2005 Corvettes...how are they in comparison?

[myguitar]

I have a 92 red Acura nsx and wanted a little more speed. I love the frigin car a lot but I'm just wanting more power. My NSX is stock 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and the corvette t-top is stock 0-60 in 4.2. I just don't know how the corvette would handle in comparison to my 92 NSX though. I heard the corvettes have lots of cool interior gadgets, nice on power and low end torch. I also heard the handling is supposed to be pretty awesome as well but I've never actually driven one. Has anyone here?

This is what my predicament is....
Stick with my awesome 92 NSX or sell it and get a 2005 corvette c6 or maybe even a 1997 Acura NSX, but that would probably run me $10,000 more then the corvette would and I'm not sure I'm willing to do that. The 97 NSX's are pretty hot and that's the first year with the added HP so it is tempting. What do you guys think would be the best for my money? I would like to spent no more then $30,000, maybe $35,000 if it's a good deal.

Oh, and by the way, the corvettes you can find for as low as $30,000 and that's why it's so tempting in comparison to the NSX's.

The C5 or C6 Vette might outrun you but you're still gonna look better in the NSX.

I see a Vette everyday, they're like VW's these days. NSX is more on the level with the Ferarris, Porsches and even the Viper... maybe not performance-wise these days cause it's an outdated design, but definitely on par looks wise!
When my buddy pulls up to meet me at the coffee shop in his 93 NSX (lambo doors dude!), all the conversations stop and everyone stares... That's a good feeling that Vette owners rarely experience.

Bottom line, if you want power, I'd say get a 2000-2002 Camaro SS (already has an LS1 Vette motor in it) for about 15K and put a blower on it. You'll smoke everything on the road but just make sure you don't steer! And make sure to have some funds in the piggy bank to cover the maintenance costs.

YAY for reliability!

 

[TURBO2GO]

By the way...Any thoughts on the lotus Elise? That's the only other car I think that can maybe compete with an NSX. I mean the Elise is a totally different car inside and out but the idea is the same as the NSX. The lotus is a car that was built for power, handling and speed as is the nsx and as of now, it's definitely and exclusive car. I don't see many of them around yet but I do believe it may be less of a practical car though. What do you think?

I think its a nice car but it doesn't have the comfort or reliability of the NSX, nor is it easy to service as there are few actual dealers... It's not nearly as safe in an accident, and I can't even fit in one (I am 6'2"). Its a fantastic car on a track... or even some off ramps... but man is it loud, and uncomfortable. The NSX feels like a luxo-liner in comparison.

Anyway... if you don't really like keeping your money, then get a vette or a Lotus. :biggrin:

 

[damthatbeaver]

I do not know where most of you live...but more power does not equate to much these days...speeding tickets are absolutely spooky now...so I figure...it makes more sense to be able to have a car that goes from 0-60 in a respectable time and has the handling and looks to complement its reliability. You can take you 550 hp Vette and race as fast and as far as you want...all I know is that two things are definate if you do...You will either get a super huge speeding ticket...or you will run into another Vette...and it may be the same color as yours ...lol...lol

The beauty of the NSX is its design, reliability and rarity:wink:

Dam

 

[fourringpilot]

The C5 or C6 Vette might outrun you but you're still gonna look better in the NSX.

I see a Vette everyday, they're like VW's these days. NSX is more on the level with the Ferarris, Porsches and even the Viper... maybe not performance-wise these days cause it's an outdated design, but definitely on par looks wise!
When my buddy pulls up to meet me at the coffee shop in his 93 NSX (lambo doors dude!), all the conversations stop and everyone stares... That's a good feeling that Vette owners rarely experience.

100% on the money! Think about how a vintage Mustang or Ferrari will make your jaw drop when you see it cruising down the street. A new Civic will outperform these cars today. Does that make the Civic a better car? It is all relative. I have the luxury of driving a Z06 and a NSX. There is no FEELING like the NSX.

 

[HockeyGoalie]

I've owned three vettes, an 02 Z06, and 95 and 94 coupe. They all had great power, and where very reliable and cheap to maintain.

As some other posters already said, resale value is weak. If you want power, vettes are great, hanlding is good too, as long as you don't drive in the rain. The targa top is great, but you will get sqeaks and rattles as the miles pile on.

With simple bolt on mods, headers, exhaust, intake, you can really raise the horsepower on the vette and these mods are pretty cheap and reliable too.

If you're on a budget, the vette is a great choise, they cost nothing to maintain, you only need to do oil changes and new tires and that's it.

If you buy one, be prepared to keep it for a while, because they will lose value very easily, unlike the NSX.

 

[HockeyGoalie]

Oh, and forgot to add as well....Does anybody know how the lotus elise's drive?

The Elise is a great car, but not a daily driver. It would make an excellent weekend toy and track car.

The Elise is the best handling car I've ever driven but it lacks power (unless you get the Exige S) and it is very fragile.

Oil changes cost about $350 and it you damage the front clam it can cost you $20k to replace.

 

[Lilred]

I think all of you have fully convinced me to keep my 92 NSX. It was really strange...I've owned it for 3 months and really have love it but am a sucker for new cars, but yea, I think you're right. just because a car is newer doesn't mean it's going to have better performance. I still read even now that and NSX has equal performance to a turbo Porsche and Ferrari when it comes to looks and driving mechanics. I'm just greedy and want more speed!

Anyway, I just worry that if I were start upgrading my 100,000 Mile NSX to more speed it's going to start falling apart on me and I'll end up having no car! If I wanted to upgrade my car where can I go to get parts and are Superchargers even worth the money? I see the computech supercharger but it's $10,0000! That's like a whole new car and I think it would drop the value of my car if I ever want to sell it down the road. what is there to do if I were to put say $5000 into the NSX? Can much be done with HP without hurting it with kind of money?

 

[NSXGMS]

Anyway, I just worry that if I were start upgrading my 100,000 Mile NSX to more speed it's going to start falling apart on me and I'll end up having no car!

The NSX can safely handle a lot of power. By all accounts it was overbuilt, if anything.

If I wanted to upgrade my car where can I go to get parts and are Superchargers even worth the money? I see the computech supercharger but it's $10,0000! That's like a whole new car and I think it would drop the value of my car if I ever want to sell it down the road. what is there to do if I were to put say $5000 into the NSX? Can much be done with HP without hurting it with kind of money?

For just under $6,000 you can get to the SOS Stage 3 package--a gain of ~52 whp. That's about the limit for a stock block NA C30. You can find new CTSCs for ~$7,500-8,000 if you look hard enough. I see them on eBay from time to time.

If you can find a CTSC for ~$8,000 and get an AEM for high-boost, along with the SOS Stage 3 you'll easily be able to achieve well over 400 whp making the car competitive with any new exotic performance car. That and the NSX-R suspension (~$3,300) and you will have one of the fastest cars on the road--possibly faster than the C6 ZO6, F430, 997 TT and any Lambo. But that's going hard-core. :wink:

The bottom line is you gotta pay to play, but the NSX can be made into an extremely fast, competitive car for relatively very little (less than 20K out the door). And the car won't lose value with these mods. You will get some money back on them--just don't expect to get more than 10-20% of the money back and expect the car to take longer to sell.

The way I see it is a clean 2002 NSX with 25K miles can be had for around $60K. $20K in mods and you're at $80K total--an absolute bargain compared with a ZO6 for the same price. Personally, I'll take a 2002 NSX with 25K miles and no warranty over a 2007 C6 ZO6 with a warranty any day.