Thread: What can make a motor run sluggish??

I know its kinda a vague question. Here's the scenario. I just drove a 96 200sx ser with 86k that I'm thinking about buying that just ran horrible. Doesn't seem like bad compression or anything it because it idles find. However climbing the rpms seems sluggish and it bucked/hesitated a bit which makes me think it could be the maf, distributor or O2 sensor. Anyway 4 years ago I drove a stock b14 ser that ran like a raped ape. I have yet to find another sr20 car that ran as good. My 230k g20 ran better than the car I just drove.
Check engine and airbag light was on. Dude originally was asking 2300. I got him down to 1700.

Assuming compression is good, it's going to be something having to do with fuel, ignition, or pumping losses.

Okay, could be a dragging caliper.

parking brake on? Just joking.

Could be anything, need more specifics.

might be worth it to find out what the CEL says and go from there. I wouldn't give $1700 for a car that runs like shit unless I know it's a simple fix.

Ignition timing/ components, fuel filter.

Maybe its those crappy 96 cams.
Seriously there used to be alot of rumors that the 96 engines were more sucky in the cam dept..

I had a 96 lowport and it had plenty of pep all motor... Although when I look back on it...yea, it was slow.

300 lbs of whale sperm in the trunk would make car sluggish.

What can't

2 big bottles of NAWS yo!