Market Watch: Nissan S15 200SX

Finding a Nissan S15 200SX (Aussie-peak for Silvia) that hasn't been modified is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But lo and behold, we have found one - a really good one.

This Australian delivered 2001 200SX is completely standard – not a fart cannon exhaust or blow off valve in sight – and it’s travelled less than 100,000km.

It’s a desirable spec too, finished in electric blue and fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.

When Toyota unleashed the 86 sports car the world went mental for a brief moment. This was a cheap, fun to drive, four-cylinder rear-wheel drive coupe with 147kW – it seemed like a completely new concept.

Only it wasn’t, because ten years earlier Nissan was also making a 147kW rear-wheel drive coupe for less than $40k – the 200SX.

In standard form the 200SX produced 147kW/265Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo engine and 0-100km/h took around seven seconds.

But the SR20 motor’s tolerance to extra boost pressure and strong aftermarket support meant that few examples remained standard.

Here at MOTOR we loved it like a first child, awarding it our 2001 Performance Car of the Year title, beating such luminaries as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi RS4 and HSV GTS 300.

So, if you want an unmolested 200SX or a blank canvas from which to build a modified monster, this could be the car for you.

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