Edmunds Buys a Used NSX For a Long Term Test

[rbilder]

The wet trunk was a surprise.

+1
Me too. Mine is a 91 with 45K on it. I've never had any issues with the trunk leaking. Then again, it almost never sees the rain... maybe that is why I've never had an issue

But I do wash my car regularly and have never had an issue in the trunk. All my rubber/seals are in good shape. But I believe it has been a garage queen most of it's life if not all of it.

I would think the Edmunds test NSX would be similar with that low mileage.

Thanks for sharing the link, I plan to try and check in on the blog now and then.

- Rod

 

[Mirroredshades]

Whoever washed it last must have pointed a high pressure hose right at one of the corners. I never saw a single drip in mine. Regardless, it's hardly a make it or break it issue.

 

[the nsxnut]

regarding water in the trunk, there's probably no issues with the seals... it's the drains... For those that don't already know, there is a drain port in each of the trunk lid forward corners, same vicinity as the hinges/struts. Water naturally flows in to the gaps between the trunk lid and surrounding panels. Honda collects the water and channels it to these little drain ports. It's a small hole, leading to a tube that drains the water to the underside. If you're having this problem, locate the drain holes, and clear them with compressed air or a probe wire...

 

[99NCNSX]

Hey Ben, are you back into an NSX yet? Good to see you back on Prime!!!!

John

Whoever washed it last must have pointed a high pressure hose right at one of the corners. I never saw a single drip in mine. Regardless, it's hardly a make it or break it issue.

 

[nsxtasy]

They couldn't possibly have found a more perfect example. Not a snap ring car, timing belt/water pump replaced, new clutch, ac updated.

Oh, you mean like this one!

 

[Ben]

The wet trunk was a surprise.

Actually, I think it's a somewhat common problem on the older cars.

The foam taillight gaskets can deteriorate over the years, and the taillight lenses can separate from the taillight bodies. Both of these conditions allows condensation to form under the trunk lid as they showed in the picture, and give you the impression that it's leaking.

I chased this problem on a 1994, and it turned out to be the case of the taillight lenses separating. Once you have the problem, you should fix it as quickly as possible, because condensation can quickly lead to moldy carpets. I basically had to replace everything inside the trunk to get rid of the smell.

 

[s14_tat]

You didn't read the article very carefully did you? The clutch windows and ac have all been done already.

:tongue:

In the blog, they said the clutch was on its way out again, a check engine light came on ( but never came back on )and the trunk leaks water.

 

[kookoo4nsx]

It would be really cool if Edmonds took this to a new level. Once their test is over, begin another test with a set budget (lets say 5k) and modify the NSX for track use. Perhaps suspension mods, IHE, tires, pads, structure reinforcement and perhaps modest weight reduction. :smile::smile:

 

[Mirroredshades]

Hey Ben, are you back into an NSX yet? Good to see you back on Prime!!!!

John

I saw the blog on Edmunds and figured I'd better come over here and make sure everyone knew about it. :biggrin:

Unless somebody makes an NSX with a backseat, it is probably going to be a while before I get another one. :frown:

Oh, you mean like this one!

For a chance to own Ken Sax's actual NSX, I might come back.

In the blog, they said the clutch was on its way out again, a check engine light came on ( but never came back on )and the trunk leaks water.

Oh dear.

 

[tof]

In the blog, they said the clutch was on its way out again, a check engine light came on ( but never came back on )and the trunk leaks water.

And also, the only thing that was done with the windows was to replace the passanger window regulator. Not only does this not do anything about the driver's side, I doubt they replaced the window "thingie". I'm betting there will be at least one complete power window failure during this long term test. Also I expect either the oem head unit or the climate control system will fail, and that two of the following will also be fried: ABS, second oem antenna, main relay, one or more rear injectors, one or more coolant hoses.

That would be a lot of problems, but not for a 20 year old exotic. I also will be surprised if there are any major issues in the engine (besides the things mentioned above) or transmission.

 

[d.n]

I doubt they replaced the window "thingie"

The newer models (I can't remember which year.. 93/94+?) fixed that from the factory already according to Hugo so the new regulator won't have that specific problem.

 

[BATMANs]

..... It is a targa and not a coupe, it has power steering. ...

Then the reliability marks might drop if the power steering went or if the second O2 sensor failed....

