badly from rust, so take care if you go that route.

[nismogreen]

I had a S13 a few years ago (wrote it off in the snow! Best to leave at home in that sort of weather) it was a great car, very fast mine was about (300hp), and good fun. It did prove to be a money pit, requiring engine rebuilds an hg's rather more often than anything else I can think of. The S14 is a bit more sensible and probably much better to own, if a little less exciting. Good s14s must be dirt cheap these days.