97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal? JH4NA2163VT000211

[captainjman]

I am new to NSX prime, wish I had discovered it prior to purchase. Any idea if this is a good deal or not... this will be my first NSX

97 NSX-T
Roughly 37k miles
yellow on black
Negotiated price of 42,900

Can you guys spot any problems with this car? Any red flags? I am going down there to pick it up tomorrow

Thanks

link to cars.com ad:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20001&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

 

[Dtrigg]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

You're going to get all kinds of answers on this question. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Did you do a PPI on the car? Was everything in order? Do you feel comfortable with it? Someone is going to post up a 2002 for 37K and we later find it's a salvage title. If you are comfortable with what you paid, good for you. Enjoy. Don't listen to a bunch of tire kickers that have an opportunity to look at a few pictures on line to make your decision.

 

[alum04org]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

:biggrin: Welcome to NSX Prime captainjman.

Hope you saw this info:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112133

Personally, I like your deal at a thou or two less. However, if it is that pristine with all maintenance records, keys, manuals, mods, etc. then it sounds like a fine specimen and as DTRIGG stated, if happy with it grab it and enjoy the upcoming spring and summer!

P S Bunch of hits on VIN when googled, as well, but trust you have reviewed all those...

 

[tbromley]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

^ +1 on Alum's post. I like the car at a few thousand less too. However, records, knowing the individual that owns the car, all the stuff comes with it, RECORDS (I know I mentioned that but it's real important), maintenance history is the only thing that separates the really good ones from the others in my opinion. Many times dealers don't have those. I wouldn't buy one without em! Mods- didn't know it had any mods - but those can be good - can be. That's highly subjective if the mods are substantial. That's a whole nuther issue in my book.

I might come under the catagory Dtrigg mentioned about tire kickers - but I have one and so do most of us here. We have information that is valuable - you have to determine how valuable it is.

Do not expect others to give you a quick answer on this - unless you provide us with details we really can't be very detailed in our opinions now can we. If you know very little about these cars - well - let's put it this way - there is a LOT to know about the NSX. A WHOLE LOT! There is no simple canned answer you can get with little info except price and year and mileage that is going to get you "really good" advice. I put that in quotes cause there are a lot of things not all of us agree on but there are a lot of things we do. One is give us enough or all the info about this car or you'll get sparse opinions without a lot of substance.

When you get the car give us the records details. It looks to be a nice one on the surface and with so few miles it's probably fine. There are some big service items that need to be done at certain intervals - look for the Timing belt/water pump/hoses replacement and 60k service not due according to miles but time is equally important on the timing belt - it should be done - if it isn't - then expect about a 2400 dollar repair bill. Give or take depending on whose doing it.

Hope that helps. Good luck and welcome - it'a good group here and we have a lot of fun - great bunch and a lot of smart owners. Lots of em way smarter than me about mechanical issues.

 

[Bram]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

Agreed with all the others, if you can get it for a few $K less that would be good.

Maintenance records is the key...this car should have had the TB/H20 pump replaced. Also check to see if the other fluids were replaced over the years.

Good luck.

Bram

 

[shawn110975]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

You can also PM one of the original owners which is a member of Prime, flyn2low48

 

[captainjman]

Re: 97' NSX-T (42,900) with 37000 miles - is it a good deal?

Thanks for the replies. Just purchased the ticket and got a hotel room to pick it up. Thank god for hotel points and miles!

This is a great tool.. Ive been poking around and learned a lot already. Im sure its just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[shawn110975]

CaptainJman are you driving it back home? thats a long drive, I had to drive from Florida to North Carolina, then back to Tampa for my NSX. on your way home and at gas stations your gonna get all kinds of people saying that they love your car, thats just the start of the fun you gonna have, make sure you tell us about your trip home we love hearing the stories. good luck.

 

[tbromley]

CaptainJman are you driving it back home? thats a lond drive, I had to drive from Florida to North Carolina, then back to Tampa for my NSX. on your way home and at gas stations your gonna get all kinds of people saying that they love your car, thats just the start of the fun you gonna have, make sure you tell us about your trip home we love hearing the stories. good luck.

^+1 to Shawn's post - we do love hearing stories like this - homeward bound adventures are always such a good way to bond with the car! I drove mine back home from Houston!

