Buying an NSX Advice needed?

[sidwac]

After many months (years) !'m ready to pull the trigger on a 1995 NSX-T with 21,000 miles, after market nice rims, no deferred maintenance. Never in the rain!! hmmm. Well maintained to include TB/WP and fluids. The owner appears anal. So lets say this car is perfect in every way, just like of the showroom floor. What do you think its worth?

The next question is should I go for a higher mile 1997+ hmmm??

My needs are a well maintained relatively original quality car. Not fast as $hit as I already have that car. Looking for the best of the beat and this car could be it.

Okay lads let me have it. I know Tim will. Regards...Andrew

p.s. Tim, all aside, I have sincerely appreciated your comments on this site.......

 

[NSXclear]

How much are you getting the '95 for?

How much are you willing to spend for a '97+? What do you consider high mileage?

 

[sidwac]

The seller has it offered at $39,999. Would save a bit longer for a 97/98 with <40,000 miles for maybe up to $42,000..ball park stuff.

 

[tbromley]

I'd say that 40k is pretty much top dollar for the 95 - I responded to you on the other thread as well. That's I believe a bit high for the 95 but if everything else I mentioned in my other post is good then it may be close to ok. I'd be thinking 37k perhaps. It depends on how well it's been maintained and if this guy is the original owner and all his records of service ought to be substantial even with low mileage and if they aren't be prepared to put some into to it.

 

[sidwac]

Tim, thought you and I would be on the same page. I'm thinking $37,000 is a very reasonable offering. $40,000 says save a bit and get a 97/98. Regards....Andrew

 

[Big_D]

I am amazed how people here want such low mile cars. A 95 with 21K miles is a serious garage queen. Think about it, that is an average of only 1500 miles per year. Thats only ~5 tanks of gas annually. Mechanical things are better off being used more often.

 

[tbromley]

Big D makes a good point! Really worth considering very carefully. This car is a serious garrage queen - but it still could be a great car. Just depends on the records. Records are everything especially with a garrage queen like this. Gotta know how it's been driven. Check out the owner carefully.

 

[Jetpilot3]

To be honest $39k is so close to where some 01's, 02's are selling at so I'd say its high (especially being a 95/96 Targa). If you got it for mid-30's then a good deal considering its mileage.

I agree with BigD that mileage on these cars isn't really an issue unless its extraordinarly high +100k

 

[docjohn]

the 6 speed and 3.2 are a palpable difference Depending on many things the price of a mid-high mile 97-98 approaches and overlaps the top range of 95-96,,something to digest.

 

[sidwac]

Took a look at the 95 NSX today and found the car in excellent shape. There has been some great advice on this site and influenced my decision. I decided to PASS on this car being offered at a premium for the following reason:

- the low mile premium is just not worth it (Big_D)

- the wheels were 18/19's and looked worse in person than in the pictures. Plus the owner says the wheels rub on the fender "slightly" when in full lock.

- would have to replace the wheels and tires at added cost (Tim)

- drivers door had an issue on the edge of hitting a wall or something an had been covered up by a black guard. Would need to be painted to repair properly. Paint issues was a reason for passing on the last car.

- TB/WP, fluids and other stuff last done 2005 and just hardly driven the last 4 years.

So that's it. On to yet another car. If the fun is in the hunt for a car...I'm past the "fun" part a long time ago. What will it take to get my NSX!! Regards...Andrew

 

[tbromley]

I take it he wouldn't take less that 40k. I also take it that he doesn't have the OEM wheels? That's strange - where did they go - don't tell me he sold them! Anyway it sounds like a pretty clean car.

 

[tosugrad]

Id say 1200 to 1500 is about the least amount of miles per year Id like to see on a car.

But thats not saying you can't take a 10 year old car with 2k miles on it and make it like new, mechanically speaking.

 

[mlambert890]

This is the EXACT kind of thing I was referring to on the other thread regarding current NSX pricing...

$40k?! For a 95 with stories? (non-OEM wheels, wheels rub.. etc)

I dont care how low the mileage is or how much of a "garage queen" it was. And I bet this is like the 6th owner. He's probably looking to profit on the car.

To me, a car like that isnt worth more than $32k tops. The non-OEM wheels (along with stories for the aftermarket), the ultra low mileage which I suspect means it wasnt maintained right (TIME counts too... a lot of people in over their head dont drive it b/c they think then they wont have to spend $$$ on maintenance), and then more stories to boot (actually needing paintwork!)?

I ask a lot of these guys "is water pump done? timing belt?" and I hear "huh?? the car has 30k miles... be serious..."

Yeah... 30k miles and the car is ancient so it needs it. This is the kind of thing thats been putting me off the used NSX market. I think too many crappy owners jumped in when the market was at its lowest of low, these cars turned over too many times into the hands of people that tried to use them to drive to school every day, and now they are bailing out b/c they really couldnt afford it to begin with and think they're going to make a killing...

