Nissan 200SX Club - South Africa

Hi guys, im not sure where to post this question as it isnt 200sx related but is of a technical nature, so here goes:

how reliable are the 140i and 160i motors? im looking for a clean reliable car for my mom and the budget is R32 000 flat, ive seen a few new spec 140i's and 160i's in our price range and they are usually quite neat, however they all have above 200 000km on them due to age and price etc, how many of you guys have had these cars and what can you say about them? ive heard of cylinder head issues with them.... My mom will not be driving the car far and itl take like 5years to put on 15 000km, but i dont want something thats gonna break down withing a couple months, heres some sentras ive found online:

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co. ... Z394725317

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co. ... Z394070637

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co. ... Z393808129

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co. ... Z394196825

itl be nice to find one with 17" rims so i can use them on my S13 and install my stock wheels on the sentra because im not fond of my 16's but yea i wont buy a car just for rims as thats not the goal here.

I have n15 with Ga16de at 16km/l its a good econobucket around town
i also think the face lift sentras had the better ga16 from the n15 so the head problem was sorted

Where did you buy that S13?

Looks like my buddys one. Same mags.

Does it have a funky looking front mount intercooler?

Sort of like the Mitsu Evo aftermarket intercoolers???

I got old spec 160gxi Sabre. I have had it for nearly 3 years and done 65000kms. It is on 248k kms.

Biggest problem I have had is replacing front crank seal. Otherwise normal wear items. Services every 15k kms.

Awesome car gives me no problems.

Hi Drillergy, the car was stock when i got it except for 76mm exhaust, cone filter and an import motor, i bought it in Witbank and the guys abused the car and also lied to me about a whole lotta stuff, but anyways, whats done is done and ive just gotta fix the issues over time.

had my 140si from high school 1998... facelift! only problem was the cracked head that was 280k on the clock! replaced and sold the car!
140 and 160 got the same head problem i know! much more powerful then opel or VW 1,4! very good fuel consumption

IIRC Head problem was mainly on the old specs and had something to do with using cheap anti freeze or not using it at all.

Hi guys well thanks for all the input, i am glad to say i found my mom the car i was looking for all along, a Nissan Almera 1.6litre in white, really neat condition, high milage with 240 000km, but it was below budget and mechanically very sound, just needs new centre silencers on exhaust as baffles are loose and ive had to have a couple of mountings/bushes polymounted for roadworthy. but all in all im quite please, no accident damage or rust and un-molested, still has original pouch with service books and stock radio.

rat wrote:IIRC Head problem was mainly on the old specs and had something to do with using cheap anti freeze or not using it at all.

lesson learnt^^