Biggest bane of a new owner: Everyone wants to race me!

[paulviriyapan]

Well I have now owned the NSX for a little over a month now. The car has performed flawlessly, and words cannot describe how happy I am with the decision. However there is one problem that I am constantly facing, and I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem and how they are dealing with it. It seems that virtually every day that I take the NSX out, inevitably someone wants to race me.

Yes, yes I actually like to gun it every now and then (which is why I gravitated to the NSX in the first place). But when it's on a constant, everyday basis, it get's real real annoying. I mean I drive the thing alot, and when I'm comming home for work or going out to McDonald's, I just ain't in the mood. And it ain't now and then, it's ALL THE TIME!

The biggest culprits? Actually they are the owners of two cars in particular. First is the mustang--they always seem to wanna rev their engines when they see me pull up. Second are those stupid Honda civics/accords with the tin cans and spoiler. These are they guys which bug me the most; hate to burst your bubble, but, umm, just because you add a body kit and a muffler, you ain't gonna be able to outrun an NSX. Sorry, let's get back to reality.

In any event, I have spent the last few weeks learning to swallow my pride. I know I could take these weenies, but I figure if I keep on doing it, the law of averages is gonna catch up with me and I'm going to eventually get a ticket.

I dunno. Anyone else notice that cars around you seem to drive a little bit faster when you pull up? When I was driving a Taurus, never really happened.

 

[Dan H]

I don't own an NSX but don't stoop down to their level, thats what they want. If I had an NSX, I'd just smile and rev my engine too but I'd take off slowly and make them look like idiots as they speed full throttle ahead.

There are those that think they got something faster and those that just want to see an NSX really "take off."

I hardly get attention in my old RX7 but I did have a guy in an Acura CL with a fart can rev at me once.

 

[nsxbuilder]

You are not alone! I think we've all had the challenge from everything from a Pinto to your basic rice pilaf. Last weekend I was forced to "put down" yet another Mustang, a C5 and a sticker-encrusted Integra. Some of these people are stroke losers who actually think they can run with you, but some just want to see your car in action!

Its a perspective issue: They see the NSX as an ultra-rare supercar and want to see it leave them in the dust, the same way you may look at it if you pulled up next to a GT40 or an Enzo at a light. Wouldn't you like to see it go? I know I would. To see it just putt-putt away isn't the same as watching it launch.

So in defense of the real car enthusiast who NEEDS to see your car in action, I say you are hereby obligated to drop the hammer at every opportunity and give the world the thrill it deserves!

-ed
www.nsxbuilder.com

PS. This is good: The Mustang guy yells over after he caught back up to me "At least mine only cost $6000." to which I yelled back "And it was worth it!"

 

[Deuce]

It used to happen to me all the time when I first got my car ....... I've learned that since people don't see this type of car everyday, they just want to "test" the car, to see how well their cars will do against it. It seems that since I've done my exterior mods (body kit, exhaust, etc...) most of the "average joes" that would have thought to "test" the car, now just look or slow down, maybe it's an intimidation thing (don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you that you should go out and mod your car, but it couldn't hurt ). One time I saw this SUV in my rear view mirror speeding and weaving thru traffic then slow down near my tail. I thought for sure this guy wanted trouble, only to find out his girl wanted to check the car out and both just left giving me the thumbs up......go figure!!! Don't let it bother you and just enjoy the attention. If they want to race, just rev back at them, smile & wave, and let them go. It's not worth the ticket, higher insurance, and maybe even worse.....

 

[FuryNSX]

I have long since gotten over the urge. It doesn't even bother me anymore.

 

[PHOEN$X]

Welcome to the wonderful world of exotic car ownership. I think we've all experienced this, I know I have. I don't street race in my NSX or Mustang. Just last month, some idiotic teens did the engine-revving/tire peeling routine next to me at the stoplight--in a Celica and Jeep of all things. I just laughed and let them be on their way. There's lots of police presence in this area, so sooner or later these kids are going to get caught. Hopefully before they hurt themselves or others.

