Powertrain: The FD’s powerband is more flat. The NSX is more linear. I prefer a more flat power band. HP and TQ comes on early in the FD at 2k RPMs when the first turbo kicks in. This is a turbo system that is suited for everyday usage for both stop and go city driving as well as freeway flying. Both cars have nice sounding engines and exhaust notes. The FD sounds more like a Turbine with all the turbos spooling and rotory engine. The NSX has a more exotic (with the right exhaust system) note with the engine behind the driver/passenger and the pulses. FD powerplant’s have a soft spot for poor tuning, low octane combination that may warrant trips for a rebuild. The NSX is reliable, but $ to HP ratio makes the FD (or just about any turbo’d cars) shine better. Advantage FD
Drivetrain: I’ve always been impressed with Honda’s tranny. Easy to use and reliable. The NSX’s shifter is shorter than the FD. The FD tends to stick when the tranny is heat soaked. Advantage NSX.
Handling & Braking: FD stops shorter and quicker. Since the front can except larger tires than the NSX and the FD has more of a 50/50 weight distribution, it does a good job in not only stopping in a straight line, but on turns as well. The FD’s steering is superb. It’s just so responsive and feels like a go-cart or a shark turning on its meal. Advantage FD.
Chassis: Both cars have stiff chassis. The FD seems to be a little stiffer. The FD is a lighter chassis and does with less expensive steel. FD is offered with a sunroof whereas the NSX has a targa as an option. Sunroof retains the chassis rigidness, the portal is on demand with a push of the button. The tilt up angle is purported to offer some degree of downforce. Targa offers more open space but requires the more manual work for removal and installation. FD's Cd is rated between .29 and .31 whereas the NSX is rated at .32Cd. Advantage FD.
Build quality & fit/finish: NSX executes a very well balance of luxury and sports in one package. It has more sound deadening than the FD. Advantage NSX
Ingress/Egress: The FD is easier since it’s not as low and the door sill is narrower. Advantage FD.
Seating/Ergonomics: I like the NSX seats better for 2 reasons. It’s larger and there are shoulder supports. Advantage NSX
NSX has more room at the dash, but the FD has more head room. FD has more leg room for the driver’s side yet the NSX is better for the passenger side. The FD’s center console is tilted towards the driver. Even the arm rest is directed towards the driver, while the NSX displays no bias. The FD’s arm rest is wider than the NSX. TIE
Instrument panel & Visibility: I’ve always liked cars that have the Tach in the middle. Nice and large. The FD is no exception. The oil and temp gauges are a little larger. What I didn’t like about the NSX is that the tach and speed are equal in size and side by side. The smaller gauges are spread equally on both sides. My eyes have to swing back and forth to get a quick vital stats. I like the important stuff to start in the center, like the FD’s tach and then the smaller gauges like oil, temp to be located in a group either left or right of the tach. Advantage FD.
The FD executes this well. Both cars have very similar visibility. The NSX is better in the front, but the FD is better in the rear. TIE
Climate Control: FD has none. Not only does the NSX have one; it’s very easy to use and accurate. Advantage NSX.
Sound System: Both have decent Bose system. The Bass on the FD sounds deeper, but the NSX sounds tighter. TIE
Storage: The NSX trunk is deeper and wider. The FD is longer from front to back and the divider can be removed to use the space in the cockpit. In the cockpit the FD has a driver’s side storage on the door and 2 bins behind both seats. The NSX has neither, but does have storage in the armrest that is notably larger than the FD’s driver side bin. Advantage FD.
Fuel Economy: FD gets low 20’s on the freeway cruising without boosting, which is about the same as my NSX in stop and go driving. NSX gets mid – high 20’s on the freeway. Advantage NSX.
Modification economics: Advantage FD.
Sex appeal: This parts subjective. I like the FD’s face the best and it’s organic lines which seems timeless (people often think it’s a few years old). I like the NSX rear-mid-engine shape. The car is wider and lower. Rear end is more muscular looking. NSX looks more like an Italian Exotic, where the FD is more like a Vette or Viper. Advantage NSX
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