How do you drive your NSX??

[addisonrecruiter]

I have had my '91 NSX since early December '02 and I love it. Every time I get behind the wheel I have a big grin on my face. My question is this; how do you drive your NSX?

When I am on the freeways I am almost always hitting 90 to 100 MPH. She purrs at 90. About 149 MPH is my top speed so far, although I want to test her limits. When I am on the city streets I am fairly aggressive in my driving. I like to accelerate quick and hit or get close to 8K RPM on a fairly regular basis. I wouldn't say I weave in and out of traffic, but I like to be in front. I'm almost never going the speed limit, usually 15-20 over. So far no speeding tickets, but got one for running a left turn when the arrow went red.

Is this normal? This is my first NSX and my first true sports car. Will the NSX handle this type of driving on a daily basis? Should I expect higher maintenance costs? BTW, I have completed the 60K service as well as timing belt and water pump.

 

[nsxtasy]

Many years ago, I used to drive silly fast on the highway. Since I've been driving on the track, I tend to drive at more reasonable speeds on the highway. Reasonable being 15-20 over, sure, but rarely more than 90. Except on the track, of course.

Will the NSX handle this type of driving on a daily basis?

Yes, without question.

Should I expect higher maintenance costs?

No.

Even on the track, the only thing that goes up in terms of maintenance are the "consumables" - brake pads, rotors, and (to a much lesser extent) tires. And even if you're driving fast on the highway, you won't use those up at anywhere near the rate you would on the track.

 

[xxlrr8]

Just a guess, but we may be using yours for parts some day - Hope not, but I wouldn't bet on against it !

Good Luck

 

[ANYTIME]

I

When I am on the freeways I am almost always hitting 90 to 100 MPH. She purrs at 90. About 149 MPH is my top speed so far, although I want to test her limits. When I am on the city streets I am fairly aggressive in my driving. I like to accelerate quick and hit or get close to 8K RPM on a fairly regular basis. I wouldn't say I weave in and out of traffic, but I like to be in front. I'm almost never going the speed limit, usually 15-20 over. So far no speeding tickets, but got one for running a left turn when the arrow went red.

Buy a Valentine One tommorrow

 

[naaman]

Re: Re: How do you drive your NSX??

Buy a Valentine One tommorrow

What? I don't get it...

And regarding what Ken said about maintinence not going up even when pushing the car toward it's limits... WOW! Now I want one even more!

 

[nsxtasy]

Just a guess, but we may be using yours for parts some day - Hope not, but I wouldn't bet on against it !

Good Luck

Why do you say that? Do you automatically assume that a car that is used on the track will inevitably crash? It sounds like you have never driven on the track or even attended a drivers school on a track, and don't know anything about it. Sure, a car or two will occasionally hit something, but (at least in drivers schools, rather than in actual races) it's typically under 2 percent of the cars participating. And when it happens, it is usually someone who is trying hard to see if they can exceed the limits of their cars and their abilities, rather than the majority who are trying to have fun within their own limits.

The Northeast Region of the NSX Club of America has a lot of members who attend spectator races as well as participating in drivers schools. Check out their program of activities. You ought to try it - you might be surprised to find that you can have fun and be safe at the same time!

FWIW, I have driven my NSX in over sixty track events, and my other cars in about the same number, and I have never driven off the track or hit anything. So had you made that bet over and over during the past twelve years, you would have lost it, over and over.

 

[Jimbo]

I think xxlrr8 was talking about aggressive street driving...

When I am on the freeways I am almost always hitting 90 to 100 MPH. She purrs at 90. About 149 MPH is my top speed so far, although I want to test her limits. When I am on the city streets I am fairly aggressive in my driving.

...and the risk of getting into an accident. I would suggest that addisonrecruiter take it easier on the street. I'd hate to see someone innocent get hurt.

-J

 

[NSXaholic]

...When I am on the freeways I am almost always hitting 90 to 100 MPH

...About 149 MPH is my top speed so far, although I want to test her limits.

...When I am on the city streets I am fairly aggressive in my driving.

...I like to accelerate quick and hit or get close to 8K RPM on a fairly regular basis.

...I wouldn't say I weave in and out of traffic, but I like to be in front. I'm almost never going the speed limit, usually 15-20 over.

