Hi,
I'm new around here, and new to nissans, but right now I'm looking at a 1996 200SX SE Auto (I wish it was a manual) with 89K miles. Carfax came up with a clean record, and the car seems in decent physical condition. The asking price is around 3 grand. To me this seems like a fairly decent deal, but I thought I'd post on here to see what you guys thought. I would like to know any potential problems on this car I should keep an eye out for.
I also have two questions about this car, first, I understand that the car has a timing chain instead of a belt, do timing chains need to be changed every 60k miles, or so, like belts?
Also, the service engine soon light is on in the car. The previous owner told me it was from an exhaust problem. (Possibly rear O2 sensor). Will this cause any problem down the road?
Personally, I wouldn't be interested if it came with an auto. The little 1.6L 4 doesn't need the transmission to sap what power it is producing plus the MPG are worse.
That said--it seems like a good deal considering the low miles. I bought my 97 GXE 5M for 2149 and it had 173K.
The timing chain just needs to be checked everytime you get a tuneup. It shouldn't need replacing for the most part especially at 89K.
Not sure about the exhaust problem--I'd get that checked out. What is KBB price?
KBB for the Nissan is about 3200 for one in good condition, and 2700 for one in fair. I think this car probably fits the fair condition better (Windshield is also cracked, so I'll have to get that fixed also.)
I should also note, i'm sort of pressed for a car, as my current one is not driveable, so it looks like a may be stuck with an auto.
That auto 200sx will make a nice car. Chances are better that the car wasn't performance driven (hard) with an auto. The chains should make 150K-200K before needing a tensioner if regular oil changes were made.
I've decided that I will perform a compression test on any used car I purchase. It is especially easy on the BA16DE that is in this car. Test guage is cheap if you don't own one and it only takes an sparkplug socket, extension and ratchet. This also lets you examine the spark plugs as they can tell you much about the engines health.
I find owning a OBDII scan tool is VERY handy. You can go to AutoZone and have them check why the light is on for free. Do this before negotiating a price for the car.
Would this swap be done because it would make the car more reliable, or for performance. Is the GA16DE not a reliable engine? Right now I'm sorta strapped for cash, so chances I could do many upgrade would not be good.
Would this swap be done because it would make the car more reliable, or for performance. Is the GA16DE not a reliable engine? Right now I'm sorta strapped for cash, so chances I could do many upgrade would not be good.
The GA16DE is very reliable, the swaps are all about performance.
So if you think you will care about performance buy right, the swaps are not minor.
I don't think the car you found is unique, look for at least a manual 1.6, a 2.0 manual would be better.
The Auto was slow even when new, my daughter and I test drove one back in 97. We (she) brought the SER with the 2.0 manual. I already had my 1.6 manual.
BTW the Carfax does not show up repairs made with cash. You still have to carefully inspect the car or take to a trusted shop for an inspection.
The GA16DE with auto is a great car. Not for the performance minded but for economy and trouble free driving. Very hard to find a 200sx with less than 150,000 miles. Yes it can be done (with any car) but is difficult to find with low mileage. Owners just keep driving them and driving them. John
Looking at a 200SX
Linear Mode
