Advise on buying

[hank13]

I am a new member, posting for the first time. I would like the buy an NSX in the next few months to be used as a daily driver in good weather. My current “fun car” is a 91 C4 Porche with a 650 hp twin-turbo conversion, full competition suspension, and a big brake kit. It is a great car and a real rocket but much too rough and high maintenance for a daily driver.

Since this will be a true street and fun car, I am leaning towards a targa, and will probably buy used. I would like to know if there is a big difference in performance between the 95-96 5 speeds and the 97+ 3.2 6 speeds. Another useful comparison would be between a 95-96 with headers, exhaust and short gears and a stock 97+. I would like to buy for under $60K if possible and would like to get the best possible car is this price range (knowing myself, I have budgeted an additional $5K for modifications – brakes, suspension, wheels, etc).

Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

[nsxtasy]

You might want to LITFAQ to compare published statistics for the various stock configurations (for example, under "Technical Information", the section called "Performance") as well as the sections corresponding to the various mods you are considering. You also should check out the various sections listed under "Buy, Sell, Ship, Store".

The table of contents for the FAQ is at http://www.nsxprime.com/toc.htm

 

[SpeedDemon]

Originally posted by hank13:
I would like to know if there is a big difference in performance between the 95-96 5 speeds and the 97+ 3.2 6 speeds. Another useful comparison would be between a 95-96 with headers, exhaust and short gears and a stock 97+. I would like to buy for under $60K if possible and would like to get the best possible car is this price range (knowing myself, I have budgeted an additional $5K for modifications – brakes, suspension, wheels, etc).

Hi,

I recently purchased a 97 NSX-T, in the mid $50K range. Background similar to yours - I have a history of highly modified cars, the last being an Eclipse GSX (AWD) that put out 450hp from a 2 liter 4 banger. (Trying to sell the Eclipse now, actually!)

Anyways, the 97 is by far worth it. You can find one in the mid to high $50k's, and there's not that big of a price difference between the 95/96 and the 97. You can read all the stats in the FAQ section but in a nutshell, the 97 gets you a bigger & more powerful engine, the 6 speed is a gem (no comparison w/ the 5 speed), slightly bigger brakes, and since you're considering a targa, it has a stronger chassis than the 95-96.

You'll blow that $5K on the 3 mods you described (short gears, headers, and exhaust), you won't have any left for suspension, brakes, wheels, etc. Personally, I think it's better to start out with the more powerful, more rigid car with the better tranny. If you're going to be keeping this car for a while you'll have plenty of time to save up $$ for mods.. Start off with the better car.

One advantage you may have is that potentially you'll accept a higher mileage car than the typical used-NSX buyer (if you're going to modify it, drive it hard, etc, you're not thinking too much about resale value)... One thing I've noticed (being new to the NSX) is that many people are finicky about low miles, and the NSX's with ultra low miles price significantly higher. By taking a car that's low or average mileage by "normal" standards you can save a lot of $$. I bought my 97 with 33K miles on it - low miles by most people's standards but higher than usual for an NSX. It saved me many thousands of dollars vs. cars that appeared to be identical except for having lower mileage.

If you're going to modify the car & keep it for a while, you probably don't have to have a 4+ year old car that has 15K or under miles, go for something at 30K+ and save the $$ for mods..

Just my few cents

.

Marc
97 NSX-T, soon to be modified