1988 Nissan Silvia S14 VIN Verification

INTRODUCTION

The 1988 Nissan Silvia represents one of the most beloved generations of Nissan’s rear-wheel-drive sport coupes. Known internally as the S13, it became a cornerstone for drifting culture, tuner communities, and affordable sports cars. The Silvia offered a balanced combination of sharp handling, lightweight construction, and tunable engines, making it a classic among enthusiasts worldwide.

HISTORY & ORIGINS

The Silvia nameplate first appeared in the 1960s, but the S13 generation (1988–1994) marked the turning point where it achieved global recognition. Launched in Japan in 1988, the S13 replaced the S12 and was praised for its improved chassis, advanced suspension setup (MacPherson struts front, multilink rear), and modernized design. It was sold as the Silvia in Japan, 200SX in Europe, and 240SX in North America, though with variations in engine offerings depending on the market.

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE OPTIONS

Depending on the market, the 1988 Silvia offered multiple engines:

• CA18DE – 1.8L naturally aspirated inline-4, ~125 hp.

• CA18DET – 1.8L turbocharged inline-4, ~167 hp (JDM).

• KA24E – 2.4L single-cam inline-4, ~140 hp (used mainly in North American 240SX).

Transmissions included a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive came standard, giving the Silvia strong performance credentials for drifting and motorsports. Tuners later found the chassis well-suited for swaps with more powerful Nissan engines like the SR20DET or even Skyline RB engines.

DESIGN & FEATURES

• Exterior: The S13 Silvia featured clean, sharp lines, pop-up headlights (for many variants), and a low-slung coupe design that defined late ’80s Japanese sports cars. Hatchback and coupe body styles were offered depending on region.

• Interior: Driver-focused cockpit with analog gauges, sporty bucket seats, and basic trim materials. Higher trims in Japan (e.g., Silvia K’s) featured sportier touches, while base models were more utilitarian.

TRIM LEVELS & VARIANTS

In Japan, trims followed the J’s, Q’s, and K’s naming convention:

• J’s – Entry-level, naturally aspirated engines.

• Q’s – Mid-level, more features, NA or turbo.

• K’s – High-performance trims, usually with the turbo engine.

In North America, it was mostly sold as the 240SX with the KA24E engine, while Europe received the 200SX badge with CA-series engines.

SAFETY & TECHNOLOGY

• Safety equipment was fairly basic for the era: seatbelts, crumple zones, and optional ABS (rare in early models).

• Technology highlights included a digital dash option on some trims, advanced suspension geometry for its class, and a limited-slip differential available on higher trims.

FUEL ECONOMY & EFFICIENCY

• CA18DE: ~23–28 mpg depending on driving style.

• CA18DET: Lower efficiency (~20–25 mpg) due to turbocharging.

• KA24E: Around 20–24 mpg, but with more torque than the smaller engines.

MARKET COMPARISON

In 1988, the Silvia competed with other compact Japanese sports cars like the Toyota Corolla Levin/Trueno (AE92/AE86), Mazda RX-7 FC, and Honda Prelude. While not the fastest in stock form, its affordability, rear-wheel-drive setup, and tuning potential gave it a lasting edge over rivals.

PRICING

• Original MSRP (Japan, 1988): Around ¥1,400,000–¥2,000,000 JPY depending on trim (~$12,000–$16,000 USD at the time).

• Current Market Value: Today, well-kept examples range widely. In the U.S., imports typically go for $12,000–$25,000 USD, while rare turbocharged models or clean K’s versions can command $30,000+.

NOTABLE AWARDS & ACCOLADES

• Praised in Japan’s Car of the Year awards (1988–89) for its chassis and handling balance.

• Became a cornerstone of drifting culture, thanks to its lightweight RWD platform.

• Widely regarded today as a JDM classic, with increasing collector demand worldwide.