Well if the Honda SP2 was the motorcycle I felt most passionate about, I shared the same feelings for my Nissan 200sx. Like the Honda, this Nissan was by no means a practical machine and it eventually had to go to make way for something with better mpg and room for two German Shepherds.

The 200sx has always been a drifter’s car of choice. The rear wheel drive, viscous limited slip diff and very little weight at the back meant that progressive throttle in a bend has you nicely sideways. The 2 litre turbo of the S14 provides 200bhp as standard. Those 200 hundred horses can easily be increased by replacing the airbox assembly for a cone filter, fitting a front mounted intercooler, boost adjuster etc.

Comfort is excellent with lots of room for the front seat occupants but only 1 inch of leg room in the back. The 200sx does have back seats but absolutely no room to sit in them. Mine was an automatic and was wery smooth and effortless to drive. Pulling away from standstill was not at all ballistic from the start, but as soon as the revs rise and the turbo kicks in.....

I loved my Nissan, it was a low drop to the cream leather seats with the overall appearance being sleek and powerful. The 200sx was not a car you would see plenty of on the roads. The engine was pure Nissan faultless reliability. But she sadly had a couple of drawbacks... I would struggle to get more than 20mpg and service intervals were too frequent, and too expensive.

So, great looking car with performance to match and cheap to buy, but unfortunately let down by expensive running costs.

Russ Stevens