1st Generation Acura NSX

[eperalta]

Anyone make the jump from G35 Coupe to NSX or vice versa? If so any regrets or commentary.

I have been thinking about possibly buying a used NSX. I have never driven a NSX.

I am putting together a list of PROs/CONs. I will probably test drive one this week.

[Z06ified]

Here's a few basic pros/cons:

Pros:

- Great looking car
- Rare
- Handles well

Cons:

- Underpowered and slow
- Still expensive for the performance, even used
- Old

[clokwork]

I dont agree with slow. Did you do the research?

1991 Acura NSX 5.8 14.4
1992 Acura NSX 5.6 13.9
1993 Acura NSX 5.6 13.9
1994 Acura NSX 5.3 13.6
1996 Acura NSX 5.2 13.8
1996 Acura NSX-T 5.8 14.3
1997 Acura NSX-T 4.8 13.3
2001 Acura NSX V6 4.5 12.9 (C&D TV 2001)
2002 Acura NSX 4.8 13.4

Beyond just copying and pasting this, I knew that after 1996, the models were typically faster. There just isnt any way you can call mid to lower mid 13's stock a slow car. Sure its not a 12 second car, but we are talking about a NA 6 cylinder car.

They are still expensive though

The good part to that is that they will still hold their value pretty decently. I was in your shoes also. I still want a NSX at some point to go in the stable. I thought about it before I got the G and also a while ago. I just cant justify it right now for the cost. If at some point I can get my hands on a 2002 for a decent price, I will be all over it.

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Z06ified

- Old

Change this word to "Vintage" and it becomes a "Pro".

[Z06ified]

Originally Posted by clokwork

I dont agree with slow. Did you do the research?

No need for me to do research - I know exactly how slow the car is.

Slow is a relative term, but for the price of that car, and the looks of it, it is slow compared to its competition.

I mean look at those times - it is only slightly faster than a G35 coupe.

If you're going to have an exotic looking car, with nearly an exotic price, it had better have near exotic performance to go with it. And it never did. That's all I'm saying.

[supraken]

It's an old video, not sure if you have seen it:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...19259744802395

Sure, a mid 13's 1/4 mile on paper doens't look that impressive, even a $40k IS350 can do it these days... but the NSX is really a track car, sure it's not that fast in the straights, but look at how it fared against the other 'supercars' in that video as an example (there are many other similar videos out there, this is just one of the more popular ones).

I think most of the people who say the NSX is slow are basing it on the relatively low horsepower (ranging from 270hp to 290hp depending on year). With that said, I don't think you're going to find many better track cars at that price (maybe a Viper or Corvette, but not very sure how well they do on the track), but for a street car, there are many other choices like the Porsche's.

[Z06ified]

Originally Posted by supraken

With that said, I don't think you're going to find many better track cars at that price (maybe a Viper or Corvette, but not very sure how well they do on the track)

A Viper or a Corvette will eat an NSX on the track for lunch and spit it back out. And I'm not talking about just power. A Viper or Corvette will out corner and out brake the NSX, and obviously kill it on the straights. If you don't believe me, look at the handling specs (skidpad, slalom, etc.), and braking performance of these three cars.

I don't need videos or magazines. I've been on the track (Willow Springs) with 3 NSX's, a Viper, and my Z06. The NSX simply could not hang on the track in stock form against these two. The Viper is a formidable track car, but it requires a lot of driver skill to get it anywhere near its limits without killing yourself.

The only NSX that could hang with me was a heavily modified one with a turbo set up. That car had about the same power as my Z06, and had extensive suspension and braking mods, along with R-compound tires (versus my stock street tires).

[Jspeed]

The last NSX-R did the 'ring in 7'56", that's the same as the 400HP C6! The regular NSX still managed a decent 8'33", which is ahead of the Skyline GT-R.

http://www.nordschleife.no/

NSX is a very fast car on the track in capable hands.

[Z06ified]

Originally Posted by Jspeed

The last NSX-R did the 'ring in 7'56", that's the same as the 400HP C6! The regular NSX still managed a decent 8'33", which is ahead of the Skyline GT-R.

http://www.nordschleife.no/

NSX is a very fast car on the track in capable hands.

