2002 Sales Numbers to Date

Originally posted by Tom Larkins:
Tell me, other than a phone survey that was done with recent 2002 owners, does Acura really listen to what is said here. If they don't maybe the should, or are we as owners in this forum in the minority when it comes to the market they think they need to reach. Just wondering, do they know (Acura) this site exists and/or does it make a difference in their market research?

Do they know this site exists? Yes. Do they read every word that is said here? Probably not. Do they read letters that owners write to them? Yes. Do they conduct market research surveys of owners beyond just the ones who just bought the car new? Yes.

For example, Acura surveyed NSX owners who attended NSXPO '99 in California. The three areas that owners liked least about the NSX at that time were:

1. Lack of power vs the competition
2. Needs more powerful brakes
3. The price/value relationship

I can assure you that the folks at Acura HQ are well aware of the desires and priorities of the NSX owners. Whether those desires and priorities are met by the next generation NSX is another story, since there are many practical considerations involved in doing so. If it were easy (and cheap), they would already have done it.

I'll give you an example of those practical considerations. Everyone wants a high-quality 500-hp supercar that costs $40,000. Obviously that's not possible. Suppose you had two choices on what to introduce as the next-generation NSX:

a. a $50,000 3500-lb steel-bodied 350-hp sports car that does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, with projected U.S. sales of 3,000 cars per year

b. a $120,000 2900-lb aluminum-bodied 450-hp sports car that does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, with projected U.S. sales of 300 cars per year

Which would you produce? There's no easy answer, and your preference might depend on your background. A wealthy enthusiast might prefer option (b). Someone of lesser means might prefer option (a). Furthermore, suppose the development costs alone for either option are $500 million, a modest budget for a new model; what decision would you make if you were the management and stockholders of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.?

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 18 June 2002).]
 
While we're at it, what needs to be done to lobby selling the new NSX-R in the US.

Based on current notes, this seems to be a better "platform" to start with, versus the base NSX/NSX-T ??

Wish list includes:
- improved power/weight using N/A motor (C5-Z06 level or better)
- class-leading power/weight using optional F/I (Zonda C12S level or better)
- manual tranny, optional sequential auto-manual (F1)
- weight target 3000# max
- can lap roadcourses at least as good as a C5-Z06 or 360 Modena with N/A mode
- handling leader
- bigger brakes
- leather coachwork that smells real
- available factory "tuner" specials
- available factory "weight reduction" options
 
Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Then it's worth pointing out that the fourth generation Corvette was around for thirteen years ('84 through '96).

The C4 enjoyed quite a few upgrades during its lifespan. They introduced the ZR1 in 1990 which had 375HP (145HP over '89) and the base engine was upped to 250HP. The base engine was again upped to 300HP in 1992. Then they upped the ZR1 to 405HP (175 over '89) in 1993. The C4 may have been old when they replaced it, but it surely wasnt neglected.

The first-generation Viper came out as a 1992, and it is just now about to have a second generation introduced as a 2003.

I think this makes it all the more sad. The viper comes out later, gets updated earlier, and will enjoy a 72% power advantage over the NSX next year.




[This message has been edited by JoeSchmoe (edited 18 June 2002).]
 
Originally posted by cojones:
While we're at it, what needs to be done to lobby selling the new NSX-R in the US.

Aside from the fact that the new NSX-R is ugly as sin, the lukewarm reception to the Zanardi NSX in the American marketplace would seem to indicate that a de-contented, limited-volume, but still expensive sports car is not in high demand.
 
Okay, more horsepower is all good, but a car's speed is based on more than horsepower. And we shouldn't forget what the NSX is supposed to be when we consider its sales numbers: A pure sports car designed with all of the ingenuity (sp?) that Honda could muster without regard to production cost or number of models sold.

It sounds like Honda was building the NSX for fun, just to see what they could do. And while that may have been a foolish venture in some folks opinion, they still came up with a great car.

The nice thing about the NSX is that even the first ones are still formidable cars, even if its competitors are catching up or surpassing them on speed/HP
 
Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Aside from the fact that the new NSX-R is ugly as sin,

I happen to like the current NSX-R design, especially in white. In fact, I think that I should use it front as center as the main design element on a certain website I'm working on. :-)

EDR
 
I've been completely amazed by how much technology has been changing in recent years. This whole thread is evidence of that.

I've recently started looking around for a new daily driver to save some wear and tear on the NSX and I've been really amazed what some of the new cars can do. For example, the Infiniti G35 has 260hp, 260torque with a 3.5L V6, and it has coeff. of drag or .27 (.26 with the spoiler.) All for ~$28,000. I'm mostly amazed at the Cd of the car. Not long ago it took a fairly exotic car like the NSX to even nibble at .30. The G35 is just a plain looking sedan. I bet the new 350Z is going to be a pretty awesome car if this is an indicator.

I'm sure if/when a new NSX comes out it will be amazing.



------------------
Tim Meekins
1997 Yellow NSX-T
http://tmeekins.com
 
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