Nissan Silvia
The Nissan Silvia is a sports coupe that has been around for a while, although it’s sold under a wide array of names. Impressive performance, a solid build quality and a good level of kit mean it’s up there with some of the better cars in its niche, but relatively understated designs don’t provide the final ‘umph’ that other great autos have. It’s brilliant value for money though.
Originally released in 1965, there have been a plethora of generations and models to speak of. Bold designs and a high level of power made the Nissan rather beastly, and these characteristics only improved as time went on. Re-badged as the SX in 1989 everywhere but Japan, Nissan continued with the 200SX name in Europe.
There are so many different versions of the Nissan that talking about designs could be a lengthy discussion. However some of the most modern ones are quite striking to look at. Aggressive front ends, rear spoilers and aerodynamic shapes combine to produce a muscular attitude, but overall an understated approach is common. A relatively spacious interior with chunky controls carries on this imposing nature, but to be honest there’s a lot of plastic to be found. Later variants have more kit, and therefore make ideal long distance cruisers.
Performance wise, the Silvia has always been rather good. Some small but often turbo charged engines generate loads of power, and speed isn’t lacking that’s for sure. A good ride quality, excellent grip and a certain cheekiness mean it’s best suited to ‘real drivers’ who know when to push or hold back to get the most amount of fun. Great on all types of roads, you can certainly get the blood pumping on windy country roads.
The fact it’s a bit of a veteran means finding a second hand Nissan Silvia is very easy, and checking out Motors.co.uk gives you a much better chance of getting a good one. Listing over 150,000 different autos of the finest possible quality at massively discounted prices, it’s a real gold mine for bargain hunters.
The simple fact is that the Nissan Silvia is a solid sports coupe that provides performance in abundance and a great overall experience behind the wheel. It really is a lot of fun, but the comparatively bland designs on some models can be somewhat of a let down. However if you’re looking for something well built, reliable, good value and Japanese, start with this one.