Any NSX owners?

[dparm]

I'm really toying with the idea of getting a second car/weekend car in the next few months. I used to own a Honda S2000 and loved it to death so I'd definitely consider buying one again, but the Acura NSX is a real bargain too. A 1992 or 93 can be had for around $25k-30k. I have no concerns about reliability or mileage since it's a Honda and will run forever, and would probably keep it bone-stock. Might use it for the occasional track day or autocross, and of course for cruising around in.

Does anyone here own an NSX or have good information on the ownership experience? I know that mid-engine is trickier to work on. I would probably feed it Motul 300V 5w30 just like the Audi.

Would appreciate anyone's two cents if they know anything about these cars.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Count me as wishful. I used to know somebody who owned one, and it was pretty a pretty low-effort vehicle to own as far as maintenance/repair.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm really toying with the idea of getting a second car/weekend car in the next few months. I used to own a Honda S2000 and loved it to death so I'd definitely consider buying one again, but the Acura NSX is a real bargain too. A 1992 or 93 can be had for around $25k-30k. I have no concerns about reliability or mileage since it's a Honda and will run forever, and would probably keep it bone-stock. Might use it for the occasional track day or autocross, and of course for cruising around in.

Does anyone here own an NSX or have good information on the ownership experience? I know that mid-engine is trickier to work on.

Would appreciate anyone's two cents if they know anything about these cars.


Are you sure 1992 was the first year? Thought 1991 was. Anyways, from what i have heard and read you are spot-on. his car always gets forgotten about, it looks sharp IRL, and the ONLY minor associated failure with SOME 92 and 93 models (people say to get the 94 or later but honestly its rare to get something wrong on ANY NSX) find breakage even on the early ones, "Honda bulletproofing") is some "Transmission snap-ring" that can set you back ~$3000 or something like that. (a trans rebuild. Thats always a good thing, you get a new trans)

Its that, an 80s Ferrari (400i/412i) or something else.

NSX:

Ferrari 400i FOR SALE $24,999

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1982-Ferrari-400I-538374.xhtml

 

[dparm]

I think 91 was the first year but I typically try to avoid that if possible.

No thanks to an old Ferrari. I saw that episode of Top Gear and was instantly convinced never to do that. I have seen 2003 Maserati Coupes going for around $30k but what scares me most is the repair costs and dealer obscurity.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I think 91 was the first year but I typically try to avoid that if possible.

No thanks to an old Ferrari. I saw that episode of Top Gear and was instantly convinced never to do that. I have seen 2003 Maserati Coupes going for around $30k but what scares me most is the repair costs and dealer obscurity.


Just throwing it out there. That was the "What can you get for $5000" episode, right?

As to the NSX.. go for it, man. You are right-on.

I would have a hard time swallowing Ferrari hidden cost if an NSX was in my face. Still.

 

[OVERKILL]

For that much coin you could get a newer M5 that would dominate it in every possible way.... unless I'm missing something here?

 

[SteveSRT8]

I second that one^^^

While the NSX is a beauty the price is way too high for the performance envelope.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I second that one^^^

While the NSX is a beauty the price is way too high for the performance envelope.


But it looks good..........................................

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
For that much coin you could get a newer M5 that would dominate it in every possible way.... unless I'm missing something here?


?

The lap times are almost identical for those two cars, so "dominate" is a curious choice of words. Moreover, they're very different cars. I've been lucky enough to have driven both, and there's little comparison. I'm not saying one is "better", but they're different....very different. But if you're going to put it strictly in terms of $$ to lap times, why would one buy anything besides a 'Vette?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
For that much coin you could get a newer M5 that would dominate it in every possible way.... unless I'm missing something here?


?

The lap times are almost identical for those two cars, so "dominate" is a curious choice of words. Moreover, they're very different cars. I've been lucky enough to have driven both, and there's little comparison. I'm not saying one is "better", but they're different....very different. But if you're going to put it strictly in terms of $$ to lap times, why would one buy anything besides a 'Vette?


? right back at you, the E60 ran 8:13 on the 'ring, the NSX ran 8:34.