Its almost starting to look like the Supra market! :O

 

[Ski_Banker]

This is the EXACT kind of thing I was referring to on the other thread regarding current NSX pricing...

$40k?! For a 95 with stories? (non-OEM wheels, wheels rub.. etc)

I dont care how low the mileage is or how much of a "garage queen" it was. And I bet this is like the 6th owner. He's probably looking to profit on the car.

To me, a car like that isnt worth more than $32k tops. The non-OEM wheels (along with stories for the aftermarket), the ultra low mileage which I suspect means it wasnt maintained right (TIME counts too... a lot of people in over their head dont drive it b/c they think then they wont have to spend $$$ on maintenance), and then more stories to boot (actually needing paintwork!)?

I ask a lot of these guys "is water pump done? timing belt?" and I hear "huh?? the car has 30k miles... be serious..."

Yeah... 30k miles and the car is ancient so it needs it. This is the kind of thing thats been putting me off the used NSX market. I think too many crappy owners jumped in when the market was at its lowest of low, these cars turned over too many times into the hands of people that tried to use them to drive to school every day, and now they are bailing out b/c they really couldnt afford it to begin with and think they're going to make a killing...

Its almost starting to look like the Supra market! :O

It sure sounds a lot like you're bitter about having sold/wrecked your previous one, and now that you want another, you'd prefer it if current owners would sell theirs (ie, make your mistake) at the price you think is reasonable.

Also, most of the cars are 15-19 years old, so expecting perfection and only one or two owners is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

 

[mlambert890]

Not at all... Not for top dollar. Why would you assume Im bitter? I think the car being referenced in the first post was ridiculously priced.

I never "wrecked" a car in my life. I had a 1998 NSX and a 2003 NSX (that I bought new, btw). I get bored, move on, and come back.

Are you of the opinion that $40,000 for a car that has damage on the door, has aftermarket wheels that are too big, and is 14 years old is some kind of steal? I can only imagine what else is lurking there. I guess that seller the OP ran into would love you!

When I sell a car, its an honest car and I value it honestly and ask a fair price. I then negotiate and appreciate the buyers position.

I dont take something Ive picked up as a 5th owner, pretend it is something it isnt, try to hide a history that Im not even fully aware of, and then peddle it off as a museum piece. The fact that I dont appreciate sellers that do that doesnt make me "bitter", I'd say it makes me a smart buyer

 

[Ski_Banker]

Nothing at all wrong with being a disciplined buyer, that's not my point. My point is, if all you see are higher mileage/abused/poorly kept NSXs at the price point of X, then that price point is going to be pretty close to what you should expect to pay for a car in that condition. And further, just because you want a mint condition 97 NSX doesn't mean that one even exists (or will ever be for sale) 12 years after those 250 cars were produced.

BTW, I too would expect to be able to get a fairly nice 97-00 NSX in the low/mid 40s, assuming one is available, but prices may have crept up a little, I don't know. A year ago that would still have been a good deal. Good luck man.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124675

 

[mlambert890]

Sounds like we're pretty close to agreement!

You may be right on the market value, but I think that was the OP's point in that other thread I mentioned. That value seems up and not down.

I dont want mint, btw...

All Im looking for is no accident history or paintwork, no silly mods, and no washed titles. Mileage is no problem for me. Id take a 60k 1997 with honest miles and a few REAL owners all day long over these 20k mile auction queens that have been re-sprayed 50 times and are peddled as "THE ULTIMATE JAPANESE EXOTIC!!!!!!" Thats what Im seeing now.

I hear what you're saying though... Each year the number of genuine cars shrinks either due to long term ownership (someone acquires to keep) or abuse (someone kills one leading to what I describe above)

Does make sense that at some point the value of the remaining good ones inflates (as long as there are buyers of course)

I suspect Im probably priced out of the NSX market at this point. Im not willing to go above $45k and wouldnt take a rough one. Not interested in the below 97 models because I know the lack of power wouldnt satisfy and Im not a believer in extensive modifications on a car like this.

Nothing wrong with any of this and its actually very good news for owners of nice, clean, samples. The value is holding well even in this climate!

Ill prob end up with the Esprit I am looking at tomorrow (buying from original owner if the car checks out with the independent Lotus specialist)

 

[Big_D]

I suspect Im probably priced out of the NSX market at this point. Im not willing to go above $45k and wouldnt take a rough one. Not interested in the below 97 models because I know the lack of power wouldnt satisfy and Im not a believer in extensive modifications on a car like this.

I dont understand why people are so dead set on getting a NA2 car. A NA1 car with newer headers and a good exhaust feels just as quick as a NA2 car. I could really care less if I have a 6 speed gearbox. For me, 2nd gear is so much fun in the NA1 getting on the freeway and hitting V-tec to 80 mph is a real kick in the pants. When I drive to work that is my favorite part...freeway onramps.:smile: