'94,'96,'01 Owners, were you upset when..

[RyRy210]

Alot of BMW 328 owners got really mad when BMW introduced the 330i mid year. Many of these 328 buyers would have waited for the 330i (especially those that bought their 328s a few months before the 330 was released).

For the NSX, how many of you kicked yourself when you bought a '96 then later to find that the '97 was going to get alot of enhancements? I can say this for the debut of the '95-T for '94 owners, and the debut of the facelifted NSX in '02 for '01 owners.

Right now I'm thinking of purchasing an '04, but would really be upset if the '05 was not the redesigned NSX. As I said in another thread, I'm more interested in "when" the new NSX is coming out than anything else.

 

[Nimbus]

I say enjoy what you have or what is available now and be happy with it, there will always be something newer and better. Plus it's not certain when something new will become available, life is too short to be waiting forever. Especially something like an NSX.

 

[effer]

I say enjoy what you have or what is available now and be happy with it, there will always be something newer and better. Plus it's not certain when something new will become available, life is too short to be waiting forever. Especially something like an NSX.

Good advice Nimbus!

I would add that going for a new version is always a risk ( I understand that this is pretty minimalized with Honda ) because you never know if it's going to bring you reliability troubles...

 

[brickdds]

For the NSX, how many of you kicked yourself when you bought a '96 then later to find that the '97 was going to get alot of enhancements? I can say this for the debut of the '95-T for '94 owners

Huh?
As a 94 owner I believe I can speak for myself. I am in no way regretting having a 94 instead of a 95. I prefer having the structural rigidity of the coupe over the targa and don't miss the opportunity of hearing associated squeaking. Additionally, I can say that I don't see the value in trading the excessive weight gain for the opportunity to "be seen"

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I would say if in fact there's going to be a 05 NSX, the 04 would really not be your best bet, of course It will be nice until the 05 actually comes out, but you will always have that sour feeling...

If I were you, I would settle with a 03 lease or even buy a 02, which, there's actually have not difference if not better. ( I think the new shift knob on 04 is the worst shift knob in any given year nsx. )

Then, when 05 comes out, you can decide your own.

 

[JsnNSX]

Who knows how much the next gen NSX will cost though. Could be a whole new figure, whole new car.

Just a thought...

 

[red_MM_nsx]

What's the old cliche 'one in the hand is worth two in the bush'. Rumors have gone around from discontinuing the NSX entirely to it being redisgned costing $60K all the way up to $140K. I have even seen rumors of the next one being front engined. All of these are pure speculation. The real question is do you like the current one and believe its worth the money. If so, the buy it. Personally, I bought an '00 right before the '01 came out. I don't happen to like the new front end so I'm glad I purchased the one I fell in love with. In the end, you have to do what you believe is best.

 

[shiftright2]

bricdds, I agree completely. I prefer the coupe

version due to its lower weight and higher rigidity. I have had T tops in other cars before and they are too much trouble putting on and off any way. The NSX is about lightness and an ultra rigid chassis, anything that detracts from that is, at least for me, not desirable.

 

[Tony Montoya]

I'm furious with Acura Canada for discontinuing the NSX automatic last year and the coupe since 1994.

 

[RyRy210]

Let me clarify on what I'm trying to accomplish. I like the current NSX, and I would like to buy the last model year before the new one comes out. I'm a person that does not like to buy 1st year cars. If the redesign NSX was indeed to come in 2005, I would go out and get the '04.

I've gotten 1st year cars (mostly mercedes models), and the 1st year dealer markups are just not worth it. I can buy the same car now for thousands less, and have more enhancements and features.

I personally went from a '95 to my current '01. I'm not waiting for the redesigned NSX so that I can purchase it, hence the price of the new NSX is not a factor for me.

Nsxtasy mentioned that the current NSX might carryover to '05. If this is true, and the '06 will be the new NSX, then the '05 will be my target.

I do agree that it's all a guessing (waiting) game. Now it's just a test to see how much patience I have.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[hyuan]

Ryan,

If I were to buy a new car, depreciation is a factor I would consider.

A good case study would be to examine resale values of the e36 M3 in its final year right before the e46 M3. Those that bought the e36 M3 in its final year, were hit really hard in the years immedietely following the e46 introduction but tapered off over time.

