The NSX suffered for four reasons in my opinion. First, it had a 6 cylinder engine. Even if it had adequate power, 6 cylinders just doesn't sound like a super car, especially to Americans who bought most of them (and Ferrari's). Second was the Honda badge. As a company that sold itself as efficient, reliable, inexpensive and frankly --unglamorous, the image of "super car' just didn't fit. Sure, Honda was involved in F1. But, to many, the connection between Honda and F1 was far less than the image of Honda and the Civic CVCC. Third, its the cultural difference between art and science (or engineering in the Japanese lexicon). Where as the Italians were more about the art of the car, the Japanese were more about the engineering. It became a question of which you appreciate more. To a lot of exotic ownwers, it was art that made them reach in their pocketbooks. And, ironically, its the engineering success of the NSX that continued to fuel the notion of a lack of passion of Japanese cars. Fourth, they never built a spider version. In true Japanese thinking, a spider is impractical. But to many, a sunny day in Southern California begs top down driving with no roof. Yes, some did come with a targa but the weight penalty and the special ordering to get one turned off most for what was just an opening in the roof. The lack of a true spider hurt it's sex appeal. OK, you can say the TR was never made as a Spider either and it was successful. But, it did have 12 cylinders and in your face looks, along with being the most expensive, top-of-the-line Ferrari you could buy at the time. The NSX is a terrific car. But, it was simply a marketing tool rather than a serious run at the exotic sports car market. Good as it was, when the tool lost it's usefulness, first it was ignored and then later, discarded. NSX... meet the Ford GT. You have a lot in common.
I really like my 328 and would love to have an NSX too. As for the Civic comment, I sent my daugher to college with a brand new 198hp 6spd Honda Civic Si, the little thing is fun to drive when the VTEC kicks in and the engine also screams at 8000 rpm! It costs as much as some (or even more) 308's I see how around here
Reading a couple of these posts I could do nothing but laugh my a#$ off. I've had a 308. I currently have an F355 Spider. I also have...and had while I owned the 308...an NSX. The NSX is a fantastic car plain and simple. In the grand scheme of things the number of NSX's produce over the years make it more rare than almost all Ferrari models. I'd suggest that as the years roll by a well preserved NSX will be far more sought out and more expensive to buy than 90% of any Ferrari ever built. I can only summize that the naysayers have never driven an NSX or are simply jealous over those that have...and do. Obviously I am a big F car fan...owning 2 of them and I'm sure more in the future. But more than that I am a fan of exotic sports cars. And I certainly put the NSX in that catagory. Hand built...all aluminum....VTEC....shape and design....Senna tested....etc.
Danny R, I am in your camp. I've owned Italian b**ches for 30 uninterrupted years, twelve of which I also had NSX's. I have suffered the abuse of my F friends and acquaintances with satements like " It does nothing for me" or "it is just a Honda" or "It has no soul". I have put my F cars on my shop lift and did so with my NSX's. IMO the quality of the workmanship, the materials, the hardware, the castings, the forgings of the NSX are all far superior to any of my F cars up to and including the 360. I have been to the F factory a total of 4 times and I have been to the Toshigi plant once. IMO the Honda assembly line compared very well if not better than Maranello's. I have tracked all my F cars (288 at the Ring was a POS) as well as the NSX's. Always had more fun (and speed) in the NSX.
I owned one for 5 years back when I was in my mid to late 20's. Just an awesome car. The engine had a great sound inside the car. The interior was fine for the time period...actually I did think it looked a little Prelude-ish...I owned a Prelude as well around the same time. I did miss it after I sold it. RMX
Brought my f355 gtb to the mercedes Benz dealer last week to check out the new E 63 AMG. Made great repoir with the detailers who were washing it getting it ready for the showroom when the "salesman" blurted out who's Acura is that in the parking lot. There were a few other people checking out the E63 so I didn't realize he was talking about my f355. The detailers gave the "salesman" the "what's wrong with you look" and corrected him saying That's his (my) Ferrari idiot. The sales man felt embarrassed and left us all alone with the E63. Needless to say I did not buy the car.
I meant to have kept both of them, it really bothers me a lot that I sold that NSX. It would be a great addition to a 328. The '86 328GTS that we had used to keep up with the '92 NSX above 100mph. I really missed that car and sometimes feel like getting another, '97 or newer and modify the engine.
...and Ferrari had an NSX present in the design studio when designing the 360... You gotta admit that the NSX came out against the 348 and made Ferrari take notice...
And Ford had a 360 present when working on the Ford GT. So what? By the way if you want a "real" GT40 then get a Superformance.
You're off subject, you didn't undersand my post which is a continuation to the ones above. A bit pricey, lol and I would rather have a superformance over the ford gt.
