As the saying goes, the S chassis is the best chassis. Fitted with a 1.8L turbocharged and intercooled CA power plant and five speed manual transmission, this little rear drive coupe could be a great daily driver or autocross terror. This 1989 Silvia K’s is in very nice condition and drives excellently. With the odometer reading only 84K verified original, the car appears to have been well looked after in Japan. The notchback body style is most desired for its looks and performance benefits, and the factory two tone really sets it off. The Nissan Silver and Gray (BG0) paint over Gray cloth looks subtle, and the balanced proportions and signature projector headlamps give away that this is not a USDM S13, but in fact, a true Japanese Classic.

The interior is also very clean and well maintained. The driver side bolsters has a single abrasion, but otherwise the other seats are free of any rips or tears. All door panels and trim pieces are in great shape and the carpet condition is above average. The interior is free of spills and stains, and beyond the usual tell-tale Silvia dash crack, needs little attention. This unmolested example is bone stock, and the interior even features the OEM functional radio. The speakers work properly, and even then FM radio can catch a few errant domestic radio stations. The manual climate controls are easy to use, and both the A/C and heat have been checked. The nice thing about the S13 is that the driver is the focal point of the cockpit. Subsequently things such as the interior illumination and the headlights do a fantastic job of lighting up dark roadways. The driver has all controls easily within reach, and the steering wheel gives tons of feedback, which furthers driving enjoyment.

Mechanically the vehicle runs great and can be used for daily driving if so desired. The CA18DET starts right away, idles smoothly, and pulls appropriate under acceleration. Full throttle pulls remain strong until redline courtesy of four new spark plugs. A new 12V battery has been installed to cope with cold winter start ups as well. The gearing is fantastic for the CA, making it ideal for city driving, yet capable of good fuel economy on the interstate. The manual transmission has received a clutch service by one of our trained technicians, which includes new transmission fluid and a brand new OEM clutch. It shifts without a hitch, and goes into all five forward speeds without any hesitation. The factory suspension has enough give to deal with the poorest of road surfaces, and the ride height allows for clearance over speed bumps and concrete parking blocks. Since the chassis is fundamentally the same as the USDM production 240SX there's no shortage of aftermarket options readily available if the ride height is a little too high. The neutral chassis feel is great in factory trim, but this particular car can also be used as an excellent platform to build from. The lighweight, front engine, rear drive layout even lends itself to braking, as this s13 hunkers down nicely under deceleration.

As much as we love the SR20DET powered Silvia's, the CA18DET powered examples offer nearly the same performance for a lesser inception price. It has tons of getup and go, and is just as fun in the twisties. With these late 80's and early 90's Silvias becoming more rare by the day, don't miss your opportunity to own a turn key Japanese classic.

*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.