Just wanted to update everyone and future searchers for this car and close this thread out.
Unfortunately, I didn't end up buying the car - Jim Russell went up there with me to inspect the car and it was worth EVERY PENNY (the cost of Jim, not the NSX). I'll write some notes down in case others are looking at this car and search for the VIN.
Good:
1) No accidents, solid body, solid mechanicals, and mods have been installed well and cleanly
2) Jim ran a scanner while it started, idled, revved, etc. fuel trims look good and everything switches like it's supposed to.
3) Front bumper was once removed early on in its life, but it was placed back "skillfully" according to Jim - they're difficult to get right and he was impressed by the handiwork of the shop.
Bad:
1) Clunking/rattling noise in the front suspension. Likely something loose, very easy to fix.
2) Front glove box has a tear in the finish.
3) Big one - passenger side seat binds when moving forward close to the top of travel and clicks. Jim says this happens when the motors get out of phase, often when seats are removed, then re-installed without matching the motor phases correctly. This guy likely had racing seats installed in here, then sold them separately and put them back to stock for sale.
4) Headlight covers/housing have holes drilled in them, likely had HIDs installed. Again, hids were removed and bulbs are stock - so likely had hids and were removed and sold separately prior to listing this car.
5) Passenger floormats are a little damp. Maybe a plugged a/c condensation drip line? Nope. The firewall grommet and door wiring grommets were cut badly to get the stereo wiring to fit through it, and this is where water was leaking in from.
6) Speaking of which - pulling back the passenger side footwell carpet revealed a fat JL audio subwoofer. Huge turnoff for me.
7) Rear bulkhead behind passenger seat is cracked and loose - and has a wire sticking out of it running into another loose/cracked door sill trim. Likely due to the AEM FICs unit.
8) Missing trim pieces - one of the round flush bolt covers under the wing, some retainers for the wheel well fender liner, few others I can't recall ATM.
9) Cracked lower door lining trim on the passenger side
10) And of course, door panels have ugly tweeters drilled into them. It's about $2000 per door to get the trim/panel replaced.
11) During driving, 2nd gear is iffy - is super notchy and hard to get into especially when downshifting from 3rd. Possibly a sign it was abused and slammed into 2nd for street races, or track duty? Or a bad rebuild, as the transmission was rebuilt recently along with the 4.44 short ratio gears it seems.
12) driver's side window weather stripping separating from the frame. easy fix.
13) Slow windows on both sides
14) Timing belt / WP were last done in 2010, so it's coming up on the 7 year service period, so that's more $$$ to consider.
15) clutch master cylinder is leaking.
But, the showstopper:
- When the dealer said it passes smog, it's because they were smogging in sacramento county. Jim mentioned they run an unenhanced scan - just a quick visual and sniffer test. Out where I live they do an enhanced scan where it goes on a dyno, and he was pretty sure it would fail that, even if it somehow passed the visual and the tech didn't catch the aftermarket fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator (which are not carb legal).
Couldn't believe how thorough Jim was. I had the funds all ready and in my excitement was ready to pull the trigger! I drove home pretty disappointed, but relieved and pretty happy for what Jim did for me. He saved me quite a bit of money and headache down the road, imo.
But alas - the hunt continues. I've got a couple leads I'm chasing, will keep everyone posted.
I even harassed a poor guy and his girlfriend/wife at the whole foods parking lot today to see if he'd sell his black NSX (turns out he's on prime! @
Lude_2_NSX). As for this red one - TL;DR is "good bones, but proceed with caution"
