I dream of owning a commuter NSX, but have some questions.

[BamaFan]

Listen to Mitch! He’s the man!

I am on my third NSX in roughly 20 + years, and if you are going to commute in one, don't be a cheap azz when it comes to maintenance. People always say, "Yeah, I know. I will do all of the maintenance," but then when it comes time to pony up and pay for it they are the same people saying, "How far beyond the recommended time or mileage can I go before paying $2,000 to do the timing belt / water pump / accessory belt service? The belt looks fine to me". Or they drag out oil changes, or skip doing transmission and brake fluid flushes. Or they buy cheap parts off of the Internet instead of proper quality or OEM parts. That is when stuff starts piling up.

My 1994 NSX has around 228,768 miles on it now, and I just now replaced the original clutch, so I do not beat on the car. It is a daily driver (and has been for over 15 years) and it sees lots of track days, but it is not beat on at all. I only tell you this because even with regular maintenance, and OEM parts for almost everything, I still just spent a pile of money doing and engine and transmission refresh. So this matters if you plan to buy a higher mileage car and make it even more high mileage. The person before you probably did not spend all of the money they should have to maintain it. However, as opposed to my other cars, the NSX has been extremely reliable and affordable to maintain. Oil changes are relatively cheap and easy to do at home within 30 minutes. Most other maintenance is affordable, even if done by a professional. However, some parts are becoming harder to come by due to being discontinued or backordered from the dealer. It all becomes relative to how much you will drive it, the conditions you will drive the car in, and how much of your disposable income you are willing to spend on car maintenance.

Let me ask a question. Why do you want to buy an NSX as a commuter car? The reason I ask is to make sure that it meets the requirements of what you are really looking for that could not be satisfied by a normal commuter car. I commute in mine because I enjoy putting miles on NSXs, and it has always been a car I felt comfortable in. So, for me, there was no other car to use for commutes.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Jump_Ace]

I am on my third NSX in roughly 20 + years, and if you are going to commute in one, don't be a cheap azz when it comes to maintenance. People always say, "Yeah, I know. I will do all of the maintenance," but then when it comes time to pony up and pay for it they are the same people saying, "How far beyond the recommended time or mileage can I go before paying $2,000 to do the timing belt / water pump / accessory belt service? The belt looks fine to me". Or they drag out oil changes, or skip doing transmission and brake fluid flushes. Or they buy cheap parts off of the Internet instead of proper quality or OEM parts. That is when stuff starts piling up.

My 1994 NSX has around 228,768 miles on it now, and I just now replaced the original clutch, so I do not beat on the car. It is a daily driver (and has been for over 15 years) and it sees lots of track days, but it is not beat on at all. I only tell you this because even with regular maintenance, and OEM parts for almost everything, I still just spent a pile of money doing and engine and transmission refresh. So this matters if you plan to buy a higher mileage car and make it even more high mileage. The person before you probably did not spend all of the money they should have to maintain it. However, as opposed to my other cars, the NSX has been extremely reliable and affordable to maintain. Oil changes are relatively cheap and easy to do at home within 30 minutes. Most other maintenance is affordable, even if done by a professional. However, some parts are becoming harder to come by due to being discontinued or backordered from the dealer. It all becomes relative to how much you will drive it, the conditions you will drive the car in, and how much of your disposable income you are willing to spend on car maintenance.

Let me ask a question. Why do you want to buy an NSX as a commuter car? The reason I ask is to make sure that it meets the requirements of what you are really looking for that could not be satisfied by a normal commuter car. I commute in mine because I enjoy putting miles on NSXs, and it has always been a car I felt comfortable in. So, for me, there was no other car to use for commutes.

Good luck in your search!

I want to drive an NSX as a commuter because I love to drive. I feel it'd be a waste of money if I only drove it when, 'it didn't rain', or 'only on the weekends', etc. I want to get my money's worth by driving her all around town. Now, I do realize that the condition won't be/stay perfect, and I'm totally fine with that. She may get some rock chips, dings and what have you, that's okay (nothing big of course). *knock on wood* I haven't been in an accident for 22 years and that was a super minor one, so I think I pay attention, stay off my phone, etc. One of my bucket list items is to own this car (and drive on the Nurburgring - in any car).

But I definitely hear you about the maintenance and previous owners and that is why I need to wait a few more years when there's no more daycare ($2,300/mo. savings FTW!) Granted there will still be other expenses (upping my retirement, college savings, etc.) but I plan on making the NSX maintenance part of that so it lasts a long time.

Oh, and I don't want to have gray hair when I go to buy the car either, lol.

This seems like an awesome community though, hats off to y'all!


Jerome

 

[Jump_Ace]

I want to drive an NSX as a commuter because I love to drive. I feel it'd be a waste of money if I only drove it when, 'it didn't rain', or 'only on the weekends', etc. I want to get my money's worth by driving her all around town. Now, I do realize that the condition won't be/stay perfect, and I'm totally fine with that. She may get some rock chips, dings and what have you, that's okay (nothing big of course). *knock on wood* I haven't been in an accident for 22 years and that was a super minor one, so I think I pay attention, stay off my phone, etc. One of my bucket list items is to own this car (and drive on the Nurburgring - in any car).

But I definitely hear you about the maintenance and previous owners and that is why I need to wait a few more years when there's no more daycare ($2,300/mo. savings FTW!) Granted there will still be other expenses (upping my retirement, college savings, etc.) but I plan on making the NSX maintenance part of that so it lasts a long time.

Oh, and I don't want to have gray hair when I go to buy the car either, lol.

This seems like an awesome community though, hats off to y'all!


Jerome

Hey guys, I'm back again with another question. Are there any NSX owners who wear a size 14 shoe? I don't wear wide shoes and I'm wearing Brooks size 14 now and those are 5 1/4" at the widest point and 13" long. I'm considering flying out to test drive an NSX as they rarely come up for sale in Pacific NW. Any info would greatly be appreciated!


Jerome

 

[John_Wick]

>>>My 1994 NSX has around 228,768 miles on it now, and I just now replaced the original clutch, so I do not beat on the car. It is a daily driver (and has been for over 15 years) and it sees lots of track days, but it is not beat on at all. I only tell you this because even with regular maintenance, and OEM parts for almost everything, I still just spent a pile of money doing and engine and transmission refresh. So this matters if you plan to buy a higher mileage car and make it even more high mileage.>>>

Unbelievable...

 

[fastfwd]

Unbelievable...

Agreed. He should have been able to go a LOT longer than 228,768 miles before needing to open the engine or transmission.

 

[Jump_Ace]

I love hearing about the longevity of the car too. Does anyone have any size 14 shoes? How are the pedals for you?



Jerome

 

[fastfwd]

Does anyone have any size 14 shoes? How are the pedals for you?

I don't think you'll fit. My shoes are size 10, and if they're boots or wide/bulky athletic shoes, I have to take them off to drive the car.

 

[tucsonsx]

I wear size 13 and driving shoes work fine as do trim sneakers like Onitsuka Tigers or driver loafers. I also have Autovation pedal pads ( look the same as the Science of Speed items ) and heel toe shifting is no problem using the ball of the right foot on the brake pedal and blipping the throttle with the right side of my foot.

 

[GGawaran]

I love hearing about the longevity of the car too. Does anyone have any size 14 shoes? How are the pedals for you?



Jerome

I wear 13wide or 13.5s. I've only had the car for just under a week but it seems fine. Sometimes my shoe has some issue going from the clutch to the dead pedal but outside of that we drove it from San Antonio back to Dallas with no issues, and about an hour of traffic.

 

[Wild Turkey]

I wear 13wide or 13.5s. I've only had the car for just under a week but it seems fine. Sometimes my shoe has some issue going from the clutch to the dead pedal but outside of that we drove it from San Antonio back to Dallas with no issues, and about an hour of traffic.

I only wear Italian loafers driving mine.

Seriously, 6'1" with size 11 feet and I find the bigger issue is wider shoes like running shoes, due to what I find to be a narrow pedal box. If you walk/hike barefoot frequently, just wearing flats to the car and driving barefoot gets rid of the problems with wide shoes and also moves you a bit closer to the wheel as well.

 

[GGawaran]

I only wear Italian loafers driving mine.

Seriously, 6'1" with size 11 feet and I find the bigger issue is wider shoes like running shoes, due to what I find to be a narrow pedal box. If you walk/hike barefoot frequently, just wearing flats to the car and driving barefoot gets rid of the problems with wide shoes and also moves you a bit closer to the wheel as well.

I'm 6'4 so I don't have a lot of options to get closer to the wheel haha. I'm just thankful I fit comfortably in the car to drive it everyday haha.

 

[Jump_Ace]

Hey all,

I figured I'd provide an update on my own thread. I flew down to the Phoenix area this summer for a test drive of an NSX and everything went well except for a couple deal breaker items.

- 4th pedal is meant for a size 6 shoe
- Steering wheel is a mile away and hits my knees

But that means the headroom was just fine, I had an inch of spare space and the spacing between the pedals was good enough, no issues there. I had to pass on the car unfortunately, so I'm gonna look into a 911 991 C4S.


Jerome

 

[Wild Turkey]

I'm 6'4 so I don't have a lot of options to get closer to the wheel haha. I'm just thankful I fit comfortably in the car to drive it everyday haha.

Actually, the thinner the sole of your shoes, the closer you'll be to the wheel. (Think about how far you'd have to move your seat back wearing platform shoes.) Racing shoes or barefoot for me. Even the thickness of Nike Waffles moves me back too far.

The NSX is made for people with shorter legs and I wish they'd built more rearward travel into the steering wheel. At least the conversion to a S2000/RSX wheel moves it back about an inch.

 

[GGawaran]

Actually, the thinner the sole of your shoes, the closer you'll be to the wheel. (Think about how far you'd have to move your seat back wearing platform shoes.) Racing shoes or barefoot for me. Even the thickness of Nike Waffles moves me back too far.

The NSX is made for people with shorter legs and I wish they'd built more rearward travel into the steering wheel. At least the conversion to a S2000/RSX wheel moves it back about an inch.

Oh even if I can't get closer to the wheel,, the seating position is awesome. I am just glad I am able to be comfortable and drive

 

[GGawaran]

Hey all,

I figured I'd provide an update on my own thread. I flew down to the Phoenix area this summer for a test drive of an NSX and everything went well except for a couple deal breaker items.

- 4th pedal is meant for a size 6 shoe
- Steering wheel is a mile away and hits my knees

But that means the headroom was just fine, I had an inch of spare space and the spacing between the pedals was good enough, no issues there. I had to pass on the car unfortunately, so I'm gonna look into a 911 991 C4S.


Jerome

Unfortunate that it didn't pan out for you as this car has been an absolute blast to drive. I hope you find the right 911 for your body build!