Return of 240SX?

[bbs lm-r]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...aller-sports-cars-sparks-talk-of-240sx-return

Nissan’s chief designer Shiro Nakamura has reveled that his employer is looking at downsizing its sports models, leaving the door open for the possible return of the 240SX sports car or Silvia as it’s known in other markets.

Nakamura also said it was possible that the Nissan Z line may adopt a smaller engine for its next-generation, which would be the first time in the car’s history.

"I much prefer smaller sports car," Nakamura revealed to Australia’s Drive. "It is the time to look at that [smaller engines]. With 370Z, we still don't know next generation will have a larger or smaller engine."

He also said that reducing the weight of Nissan’s next-generation of sports cars is a priority.

While downsizing the Z to compete with newcomers like the 2013 Scion FR-S and the 2013 Subaru BRZ may not be ideal, Nissan previously had great success with its 240SX. The vehicle was dropped from Nissan’s global lineup in the previous decade due to its engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, failing to meet stricter emissions standards.

Nakamura said he liked the idea of a 240SX successor but didn’t mention any production plans.

When asked if Nissan was capable of having a three tier sports car lineup consisting of an entry-level 240SX successor, mid-level Z and range-topping GT-R supercar, Nakamura said if the demand was there Nissan will do it.

Given the hype surrounding the recent launch of the 2013 Scion FR-S and 2013 Subaru BRZ, an affordable and lightweight sports car with rear-wheel drive dynamics from Nissan could certainly prove popular in the current market.

 

[satyajitmenon]

 

[Throckmorton]

Maybe this time they'll market it properly. I don't think most people in the S14 era even realized it was RWD.

 

[DaTT]

I had an 89 240SX, blast to drive.

 

[unokitty]

When Datsun introduced the 240z, I was living in Japan.

2.4 liter, I-6 engine, 2400 pounds, Rear wheel drive

If my memory serves me correctly, it cost just less than $3,000. Can't remember what it would cost to ship back to US but I think I paid about $150. to ship my CL-450 Honda back.

It was a fine automobile.

Would be nice to see Nissan with rear wheel drive cars again.

Uno

 

[Childs]

They need a better engine than that low end truck engine we got in the states. I had two 240SXs...a 90 and 91. Underpowered, yet still fun to drive.

 

[JulesMaximus]

When Datsun introduced the 240z, I was living in Japan.

2.4 liter, I-6 engine, 2400 pounds, Rear wheel drive

If my memory serves me correctly, it cost just less than $3,000. Can't remember what it would cost to ship back to US but I think I paid about $150. to ship my CL-450 Honda back.

It was a fine automobile.

Would be nice to see Nissan with rear wheel drive cars again.

Uno

Um, GT-R, G35/37, 350/370Z, M35?

I agree though. I'd love to see a Nissan 240SX. As long as they don't make it look like crap.

 

[RiDE]

I agree though. I'd love to see a Nissan 240SX. As long as they don't make it look like crap.

...and/or give it a Frontier engine again.

 

[SithSolo1]

...and/or give it a Frontier engine again.

The same could be said of the Frontier itself. If anything in the line-up could use an engine overhaul its the Frontier.

 

[ballmode]

I couldn't get a 1995-1998 240sx because I was in high school when they were under 15k. Being out of production for 4-5 years and hardly made at all made me list over the S2000.

Now I have money Im throwing my wallet at the screen and NOTHING is happening!

Seems a recurring trend in Japan:

Toyota has the means to make anything they want. But it's either too high of a price TT supra or LFA. or they make sporty cars not real sports cars, ft86, celica and they watered Down the mr2

Subaru can make a good sporty car but is limited by the boxer design and awd. Brz turbo is the only hope and god knows how the new Sti/wrx will be like.

Honda will make a sports car but They won't update it for 10 years and letting it die from
Lack of sales due to the competition catching up to it. Lack of factory backed aftermarket amazes me here as they seem to love supporting their first child the motorcycle but neglect the cars

And Nissan: they will make it make it affordable but cost cut in something

 

[unokitty]

Um, GT-R, G35/37, 350/370Z, M35?

My bad. The 240Z always appealed to me as a light weight, affordable, drivers car...

From my perspective, the original Z has more in common with the new Toyota/Subaru FR-S/BRZ than it does with Nissan's current RWD offerings.

Though, it would be nice to see Nissan market a lightweight, affordable, drivers car.

Uno

 

[manimal]

I have an SR20 sitting in the corner of my shop that would get dropped in a NEW new 240sx on launch day.


God I dont think I would sleep till it was done.


Please dont screw this up nissan

 

[Aikouka]

My bad. The 240Z always appealed to me as a light weight, affordable, drivers car...

That's the interesting thing... none of Nissan's RWD offerings would be classified as affordable. They start at about $30k and go up from there. Nissan does have some powerful sedans in its fleet. My Altima makes around 270HP, but it's FWD. The Maxima has the same engine and it's also FWD. You can get a sportier coupe version of the Altima, but it's still FWD.

Although, I would imagine that a FWD car is a much safer bet sales-wise than a RWD car that's promoted as more of a sportier car.

I do wonder what Nissan is doing in regard to pricing though. The GT-R has gone from being about $75k to closing in on $100k. I've always found the Skyline GT-R impressive from a performance-for-the-price perspective (even going back to the R32), and while it's still damn good, it's getting to be a tad bit expensive. Some of the fancier sports cars start at around $150k, don't they?

 

[ballmode]

I think the Entry Price of a GTR is deceiving.

Almost all the work that it needs as the miles add up are pricey at the Nissan dealers. Add in tires, oil changes, brakes and fluids and its not the bargain budget supercar

 

[7window]

My 240sx i bought brand new in 92 for 13000. Tboned by an illegal after 2 year owning it. Cost me $2500 to fix. Got hit on the front end 3 years ago. Finally blew a head gasket last year and I don't want to deal with it anymore. Sold it last year for $600. Beside that the car ran good. Made some money on the car too. I think?

 

[Throckmorton]

They need a better engine than that low end truck engine we got in the states. I had two 240SXs...a 90 and 91. Underpowered, yet still fun to drive.

It would probably get the 2.5L... weak 175hp

 

[zoiks]

I had an 89 240SX, blast to drive.

I still have my old 1990 240SX hatchback (manual). Runs like a champ but has too many miles on it.

 

[Arkaign]

I couldn't get a 1995-1998 240sx because I was in high school when they were under 15k. Being out of production for 4-5 years and hardly made at all made me list over the S2000.

Now I have money Im throwing my wallet at the screen and NOTHING is happening!

Seems a recurring trend in Japan:

Toyota has the means to make anything they want. But it's either too high of a price TT supra or LFA. or they make sporty cars not real sports cars, ft86, celica and they watered Down the mr2

Subaru can make a good sporty car but is limited by the boxer design and awd. Brz turbo is the only hope and god knows how the new Sti/wrx will be like.

Honda will make a sports car but They won't update it for 10 years and letting it die from
Lack of sales due to the competition catching up to it. Lack of factory backed aftermarket amazes me here as they seem to love supporting their first child the motorcycle but neglect the cars

And Nissan: they will make it make it affordable but cost cut in something

Very well said!

 

[Zivic]

My bad. The 240Z always appealed to me as a light weight, affordable, drivers car...

Uno

we are discussing the 240SX, not the 240Z.... they are different cars

That's the interesting thing... none of Nissan's RWD offerings would be classified as affordable. They start at about $30k and go up from there. Nissan does have some powerful sedans in its fleet. My Altima makes around 270HP, but it's FWD. The Maxima has the same engine and it's also FWD. You can get a sportier coupe version of the Altima, but it's still FWD.

Although, I would imagine that a FWD car is a much safer bet sales-wise than a RWD car that's promoted as more of a sportier car.

I do wonder what Nissan is doing in regard to pricing though. The GT-R has gone from being about $75k to closing in on $100k. I've always found the Skyline GT-R impressive from a performance-for-the-price perspective (even going back to the R32), and while it's still damn good, it's getting to be a tad bit expensive. Some of the fancier sports cars start at around $150k, don't they?

Nissan has a good motor and basically puts it in every vehicle.

The VQ is pretty much the same motor in the Xterra, Pathfinder, Altima, Maxima, Quest, and Z....

The Z car isn't a bargain, but a good price for a good car. I paid like 28k for mine brand new in 2004, and they are basically the same price now. maybe a 2-3 grand more in comparison and are a much nicer car in the 370 vs the 350.

the GTR is a bargain when you look at it comparatively. the maintenance costs are high, but so is the performance. When you buy a GTR for a 100 grand and the next closest car is 160+, that leaves a lot of money in your pocket for upkeep.

I personally would love to see a new 240sx hit the market. And do so at a sub 25k price.

 

[DaTT]

I still have my old 1990 240SX hatchback (manual). Runs like a champ but has too many miles on it.

Mine too was a 5-speed manual. The clutch was shot in mine though. Car wasn't in good enough shape to dump tons of money into it.

 

[hans007]

I'd love if they built this but not with the qr25 i-4 as much

I had an altima in college with the ka24 the old 240sx had and it is not a sporty car engine.

Nissan already has the perfect engine for this. The 1.6 l i-4 direct injection Turbo in the juke. Makes 188 HP / 177 lb ft and would probably be very tuneable. Ft86 has 200/151 so probably pretty comparable but the Turbo would make it easier to tune for less $

They also have the vq25 v6 from the g25 but I think the turbo engine would be better for MPG / product lineup purposes

 

[waggy]

I had a datsun 240 and 260z's Man i loved those cars.

 

[hanoverphist]

the thing about the 90s 240sx was the style mixed with the ability to mod the fuck out of it. the shells are still selling for 1500 bucks in most places. toss a cheap motor in them and do some bolt on upgrades and youo have a cheap screamer that you can get sideways easily.

i think if they revisit the 240sx they will fail on the style side.