The effects of depreciation can be mitigated the longer you hold onto the car. In your particular circumstance, I am in agreement with NSXDreamer2. A lease may be a good choice in order for you to see how this plays out.

If cost is not a concern or if you plan to keep the car for a very long time, pull the trigger!

 

[Eric5273]

You are assuming that the new car will be liked more than the previous car....not always the case. Look at the Porsche 911. If you purchased a '98 "993" instead of waiting for a '99 "996", you would be in pretty good shape now.

 

[ajnsx]

buy an older model, upgrade the 'cosmeticy' bits, done. Saved cash too.

 

[RyRy210]

You are assuming that the new car will be liked more than the previous car....not always the case. Look at the Porsche 911. If you purchased a '98 "993" instead of waiting for a '99 "996", you would be in pretty good shape now.

I'm not assuming anything. I honestly don't care if the new NSX will be more liked by everyone else. All I know is that I like the current NSX.

You're not reallygetting my point. I like the current NSX, and would like to get the last production year for that particular model. Depreciation is not an issue for me, which was one of hyuan's points. I'm also confident that because everyone is waiting for the new one, there will be just as many incentives for the '04 or maybe '05 (if it is indeed a carryover).

To put it in your 911 context, I want to get the last model 993. If I knew the 996 was to come out in '99. I would not hesitate to buy the '98 993.

Call me weird, but for some reason there is something special about owning the last model year NSX that was directly influenced by Aryton Senna. (Well, for me at least).

 

[NSXDreamer2]

RyRy210, I think I'm being , if getting the last model of the nsx represent some of your love for Senna. I would just want to add that the the 02 and newer without the pop up headlights had been improved by nemerous test driver, Pros, and customer's feedback.

If you want the real Senna one, I would say a 91 would be the best. If you can get the NA1 nsxR, that would be the closest one to Senna's spec.

did I read somewhere that someone "might" be able to import R's in the US? If so, seems like you like to buy stuff by your passion or will power instead of logic/ common sense; I think you should try bringing the R in.

In the end of the day, it's your money, and you are going to be happy with whatever you spent on... I mean, you won't go wrong for buying another nsx, regardless what year and trim.

Just don't go out and buy a Mercedes.
My mom had a 94 C220, it's from the first shipment of the C class, I know exactly how disappointing a German car perform in reliability.
But Acura? new nsx?? You are worring too much. After all, it took Honda so many years to figure out something new. I'm confident it will be better than the one we can get.

The biggest problem with the new nsx is that we are not sure Honda still want to make a bench mark vehicle or a bargain that could sell 1000s everymonth. With their heritage and marketing strategy, we won't be able to know until it's too late.

 

[RyRy210]

NSXDreamer2, your comments are well taken. However, I'm not a person that likes to import cars that are not US spec. You are a person that dreams of owning an NSX one day, owning a last model NSX is sort of like a dream for me. I also think you took my Senna reference the wrong way.

People have different wants and needs, and this happens to be mine. I'm also not a person that likes to buy cars used. Maybe the new redesigned NSX will be way better than the current NA2, but if I don't like it, I won't buy it.

As for your Mercedes comment, I think its very common (and wrong) to say that I have an unreliable Mercedes, thus all Mercedes are bad. I own several Mercedes and BMWs, and the most unreliable car that I have is my Toyota Minivan. I would never say Toyota is unreliable. I might have just gotten one from a bad batch. If you read all reliability surveys, its always based on problems relative to other models.

All cars will have problems; it just depends on what and how many. It's all relative.

I honestly don't know why I started this thread, guess I was just bored...

 

[MarkB]

Although I am not particular about first or last in a series, I can understand Ryan's partiality to last. Honda, generally, produces extremely reliable cars; however, the S2K I purchased in Sept. '99 had a transmission problem that took 3 major attempts to correct.

Any time one purchases a NEW car, there is a possibility of a bug or two. But, purchasing a NEW car limits the possibility of bugs introduced by a previous owner.

I, like Ryan, always buy new; however, unlike Ryan, I prefer the first as opposed to the last of a series. If the ’04 or ’05 NSX is substantially changed for the better from the ’03 that I purchased, I will probably buy it.

It boils down to preferences. Like varying opinions, everyone has a preference, each with its merit. If everyone desired the same thing there would be no differences from which to choose.

