02 NSX vs 911 Review - Motor Magazine

[NeoNSX]

As promised, here is MOTOR's May 2002 NSX vs 911 review; hi-res 1275x1650 scan.

   <A HREF="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au/nsx/Motor_May02_HondaNSX_FrontCover.jpg">Front Cover</A> (383KB)
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   <A HREF="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au/nsx/Motor_May02_HondaNSX_Page62.jpg">Page62</A> (276KB)


...and my response to the above review which was printed in Motor July '02, Page 29. <FONT SIZE=1>(they gave me an invalid email address)</FONT>

   <A HREF="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au/nsx/Motor_July02_HondaNSX_Page29.jpg">My Printed Response</A> (263KB)


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<FONT COLOR=red>Neo</FONT>NSX

  If you're Neo and you know it clap your hands

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[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 01 January 2003).]

 

[PHOEN$X]

I'll read the article when I get back to my broadband connection, but I didn't like the dismissive tone of the editorial response to your letter. "That's all" -- WTF? Time to send him a can of whoopass..

 

[NeoNSX]

true; it is dismissive, but at the same time they admit the author was biased. This means their comments and conclusions are VOID.

<IMG BORDER=2 ALIGN=right SRC="http://www.buzzyroll.myby.co.uk/cutecast/emoticons//smileydies.gif">I'll have to dig up their email address so everyone can spam 'em.

nice to know someone is looking at this coz it took me all afternoon to scan, touchup and upload.
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[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 01 January 2003).]

 

[PHOEN$X]

Originally posted by NeoNSX:
nice to know someone is looking at this coz it took me all afternoon to scan, touchup and upload.

Thanks, buddy!

 

[kld12]

The author writes: "Whether you value the clinical efficiency of the Honda over the three-ring circus that is the Porshceis up to you. But even women's magazines recognise the fact that marrying for looks/money tends to be a short-term solution, while relationships based on a mutual ability to provide laughs usually lasts a lot longer."

What the heck is this author smoking. I know he must be on something while doing this comparison anyways. That quote alone shoulda been erased along with the whole article. I'm no journalism major but that was definitely some piece of work, worthy of mad magazine.

He should have just did a separate Nsx review like NeoNsx said. Its like he did a review of the Porsche and what the Nsx lacked he highlighted in favor of the Porsche. Its like someone telling you that his girlfriend has better eyes, better hair, better etc compared to your girlfriend. But just like most men's magazines will recognise, you would then punch the guys lights out.

Sometimes, I just wish Honda would just give the Nsx some imporovements just like Porsche did for its 911 to keep it more up to the times all the while shutting up the damn critics. But I still have faith that Honda will do something with the next Nsx that will send shockwaves through the car world again. Til then, I'm happy with my car that has the mutual ability to provide thrills and smiles.

 

[spartan2-3]

NeoNSX,

Thanks for your time and effort, I myself enjoy reading articles such as this but very dissapointed with the author's feedback towards the NSX.

It is obvious that the author is completely biased, as they said "He had only owned 4 911's and a 928"

Im not sure if I can agree with those figures

..Isnt that translating the NSX to do 0-62 MPH in 6+ seconds and the 1/4 in 14+??



[This message has been edited by spartan2-3 (edited 01 January 2003).]

 

[NetViper]

Those are the worst figures I have EVER seen. This clown obviously had NO idea how to launch this car. It should be pretty close to the porsche in the 1/4 mile. I haven't read the article yet, but I look at the times and it was enough to make me ill.

Still, Honda should be critized for not upping the power. Porsche has done small revisions to the 911 for the past XXX years. It never seems to get behind the times because it is always being tweaked. In a motor trend article from 94, both cars had 270 HP. Now, the 911 has 315+ HP and the NSX sits there with 290. It is sad really. If they had at LEAST matched the Porsche's HP, I think the NSX would be getting a TON of media attention. Instead it seems american magazines forgot about the car as soon as it was released.

By the way, this 94 NSX did 0-60 in 5.3 and 1/4 in 13.6 @ 105.7. Not too shabby.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NetViper:
Still, Honda should be critized for not upping the power. Porsche has done small revisions to the 911 for the past XXX years. It never seems to get behind the times because it is always being tweaked. In a motor trend article from 94, both cars had 270 HP. Now, the 911 has 315+ HP and the NSX sits there with 290. It is sad really. If they had at LEAST matched the Porsche's HP, I think the NSX would be getting a TON of media attention.

Lots of folks - not just NSX owners - could be saying the same thing.

For example, I could pretend I'm a Vette fan and write,

Still, Chevy should be critized for not upping the power. Porsche has done small revisions to the 911 for the past XXX years. It never seems to get behind the times because it is always being tweaked. In a motor trend article from 94, the 911 Turbo had 355, while the ZR-1 had 405. Now, the GT2 has 456 hp while the Z06 still sits there with the same old measly 405. It is sad really. If they had at LEAST matched the Porsche's HP, I think the Z06 would be getting a TON of media attention.

Or, I could pretend I'm a Porsche fan and write,

Still, Porsche should be critized for not upping the power. Chevy has done small revisions to the Vette for the past XXX years. It never seems to get behind the times because it is always being tweaked. In a motor trend article from 94, the base Vette had 300 hp, while the NA 911 had only 270. Now, even the base Vette comes with 350 hp while the 911 has only risen to 315. It is sad really. If they had at LEAST matched the Vette's HP, I think the 911 would be getting a TON of media attention.

 

[Auraraptor]

thank you for all the work Neo NSX, I must say though, that review is horrible, It dosent deserve to be in the archieves, but then again you did put alot of work into it...prehaps a memo w/ it when its in archiees would do the trick?

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Resident E38er

-97 NSX "Nina" #183

 

[NeoNSX]

no probz guyz... many of u guys scan stuff for all of us to look at; it was my turn to do the same.

Auraraptor is right, the review is horrible, but it's so blantently biased (even the response is!) that i like it. It's proof of why most people DON'T 'get' (understand) the NSX; they just don't related to the NSX philosophy.

Lud can archive it if he wants, but i wouldn't expect him too.

I encourage you guys to read it carefully a second time and take note when he directly compares it to the porsche. It's such bad writing.

i'm just so proud that my response was printed; i was able to defend the most beautiful & elegant sportcars ever built... i will always love the NSX

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<FONT COLOR=red>Neo</FONT>NSX

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[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 02 January 2003).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NeoNSX:
i'm just so proud that my response was printed

I'm impressed that you were able to "smoke out" their obvious bias. Good job.

 

[NeoNSX]

what i meant was i'm pleased i took the time to respond. Initally i wrote a "i thought your article sucked coz it sucked"-type response... but i deleted it and re-wrote with proper English. My response was pretty much untouched by the Editor.

i think the bit about the swimsuits is what got it printed, don't u?

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<FONT COLOR=red>Neo</FONT>NSX

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[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 02 January 2003).]

 

[MvM]

NeoNSX,
Thank you for all your trouble. Have printed the article for my NSX-archives.
I'm surprised by the slow acceleration-numbers mentioned. Even the '91 NSX was faster than that. Yet, at the same time, the author is telling us to shift at 7500rpm because there's no benefit going to 8000rpm. He also writes the engine sounds 'strained' at 8000rpm. I wonder what he means. Mine NEVER sounds 'strained'. Formule-1 like, yes, mechanical yes, but not strained. In every BM-video I have seen, the NSX has one of the most typical, wonderful and easiest to recognize engine-sounds I've ever heard.
The writer also doesn't understand why it's so hard to close the door, the engine-lid and trunk-lid. Obviously, the writer doesn't know the NSX, otherwise he would have known that that is not the way to close the lids on a NSX. Slam the Porsche all you want, but please do it correctly (and with a stylish light push) on the NSX.

 

[wagyshag]

After reading the article I am completely baffeled!!! Obviously that moron has no clue how to drive an NSX. A properly driven one would hang right with that 911! PERIOD! and the remark about shifting at 7500......uuuuh NO THANKS, I love the sound of 8000

 

[JaguarXJ6]

Thanks for posting the review! It was a great review, if you like Porsche biased anti-NSX non-owner jibberish.

There are a couple things the Porsche 911 can't provide that are most important (to many at least) and thats style, exclusivity, and the handling that is the NSX.

A 911 is a "me too" sports car. 'Nuff said?

 

[NeoNSX]

WAGYSHAG: shifting at 7500......uuuuh NO THANKS, I love the sound of 8000

*lol* exactly!!!

In response to MvM & JaguarXJ6 comments:

yup... that's why in my response u used the swimsuit comparision; coz the 911 and NSX are DIFFERENT... right down to how you shut the doors.

i remember reading about the 911; how it has a 'bit of devil in it' when u drive... ok, that might appeal to some, but i prefer the NSX's superb handling... i don't want a bit of devil in it... coz afterall, the NSX is an angel.

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<FONT COLOR=red>Neo</FONT>NSX
<IMG SRC="http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/0/gangsters.gif">
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[This message has been edited by NeoNSX (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

This is kinda irrelevant to the topic but here's my opinion on the NSX. The NSX is a awesome car but it definitly needs more power though. The car feels great accelerating when no on is around and takes corners really nice but I thought the NSX would have more omph on the hwy. We lined up my friends bone stock 98 NSX-T 6 speed with me driving

and a 1999 Z28 6 speed ( 2001 and 2002 models have about 10 more hp stock) with just a intake and a muffler with 4 people in the Z28 and we hung from the start but the Z28 just fetched and passed us pretty quickly. Nonetheless, The NSX isnt a drag car. Its a nicely engineered sweet sexy sounding and looking sports car! But I didnt think the NSX would get pulled on the hwy by a almost bone stock Z28 with 4 people in it. We went from 50 to about 115. Who knows..maybe we woulda fetched the Z if we got faster

[This message has been edited by Bobby C 01TA (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[kld12]

Bobby C 01TA,

No offense, but were you even trying? It seems kinda skeptical to me that a 1999 Z28 with 4 people in it should surpass a 1998 Nsx with 6-speed. I know the Nsx has less power, but you are talking about 300lbs in addition to extra human weight, yet they still pulled on you. Someone must have not been in vtec range or something.