 

[NSXG35]

I do not race them either, not only because it is a waste of time but also because I would be even more embarrassed to get beat by them.
About 2 years ago I had a BMW M3 and I was sitting at a light around 1 AM and (2) kids in a Honda Civic pulled up next to me. There was nothing fancy about it just some after market wheels and one of those canister mufflers. We both pulled away from the light aggressively but I would not call it racing. It is one of those situations where each driver is waiting for the other driver to punch it.
The sweet spot in an M3 is in 2nd gear around 3500 RPM so as I get to the point where the my car is going to pull the hardest I look over and he is right next to me. So I say to myself here is where I ruin his day and I punch it. When I get up to about 80 I look in my review mirror and I don't see him then I look over he is right next to me with this funny little smile on his face. I am shocked but even more shocking is he starts to pull away and there is nothing I can do but watch his taillights.
I am not a professional drag racer but I did everything right (AC off, waited until I was in my power band, perfect shifting all the way up to red line each time) and as I look back on it, I think he was just toying with me. He could of blew me away at any point he was just waiting for me to look over before he actually floored his car (I assuming he had NOS and that’s when he used it ) The only thing I can say was at least my girlfriend was not in the car to witness my humiliation.
So the moral of the story is you are right 98% of all Honda’s out there are a joke but there is that lethal 2% that will hand your ass to you. It was embarrassing enough to be in a $38K BMW and get beat by a $8K civic but it would be worse in a NSX

 

[wildbill846]

The way I look at it, racing a Mustang or a Civic with an NSX is like getting in a fight with a girl. It's always a losing situation for you. If you win, you beat up a girl and you look pathetic. If you lose, you were beat up by a girl. Once again, you look pathetic.

Bill

Currently deployed with the 24th MEU
(20 more days until we get home)

 

[nsxtasy]

It seems that since I've done my exterior mods (body kit, exhaust, etc...)

Deuce,

Is that your NSX in your avatar? If so, that's one of the more radical body kits around.

(I know, I know...)

 

[tmc/nsx]

I would say "Ditto" to everything posted to this topic so far. I have had my 92 NSX for about 1 1/2 yrs and it's all stock, daily driven. As time goes by I have learned to just let most of the taunting just go. I only "play" when the conditions are atleast sane. Very few cars around and short runs that don't get too crazy in the speed range. It's not worth getting someone else or yourself hurt or killed! As for the reality check, I finally got mine about 2 weeks ago. It was a beautiful day, the conditions were right, and a new Subaru WRX was at the light next to me. It LOOKED bone stock except for the exhaust. He let it loose at the light, I didn't know he was intending to show me what he had, so I got a late jump. I couldn't catch him, wow! At the next light I asked him what he had, he replied "It's just a four banger", I said "yeah right, really what do you have?", then he proceeds to tell me about his turbo upgrades, blow off valve, header, boost controller, etc. So we went again, and man was he quick. It doesn't change how much I love my car, but that sure was a humbling experience.

 

[8000RPM]

Just remember this... the moment you race someone, you are effectively acknowledging that you are at the same level as they are.

You are saying that their car is in the same league as yours and therefore worthy of a race from you.

Worse yet, you are saying that you are just as juvenile as they are.

Why do that to yourself?

 

[5inchfatlip]

Paul- I dont seem to get the "race" thing at all. I drive the same highway's as you do, it seems like they are scared to pull up ( not that I want them too) they sit in my blind spot for a while but never really do anything. Once in a while but it's a big while but it doesnt really bother me as well.

One time I was just pulling up to a nice WRX just to look at it, and the guy thought I was trying to race him, and wouldnt look over, maybe he thought I was trying to go at it.

Does your car look stock?? That can make a difference in how others approach you, mine doesnt anymore with the rims, exhaust, and the plate.