Mute as stock but hell breaks loose with aftermarket options... Just type "NSX exhaust" on YouTube and see for yourselfs... The NSX V6 sounds better than all 6 cylinder engines I've heard on road cars (next to BMW M3 CSL E46...)...
I always wanted to try an NSX, and 2 years ago I bought one.(in addition to my 308) The NSX and 308 are very different cars, the 308 is such a classic and will always be a classic. The NSX is far more modern, has traction control, abs, windows and AC that work very well, generally quite reliable and can easily be used as a daily driver. The 308, I cherish and only drive in perfect weather and immaculate roads, it's a part of automotive history that needs to be preserved. They are both fun and exciting cars to drive though, just apples and oranges.. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Chris, it was fun to have you experience the original LoveFab NSX !!! Cody Loveland builds turbo systems for many vehicles...... He is well known for his ability to bestow supercar performance to these cars (just imagine what Honda could have done with someone like him on staff over the years, if so inclined! ;-) It's rather a shame that the NSX was never developed to its ultimate performance capacity over its lifespan. Brian (minor correction; the LoveFab car was at 920rwhp, and is now detuned to nearly 600rwhp ;^)
i read the thread. still dont like them. i have driven two, and got a ride in a gearheads modded one. as i said, i am sure they are great cars to some people, which means the car fills need for them. i, do not like them sam i am. i would rather buy any number of other cars first. but its nice to have choices !
First of all I am a car guy. I simply adore Ferrari because of the build quality, heritage, looks, and performance. My first was a 308 and currently I preside over the hand made 512BB. Artwork on wheels. I love machines and performance. I've owned Putsches, Lotuses and so forth. That said the NSX is special. Very special. When it was introduced in 90/91 it blew EVERYTHING out of the water. First (If I remember correctly,mass production car) with; Aluminum structure, Titanium connecting rods, Variable valve timing, Traction control. It is the only car designed from day one with "Toe out" on the front wheels. Similar to Formula and track cars. Also it had separately amplified speakers (a dud, so shoot me). The car re-wrote the books. It WILL be regarded as a "Milestone" car. I honestly can not think of a Ferrari that will have the same claim. Perhaps the F-40 with a CF tub. I have encountered many that claim the car has no "soul". If horsepower equals soul I agree in that the NSX from day one lacked 100Hp. In a foolish and short sighted agreement in the early 90's the Japanese manufacturers agreed to cap HP at 300 while the rest of the world moved on. Arrogance pure and simple. But remember the Ferrari 348 manufactured at the same time had comparable HP with steel tube frame and body. The car has been subject to the ricer crowd. Perhaps it was the King of that crowd. A Shame. The NSX will become the 206/246 Dino of its day. And probably much higher in status, as the Dino was just a smaller Ferrari. The NSX was a REVOLUTION. Think about it. It took Ferrari 8 years to come up with a structural answer in the 360 which is an NSX clone plus two cylinders. When Gordon Murray designed the Mclaren F1, in my opinion the greatest super-car of all time, he did not base his design on a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, etc. He chose, owned, and drove the NSX. There is a reason.
Ummm... No. The 348 is a Monocoque chassis, only the engine cradle is steel tube. Just to be clear. --Mike
-11. That leaves you at -1. (stop me now, for I see additional 0's) Like carreaper feels; "I just dont get it". There comes a point where I just dont feel like explaining myself anymore to the uninformed/unreceptive. That time is now. Live and learn on your own.
I am glad there's enthusiasts here that can see "beyond brand" I do appreciate heritage and tradition as most people here (Ferraris are so recognizable no matter where you in the world, thanks to it's heritage -and looks-) , but the NSX is not just a Honda, it was and still a very special car, Honda/Acura @ this current rate will never do anything like that, EVER, which is a shame, the old F1 days are gone (amazing era) Soichiro Honda and his philosophy are gone with him. NSX's have been raced in Lemans (won Gt2 Class in 95) and in many other forms of racing with relatively success. The 3.2 NSX even @ stock 290HP was capable of 4.6 to 60 and 12.9-13.0 on the 1/4, that been said the NSX was a TRACK car not a drag car, in hands of a good driver the NSX can be a very capable car, is not rare to see people surprised with the NSX in hands of a good driver, even if the NSX is stock (although I believe the suspension, weight savings -3.2 nsx's come with 200lbs of extra weight that you can remove- and a proper exhaust turn the civilized NSX into a complete different animal) ... From 91-05 Honda sold around 8K NSX's in the US, BUT between 1991-1992 they sold HALF of them, which it makes this a very rare car, I believe in 97 they only sold 400 NSX's, in 2001 180. Again the NSX should be loved and appreciated for what is is and for what has done in the car industry not hated for what is not. I love Ferraris and I will have one soon, but I am sure it will be next to my "Honda NSX" Like in all cars, the driver is what makes the difference. Oscar
