Its downright scary how values of Nissan's legendary S13 chassis have skyrocket recently. We can joke about the "drift tax" but at the end of the day everything comes down to supply and demand. It's lightweight, low cost, communicative, nature has made it a cult classic; meaning the market will surely continue to rise. This beautiful coupe, finished in Juniper Green (DH0) 1990 Nissan Silvia K's is eye catching with its trademark 15" SSR Longchamp alloys. The exterior is in great condition with beautiful paint for a car this age. Sans the normal scuffs and scratches you'd expect on something this vintage, the body is straight, and largely all stock. Not only is it finished in a rare color, the factory front lip is also a real challenge to find. Combined with a clean interior, a turbocharged motor, and a manual transmission, this is the quintessential Japanese Classic.

Inside the cabin you'll find an equally fresh interior. When the driver enters the cockpit, it becomes apparent that this example was taken care of by its old owner in Japan. The dash is in phenomenal condition compared to most Silvia's we import, and is devoid of any cracking and peeling. The seats and fabric were well cared for both front and rear, free of any major damage or discoloration. The bolstering is supportive, without feeling restrictive, and are comfortable for longs cruises. The door panels are in excellent condition showing no major wear or tear, however, the rears have been trimmed to accommodate a Cusco roll bar. That cage is about as non intrusive as you could ask for, meaning you can actually sit in the rear seats without any issues. The carpet and headliner are both in excellent shape and have no rips or major stains. The interior plastics are in better than average shape, and the A/C and heat are working properly. Door locks and windows also function as they should, and tunes come courtesy of an OEM head unit. The only other interior updates come from tweeter speakers by Alpine and matching rear deck shelf units which function fine.

Mechanically the CA18DET is a workhorse. Although out of the gate not as powerful as the SR which came to replace it, the CA makes good power and torque for daily use. The 1.8L four cylinder starts quickly and idles properly. With only 64K verified miles that really comes as no surprise. Revs are smooth and acceleration is confident. Shifts through the 5 speed transmission are rewarding, lacking grinds or hitches; the clutch feels excellent. Inside the cabin, a bit more engine and exhaust noise are evident, coming from an M's Intake and 5Zigen catback exhaust. The deeper bark is complimented by the turbo flutter, and under throttle, the Silvia really sings .The coilovers handle bumps well, and are reasonably new meaning you still have height adjustment. Cornering is flat in the twisties, and the front structure is aided by a Cusco brace. The steering is on center and communicative; as the S chassis gets closer to the handling limits heft increases ever so slightly. Running through the gears is incredibly fun, and the factory five speed makes the most of the power band. Each gearshift is easy and hitch free, and the new polished lever fits better in the palm of ones hand than the stock one.

This fully maintained, turn key Japanese Classic would be a great car to hit the open road with or turn into a trackday toy. The limitless aftermarket, ease of maintenance, and timeless looks make the Silvia one of the best overseas vehicle exports that exist.

*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.