 

[captainjman]

anticipation is killing me. I landed at 945pm and drove by the dealership. The car has been prepped for me and is not in the showroom anymore. Its literally two blocks away.. and I am expected to sleep??? LOL.

Kinda feels like a kid at christmas at disneyworld with a sugar high!!!

Im sure I wont always feel this giddy, but its been a 17 year wait!

Jason

 

[captainjman]

What an awesome experience!

People driving speeding up just to look at the car. Cops in a small town 101 miles south of Lexington KY coming by to take pictures of it. The ability to reach 120 on a freeway entrance ramp and need to use heavy breaking to enter the highway!!!!

Everytime I parked the car, albeit very far from other cars in a parking lot, when I walked outside there were a few people looking at her. Walmart, Gas stations, restaurants, hotels... And I didnt get sick of opening up all the hatches and showing people all the compartments.

I drove approx 500 miles the first day, and 1000 miles the second. I dont plan on putting that many miles on the car going forward but it was a great experience to bring my new (used) baby home.

Many people thought it was a ferarri. I was happy to tell them about pininfarinas designing both ferrari's and the NSX When I took the car in to a honda dealership prior to the second days travel (just to check things out before hitting the road) people asked me if it was a 2010 model. HAHAHA. not customers, the GM of the dealership!!

And then there was the souped up mustang.. who at the gas station told me how fast his car was. Curious if his 450hp? custom engine etc etc would spank the NSX. I got up to 120 on that highway entrance ramp and saw him fade away in the rear view mirror.. guess the cornering on that car isnt that great compared to the NSX.

so many little stories... one awesome experience.

J

 

[shawn110975]

Awesome, yea you never get sick of opening all the hatches, and the top end of that Supped up Mustand is less than the NSX, then the governer kicks in,, your top speed is 170. so he might have gotten you on the start, or you would have stayed next to him all the way, but you would have just cruised by him. Good luck with your NSX treat her well and she will treat you even better.
and as for the GM of a Honda Dealership, there are threads on that, they dont know a Damn thing about the NSX, even the GM's they can sure talk the talk though.

and dont show off, I learned when I was showing off I did a 360 and almost hurt her. Never did that again.

 

[RJPKRP]

...so many little stories... one awesome experience....

QFT!!


I drove mine from Vegas back to Elkhart. Awesome times! Glad you were able to have the experience.

 

[tbromley]

You did the right thing driving it home. Bet you're glad to be home safe and sound! Enjoy the ride - it just gets better - the more you drive the more you love it. Windows down it's a totally different experience - unless you have a targa. Can't remember right off. Anyway whatever it is it will be a wonderful experience. Happy Trails!

 

[jaybird]

Excellent Jason - glad you had a successful and fun trip back. I recently bought my 91 from a great guy in Charlotte NC, and had no concern about driving it back to Virginia Beach area (6 hour drive). And had many of the same experiences where folks looked and admired and questioned ,

The last time I had driven a NSX was in 1995 or so, and I just cannot get over how much I love this ride - out of maybe 40 cars I've owned in my lifetime this one is the best :biggrin:.

Cheers on your new ride, and happy motoring!! Jay

 

[captainjman]

Question: Is it normal for the fuel injectors to be so noisy? Is there a mod to fix that clicking sound. I used my wife's stethescope to make sure thats where the sound is coming from.. was afraid it was valves but thank god no..

It does seem to run a little rough between 900-1100 rpm. (idle). Enough to shake one corner of the spoiler... is that normal or need attention?

J

 

[shawn110975]

Might need a valve job, its not that expensive. or it has never been driven that long before.

 

[tbromley]

Question: Is it normal for the fuel injectors to be so noisy? Is there a mod to fix that clicking sound. I used my wife's stethescope to make sure thats where the sound is coming from.. was afraid it was valves but thank god no..

It does seem to run a little rough between 900-1100 rpm. (idle). Enough to shake one corner of the spoiler... is that normal or need attention?

J

Sounds like that may be the valves - they do require adjustment. Could be the injectors too but you should take it to have it checked out by someone that really knows NSXs. Since you had no ppi - the first thing you should do is get the car checked out and at least have the fluids changed. I'd have it thoroughly checked over before I put many miles on it from this point. For what it's worth....

