The Nissan 240SX: How a Sensible Coupe Became a Drift Legend

Nissan built it for commuters. Drifters made it famous, and wrecked most of them doing it. This is the Nissan 240SX, the S13 (1989–94): a modest, sensible rear-drive coupe that became a drift legend. Car and Driver's February 1989 test says the 2.4-liter SOHC four made 140 hp, the car weighed 2,798 lb and ran 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, with base prices of $12,999 (notchback) and $13,199 (fastback). Hagerty says the 1991 refresh brought the twin-cam KA24DE with 155 hp. In C&D's July 1989 comparison, the 240SX SE tied for fifth; the Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Turbo won. Hagerty's January 2019 "Drift Tax" figures: average S13s easily reach $10,000, and even rough ones are rarely seen for less than $5,000. Keep a clean S13 stock, or build it to go sideways? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe to Stories by the Shop Light. Next time: the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon. Chapters 0:00 Cold open: commuter car, drift legend 0:31 Part 1: Nissan Learns to Fly Again 1:45 Part 2: The Hardware 3:48 Part 3: Neutral 5:07 Part 4: The Silvia Americans Did Not Get 6:00 Part 5: Drifting 8:42 Part 6: The Drift Tax 9:23 Stock or sideways? 9:37 Outro: the coupe that beat it Sources C&D, Feb 1989: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/... R&T, Sept 1988: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult... C&D, July 1989: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/... C&D "Best Odds" retrospective, 2026: https://www.caranddriver.com/features... C&D, May 1994: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/... Hagerty: https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-pro... 240Drift, "The Best 15 Engine Swaps For Your 240SX"; opened 2026-10-31: https://240drift.com/the-best-15-engi... Just S-Chassis, "S13 RB engine swap guide"; opened 2026-10-31: https://justschassis.com/tech-tips/s1... Just S-Chassis, Jan 2023: https://justschassis.com/tech-tips/s-... Collins Performance Technologies, 1UZ-FE swap kit; opened 2026-10-31: https://collinsperformancetechnologie... Hot Rod staff, "The SR20DET", Aug 2018: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/180... Wikipedia, "Nissan KA engine"; opened 2026-10-31: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_... Formula DRIFT, Rudy Hansen driver page; opened 2026-10-31: https://www.formulad.com/drivers/rudy... Wikipedia, "Nissan 180SX"; opened 2026-10-31: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_... Wikipedia, "Nissan Silvia"; S13 section, opened 2026-10-31: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_... Hagerty, Oct 2024: https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-... Hagerty, Jan 2019: https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-pro... Hagerty, Jan 2026: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion... Image credits (Wikimedia Commons) are listed in the comments. Photos cropped, graded and animated, with text added. Graphics, music and sound effects: original.