Interesting thread. I've read through it all. A few thoughts:
1) Pricing. The magic question. Does Acura price it aggressively to generate buzz and sales (halo car) or competitively to generate profits? A Porsche GT3 starts at $130K. That's a "stripper", but an amazing machine with a long history and pedigree. At $130K it's an amazing machine, and at least to me, well worth the money. So if Acura goes for buzz, expected a price under $130K. At much above $130K the market for pure drivers, in my opinion, shifts to the Porsche.
2) Excitement. Frankly I agree with some earlier posters. I remember the original NSX as a "great value", but not as a "got to have it" car. By many measures it beat the top cars of the day - Ferrari/Porsche - but in the excitement and "pedigree" level it fell short. And at the end it was the rebates that moved the cars off the lot. That doesn't make it a bad car, far from it, but as a pure driving toy it fell short.
3) Driving Feel/Fun. Porsche/Ferrari are amazing cars - but what makes them highly desirable is their focus. They are designed to be what they are - true sports cars. I've owned both marques. They are in many ways Apples/Oranges, but in one way they share a common goal - focus. The cars are fun to drive. The steering feel of a Ferrari is unlike any other car. To me that's what separates it from anything else. I can feel everything going on with the car. That makes it engaging, fun and always puts a smile on my face. The Porsche is a bit different, but in its own way equally engaging. Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed driving the first gen NSX it never reached the level of fun/feel that either the Porsche of Ferrari does.
4) Ownership cost. This is where the NSX should easily win. Upkeep for a Ferrari is similar to that of a plane, and for the same reason. Ferrari views their car as a race machine that needs routine (expensive) upkeep. But the reward is having a specialty tool to enjoy during every ride. The Porsche was less expensive to maintain, but not inexpensive. It too was a joy to drive, but I still prefer the Ferrari (yes, I admit - some of it is due to reputation, but there is also the art of the car. Put it on a lift and look at the underside - open the engine bay and see how it's designed and constructed. Run you hand along it when you wash it. Each of these things brings joy to the heart - worth it to some, not to all). The unknown is depreciation. Ferrari historically holds value well, the 360 and earlier cars are pretty much depreciated, with minimal future downside. The great unknown is repair costs - one way or another you pay for depreciation. Porsche still is depreciating, and will for many years as new model updates increase HP and features. The NSX should hold value for the initial year/two, but hard to know what's after that. I'd expect it to hold but anything can happen, especially with all of the newer cars coming off lease in a few years.
5) Intangibles. The NSX appeals for lots of reasons - hybrid/design/cost/etc. For many it's the ideal car. I get that. But it also has a lot of competition. I think the intangibles will matter a lot. In one way it competes with the new La Ferrari, a top line hybrid "supercar", but on another I don't see many people cross shopping the two marques. The new Corvette is an amazing machine on paper - but for many it's a "kid's car" - a "wannabe" in a sea of alternatives. That is an unfair characterization - I very much enjoyed driving one, but if you close your eyes and remove any markings of the car you'll easily prefer a Porsche/Ferrari for the "intangibles". Those cars have the pedals perfectly placed, steering is immediately responsive and gives great feedback, build quality reinforces the pride of ownership. The Corvette fails many of those tests - at least for me. If Acura can nail these items with the new NSX it should be interesting.
I'd love to have a reason to trade my car in on the NSX, and I do have a deposit down, but until I get to drive it and compare it's still a work in progress for me.
I'm not trying to troll - just trying to make a logical decision on an emotional purchase. It's almost impossible. I'm sure I'm not alone. I wish Acura all the success in the world. After all who wouldn't want a Ferrari/Porsche alternative that you can drive everyday and maintain without taking out a mortgage?