The NSX-R was a very rare Japan-only model, that was a "track-only" design, which was basically a completely stripped NSX, with no sound deadening material, no radio, no A/C, no power windows or power anything inside to get the weight down to 2,700 lbs. Why anyone would want to drive a $90k car with no interior that could only match a $43k 400hp Corvette on the track, is beyond me.

As per the original poster's question, we're talking about the first generation NSX here, that was sold in the U.S. - not a special track model sold only in Japan in limited numbers.

[LuXXXz]

Originally Posted by Z06ified

No need for me to do research - I know exactly how slow the car is.

Slow is a relative term, but for the price of that car, and the looks of it, it is slow compared to its competition.

I mean look at those times - it is only slightly faster than a G35 coupe.

If you're going to have an exotic looking car, with nearly an exotic price, it had better have near exotic performance to go with it. And it never did. That's all I'm saying.

you do realize that the Coupe is even slower than a sedan, and 1 second faster in the 1/4 mile is a lot

[Z2G]

i've always loved the nsx. however, after being out for almost two decades now, i think they really need to update the design and engine. for a $80k-$100k sportscar, it's a bit underpowered by today's standards. now, 270-290 hp was a lot a decade or so ago. but nowadays, that's standard in many sedans and coupes. furthermore, the design needs to be improved. they can keep the overall look which looks great. however, just changing the spoiler a bit and headlights after two decades just doesn't cut it!

[eperalta]

Guys I appreciate the feedback. I should probaly go test drive a few more cars. The actual performance of the NSX was great for its time.

It really is hard to justify spending low $30Ks for a 15 year old car.

I still need to drive one to get a feeling. The main draw currently is the "vintage" and styling appeal.

Originally Posted by Z2G

i've always loved the nsx. however, after being out for almost two decades now, i think they really need to update the design and engine. for a $80k-$100k sportscar, it's a bit underpowered by today's standards. now, 270-290 hp was a lot a decade or so ago. but nowadays, that's standard in many sedans and coupes. furthermore, the design needs to be improved. they can keep the overall look which looks great. however, just changing the spoiler a bit and headlights after two decades just doesn't cut it!

[Jspeed]

Originally Posted by Z06ified

The NSX-R was a very rare Japan-only model, that was a "track-only" design, which was basically a completely stripped NSX, with no sound deadening material, no radio, no A/C, no power windows or power anything inside to get the weight down to 2,700 lbs. Why anyone would want to drive a $90k car with no interior that could only match a $43k 400hp Corvette on the track, is beyond me.

As per the original poster's question, we're talking about the first generation NSX here, that was sold in the U.S. - not a special track model sold only in Japan in limited numbers.

How convenient for you to miss the rest of my previous post. Like I said, the regular NSX still pulled off times in the 8"30'-40' range, which is similar to 911's and Corvettes from the same era.

While we're emphasizing on the orginal poster's question, he didn't ask for comparison with the 'vette anyway. Don't get me wrong, I love the C6, but a car isn't slow just because it's not as fast as the 'vette.

[gspotter]

I'd rather buy a used 300ZX Turbo with low miles (they are still out there). Much cheaper than a NSX. Interiors are very similar. More practical too.

[hai109]

Well, For 85k it's very expensive new. Underpowered "Yes" but its still a fun car to drive and you'll get more people turning heads then a vette...We all know the vette is the best bang for the buck but the NSX has the look and style that was kept for longer then it should have been. (although its old now and needs a major re-design)

if you buy a older NSX and put a supercharger then you should be fine with the HP. The other question you need to ask yourself is can you afford the maintence? Atthough it's a older car it's very expensive to maintaine...IE...everytime you go in for a service its' over 100 bucks except for the oil changes...There's a lot of common items on the NSX that willcost you a lot of money to fix. This car will when it gets old nickle and dime you. With that being said it your decision to buy the car.

I would get a vette because it's affordable and the best bang for the buck but if you were into style and looks and money was not the problem i'll get the NSX because it's more exotic...Rare...Not everyone races and wants performance. If that's the case i'll get the EVO...

That's my 2 cents....