Even the old E39 like mine ran 8:28, which wasn't the car I was suggesting, since it goes for about HALF his listed budget. I was thinking E60, which has almost TWICE the power of the NSX.

I'm not sure what a used M6 goes for, but I see that it ran 8:09.

And while the Corvette is an extremely fast car, they are definitely not everybody's cup of tea. I would have picked an '03/'04 Cobra if I was looking for something with two doors, not a Corvette.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And while the Corvette is an extremely fast car, they are definitely not everybody's cup of tea.


Which is true of any vehicle, BMWs included. Not everything can (or should) be boiled down to performance/dollar. The man wants an NSX. That's okay.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And while the Corvette is an extremely fast car, they are definitely not everybody's cup of tea.


Which is true of any vehicle, BMWs included. Not everything can (or should) be boiled down to performance/dollar. The man wants an NSX. That's okay.


Fair point.

 

[Hokiefyd]

My brother has a '99 Corvette. Convertible, with the 6-speed manual. It has a Magusson-Lingenfelter blower, of 6 psi I think. You can hardly shift it fast enough to keep the engine off the rev limiter in the first 3 gears. Its insanely fast. But as you said, for a number of reasons, they're not everybody's cup of tea.

If I ever bought an NSX, his Corvette would absolutely own it in pretty much every measurable performance category. Even if I spent twice or three times what he's put in his car. But that wail of that engine at 9,000 rpm, the natural balance of a mid-engined car, the LOOK of that NSX's rear light bar and butt-up stance. It's too cool.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
My brother has a '99 Corvette. Convertible, with the 6-speed manual. It has a Magusson-Lingenfelter blower, of 6 psi I think. You can hardly shift it fast enough to keep the engine off the rev limiter in the first 3 gears. Its insanely fast. But as you said, for a number of reasons, they're not everybody's cup of tea.

If I ever bought an NSX, his Corvette would absolutely own it in pretty much every measurable performance category. Even if I spent twice or three times what he's put in his car. But that wail of that engine at 9,000 rpm, the natural balance of a mid-engined car, the LOOK of that NSX's rear light bar and butt-up stance. It's too cool.


I would also imagine that the NSX would be a lot more comfortable... I've never heard of 'vette's being revered for their creature comforts or superior ergonomics.

Which was sort of where I was going with the E60 M5 or M6 suggestion. The V10 sounds glorious, it has 500HP and is VERY quick with a 0-60 of 4.2 and a 12.5 second 1/4 mile at 118Mph (E60). Almost an entire second faster in both respects than the NSX, which is 4.9 and 13.3 @ 105 respectively.

I guess it may just be my hang-up on the cost per HP thing. I see spending that kind of coin on a 290HP car rather than a 500HP car, and the 500HP car is also faster in basically ever way.... Just doesn't tickle my fancy. But maybe it does his, as you've indicated

 

[dparm]

I'm thinking of just keeping the S4 for daily use and having a separate weekend/track car. Always wanted an NSX and it's such an iconic car.

But yeah, a lightly-used M5/M6 is still tempting. V10 power, baby...

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
I would also imagine that the NSX would be a lot more comfortable... I've never heard of 'vette's being revered for their creature comforts or superior ergonomics.


...or interior quality/refinement. That's what gets me on it. There's no doubt it's an awesomely fast car. But it's also clear that it was built to a budget.

 

[dparm]

I'm fine with the interior, really. It's minimalist but functional. My S2000 was the same way and I liked it.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm fine with the interior, really. It's minimalist but functional. My S2000 was the same way and I liked it.


To be clear, our criticisms were about the Corvette, not the NSX.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: dparm
I'm fine with the interior, really. It's minimalist but functional. My S2000 was the same way and I liked it.


To be clear, our criticisms were about the Corvette, not the NSX.


Definitely, sorry if there was confusion. The Corvette's interior wasn't all that refined. And I don't mean in terms of pleated leather or MP3 jacks, I mean in terms of materials quality. I suspect the NSX will have better interior quality.

 

[Vikas]

Any copies of NSX repair orders floating on the web?