1989 Nissan 180SX

Sold: $14,495

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
Please select the vehicles you're interested in:

Stock Number: 4412

There's no arguing that Nissan's S chassis is one of the most versatile platforms out there. Which also explains why we get requests every day for them. We try to bring in a wide variety, from bone stock to over the top. This '89 makes for a great middle-ground car. The body is sporting some upgrades without getting too carried away, the interior is purpose-built yet all present, paired with mechanical upgrades that won't hinder day to day driveability. What more could you realistically ask for? The full Origin Lab body kit adds a note of aggression to the timeless flow of the hatch. That large central opening helps to direct cold air straight into the Trust Intercooler lurking behind it. The FRP bodywork mates up rather well with the stock body. Naturally being FRP it's never as clean as factory OEM would be, but overall it looks good. Outback is a sleek B-Wave style rear spoiler that really brings it all together. Kouki tails are no doubt the best looking option for these, and with the color-matched rear garnish, it's obvious to see why. It should go without saying that the Electric Blue Metallic and Black two-tone paint job was not how this originally left the factory. Originally Cherry Red Pearl (AH3) it has since gone through a full-color swap. This one was a bit more impressive than most as they did the jambs and engine bay only leaving underneath the interior panels the original red. The paint itself looks great and has a nice flake to it when you get it out into the sunlight. There are a few spots around the car where the original red is coming through, for instance, there's a wear mark on the back of the driver's headlight cover. A sleek set of Ganador side view mirrors adorn both sides and have been hydro dipped a carbon fiber print. Inside the cabin, the shifter trim has been given the same treatment to keep the subtle look flowing. But the icing on the cake just might be the 17" Advan Tri-Force Zelda wheels which are just so period correct.

The interior is a bit purpose-driven on this one. While it could be used for more routine daily driving, the fixed back bucket is definitely gear for performance than long cruise comfort. The seat is in surprisingly good shape, most of these tend to have accelerated bolster wear from getting in and out. There is a little bit of sun fading over the years but no real tears or stains. The passenger and rear seats are OEM and in generally good shape. There's no real degradation or seam separation which is usually the main concern. A brushed aluminum 3 spoke wheel and Nismo shift knob help to keep the driver in control at all times. Since it has several performance upgrades, in order to keep tabs on vitals a Defi boost and water temp gauges were added to the dash for a clean line of sight. It was rather well integrated with the Shevron dash mat, as per usual, the dash does have some typical S-chassis cracks. Mounted on the steering column is the Greddy PRofec-B for changing up boost settings on the fly. It does have your typical creature comforts for daily driving as well, with power windows, locks, and the manual sunroof option. The pop-up headlights also have to be manually retracted. Due to the Ganador mirror swap, it no longer has the power mirror function. In the carbon printed center console is a Carrozzeria head unit (which you'll probably want to switch out) and the digital climate control system; both of which are functioning as they should.

Under the hood is where things get interesting. Being an '89 it was originally equipped with CA18DET it has since been replaced with the more powerful and easier to build SR20DET. We assume that's why the engine bay was painted which you normally wouldn't see on a color swap. While the 180 has 101K verified miles, you'd never guess it. The SR has been kept relatively stock with a few cosmetic changes like color matching all of the intake tubing. It does have an HKS intake and while it isn't going to add a ton of power, the noise it makes is worth it hands down. Outback is a custom dual-tip blast pipe from the turbo back. The pipes give it a distinct burble that is most certainly more noticeable than stock. Make no bones about it, the car is right loud, but it's not absurd. Of course, since this is such a popular chassis there's no shortage of exhaust options should you feel that this is a little too much for daily use. The suspension got a bit of an overhaul as well with HKS coilovers and Cusco strut tower braces front and rear. The coilovers cut out some of that wheel gap while still keeping the car high enough to not have to worry about the kit. With everything that's been done, it should come as no surprise that the SR offers up plenty of power. The turbo spools quickly and delivers all the way to redline. Paired with the factory 5 speed with a short-throw shifter bring it all together. The transmission is smooth and more than adequate to handle the power it's making. It needed a bit of routine servicing to get it back on track. A fresh set of rubber, new HICAS arms, the front right bellow boot, and your routine oil change. These middle ground cars are ideal, just enough track style to turn heads, with the performance to back it up, yet won't beat you to death if you want to drive it to work a few times a week. The saying is always right; the S chassis is the best chassis.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.

Click to read more

Contact for More Information

    Name*

    Phone

    Email*

    Comment