 

[mlambert890]

The "fighting with a girl analogy" is perfect. Most of the time, anyone who lines up is looking to stoke their own ego and be the "hero" who smacked down "mr. hotshot" in his fancy, overpriced, status mobile.

You win and it's "yeah, well my car is 6 grand!" or "yeah, well a (viper, supra, z06, etc) would kill you!"

You lose and you get an obnoxious grin and the knowledge that you just helped feed some cocky punks ego.

Very rarely are these lineups about a genuine desire to match the cars or a true love of performance.

I burnt out on the whole thing when I had my Vette.

 

[Zishan]

5inchfatlip,
I don't think they want to race you because of that license plate !! "150 SHOT" ..... I don't blame them!!!

Does your car look stock?? That can make a difference in how others approach you, mine doesnt anymore with the rims, exhaust, and the plate.

 

[nsxbuilder]

Lies!

Are you all telling me (and Paul) that you calmly leave from every stop, never reving the motor above 3500 rpm, and always observing the posted speed limits? Really?

Just why did you buy an NSX? To let the neighbors see how much $$$ you have?

This "don't bring yourself to their level" thing is kind of funny - what type of car do you consider to be AT your level? Mosler MT900? EB110? McLaren? I suppose if you have your nose pointed to high in the air, you can't see the other car.

If you don't do "street challenge" stuff just say so, but coming up with all these reasons to justify it to yourself seems a little petty.

As for me, I find it to be occasional fun, when safe to do so, to slap around those who deserve it and every so often run into a car that shows me what its rear bumper looks like. Maybe its because I was raised with 5 older brothers - all who have big horsepower 50-60s muscle cars that spent more time over 100mph than under it. I'm a victim of my environment - but proud of it!

The motto of NSX Builder:
Drive Fast - Have Fun - Be Safe

-ed
www.nsxbuilder.com

 

[Deuce]

Deuce,

Is that your NSX in your avatar? If so, that's one of the more radical body kits around.

(I know, I know...)

*LOL* yup, and I decided to do a front engine mount at the same time

 

[Brian2by2]

Drive Fast - Have Fun - Be Safe

Not in that order right? What I tell them is "Hey, you wanna race? Cough up $200 and lets head up to the Moroso (the local track)...first I'll kick your ass on the straight strip and then I'll run you for a grand on the auto-x" :-D Did that one ngiht with a guy in a WS-6 (automatic!!!! ???) and he just started degrading my car and i just nodded calmly and laughed at this 30 something year old guy in a car that is about 100x's more common than mine...

10 minutes later I found out from a caring on-looker in the distance that he was an undercover cop. E-N-T-R-A-P-M-E-N-T, but oh well, I'm much smarter and more controlled than most people my age

 

[8000RPM]

Lies!!!
Just why did you buy an NSX? To let the neighbors see how much $$$ you have?

This "don't bring yourself to their level" thing is kind of funny - what type of car do you consider to be AT your level? Mosler MT900? EB110? McLaren? I suppose if you have your nose pointed to high in the air, you can't see the other car.

If you don't do "street challenge" stuff just say so, but coming up with all these reasons to justify it to yourself seems a little petty.

Highly presumptious of you to be calling others liars and snobs when you don't even know their real names, don't you think?

 

[hlweyl]

Lies!

Are you all telling me (and Paul) that you calmly leave from every stop, never reving the motor above 3500 rpm, and always observing the posted speed limits? Really?

Just why did you buy an NSX? To let the neighbors see how much $$$ you have?

This "don't bring yourself to their level" thing is kind of funny - what type of car do you consider to be AT your level? Mosler MT900? EB110? McLaren? I suppose if you have your nose pointed to high in the air, you can't see the other car.

If you don't do "street challenge" stuff just say so, but coming up with all these reasons to justify it to yourself seems a little petty.