 

[latzke]

It is a targa and not a coupe, it has power steering.

Then the reliability marks might drop if the power steering went or if the second O2 sensor failed....

Way to take that out of context. The test car is a 1991 (no power steering). Turbo was talking about the suggestion that they should have bought a 1997+.

A clean 97+ costs more than that. It is a targa and not a coupe, it has power steering. Yes, it is a 3.2 and a 6 speed but... I think they did the right thing. An original 1991 is now 20 years old. They will soon see no other 21 year old sports car is as good.

I hope we can contact one of the guys though.... they can be lurking here already.

 

[latzke]

The newer models (I can't remember which year.. 93/94+?) fixed that from the factory already according to Hugo so the new regulator won't have that specific problem.

1991 came before 1993/1994.

 

[latzke]

You didn't read the article very carefully did you? The clutch windows and ac have all been done already. :tongue:

In the blog, they said the clutch was on its way out again, a check engine light came on ( but never came back on )and the trunk leaks water.

You are both correct. Introduction post says the clutch was one of the maintenance items done by the previous owner...and the check-engine post says the clutch is on its last legs. Another mentions the high-engagement-point of the clutch. Either they are mistaking the high-engagement-point for a nearly-dead clutch (they do feel that way) or the previous owner was bad with the clutch (original clutch can easily last 100k or more).

 

[Meeyatch1]

You are both correct. Introduction post says the clutch was one of the maintenance items done by the previous owner...and the check-engine post says the clutch is on its last legs. Another mentions the high-engagement-point of the clutch. Either they are mistaking the high-engagement-point for a nearly-dead clutch (they do feel that way) of the previous owner was bad with the clutch (original clutch can easily last 100k or more).

Correct. My 1994 NSX has never had the clutch replaced, and has well over 182,000 miles on it. I do not understand how people fry the clutches in these at 20,000 - 50,000 miles. I really don't.

 

[rbilder]

Correct. My 1994 NSX has never had the clutch replaced, and has well over 182,000 miles on it. I do not understand how people fry the clutches in these at 20,000 - 50,000 miles. I really don't.

+1 agreed... my '91 NSX had the clutch replaced at 37,250 miles. I purchased it at 38k. It's ~45k now. I was surprised it needed replaced so quickly.

My DD has 88k+ on it and still going strong, but it's not a NSX. Time will tell. But I am expecting the clutch to last a long time.

 

[RSO 34]

Correct. My 1994 NSX has never had the clutch replaced, and has well over 182,000 miles on it.

That's because your '94 is an automatic. But I am sure you have been gentle on that dead pedal all these years.......:biggrin:

 

[mickeylex]

Not sure there is much more to write about considering the car is 20 years old. Seems like long term reliability has been established already.

 

[Meeyatch1]

That's because your '94 is an automatic. But I am sure you have been gentle on that dead pedal all these years.......:biggrin:

Nope! The 1994 Grand Prix White is a 5-speed manual with 182,000 + miles. You are thinking of the 1991 Berlina Black that I had a few years ago that was an automatic.

 

[nsxtasy]

Correct. My 1994 NSX has never had the clutch replaced, and has well over 182,000 miles on it. I do not understand how people fry the clutches in these at 20,000 - 50,000 miles. I really don't.

Several points here.

Some of the clutches need replacement at lower miles because the springs break, and not because the friction material has worn out. (That's what has happened with mine.)

Some people are not good about matching revs, which causes additional wear on the clutch.

In 20+ years as part of this community, I have heard of some people getting up to 80-100K miles on an NSX clutch. I have never before heard anyone claim to get much more than 100K miles on one.

 

[RJD1022]

Have people noticed that they have references NSXPrime several times already in the reviews?

That has got to be sending a bunch of new people to the site.

 

[mickeylex]

Have people noticed that they have references NSXPrime several times already in the reviews?

That has got to be sending a bunch of new people to the site.

Excellent. Let's hope it generates more interest in the NSX and creates more demand for the ones currently for sale.

 

[nsxtasy]

Excellent. Let's hope it generates more interest in the NSX and creates more demand for the ones currently for sale.

I'm hoping it creates more demand for one specific one currently for sale. :wink:

 

[docjohn]

I'm hoping it creates more demand for one specific one currently for sale. :wink:

hopefuly you took your name off the front Ken:tongue: