Currently own C5 vette looking to buy NSX, QUESTIONS

R

Robertpel9

Registered Member
Joined
24 September 2004
Messages
52
Hi,
I currently own a C5 Corvette (1999). I love it and am very happy with it. It's fast has reliability, looks etc.

I have always been interested in owning an NSX. Based on what i would spend i am looking at a 1992 or 1993 model.

I would have to sell the vette if i bought it.

I know this will be a biased forum but really how do these cars compare. Am i really gonna see a major drop in power, etc????

Anyone with extensive experience with both.


Please reply any comments are helpful
 
dont really care about the C5 depreciation as i own it outright and it's already down to about 22 g's. It will only go to 16-18 in the next few years. I am more interested in the cars themselves. Outside of owning what some call an exotic is a 92 or 93 NSX really gonna be a step up from a C5? How much slower is it??
 
It's not slower.

I suggest you try driving one if you really want to understand what the NSX is all about. It's an entirely different experience from driving a Corvette.
 
Robert...

I've driven a number of C5s (that was my car of choice until I drove an NSX). HP, Torque and looks aside...... the NSX is like nothing like you've (probably) driven before.....it's a very unique car with a very unique feel to it. I found a 2002 Corvette Convertible that I was going to buy. But before signed the papers I wanted to test drive this 97 NSX that was for sale (I'd always been interested in them). As soon as I pulled onto the street with this car, I was sold. The corvette salemen could not believe he lost that sale.
Like nsxtasy said.... you really need to drive one. We are all bais because the car is like a drug. Experience it once, and you're hooked. :eek:

good luck..

By the way, my 97 will keep up with any C5. If that gives you an idea on performance.

Check out the car & driver video on this page for performance info...

http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/multimedia/multimedia.htm
 
All I can really say is that you need to drive an NSX,
Once you do your C5 is gone.
Your C5 might be faster in some cases, but the driving experience in an NSX doesn't compare.
Good friend of mine has a Z06 and has put $15,000 plus into it, its fast, but out of the hole he spins, I go, At the track he disapears(out of my rear view).
Of course I am biased, I own an NSX.
I went and looked at a new C6 and decided I am going to buy another NSX.
 
I'm not sure if you C5 is auto or manual, I know most C5's are autos. In that case you will not see a huge drop off in performance. Most 91-96 NSX are clocked in the mid to high 13's in the 1/4 where 97' and up are around low 13's.

How important is a .5 sec in 1/4 mile times? I say, if you want it buy it. If 1/4 times are really important there are many upgrades you can do, such as, supercharging, short gears, headers, turbos, etc. I would say more members here track their car on road courses rather than 1/4 mile strips anyway, it's just what the NSX does best. I have NO track experience so I really cannot comment on how the NSX does vs C5's on a road course. I would assume it does pretty dern well.

Here's a section of this site that has some documented performance #'s : http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Technical/performancenums.htm
 
If you enter your location in your NSXprime profile, so that it's displayed underneath your avatar on your posts, you may very well get offers from NSX owners in your area to get together and try driving their cars...
 
I own a corvette and a NSX. I drive the NSX daily and the vette maybe once a month. Nuff said. The NSX is awsome when you factor in the HP to weight ratio. My 91 nsx with a few modest upgrades is alot faster and more fun than my vette. NOt to mention that I see 50 other covettes every day, and rarely see another NSXer. I am actually in the process of selling the corvette to get another NSX as a project car!!!! My magic 8-ball tells me there is a custom single turbo set up in my future..... :D :p :D :p
 
My dad has a 2002 C5 6-speed and it honestly feels A LOT faster than my 93 NSX. The TQ is amazing. I stress FEELS because in reality they of both VERY close in the 1/4 mile. The NSX is a TOTALLY different driving experience. The driving position is so much better in the NSX. The view out of the front is amazing in the NSX. In the vette, you have a HUGE hood out there. To me the vette just feels HUGE. Then you have the build qualtiy. The vette looks to similar to my brothers cavalier! Yes it has some fancy gadgets, but the plastic is crap and the leather is CHEAP.

If you are a stoplight to stoplight kind of guy, you probably will not be happy with the NSX vs your vette. In every other way, the NSX is superior IMO.
 
Robertpel9 said:
Hi,
I currently own a C5 Corvette (1999). I love it and am very happy with it. It's fast has reliability, looks etc.
Click to expand...
Maybe the Corvette is the best car for you. On the other hand, you don't know what you are missing, because you never experience it. I remember the first time I had a real Steak, ( not at Golden Corral, Ryans) this was over 15 yrs. ago. I always thought the steak at those places were decent, fairly priced, fill you up, then I went a real steak house and had a Filet Mignon. Since then, I never went back. They are many similar stories with other fine things in life, the best things in life need to be appreciated. it's not the quatity or size, quality matters ;) :D
 
Hey, I had a 99 C5 6 speed two cars before my NSX and I have to say that it felt and was faster than my 91 NSX off the line. The torque is awesome, but the feel of the car is completley different. The NSX has a flat torque curve so the acceleration is deceiving and it's numbers are not too far off the C5. If you buy a 97+NSX, then there won't be much difference in performance numbers. A Z06 is a different story though. ;)

The C5 feels like such a heavy lumbering car compared to the NSX. I know some of the numbers don't suggest the differences, but from the drivers seat it is a whole different ball game. Drive one once and you will see what I am talking about. I loved my vette (at the time), but like my NSX so much more, plus you don't see 5-15 every time you go to the grocery store.
 
