Nissan 240SX

Nissan 240SX S13/S14

1989-1998

Budget BeaterGood

2.4L KA24DE I4155 hp2,657-2,862 lbsRWD5-speed manual

HPDE Overview

The 240SX occupies an interesting niche in the track car world. It is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, front-engine platform with a multi-link rear suspension that is remarkably sophisticated for its era. The S-chassis turns in eagerly and has a natural balance that makes it easy to rotate with trail-braking. The steering is communicative, the driving position is good, and the visibility is excellent. The KA24DE engine is the weak link — 155 hp in a 2,700-lb car means you are not winning any drag races. But the engine is reliable, torquey for its displacement, and allows you to focus on driving technique rather than managing horsepower. Many 240SX track cars eventually receive SR20DET, LS, or K-series swaps to address the power deficit. The drift community has driven 240SX prices up significantly, making the "budget" designation less true than it was five years ago. Finding an unmolested example is nearly impossible — most have been modified, abused, or both. The car rewards patience in acquisition and is best approached with a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Strengths

Multi-link rear suspension provides sophisticated handling and responds well to tuningLightweight chassis with good weight distribution turns in eagerlyKA24DE engine is reliable and nearly indestructible under normal track useExcellent visibility from the driving seat — you can see the apex and curbing clearlyStrong aftermarket for suspension and chassis parts from the drift communityNatural balance makes it easy to rotate with trail-braking

Weaknesses

The KA24DE is underpowered — 155 hp in a 2,700 lb car is noticeably slowClean examples are extremely expensive due to drift community demandMost available cars have been modified and abused — finding a solid starting point is difficultStock brakes are small and fade quickly under aggressive drivingRust is a serious concern in northern climates — check rails and strut towers carefully

Why People Love It

The 240SX is a proper rear-wheel-drive sports car with one of the best multi-link rear suspensions ever designed for a car in this price range. When the chassis is sorted with quality coilovers, proper alignment, and a mechanical LSD, it has a balance and adjustability that makes every corner fun. The car teaches you weight transfer, trail-braking, and throttle management in a way that feels natural and progressive. With an engine swap (SR20 or LS), the 240SX becomes a legitimately fast track car that can compete with vehicles costing much more.

Why People Hate It

Finding a clean 240SX in 2024 is like finding a unicorn. The drift community has chewed through the entire supply of these cars, and what remains has been modified, crashed, repaired, and modified again. The KA24DE engine is painfully slow on any track with long straights, and the "it needs a swap" conversation is exhausting when you just want to drive. Prices have climbed to the point where a decent S13 or S14 costs as much as a newer, faster, and less maintenance-intensive car. The romance of the S-chassis is real, but the reality of owning a 25-year-old car that has been through the drift community meat grinder is significantly less romantic.

Best For

Drivers who want a balanced, rear-drive platform with upgrade potential, engine swap enthusiasts, time attack competitors, and people who enjoy the hands-on process of building a track car.

Not Ideal For

Anyone who wants a turn-key experience, people who do not want to deal with finding a clean starting point, budget-conscious builders (clean examples are no longer cheap), or those who want power without modifications.