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

Yes I was trying lol.. I shift alot better than my friend who owns the NSX.. Went through the gears quick and precise and took the car to the limit without banging limiter or redline. My friends dead weight of his NSX is 3100 lbs and the Z28 weighs around 3400 lbs dead weight no passengers. 300 lbs is a big difference but then again the NSX bone stock would probably put around 260ish rwhp on a dyno? And the Z28 easily puts 315 rwhp so in power wise there is a huge differnce also. I didnt know what the outcome would be so we had to find out. I'm sure we'll run into some more semi stock or stock LS1s again and possibly get it on tape. LS1's are known to have a good top end but then again, so are NSX's.. who knows.. maybe after 120 we might have fetched the Z. NSX has a great top speed than the Z. So yes I was trying and I still think the car needs more power. I liek the car alot and its smooth and beautiful in everyway. It just needs more power

 

[nsxtasy]

Sorry, but I find that difficult to believe. It's totally inconsistent with the magazine tests, which all show the 3.2-liter NSX significantly faster than the Z28.

There are faster cars than the NSX out there, but the Z28 isn't one of them.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

well we all know real drivers dont rely on magazine tests

.. Its fun to look at tests but I surely dont assume a car would be faster or slower due to a magazine test. I;ve seen a 98 NSX on a magazine test as high as a 13.8 all the way to a 12.9 bone stock. The I've seen a LS1 Z28 run a 13.9 all the way down to a 12.8 bone stock. The lid and exhaust dump on the Z28 adds around 11 rwhp and those were the only mods on the Z28. The NSX has nothing on it.. no intake exhaust or anything. Stock for stock form a NSX is about 300 lbs lighter but also has about 45 rwhp less and alot less rwtorque than a Z..I didnt believe it myself when we raced but there were 8 other cars around witnessing the event.. all cars are built differntly.. Maybe my friends car is a dud or maybe the Z is a freak.. who knows.. Theres a nice bunch of NSX's in Dallas.. I'm sure there will be plenty of other runs. The NSX had 2 people in the car and the Z had 4. I'll try and get videos up soon...Everyone and their dog wants to race you when you're driving a yellow NSX

[This message has been edited by Bobby C 01TA (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[Hrant]

Originally posted by Bobby C 01TA:
Yes I was trying lol.. I shift alot better than my friend who owns the NSX.. Went through the gears quick and precise and took the car to the limit without banging limiter or redline.

snip

Just curious, exactly what gear were you in when you started?

While I don't drag race on the streets, the three times that I have been challenged from a stop light (with one mid 90s Mustang 5.0L mostly stock; another later model 5.0L, and one SHO ..... yeah yeah yeah that was a pure ego thing) they were all toast by the time I was at 8000RPM in second gear and this AFTER I gave them a car's length rolling starting lead .....

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

55 MPH race.. 2nd gear.. i ran the z28 twice.. both times it was close till about 80-90 and then the Z28 started pulling.. same results both times and I gurantee you comparing a mustang and a LS1 is like comparing a supra non turbo to a TT supra.. at first the mustang will slightly keep up off a dead stop race and the faster the speed gets, the faster the LS1 gets.. modded mustangs always wonder if something is wrong with their car once a bone stock LS1 is walking them but nothing is wrong with the stangs, the LS1's just have alot better upper end. If you have 2 great drivers, the rest is up to the car.. theres only enough a car can do. You cant just say just cause a car is $25k, it cant beat a $80 k car.. both in stock form. I understand that every forum is biased on their car.. heck, even many LS1 guys think that their car is god. Its all gonna be on tape soon enough. We are all having fun.. this isnt about this car HAS to beat that car or something is wrong with it. Its all in fun. So what if the NSX lost. Its still a sweet car in every way. Doesnt make me like it any less. Just needs more power :-D

[This message has been edited by Bobby C 01TA (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

Originally posted by kld12:
Bobby C 01TA,

No offense, but were you even trying?

Funny how you bring that up.. The guy we raced asked the exact same thing word for word

 

[kld12]

Bobby C 01TA,

When you say 55 MPH race, do you mean the race started as you were nearing 55 in second gear? Because you first wrote, "We lined up my friends bone stock 98 NSX-T 6 speed with me driving and a 1999 Z28 6 speed ( 2001 and 2002 models have about 10 more hp stock) with just a intake and a muffler with 4 people in the Z28 and we hung from the start but the Z28 just fetched and passed us pretty quickly." which seems to indicate a standing start. Just trying to figure out the details.
Anyways, I have nothing against the Z28, my friend has one. If a Z28 beat an nsx in a race, that's fine. I'm pretty sure there are stories out there of the reverse happening. You said you had fun, so that's what really mattered. Just be careful out there man, and remember to the the nsx on the twisties.