Driving Impressions

According to Nissan research, the quality of ride is important to the 240SX's recently expanded target market. So the engine's valve timing and intake camshaft were tweaked to attain the aforementioned low to midrange torque that translates into velvety acceleration. Other changes - a more rigid cylinder head, revised engine mounts, a larger-volume exhaust system - reduce engine noise and vibration. Meanwhile, various components of the front and rear suspension were modified to attain greater stability and maneuverability. For example, cornering ability and traction were improved by increasing the suspension stroke in the rear. Such measures paid off handsomely. The ride of the 240SX is quieter and smoother, with greater ease of handling, than that of its comparatively gnarly predecessor. Both on the freeway and in city traffic, our SE danced from lane to lane with minimum body roll and nary a disturbance to its passengers. It also negotiated an abrupt 90-degree, 25-mph turn with ease. But Nissan's comfort-conscious refinements have not been made at the expense of performance: The 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine yields 155 hp at 5600 rpm. And the 160 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm - in a vehicle that is 80 lb. lighter than the '94 model - means the SE's 8-second 0-to-60 mph performance is a half-second quicker than it was in '94. At 65 mph in the cruise control mode, the tach purred at a civilized 3600 rpm in fourth gear and an even calmer 2800 rpm in fifth. At 60 mph on the freeway, we gave it some gas and downshifted from fifth to fourth, and the SE delivered all the passing power we needed. Braking power with the optional ABS was also impressive on our tester: In a light drizzle, our SE descended from 30 mph to a dead stop in less than 4 seconds.

Final Word

No doubt, the gearheads will find something lacking in the Nissan 240SX's upscale move - and its accompanying emphasis on comfort over flash. But Nissan probably figures that offering four flavors of its awesome 300ZX road warrior is enough to satiate even the most rabid of racing enthusiasts. For the rest of us, the graceful lines of the 240SX offer a dignified way to make sure that the transition into middle age is a relatively painless one.