Considerations for NSX years/features for potential buyers to help pick the right year:
91-94 NSX’s are a maintenance nightmare without OBDII. Avoid them.
95/96 NSX’s are too slow to get out of their own way with extra weight due to the Targa. It’s like they’re half-way towards the additional weight of a passenger in other models, which of course ruins the driving dynamics entirely. And since the weight of a passenger is so ruinous, I recommend removing the passenger seat of NSX's of any year to avoid anyone else asking to share in your NSX experience – save the seat weight too and, as an additional bonus, and no annoying conversations. Just send a text later.
97-05 NSX’s are too complicated and expensive, air injection plumbing? - don’t even get me started on 17+ NC’s.
91-94 Manual steering models are impossible to park at low speed unless you’re a bodybuilder.
EPS models add a ton of weight, ruining the driving experience with no road “feel”. And it's just a matter of time before you'll be shipping it to NSXRackRepair for a rebuild.
Hard top models are no fun on a nice day when you can’t take the roof off.
Targas are as flexy as a wet noodle and destroy the NSX driving experience; they corner so poorly they’ll be in the ditch before you know it. Not to mention the larger engine cover ruins your rearward vision. And the sunburn potential?!?!?
Manual Transmission NSX's are much more expensive, and it's getting impossible to find parts to Manual Swap an Auto. Have you heard of a snap ring?
Auto Transmission miss all the shifting fun and they can be unreliable if not serviced adequately and frequently. They probably won't hold their value.
91-93 models have the world’s ugliest rim choice, with a hub cap that makes no engineering sense, and you can’t fit a big brake kit, not to mention some have a silly fan on the right that was clearly not needed as it was dropped from future models.
94+ models sacrificed the pure driving experience of 15/16 rims for aesthetic reasons and some people fit even bigger rims combinations, effectively changing the drive ratio and making it even worse! Avoid!
The C32 was only available with the 6-speed but some experts say the 5 speed is better. The 3.2 should have been made available with the 5 speed, and definitely with a choice between NA & JDM gearing in all markets. Avoid the 3.2.
Stock NSX’s are ridiculously underpowered.
Forced induction NSX’s lack the instantaneous throttle response that is absolutely an integral part of the NSX experience.
91-05 NSX’s are so far behind the times for technology. Have you seen the phone they included with those things?
2017-2022 NSX’s have too many electronic nannies for proper driver engagement.
Many NSX’s have been driven to very high mileage readings. They will definitely be maintenance nightmares. Avoid.
Some NSX’s have been low-milage garage queens. This is awful; expect a big bill to bring the maintenance up to date.
Don’t get an NSX with a noisy exhaust that’s inconsiderate to the other members of your HOA.
The stock exhaust is too quiet and restricting, not to mention heavy as a boat anchor. You won’t enjoy driving that.
The models with a contrasting color roof look disjointed and terrible.
The body-colored roof models look bland and lose the jet-fighter canopy appearance that is integral to the classic NSX design. You'll need to wrap the roof.
Many NSX’s have had tasteless modifications made. Stay away from those ricers, you could never switch them back.
Don’t buy an NSX from someone who’s just left it stock and enjoyed it. They clearly can’t be bothered to do even the simplest things to keep things up to date. What else are they hiding?
The pop-up models from 91-01 look dated and are just a maintenance problem waiting to occur. You'll be driving around with one down and one up. Their headlight output is unsafe for modern roads and the EU says that they're more dangerous if you hit a pedestrian.
The fixed headlight 02-05 models look ugly all the time and the missing turn signals in the bumper destroy the look of the front end.
Acura was just trying to be snooty with the Acura branding. Don’t be pompous with Acura badging on what’s basically just a Honda everywhere else.
H-badged NSX’s are just ricy, trying to look JDM authentic but just looking cheap to true NSX aficionados.
RHD NSX’s are unsafe in the US; you’ll never be able to insure them and whatever you do, don’t endanger a passenger by taking them along. In fact, remove the passenger seat. (See above)
LHD NSX’s are an adulteration of Shigeru’s dream, the intake manifold is on the wrong side to properly appreciate the aural sensations.
Avoid black NSX’s because the missing roof contrast is unacceptable and they are impossible to keep clean. Also avoid bright colors as they may attract unwanted police interest. Probably best to avoid shades of silver which can blend in with the road and be harder to see – Safety first! And the white ones cost more and have overtones of StarWars stormtrooper uniforms from some angles. You'll probably need a custom wrap whatever you choose.
Most concerning of all, some people who know nothing about dressing appropriately with proper footwear drive NSX’s in loafers!
As you can see, there is no good NSX, so you probably shouldn’t buy one; you’ll hate it. In fact, don't even bid as you'll just be contributing to the problem of inflated NSX prices.
Or you could look here at @centerpunch's excellent summary...
91-94 NSX’s are a maintenance nightmare without OBDII. Avoid them.
95/96 NSX’s are too slow to get out of their own way with extra weight due to the Targa. It’s like they’re half-way towards the additional weight of a passenger in other models, which of course ruins the driving dynamics entirely. And since the weight of a passenger is so ruinous, I recommend removing the passenger seat of NSX's of any year to avoid anyone else asking to share in your NSX experience – save the seat weight too and, as an additional bonus, and no annoying conversations. Just send a text later.
97-05 NSX’s are too complicated and expensive, air injection plumbing? - don’t even get me started on 17+ NC’s.
91-94 Manual steering models are impossible to park at low speed unless you’re a bodybuilder.
EPS models add a ton of weight, ruining the driving experience with no road “feel”. And it's just a matter of time before you'll be shipping it to NSXRackRepair for a rebuild.
Hard top models are no fun on a nice day when you can’t take the roof off.
Targas are as flexy as a wet noodle and destroy the NSX driving experience; they corner so poorly they’ll be in the ditch before you know it. Not to mention the larger engine cover ruins your rearward vision. And the sunburn potential?!?!?
Manual Transmission NSX's are much more expensive, and it's getting impossible to find parts to Manual Swap an Auto. Have you heard of a snap ring?
Auto Transmission miss all the shifting fun and they can be unreliable if not serviced adequately and frequently. They probably won't hold their value.
91-93 models have the world’s ugliest rim choice, with a hub cap that makes no engineering sense, and you can’t fit a big brake kit, not to mention some have a silly fan on the right that was clearly not needed as it was dropped from future models.
94+ models sacrificed the pure driving experience of 15/16 rims for aesthetic reasons and some people fit even bigger rims combinations, effectively changing the drive ratio and making it even worse! Avoid!
The C32 was only available with the 6-speed but some experts say the 5 speed is better. The 3.2 should have been made available with the 5 speed, and definitely with a choice between NA & JDM gearing in all markets. Avoid the 3.2.
Stock NSX’s are ridiculously underpowered.
Forced induction NSX’s lack the instantaneous throttle response that is absolutely an integral part of the NSX experience.
91-05 NSX’s are so far behind the times for technology. Have you seen the phone they included with those things?
2017-2022 NSX’s have too many electronic nannies for proper driver engagement.
Many NSX’s have been driven to very high mileage readings. They will definitely be maintenance nightmares. Avoid.
Some NSX’s have been low-milage garage queens. This is awful; expect a big bill to bring the maintenance up to date.
Don’t get an NSX with a noisy exhaust that’s inconsiderate to the other members of your HOA.
The stock exhaust is too quiet and restricting, not to mention heavy as a boat anchor. You won’t enjoy driving that.
The models with a contrasting color roof look disjointed and terrible.
The body-colored roof models look bland and lose the jet-fighter canopy appearance that is integral to the classic NSX design. You'll need to wrap the roof.
Many NSX’s have had tasteless modifications made. Stay away from those ricers, you could never switch them back.
Don’t buy an NSX from someone who’s just left it stock and enjoyed it. They clearly can’t be bothered to do even the simplest things to keep things up to date. What else are they hiding?
The pop-up models from 91-01 look dated and are just a maintenance problem waiting to occur. You'll be driving around with one down and one up. Their headlight output is unsafe for modern roads and the EU says that they're more dangerous if you hit a pedestrian.
The fixed headlight 02-05 models look ugly all the time and the missing turn signals in the bumper destroy the look of the front end.
Acura was just trying to be snooty with the Acura branding. Don’t be pompous with Acura badging on what’s basically just a Honda everywhere else.
H-badged NSX’s are just ricy, trying to look JDM authentic but just looking cheap to true NSX aficionados.
RHD NSX’s are unsafe in the US; you’ll never be able to insure them and whatever you do, don’t endanger a passenger by taking them along. In fact, remove the passenger seat. (See above)
LHD NSX’s are an adulteration of Shigeru’s dream, the intake manifold is on the wrong side to properly appreciate the aural sensations.
Avoid black NSX’s because the missing roof contrast is unacceptable and they are impossible to keep clean. Also avoid bright colors as they may attract unwanted police interest. Probably best to avoid shades of silver which can blend in with the road and be harder to see – Safety first! And the white ones cost more and have overtones of StarWars stormtrooper uniforms from some angles. You'll probably need a custom wrap whatever you choose.
Most concerning of all, some people who know nothing about dressing appropriately with proper footwear drive NSX’s in loafers!
As you can see, there is no good NSX, so you probably shouldn’t buy one; you’ll hate it. In fact, don't even bid as you'll just be contributing to the problem of inflated NSX prices.
Or you could look here at @centerpunch's excellent summary...
Here's a new chart that combines info from previous threads, and clarifies the NA1/NA2 confusion.
NA1 has 3.0 engine: All automatic cars (1991-2005), and manual cars 1991 through 1996
NA2 has 3.2 engine: Manual cars 1997 through 2005
Note, every car has either NA1 or NA2 as part of the VIN number.
Hopefully this chart shows everything you need to understand when looking for your first NSX.
.
.
To give credit where credit is due, this evolved from a sketched chart I did in this thread that was refined and enhanced by @Wild Turkey...
NA1 has 3.0 engine: All automatic cars (1991-2005), and manual cars 1991 through 1996
NA2 has 3.2 engine: Manual cars 1997 through 2005
Note, every car has either NA1 or NA2 as part of the VIN number.
Hopefully this chart shows everything you need to understand when looking for your first NSX.
.
.
To give credit where credit is due, this evolved from a sketched chart I did in this thread that was refined and enhanced by @Wild Turkey...
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