I've been following this thread since the beginning. I believe most of the guys who posted are NSX owners, and I'd like to share my perspective as a potential NSX buyer. First, killing the next-gen NSX is a logical business decision. It would save Honda tens of millions, however, the impact of it isn't going to be simple mathematics.
1. Used NSX prices have dropped more than it should - I've been looking for an 2005 NSX for 2 years now. I was really waiting for the official press release of the 2nd generation to decide which one I want to purchase. So when I heard the bad news, my first thought was that the current NSX should keep their value very well. I was ready to raise my budget, but boy, was I wrong. I just had a deal on a 2005 silver NSX wit 17k miles for 59k last week. I past on it because two primers convinced me that I should pay less than that. Sure, a lot of it is economy, but nobody can deny that when Honda killed the NSX they're not only killing a project, they also killed an image of Honda, and the passion from Honda sports car fanatics. Plus, without any true sports car in the lineup, in a few years Honda will have no attention from the sports car fans.
2. I happen to have a buddy who works for Nissan Japan. Sure, Nissan loses over $10,000 for every GTR they sold(at an average MSRP of $84,000.). However, Nissan's business analyst also realized that since the launch of GTR, it made some impact on their Z-cars. Sure, the new 370 is much more attractive than the old 350z, but the fact is that many who can't afford the GTR shopped Nissan and converted to a Z. This actually doesn't apply to Honda anymore, because Honda has ZERO sports car in their lineup anyway. But it proves a high-end sports car DOES have effects in promoting. ITO was not only making an excuse when he said those green car crap; he was trying to explain why he couldn't and didn't do what Nissan did and Toyota is trying to do.
3. If you go to a bookstore this week you'll see the Lexus LF-A is in every single car magazine. I really think it's an awesome car. Toyota did what Honda failed to do. It may not be a great business decision, but it deserves applause. Sure, I cannot afford a $350k LF-A, but with my budget for NSX, I surely can buy a brand new IS-F and mod it anyway I like with the leftover $. I've actually test drove the IS-F three times in the past 6 months. It's true that its not a NSX. It is true that it is not an exotic. BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT IS-F IS FASTER, MEANER, AND MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN THE NSX.
First the NSX, and now S2k is also gone, forever. I feel my passion as a Honda fan has died, my flame for a NSX is weakening, and I am really unhappy about it.