I am slightly displeased by these comments. I'm assuming a lot of it has to do with the fact that you are a young driver. The NSX is a wonderful car with incredible handling and forgiving driving characteristics. But as with any vehicle, it is still a weapon -- and a deadly one at that. Never forget that. The exuberance of youth, and the joy of having a wonderful and responsive exotic are beautiful things. But please enjoy the car responsibly. I don't mean to say you can't enjoy the car in the city; nor am I stating you should only drive with passion on the track. What I am saying is that month after month, both I, and members of Prime, see horrific pictures of accidents -- multiple victims, bodies mangled beyond recognition, complete and utter facial disfiguration, innocent bystanders killed -- because of individuals and their pusuit of speed, aggressive driving and the need (or quest) to "push the limits."

Sorry to rain on your parade, but this is an important issue, and one that bears emphasizing over and over again. Drive agressively if you must, but responsibly. And most importantly, within your -- and the car's -- limits.

Regards.

 

[addisonrecruiter]

I think xxlrr8 was talking about aggressive street driving...


...and the risk of getting into an accident. I would suggest that addisonrecruiter take it easier on the street. I'd hate to see someone innocent get hurt.

-J

Let me start by saying that I am not driving like a maniac on the streets of Dallas. And in no means do I drive in a way that could be considered "reckless". I am generally going with the flow of traffic. I just like to be in front. I drive with extreme caution in residential neighborhoods and around schools (as in I go the speed limit).

I enjoying accelerating up to and a little beyond the posted speed limit a little quickly. Not like in a "racing" fashion, but generally a bit more aggressive than the "normal" driver.

Anyway, my point was to see how others drive their NSX's compared to me. Am I one a few or many?

 

[naaman]

I live in Los Angeles, and am a driving instructor who teaches all over the north/west side of L.A. I see a lot of expensive cars everyday, as I live in Santa Monica, and frequent areas such as Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air... blah blah blah....

Anyway, in my hours and hous of driving aroud, I may see as many as 5 or 6 NSXs (not to mention all the 360s, 550s/575s, Z8s etc...) and I NEVER see any of them speeding or driving "aggressively." Every NSX I have ever encountered on the streets has been driven not only responsibly, but courteously. There is something very special about seeing a car with a whole lot of potential being driven according to the laws and regulations that it was built to "defy." If anything, it give the car that much more intregue.

Anyway, I developed even more respect for the car and it's owners when I saw that they were consistenly good (responsible) drivers. I'm not too sure how I'd feel seeing someone rush by me at 100MPH in an NSX. I'd expect it from a Camaro or Mustang... but I'd tend to save the high-speed driving for when there are no other moterists on the road (although, for me, the thrill is in the acceleration, not the speed--the rush of initial Gs pressing against me from 0-65...)

 

[KGP]

Anyway, my point was to see how others drive their NSX's compared to me.

Keep in mind I'm still a newbie, but I can't keep it even close to the sp limit. The car absolutely whelps to be driven fast, period. I owe it to myslef to drive it as such. Heck, why else did I buy it!

What is interesting, is with my daily driver I rarely exceed the limit, except hwy distance travel, and even then only buy a few mph. I go from one end of the spectrum to the other, jumping from a diesel Excursion to the NSX. Each are an adventure to drive, but it different ways.

BTW, when I lived in Dallas (many moons ago), everyone drove like a maniac. In fact, a car lesser than the NSX had a hard time with the on-ramps on central xpressway.

 

[NSXaholic]

...and am a driving instructor...

Of course no bias there naaman.

...I'd tend to save the high-speed driving for when there are no other moterists on the road

...although, for me, the thrill is in the acceleration, not the speed--the rush of initial Gs pressing against me from 0-65...)

My sentiments exactly -- on both points.

Regards.

 

[naaman]

Of course no bias there naaman.

Hmm, I hadn't thought of that... (I originally stated it to make the point that I see lots of cars everyday). It's funny, actually, even in the car I teach in, a 95 Chevy Corsica (which has about enough power to pull the hat off your head), it's hard not to speed on some streets. For anyone familiar with Los Angeles... the Supulveda Pass is a good example. Sometime I fanticize about shredding that stretch of twisting road up in an 3.2L targa, but I doubt I'd ever really push it on a road like that... MAYBE for a couple of seconds at a time...

I would probably have the most "fun" in an NSX during a trip to San Diego (where I go on occasion to vist old friends). About 40 miles north of San Diego (and well into San Diego), the 5 south becomes quite vacant, and the people that ARE driving there are pushing 90... and have the nerve to flash their highbeams on you if you are "only" going 10 over.

I also get a lot of tailgaters on a trip like that. My general tactic is to slow way down, and then punch it back up to the speed limit (maybe a little over), to create some distance... but SUV drivers tend not to get the idea. It'd be nice to be able to watch them vanish in the rearview mirror of an NSX... ah well, maybe someday.

I guess my biggest concern with pushing a car (especially one as expensive as an NSX) to the limit is hurting someone, and short of that, wrecking it. But then again, I don't want an NSX to get from A to B. I want an NSX to leave in the garage untill 1:00 AM, and then take it out to the freeway, accelerate full throttle though the lower gears, and then slow down, and do it again. Or maybe, wake up just before sunrise on a Sunday morning, and do similar things.

Anyway, even driving instructors have sportscar fantasies...(fantasies being the operative word).

 

[NSXaholic]

...I guess my biggest concern with pushing a car (especially one as expensive as an NSX) to the limit is hurting someone, and short of that, wrecking it...

Yeah, good points. I've got a few more:

- Killing yourself.
- Killing others.
- The unbearable burden that you have to carry all your life if you kill one or more people in an accident.
- If you don't die, getting your body mangled and losing your eyesight, use of limbs, etc.
- Getting your license suspended.
- Higher insurance costs.
- Having all your dreams and aspirations crushed.
- The emotional havoc you create on the families of those that you kill, not to mention your own loved ones.

If anybody thinks this is overly serious -- don't. Unless you are an highly experienced driver, pushing the car "to the limit" often results in reckless driving, which in turn, often results in one or more of the above coming true. And that is nothing to joke about.

Anyway, even driving instructors have sportscar fantasies...(fantasies being the operative word).

As they should.

Regards.

 

[NeoNSX]

MYNSX hasn't seen this post yet, but if he had, he would say:

"DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT." -MYNSX



Don't want to rain on your parade, but if you enjoy driving fast you should check out the link on this thread:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10715&highlight=drink

...then consider if it's worth speeding.

 

[huckster]

as a newbie, you have just gone through a rite of passage--posting an "i drive my car fast" on nsxprime. This is a common mistake made by many newbies.

My 'friend' also drives his car fast. Up to 90mph sometimes. But he also always watches the drivers around him to 'predict' their behavour. When coming up behind another vehicle, he looks in their rearview mirror to make sure they see him coming. Whenever possible he passes with a lane inbetween. Knock on wood, never came close to being hit or hitting another vehicle. He also drives over 3kmiles per month, so the statistics say he is a higher risk, unless he drives very very defensively. Which he does. His opinion is, driving fast requires commonsense. Like others here, He would never want to cause an accident.

Hope that helps.

 

[addisonrecruiter]

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT!!

Let's set the record straight. I have been driving motor vehicles for 22 years. I have driven motorcycles for about 17 years on and off. I drive about 15K miles a year. So, you can figure I have logged over 300,000 miles of driving in my life. I have had no accidents related to "reckless" driving. In the last 10 years I have had one speeding ticket. I am not weaving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed on the highways or the city streets. I have taken driver safety classes for both cars and motorcycles.

I just love to drive fast whenever I can do it safely. I have always been one of the drivers that is a bit more aggressive, but not in a dangerous way. I live near 2 major toll roads and when traffic is light I will drive 90 MPH. When it is really clear I may take it higher. But only long enough to get the adrenaline rush.

The NSX was built to go 167 mph and 0-60 in 5 seconds. I didn't buy it to drive it like grandpa. My father, who is in his late 60's probably drives more aggressively than me. I guess that is where I learned it from. But, we are SAFE. I didn't start this thread to be preached to, I started it to see how we all enjoy to drive our magnificent pieces of Japanese engineering.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[MvM]

Probably my comments here are a bit out of place because I live in an different set of circumstances.
Where I live doing 90mph on the highway is not legal but on many occasions, when traffic is not too dense, almost all traffic will do between 75-90. When traffic is light people will go faster but will of course take the risk of getting tickets.
It's not so much the fast driving which will cause accidents but more the speed-DIFFERENCES between you and the other traffic plus the fact that a lot of all people simply do not give themselves enough what I would call reaction-space. With that I mean you should make sure you have the space and time needed to react (like braking or avoiding) at all times to the behaviour of other traffic. In my driving that means watching the people in front of you, take your foot of the gas if you come up on other traffic, slow down a bit while overtaking and at all times KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. If will get of the gas if someone 200 yards in front (or further) of me starts overtaking someone.

I also depends on what other people on the road suspect the other traffic will do. I was in California last summer and I probably have never driven more slowly at all times there then at anytime in my life. Yet it did notice a lot of people just go left or right on the highway without using their signs or without watching, creating almost-accidents because of their behaviour.
By comparison, last weekend I and a friend covered a 750km trip (465 miles) in about 4.5 hours on our way back from Germany. In Germany we were doing between 125-165 mph almost ALL THE TIME and never did we get in any serious situation because of other traffic (which was admittedly light). That is partly I think because drivers there are used to fast traffic.

 

[jaytip nsx]

Originally posted by addisonrecruiter When I am on the city streets I am fairly aggressive in my driving. I like to accelerate quick and hit or get close to 8K RPM on a fairly regular basis. [/B]

i dont know about your car,but 8k rpm in my car equates to about 80mph in second gear.i would say that is just a little bit fast for city streets,wouldn't you?

 

[nsxtasy]

Re: Re: How do you drive your NSX??

i dont know about your car,but 8k rpm in my car equates to about 80mph in second gear.i would say that is just a little bit fast for city streets,wouldn't you?

jaytip,

Doesn't your car have first gear? Mine does. And it reaches redline around 40 mph. Is that too fast for city streets?

 

[vegasnsx]

Re: Re: Re: How do you drive your NSX??

Wow is must be gettin old too, if 31 is old While i like accelerating i dont go much past 10-15 over the speed limit on the city streets, any more than that in Vegas and youll be paying tickets till the day you die.

 

[stevefromatl]

I was going to say I drive mine rather aggressively, but now that I think about it I very rarely take it into vtec unless it's on a track. I guess I just take curves aggressively and usually 20 mph over the speed limit is about normal depending on the situation.

 

[naaman]

Re: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT!!

Let's set the record straight. I have been driving motor vehicles for 22 years. I have driven motorcycles for about 17 years on and off. I drive about 15K miles a year. So, you can figure I have logged over 300,000 miles of driving in my life. I have had no accidents related to "reckless" driving. In the last 10 years I have had one speeding ticket. I am not weaving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed on the highways or the city streets. I have taken driver safety classes for both cars and motorcycles.

I just love to drive fast whenever I can do it safely. I have always been one of the drivers that is a bit more aggressive, but not in a dangerous way. I live near 2 major toll roads and when traffic is light I will drive 90 MPH. When it is really clear I may take it higher. But only long enough to get the adrenaline rush.

The NSX was built to go 167 mph and 0-60 in 5 seconds. I didn't buy it to drive it like grandpa. My father, who is in his late 60's probably drives more aggressively than me. I guess that is where I learned it from. But, we are SAFE. I didn't start this thread to be preached to, I started it to see how we all enjoy to drive our magnificent pieces of Japanese engineering.

Thanks for all the input.

Hey addisonrecruiter, my first impression was that you drive aggressively without regard for safety. Sorry. I read too much into the original post.

 

[renny]

although i don't have an nsx my baby that i'm selling to get an nsx is fairly quick. anyways, i usually drive at the speed limit because i don't like speeding tickets and such, but i'm not afraid to give the car some vtec lovin. when i'm at stop lights and i'm in the front i usually take my car to 9000rpms in first. which is very exilerating, but then i usually slow her down back to normal speeds to avoid causing accidents and getting tickets.

 

[akira3d]

Interesting...

Now that I think about it, in all of my random encounters with NSXs, I've never seen an NSXer driving crazy on the highways or city streets...especially not weaving through traffic or doing anything altogether wreckless. I can't recall ever being cut off by an NSX. I've never seen anyone behave foolishly in a Ferrari either.

But I have frequently seen such poor behavior from drivers of Porsches (gave me a bad opinion of their owners for a LONG time), Vettes, Vipers, Bimmers, Camaros, and riced up Hondas (primarily Integras, Preludes, Civics, and CRXs).

I'm usually pretty conservative when I drive around town, but there are times when I've noticed my speedometer crossing into the triple digits. I'm most prone to do this when getting on the freeway after not driving my NSX in awhile...kinda forget how quickly she accelerates...and I ease back to "legal" speeds as soon as I realize this.