 

[DocL]

Congrats on the car. It is normal for the car to have a little bit of a vibration at idle. The engine also has a distinctive ticking sound that many people think are valves that need adjustment. The two times that I had my valves adjusted, the mechanic said that they were all within the normal tolerances. The one major thing that I'd service are the hoses and tb/wp if not done within the last five years.

Good luck and enjoy the car. It is one of the most relaiable and comfortable exotics on the road.

 

[shawn110975]

Its normal to hear the ticking, if you listen long enough you can hear it getting louder and louder, but anyone else wouldnt notice the ticking, its Def your valves need adjusting. dont worry its just the valves, not a major thing. but like Tim said, have an NSX specialist do all fluid change, Tranny, Water, Oil change/filter, and check your Brake fluid levels, after that you should be good to go. I did exactly what you did, drove it home, but when I got home I had lots of fun doing it myself, kinda got to know the car personally.

 

[alum04org]

What an awesome experience!

People driving speeding up just to look at the car. Cops in a small town 101 miles south of Lexington KY coming by to take pictures of it. The ability to reach 120 on a freeway entrance ramp and need to use heavy breaking to enter the highway!!!!

Everytime I parked the car, albeit very far from other cars in a parking lot, when I walked outside there were a few people looking at her. Walmart, Gas stations, restaurants, hotels... And I didnt get sick of opening up all the hatches and showing people all the compartments.

I drove approx 500 miles the first day, and 1000 miles the second. I dont plan on putting that many miles on the car going forward but it was a great experience to bring my new (used) baby home.

Many people thought it was a ferarri. I was happy to tell them about pininfarinas designing both ferrari's and the NSX When I took the car in to a honda dealership prior to the second days travel (just to check things out before hitting the road) people asked me if it was a 2010 model. HAHAHA. not customers, the GM of the dealership!!

And then there was the souped up mustang.. who at the gas station told me how fast his car was. Curious if his 450hp? custom engine etc etc would spank the NSX. I got up to 120 on that highway entrance ramp and saw him fade away in the rear view mirror.. guess the cornering on that car isnt that great compared to the NSX.

so many little stories... one awesome experience.

J

Priceless. I so much enjoy posts like yours/this! :smile: Congrats and many similar happy driving experiences to you.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

The valves tick when they are cold. After the engine warms up, the ticking should be at a minimal. Looking at your mileage, I dont think your valves have been checked yet. Here is the link to the wiki:

http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Valves_(Maintenance)

In regards to the rough idle, the engine has a bit of vibration around 1500rpm. BrianK has resolved this by loosening the engine mounts, revving the engine a few times to get the engine back into place and then tightening them back up. If you are noticing a lot of vibration below 1000rpm, I think there is something going on.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=326766

 

[curtsr]

What an awesome experience!

People driving speeding up just to look at the car. Cops in a small town 101 miles south of Lexington KY coming by to take pictures of it. The ability to reach 120 on a freeway entrance ramp and need to use heavy breaking to enter the highway!!!!

Everytime I parked the car, albeit very far from other cars in a parking lot, when I walked outside there were a few people looking at her. Walmart, Gas stations, restaurants, hotels... And I didnt get sick of opening up all the hatches and showing people all the compartments.

I drove approx 500 miles the first day, and 1000 miles the second. I dont plan on putting that many miles on the car going forward but it was a great experience to bring my new (used) baby home.

Many people thought it was a ferarri. I was happy to tell them about pininfarinas designing both ferrari's and the NSX When I took the car in to a honda dealership prior to the second days travel (just to check things out before hitting the road) people asked me if it was a 2010 model. HAHAHA. not customers, the GM of the dealership!!

And then there was the souped up mustang.. who at the gas station told me how fast his car was. Curious if his 450hp? custom engine etc etc would spank the NSX. I got up to 120 on that highway entrance ramp and saw him fade away in the rear view mirror.. guess the cornering on that car isnt that great compared to the NSX.

so many little stories... one awesome experience.

J

Nice tale, you did it right and will remember that trip for a long, long time.

Welcome Aboard, J!