What, then, of the Nissan 100NX? The rounded, Sunny/Sentra-related extremely 1990s car ditched the pointed designs of previous FWD coupe Nissans, the EXA included, and only relied on a T-Bar roof option to appear quirky.
The round shape is perhaps too much for many, as it takes an enthusiast of all things computer mouse shaped to really appreciate the way the 1990-1996 NX was designed. It hasn’t aged perfectly gracefully, but you wouldn’t mistake it for anything else.
And yes, there were a couple more tricks up its sleeve. Unlike the previous coupes in this Weekend Edition, the NX wasn’t only saddled with a litre-and-a-half fourbanger: nope, there was the brilliance of the SR20 unit available for you. The chain-driven 16-valve two-litre engine is no VTEC, but in this company it’s a clear advantage.
The other thing was a seriously blingy digital dashboard, at a time when digi dashes were somewhat out of vogue. I haven’t seen an NX with one, as they probably weren’t available on the European market.
By Antti Kautonen
The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.
Jeff Glucker
I love little hatch back coupes, but this is the only one so far that ticks any boxes for me, at least in NX2000 form. I suppose I’m biased, though, having owned a 1988 Pulsar NX SE which was a hoot to drive.
Decent power, unique good looks (with the alloys, air dam and lip spoiler that came with the NX2000), good handling and T-tops. I always loved these.
The only one of these 90s small hatches that might be more desirable to me would be the Mazda MX3. I’m assuming it’s coming up soon?
These early digital dashboards are pretty bad. Especially this one that can’t decide if it’s digital or analogue. Still I’m waiting when we can have efficient displays with some real data.
Au-contraire, I think it’s aged very well. Have you seen any new Nissan’s lately?
Fine enough, aside from wanting to be 928 in front and 300ZX at the back. Freak show dash is not a plus.
Definitely 300ZX at the back.
http://image.motortrend.com/f/features/mt_hot_list/1112_15_nissans_that_get_an_enthusiasts_thumbs_up/34830029/1994-nissan-300zx-rear-three-quarter-red.jpg
Surprisingly better looking than from menory. Probably better looking than most other period non-CRX’s, like the Mazda MX-3 and Opel Tigra. Strange enough, there isn’t one non-CRX/CRX from Italy, the country that invented the kind of car.
One of these very nearly brought one of our vacations to a catastrophic end, when it pulled out in front of us on the motorway and swerved in such a way as to totally block any potential evasive action.
I had to do a full emergency stop from 70mph, causing both front “Riken” brand tyres to overheat, blister and flatspot. They were destroyed, and I’ve not bought a seriously budget tyre ever since.
Strangely, even before that incident I couldn’t imagine a 100NX being owned by anybody you might call an accomplished driver.
The back end is a missed opportunity. If those taillights were recessed like the headlights are, it would have had a cool fighter jet look on the outside to match the digi-dash inside.