Buyer's Guide
Common
Make sure the car is not afflicted with any tax debt, driving ban or leasing restriction. Also make sure the person that are selling the car are the legal owner. All this can be done at Swedish "Bilregistret" (Car Registry) at phone 077-125 25 25. Call the previous owner too and ask about the cars state, mileage etc. when he/she owned it. The mileage can be controlled by ordering the inspection reports from the station where the car has been inspected. If you buy your car from a Registered Dealer, you do have a better legal protection but on the other hand the price is often a little higher. Check with your city´s consumers-advisor if the dealer has had many complains. Make sure all agreements are noted in the contract and that you get a copy of the "Varudeklaration" (Description of goods).
Before Testdrive
Check the cars exterior for rust, especially wheel arches, under the rear spoiler, door sills and front strut towers. Rock the car in all four corners to check the condition of the suspension. The car shall stop immediately. Check for traces of an accident, all chassis rails shall be straight and the hoods and doors shall have a good fit. If you have the possibility to lift the car and check the chassis it is good. Check the interior of the car, a well maintained interior indicates that the rest of the car is also well taken care of. Just be beware of the fact that reconditioning firms can make a very good job!!! Look at signs such as worn steering wheel and drivers seat and badly worn windscreen or headlights to see if the mileageis as short (long) as the seller claims. Start the engine and check that headlights, brakelights, turn signals and horn works. Also check the other electrical systems such as interior light, heater fan, electrical seats, power windows, power lock etc. Make sure the engine idles steadily. Listen for strange noises both at idle and on different revs.
Testdrive
Check the following during test drive:
Does the car go straight when braking hard? Any noise? If it is, it can depend on warped, rusty or uneven brake discs.
Are there any vibrations in the stearing wheel?
Does the car go straight when you are not holding the wheel?
Does the gears come in smoothly? Does any gear disconnect when accelerating or braking?
Are there any other strange sounds?
Does the clutch work smootly? Does it skid? Is it a different sound when it is depressed?
Turn on the heat and check that it works.
If the car has A/C: Check that it works and cools. Refilling of coolant isn't cheap...
Test that the parking brake works.
After Testdrive
Open the hood, let the engine idle and check the following:
How does the engine sound? Rattling? Other noises?
Is the idle stable? Uneven idle can indicate serious faults. Do not trust the seller if he says it is just some minor adjustment needed.
Look for water- or oil leakage.
Look at the exhaust gases. Blue or black smoke indicates a severly worn engine. Grey smoke can indicate an internal water leakage. Watch out! This can be a very expensive fault.
Misc.
Domestic or Imported? If so: When and by who?
Number of previous owners? How long have they owned the car? Many owners and short periods can indicate something is wrong with the car.
Service record? Complete or just filled in the first years? Authorised workshops? Recently maintained?
When is the last yearly inspection made? Are there any previous inspection protocols available?
Are there any paintjobs done on the car? Why?
Are there moist in the passenger compartment or trunk? Check under carpets etc.
Is the car tuned or styled? Are original parts kept? Spare wheel? Tools?
Special for Nissan 200SX
Are there a complete service record? Regular service is very important, especially oil changes.
Be specially aware when checking tires, brakes, clutch and suspension. These parts often wears down on a sporty car like the 200SX.
The Turbo. Is it changed? An oilpipe to the turbo was original to thin, which caused oil to clog into the pipe and block it. From 1991 an on the pipe is replaced with a better construction. On the models from -89 and -90, check this pipe. If the pipe is clogged, the turbo is almost certain to break down from lack of oil.
The turbo should start charging at approx. 3000rpm and keep pressure to 6500rpm.
Rust under the rear wing? There is almost no 200SX that are totally free from rust there. Is the spoiler well attached and has an even topside? Lift it up a little and check underneath.
Is the timing belt changed? It MUST be replaced every 90000 km!
Examine front brake discs. Warped discs are a common problem on 200SX, especially on earlier models with 257 mm discs.
Harsh gearbox when cold is normal on 200SX, because of tight angled gears.
Minor faults like broken electrical antenna, broken seatheaters and smashed foglights are usual on the 200SX.
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