It is quality Vs quantity. Corvette is more powerful and it is simply undeniable. NSX is a very well put together product with surperb quality and capability. $10 can get you a few pounds of ground beef but perhaps a pound of New York strip. What's your pleasure?
Steve
 
I went from a 1998 C5 convertible to a 95 NSX-T. Here are some things to consider:

1. Interior - Corvette is of Cavalier quality - totally drab. NSX has one of the best interiors around, along with excellent driver ergonomics.

2. Corvette will cost you roughly 1/5th the NSX to mod, if that's your plan. It is much easier to mod a Vette, with a massive aftermarket industry that caters to that crowd. However, it is difficult to "add in" the sensation and performance you get from the NSX in the twisties.

3. Appearance - no brainer, NSX wins hands down. I actually really like the C5, always have, but the NSX is in a different league. Be prepared for ridiculous amounts of attention.

4. Reliability - I never had any problems with my Vette, but the NSX is as bulletproof as any sports car could ever hope to be. On the flip side, there is a Chevy dealership every 5th mile, and it is not hard to find very good Vette techs, whereas it may be more challenging to find an NSX tech near you that is topnotch.

5. Whee factor - do you like to do burnouts/powerslides/donuts? If so, the Vette fills the bill. If you like to carve canyons/autocross/get the primo valet spot, the NSX is the right choice.

Your Vette has a totally different powerband than the NSX, and if you have a decent aftermarket exhaust, it probably has a great American V-8 rumble. Drive an NSX (good luck with that), and then decide.

Cheers!

Todd
 
Hi,

I have a 99 nsx and a 2000 FRC C5. The C 5 has been heavily moddified but I still like the nsx better. While the nsx doesn't have as much torque as the c5 I find it much easier to drive quickly.

Hope this helps
 
Nobody mention about how difference the clutch and shifting feel between the two?

If you never drive a mid-engine car before, take a nsx, rev it to 7500rpm (so whoever let you test drive the car won't get too nervous :) ) The sensation,it's a hell of drug! Find a 45mph curve (on ramp), double that speed, brake&downshift, (heel/toe) back to around 60mph, turn in towards apex, then gas out and take it all the way to red line (uh, 7500rpm ahem)... ummm, makes me wanna go home and take her out to track again.

I had known people not like driving the nsx and complaint it's slow due to his/her driving habbit. Some people just got spoiled with gobs of low-end torque and other just waiting for the Turbo boost (but they usually forget the turbo surge before the boost is up)... Driving nsx doesn't require you drive as extreme as S2000 or integra R's, but you still want to stay within the power band.

To truly appreciate the car, hit your local road course track and hitch a ride from some nsx drivers (preferably intermediate or even instructor level.)

I have nothing against the vette except the interior, though the HUD thing is kind of cool
 
Robertpel9 said:
Hi,
I currently own a C5 Corvette (1999). I love it and am very happy with it. It's fast has reliability, looks etc.

I have always been interested in owning an NSX. Based on what i would spend i am looking at a 1992 or 1993 model.

I would have to sell the vette if i bought it.

I know this will be a biased forum but really how do these cars compare. Am i really gonna see a major drop in power, etc????

Anyone with extensive experience with both.


Please reply any comments are helpful
Click to expand...
:cool: :cool: an NSX is to a Vette as Paris is to Los Angeles. you will not find the answer on this list - it can only be found in your heart.
 
if you are around my area (southern CA) I can take you out for a ride/test drive. then you'll be able to answer your own question. :D
 
whiteNSXs said:
It is quality Vs quantity. Corvette is more powerful and it is simply undeniable. NSX is a very well put together product with surperb quality and capability. $10 can get you a few pounds of ground beef but perhaps a pound of New York strip. What's your pleasure?
Steve
Click to expand...


That's excellent.
 
nsxtasy said:
If you enter your location in your NSXprime profile, so that it's displayed underneath your avatar on your posts, you may very well get offers from NSX owners in your area to get together and try driving their cars...
Click to expand...

That's it! You guys/gals are killin' me! I'm set to try to get a Porsche Boxster S soon but was also curious about NSXs. Then I run into this site and get reminded of how much I lusted for them since they were released. All this talk about "having to experience" an NSX is haunting me because I say the same type of things to people that haven't ridden a Ducati yet.

I'm putting an offer out. Maybe it's even a dare. Make me want an NSX as my next car above all other cars. Show me why you love your NSX so much. I'd like to be the passenger or even test drive if you're willing to let me drive. For taking some time out of your busy lives to help me, I will pay for your meal at the restaurant that we drive the NSX to. (As long as it's not too expensive like Spago's -- Hey! I might have to start saving for an NSX!) I want to hear any cool stories, little ownership bits and tricks, and have some of my newbie questions answered over a nice meal.

I live in the Los Angeles area and I'm willing to drive up to an hour away to meet with an NSX owner. So if anybody wants to spread the good word (NSX) and would want to go home with a full stomach, PM me. Thanks in advance for any advice! --Drew
 
Welcome to the site Drew. I think we all went through the somewhat agonizing decision went we purchased our cars. Take your time and try to have fun with it.

For me it came down to the NSX, C5 Vette, and the S2000. Yes, you should drive each and every car you are considering. I'm sure someone local will take you for a spin, there's a great group of people on this site. When I was in the decision process, I ended up downloading every NSX video I could get my hands on. My personal favorite is "Original NSX video" in the Library on this site. http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/multimedia/multimedia.htm

Best of luck
 
drewdeezee said:
That's it! You guys/gals are killin' me! I'm set to try to get a Porsche Boxster S
Click to expand...

Haha, you sound like me. I was in the market for a 2001 boxster S 20 months ago. Then I realized that I could get NSX for a bit more. I testdrove both cars, and the decision was easy. It took exactly one month to find my NSX. never regretted the decision.
 

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