1998 Nissan 200SX Walkaround Review at Automotive.com
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1998 Nissan 200SX Review: Exterior

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1998 Nissan 200SX Review

Fun to drive, fresh styling, available nationwide.
Walkaround
Fresh new styling includes new taillights, grille, bumper fascias, multi-parabola headlights, and a sporty

exhaust tip. Three new colors have been added and the interior cloth has been upgraded.

The styling changes are subtle, but welcome, and the 200SX remains an attractive car.

Three models are available: value-oriented 200SX, sporty SE and high-performance SE-R. They appear identical

at first glance, right down to their rear spoilers. But closer inspection of the SE-R reveals subtle side sill

extensions, along with unique five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels and an SE-R badge on the trunk lid.

The 200SX and 200SX SE models are equipped with a 115-horsepower 1.6-liter dual overhead-cam 16-valve

four-cylinder engine with fuel economy rated at 39 mpg on the highway.

A bigger, more powerful 2.0-liter dohc engine comes on the SE-R. The 2.0-liter engine produces 140 horsepower

and 132 foot-pounds (lb.-ft.) of torque. Its fuel economy, rated at 31 mpg highway, is still respectable, and

it's a small price for substantially improved performance. The SE-R accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8

seconds, almost a full second quicker than the 1.6-liter models. Last year, the SE-R was not sold in states

that mandate California emissions standards, but this year it has been refined and can be found in all 50

states.

Kicking tires, or at least examining them, can tell a lot about the sporting intentions of a car. While the

1.6-liter models come with 14-inch all-season tires, the sporty SE-R is fitted with low-profile 195/55VR-15

Goodyear Eagle high-performance all-season radials mounted on five-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels.

Other signs of the SE-R's sports car leanings: A thicker front anti-roll bar reduces body roll in corners.

A viscous limited-slip differential reduces front wheelspin by transferring power to the tire with the best

traction. Four-wheel disc brakes improve braking performance over the standard disc/drum brakes.

An antilock braking system (ABS) is optional for both the SE and SE-R.

The 200SX and 200SX SE compete with Honda Civic, SaturnCoupe, Mitsubishi Mirage and VW Golf. With its higher price tag and higher level of performance, the 200SX SE-R model will likely be shopped against Acura Integra, Hyundai Tiburon, VW GTI and Dodge Neon.

The 200SX SE-R was well equipped without any options. Its price allows it to compete very favorably against those other cars. The stylish Tiburon can be picked up for less, but its owner will make do with significantly less interior room. Next Page



1998 Nissan 200SX