7
0
Sporty/performance car; Built in Japan
  • 2-door coupe
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,600*


1991 Nissan NX 2000


1993 Nissan NX 1600


1991 Nissan NX 2000


1992 Nissan NX 2000

Pros:
  • Acceleration (NX 2000)
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • High trunk liftover
  • Noise
  • Rear-seat room

Not a strong seller, especially in its final seasons, the NX delivers a measure of sporty behavior for relatively few dollars. Best value is the NX 2000, which promises more spirited performance, especially if equipped with antilock braking.

Overview

Twin Nissan subcompact sports coupes debuted during 1991, replacing the Pulsar NX. Built on the same front-drive chassis as the Sentra sedan, they came only in a 2-door hatchback body style.

Two engines were available. The NX 2000 carried a 140-horsepower, twin-cam 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, also found in the sporty Sentra SE-R and the Infiniti G20 sedan. The NX 1600 borrowed the Sentra’s 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard, with 4-speed automatic optional on both models.

In addition to a larger engine, the NX 2000 got a firmer sport suspension, bigger wheels and tires, rear disc brakes, and a viscous limited-slip differential. A rear spoiler and fog lights were standard, rather than optional as on the NX 1600.

A T-bar roof was optional only on the NX 2000. Antilock braking was available only on the manual-shift NX 2000, but both models had a driver-side airbag.

Yearly Updates

1992 NX
A new Power Package option for 1992 featured electric windows and door locks, as well as cruise control. The T-bar roof was now optional on both models.
1993 NX
A T-bar roof became standard on the top-line version of Nissan’s sporty front-drive coupe. Otherwise, changes were few in what would be the model’s final season on the market.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Model suffixes denote approximate engine size, in cubic centimeters. A 1.6-liter, 110-horsepower 4-cylinder engine went into the NX 1600, while the NX 2000 got a 2.0-liter four that made 140 horsepower. Either model could have a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.6/97
Engine HP 110
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 108
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		28/38
27/36
dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.0/122
Engine HP 140
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 130
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		23/30
22/29

Road Test

Regardless of model, Nissan’s NX hatchback coupes offers sporty appearance, sound ergonomics, a driver’s airbag, and the promise of frugal fuel economy.

Performance, as expected, varies with the engine and transmission. Rivals to the NX 1600 include the Toyota Paseo, as well as base versions of the Geo Storm, Hyundai Scoupe, Mazda MX-3, and Mitsubishi Eclipse/Plymouth Laser. With its stronger engine, the NX 2000 is a close performance match for Honda’s Civic del Sol, likely to please enthusiast drivers.

Neither NX has much punch below 3500 rpm or so, and even the NX 2000 is taxed with an automatic transmission, demanding a lot of throttle-to-the-floor driving in urban traffic. Though eager to rev, the 2.0-liter sounds “busy” turning 2900 rpm at 60 mph.

For decent around-town pickup and safe merging onto fast-moving expressways, especially with the 1600 engine, the easy-shifting manual is a better choice. A stick-shift NX 1600 will whip around town and merge/pass with little drama.

Gas mileage is a bonus. We averaged 27.5 mpg in city/highway driving with a new 5-speed NX 2000. Optional antilock braking on that model stopped the coupe with good control.

Overall noise levels are high, but handling is as nimble as the car’s light weight and small size suggest. Skinnier tires and a softer suspension ensure that the NX 1600 can’t match its higher-powered mate’s grip in turns, nor in its playful, responsive feel. Ride quality with the NX 1600 is above average for its class, and the NX 2000 doesn’t sacrifice an undue amount of comfort to handling prowess.

Well-shaped bucket seats embrace the driver, who faces an array of simple gauges and controls. However, the low seating position isn’t so great for outward visibility. Even 6-footers have good leg room and adequate head room up front.

Like nearly every small sports coupe, the NX rear seat is toddler-tiny. Still, that back seat can be folded to create fine luggage space, though a high rear sill hampers getting to it. Even with its T-top removed, the NX feels solid.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Nissan NX 1600/2000

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 7
70%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Rear - 2
20%
Cargo Room - 3
30%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 42

Specifications

2-door coupe
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
95.7 162.4 66.1 51.4
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.9 — 13.2 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.3 35.2 41.6 25.7
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Brakes
Description: On models without antilock brakes, the brake pedal may feel soft or spongy because of a problem with the power-brake booster. (1991-92)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge is inaccurate (not reading full when full, reading empty when 8-9 gallons are left, etc.) requiring the sending unit to be replaced. (1991-93)
Timing belt
Description: The timing-chain guides break on the GA16 engine and a revised guide is available for service. (1991-93)
None
Description: Cam lobe wear was common on the NX-2000. (1991)

Recall History

1991-92 NX 1600/2000
Description: In hot weather, plastic welds securing release button to spring in rear-seatbelt buckles can fail, resulting in partial engagement of tongue in buckle, or inability to latch seatbelt.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 23, 2014.
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