We keep bringing back stories about classic cars because sharing them keeps their memory alive.
The early 90s were a fund and unusual time for cars…
All the Japanese manufacturers were trying bold new ideas…
In the middle of all that came the 1991 Nissan NX .
A small T-top hatchback that slipped in quietly but drove far better than anyone expected.
However, never became a star like the Skyline or the Z-Car, but it was unique and people still remember today.
Engine Nissan NX 1991
Two types of engines…
NISSAN NX1600
THE FIRST ONE: Nissan offered the NX with two very different engines, each giving the car its own identity. The NX1600 came with the GA16DE, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder known for being smooth, durable, and surprisingly willing.
It produced around 110 horsepower!
NISSAN NX2000
SECOND ONE: The NX2000 was the version that built the car’s reputation. Beneath its hood sat the famous SR20DE, a 2.0-liter engine shared with performance legends like the Nissan Silvia.
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33 more horse power than the first one, with 143 horsepower and a lightweight body!
The sound of the SR20 at high revs became part of the car’s identity, a metallic and urgent note that defined many 1990s JDM icons.
From 0 to 100 kmh, around 6.8 seconds, impressive results for a compact hatch in 1991.
NX balance and handling was something special. Drivers praised its front response.
Despite having removable T-top panels, the structure was surprisingly solid, giving the car a planted, agile feel that many competitors struggled to match.
Contemporary magazine reviews even compared its cornering character to far more exotic machinery, not because of speed but because of its lively, communicative nature.
Owners often described it as a street-legal go-kart disguised as a hatchback.
Part of the Nissan NX’s charm is how approachable it remains today. Mechanically, it is straightforward, with timing chains instead of belts and minimal electronic complexity.
Daily driving, Hatchback, it was more practic than its sporty shape suggests and many owners used them every day.
Routine maintenance stays affordable, and most common repairs can be handled with basic tools. Even now, annual upkeep costs tend to remain extremely reasonable for a car of this age.
The only persistent enemy is corrosion. Time has not been kind to many NX models, especially in areas exposed to road salt.
Finding Nissan SX in 2025
Is it easy to find one of these? Well maintained, we have searched around the sites but not every country owns this model and it is really hard to find in a good condition, especially in Europe.
Nissan NX today feels a bit like digging through history.
Many examples have been driven hard, modified poorly, or simply forgotten in storage. NX1600 models usually appear at accessible prices, often between the mid-two-thousand and five-thousand-dollar range.
The NX2000, being more desirable and significantly rarer, tends to command higher figures, especially if it has a manual transmission, clean bodywork, and intact T-tops.
Most buyers hunt for them through enthusiast forums, older Nissan communities, or regional car listings. Occasionally, importers bring in Japanese-market versions, though they remain uncommon.
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Rural areas and long-abandoned classifieds sometimes hide surprising survivors, adding a small sense of adventure to the search.
Driving a Nissan NX in the modern era feels refreshing in a way that many contemporary cars cannot replicate.
Removing the T-tops turns every trip into an open-air experience, the engine note becomes more present, and the car’s light steering and responsive chassis encourage a style of driving that rewards smooth inputs instead of brute speed.
Its sharp lines and distinctly nineties silhouette attract curiosity everywhere, especially from younger enthusiasts who have never seen one on the road.
With thoughtful upgrades such as suspension improvements or grippier tires, the NX can still hold its own against modern hot hatches.
It is not about status or showing off; it is about the enjoyment of connection and simplicity, qualities that stand out even more in a world dominated by heavy, technology-filled vehicles.
Despite its charm, the Nissan NX is not a perfect choice for everyone. Fuel consumption is acceptable but not remarkable.
The back seats offer only minimal space, and long journeys may highlight the limitations of early-nineties comfort. Safety features are also basic by modern standards.
This is a car for drivers who enjoy involvement and are not afraid to pick up a wrench from time to time.
The NX appeals to a certain type of enthusiast. It attracts drivers who appreciate mechanical feel over digital refinement, and those who enjoy exploring the heritage that connects Nissan’s performance models from the Sentra SE-R to the Silvia and beyond.
It also suits anyone seeking a budget-friendly yet genuinely fun driver’s car, something practical enough to use every day yet engaging enough to make ordinary roads enjoyable.
For people who prefer cars that require no interaction beyond turning a key and filling the tank, the NX may not be ideal.
But for those who value a unique driving experience and a forgotten chapter of JDM history, the Nissan NX remains one of the most charming, overlooked cars of its era.