 

[Soichiro]

>>there is something special about owning the last model year NSX that was directly influenced by Aryton Senna.

'Directly influenced?' I don't think so - Senna helped develop the 1991 NSX and if you want to feel what he had in mind you'll want one of the early years, not the later ones. The revised suspension settings plus addtional weight and structure of later models, not to mention bigger engine, different transmission, different wheel sizes, anti roll bar settings, drive-by-wire, power steering and revised aero specs of the current model took/take the NSX in quite a different direction from the vehicle Senna helped develop. Have you read the article 'Driving With Senna' in a back issue of NSX Driver? Fantastic stuff.

 

[Eric5273]

I'm not assuming anything. I honestly don't care if the new NSX will be more liked by everyone else. All I know is that I like the current NSX.

You're not reallygetting my point. I like the current NSX, and would like to get the last production year for that particular model. Depreciation is not an issue for me, which was one of hyuan's points. I'm also confident that because everyone is waiting for the new one, there will be just as many incentives for the '04 or maybe '05 (if it is indeed a carryover).

To put it in your 911 context, I want to get the last model 993. If I knew the 996 was to come out in '99. I would not hesitate to buy the '98 993.

Call me weird, but for some reason there is something special about owning the last model year NSX that was directly influenced by Aryton Senna. (Well, for me at least).

Sorry.......I guess I didn't make it clear, but in my post I was responding to what hyuan said about the E36 M3 vs. E46 M3. I was pointing out that in the case of the Porsche, the old model (993) did not take a hit in resale value because people were not so happy with the design of the new (996) model.

I agree with you that I would get the current model. As you can see, I got a 2003 just a couple months ago.

 

[docjohn]

Actualy your original ? was quite clear to me. In fact my nsx purchase in 96 was an impulse buy I had to have a black/tan yesterday.I did no real reserch of my own and did'nt have the resource of prime ect.The good folks at Greenwich Acura had the car but of course never mentioned that the 97's would be improved.I asked as well if there were improvements for the next year and was told "probably not".To answar your second ? I don't regret not having the 97 because I've modded the car to the point I'm happy.A six speed can be more confusing at the track than the 5 speed I'm used to,so no,I'm happy,but if a manuf does delay in bringing out a new model and the new price is not a great premium over the outgoing model then dealers have some incentive to sell you the "old model" to make way for the improved version,and folks like me don't get the luxury of choice.

 

[RyRy210]

>>there is something special about owning the last model year NSX that was directly influenced by Aryton Senna.

'Directly influenced?' I don't think so

Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "directly".

docjohn and Eric5273, thanks for your response. I think I'll stop daydreaming and get back to work!

Ryan

 

[flaminio]

As a 94 owner I believe I can speak for myself. I am in no way regretting having a 94 instead of a 95. I prefer having the structural rigidity of the coupe over the targa and don't miss the opportunity of hearing associated squeaking. Additionally, I can say that I don't see the value in trading the excessive weight gain for the opportunity to "be seen"

What he said. I intentionally looked for a '94 when buying my car -- I wanted a coupe. I would have preferred a 97+ coupe, but those are few and far between. (Plus it would have cost a little more than I had to spend.)

 

[Tony Montoya]

RyRy210 you should buy a new NSX every year and trade it in for a new NSX every year, When the can no longer make the trade you will have the last model year NSX.

 

[mikec]

I am happy with my 01. And, I bought it new at a price I could afford. I would have had to wait at least a year till the 02's were selling in the same ballpark. That said, I'm glad I have an 01.

I really like the hidden headlights. In my opinion, I don't think Acura/Honda did the car a favor by redesigning the front end. I'm not bashing the 02+ cars because they look nice too, but it's not like they are "new and wonderful vs. old and lousy". Now, if they would have given it a meaningful shot of HP, then i'd be more apt to perfer the 02+ but would have to factor in the cost in the decision.

As for the next NSX, I think that is outside the origional scope of this thread because it will likely be a completly new car, not an update of the existing car we all have.

If it turns out so great that I feel I "must have", then I may sell/trade my 01 with no regrets because i've enjoyed it for two years, and still enjoy it. Also, like any other new car, I would also start the car shopping process from the beginning, compairing and testing all the other cars in its range.