As for me, I find it to be occasional fun, when safe to do so, to slap around those who deserve it and every so often run into a car that shows me what its rear bumper looks like. Maybe its because I was raised with 5 older brothers - all who have big horsepower 50-60s muscle cars that spent more time over 100mph than under it. I'm a victim of my environment - but proud of it!

The motto of NSX Builder:
Drive Fast - Have Fun - Be Safe

-ed
www.nsxbuilder.com

i don't remember anyone saying they calmly leave from every stop, never rev their motor above 3500 rpm, and always observe the posted speed limits. they are saying they don't drag race on the street. there's a big difference.

drag racing on the street is stupid.... you put the lives of others in danger. do yourself a favor and go to the track and get it out of your system. if you think about it, unless you are on a closed street, there is nowhere safe to race someone... things can happen out there that are beyond your control.

 

[nsxbuilder]

Well I guess I've stumbled into a crowd of Saints. I'm sorry for stepping on any toes.

-ed
www.nsxbuilder.com

 

[nsxtasy]

It's obvious that some of you have never met Ed. In addition to owning a hella fast NSX, he's one of the most low-key (and funniest) guys around - definitely not the guy you seem to think he is. Knowing Ed as I do, when he says "Liars", I automatically assume there's a smiley face next to it. Oh, and I loved his comment about the $6,000!

Ed will be at NSXPO 2003. I hope all of you have the chance to come to the event and spend time with one of the most enjoyable guys around.

 

[Teej]

okay, lets not fight. Different strokes for different folks.

Anyway, what I'm getting to is that we all like to have a little fun every once in a while. Some of us might do it on the freeway when driving by themselves and others might do it in the city from traffic light to traffic light. Others may NEVER do it, while some do it all the time. It doesnt matter what you drive.

When I get my NSX, I am pretty sure that I wont do it as much as I might have 2-3 years ago. Newer cars also pose a threat and I wouldnt want to get beat anyway. Hell, some of those Nissans are fast as hell out the box.

One time when I lived in Dallas, I saw cars coming up really fast in the fast lane (go figure) It was a '92 red Porsche, a '93 RX-7, and red NSX, and some other car... they were going in and out of very light traffic and sticking to the inside 2 lanes. Kinda dangerous, but from someone that loves cars, it was one of the coolest things I had seen to that point. This was about 10 years ago.

Also, while in Plano TX, I was going to the gym one day, and I see these two low cars on the other side of the road zig zagging in and out of very light traffic on a 8 lane road. Much to my joy, it was a red and a yellow NSX just having some fun.

no flames please...

 

[The DON]

ok, I have to chime in:
I keep hearing people on here saying nsx is an exotic car,
I don't mean to be disrespectful but PLEAZE.... NSX is not an exotic car! It's not that rare either! It's reliable as hell, performs remarkably well, heck, looks damn good for a 12 year old car, but it's just not quite in the exotic category.
Don't get me wrong, I love my nsx, but it's just not that exotic!

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by The DON
NSX is not an exotic car! It's not that rare either!

That depends on how you define "exotic".

If you define "exotic" as being "rare", seen as rarely as you would expect for a car with 8400 cars on the road driven an average of 5,000 miles per year each, then it's exotic.

If you define "exotic" as being "rare", seen as rarely as you would expect for a car with fewer than 100 cars on the road driven an average of under 1,000 miles per year each, then only cars like a Bugatti or a 959 would qualify.

I think most car buffs would consider the NSX an exotic, while they would not consider some other cars with equal or better capabilities (e.g. Corvette) exotics. All that means is that their definition of the word is differerent from yours.

 

[Dr.Honda]

Funny but being challenged by the ricers never bothered me, always took it as a compliment. I just smile, wave and let them take off. I think its always better to be the underdog in a street race anyway, the only time I ever raced with the NSX was against my friend's Viper, he was surprised I kept up as well as I did- expected outcome, no losers. I do like to challenge more expensive cars (particularly 3 series BMW's) with the Accord, again the underdog theory. I guess we're all subject to this temptation or we would all be driving Camries (just kidding).