D Car — November 2003
An archive project by Flock MFGNew issue alerts →
About this issue
250 available scans from D Car — November 2003, in right-to-left reading order. Japanese OCR and English translation drafts are available throughout. Drafts have not received exhaustive image proofreading; unreadable source remains recorded in the archival data.
Page 100 — English draft translation
Although the Silvia has been out of production for a while, some S15 models are still selling for close to their original new-car price. If you search hard, you can find a turbo Spec-R in the ¥1.2-million range. S14 turbo models are typically around ¥500,000, while some S13 Q’s models sell for under ¥100,000. Overall, however, the number of cars on the market is declining.
Captions and page details
PART 3
Check point
Check point
Silvia used-car buying guide
Transmission
3
A manual transmission is, in a sense, a consumable item.
1
Interior: since used examples still command fairly high prices…
Check the feel of the newly introduced six-speed manual. Depending on the car, ask the seller to change the transmission oil when you buy it…
Because the model year is relatively recent, a stock car should be fine after checking the basic functions. Prices are still fairly high, so be sure to look for dirt and wear…
…ask them to do it.
…and so on.
S14
S14 and S13 models are available at affordable prices!!!
4
It is better if the area under the trunk floor shows some dirt…
Check point
2
Low mileage, but still needs inspection
…driving…
Check point
You can no longer buy a new mid-size rear-wheel-drive coupe in Japan. In a way, Silvia shoppers are lucky: the S13 was a huge hit, and although the final S15 is less common, there are plenty of used cars available. Some used S15s are even priced near the cost of a new car.
Trunk
Item 1500…
*36-54
Engine
As mentioned earlier, you are paying a substantial price, so pay attention to whether the car has been in an accident. To inspect the rear bodywork, lift the carpet in the trunk and check underneath.
For the S15
For a turbo model, take it for a test drive and check the acceleration. Inspect the entire engine bay, especially for oil seepage…
…check it.
Aftermarket seats are OK if they fit properly
Check point
Check point
4
1. Air conditioning: make sure it will keep you comfortable next summer
If the car has been customized, the seats are likely not stock either. In that case, check whether the original seats and rails are still available…
Air conditioning on Nissan cars from this era can sometimes be weak. It was much improved on the S14, but make sure it works properly…
Shinagawa 34
97-15
…check it.
S14 model
…as well.
SS
13/14
S14 and S15 models can be checked normally; the S13 is nearing retirement, so be careful! Production of the S15 ended last year, and well-preserved examples are now on the market. When choosing one, check that it has been properly driven and maintained…
Stock S13 models are still on the market…
3
Dashboard: early models require an interior check too
Check point
2. Trunk: open it and inspect carefully from this generation onward
Check point
…is…
…in the case of…
Both the exterior and interior are often customized. The factory stereo may no longer be there, so be sure to check.
As explained for the S15, peel back the trunk lining and check for signs of major repairs. If the price is low, this may be an area you can choose to overlook.
Check point
Seats
1
Dirt and fraying are to be expected!
Early-model prices have risen close to those of the later models. Since the early cars are now as old as the S13, they need the same level of inspection. The S13 is nearing the end of its service life, so buy with a price-first mindset and accept its age.
For the S13…
As with the dashboard, stock seats are likely to show their age. If you are planning to customize the car, you may decide to accept whatever condition they are in…
model
86.38
Check point
…and make do with them.
4
Trunk: assume there may be a repair history…
3
Check point
Some wear and dirt are unavoidable
2. Suspension: even if it is old, the driving feel still matters
Check point
Dashboard
If there are no problems affecting how the car drives—for example, if it tracks straight—then checking the trunk for repair marks may not be necessary.
As soon as you get in, you may notice fraying on the leather steering wheel and damage to various parts. Keep the car’s age in mind when judging its condition…
No matter how inexpensive it is, if the suspension is bad we do not recommend buying the car. Even with a cheap used car, take it for a test drive at least once and check that it tracks straight…
…!
…check it.
Watch out: S15 prices are climbing!
S13 models are available for under ¥100,000!
Used-car market prices
This is the one to use as a sport-compact base!
(Unit: ¥10,000) S13/S14 Q’s models are dirt cheap!
1996 model year (Heisei 8)
1995 model year (Heisei 7)
1994 model year (Heisei 6)
1993 model year (Heisei 5)
1992 model year (Heisei 4)
1991 model year (Heisei 3)
Average used prices for S13, S14, and S15 Silvia models
People are always wanting what they do not have, and even though it stopped selling…
705–815
550–640
480–525
450…
220–345
380–450
150–200
270–375
200…
100…
S13 Q’s
S14 K’s
S13 K’s
485–675
2002 model year (Heisei 14)
370–580
2001 model year (Heisei 13)
285–465
265…
S14 Q’s
2000 model year (Heisei 12)
1999 model year (Heisei 11)
730–950
1998 model year (Heisei 10)
1,100–1,155
1997 model year (Heisei 9)
570–845
825–900
S14 Q’s
S14 K’s
1920–2100; 1425–1555
1750–1880; 1265–1325
1615–1670; 1150–1200
1475–1525; 1025–1070
S15 Spec-R; S15 Spec-S
100