Looking at 91 NSX Black 5-sp with 55k

[bostnwhalr]

Hello, I'm new to NSX Prime and have enjoyed learning more about the NSX. I've always been a fan of Japanese sports cars/coupes, having owned an 87 Honda Prelude Si back in the day.

I work closely with a new car dealer who has a friend looking to unload several exotic cars in his possession including a mostly original 91 NSX with just 55k miles. This car is very original with one exception. The owner had it professionally repainted, but not due to accident but due to paint condition (a mistake in my mind). The paint job was supposedly perfect done by a very well regarded auto body shop. The rest of the car is allegedly all original including OEM rims.

The price offered is $20,000 which seems very fair to me assuming the car checks out as described by the dealer.

I've always been a big NSX fan and thought this might be a great way to join the club. This isn't the time of year in New England to be purchasing a vehicle like this, but the price seems irresistible. I had actually thought of calling my local Ford dealer who I know well to put my name on a 2013 Ford Mustang GT500 (650hp!), but don't feel like spending all the money and personally feel more synergy with the NSX.

I look forward to learning more about the NSX and joining the NSX Prime community.

 

[ThumperAC]

Lots of factors to consider on that.

The big one is does the owner have maintenance records and is it up to date?

If yes, $20k is a good price. If it is due for WP/TB, then $20k is a fair price.

I would be a little leery of a full re-paint at just 55k miles though.

 

[bostnwhalr]

Thanks for your reply. My understanding is that the seller has owned it since about 1993, though I don't have exact confirmation. The seller is also known to be fastidious in maintaining his vehicles though I agree about WP/TB. The repaint was a mistake in my opinion, though allegedly done because he was a little fed up by original paint. We'll see. I know the shop where it was done and they are known for very high quality work. A nice bonus is this vehicle is located in my hometown, which makes it easy to check out. I can drive the car for a few days before committing which is great too.

I'll know more next week and post additional details including VIN once I get them.

 

[ChrisK]

Wow, if this car is as good as you say it is, $20K is a great, almost too good to be true price. If it checks out I'd buy this car ASAP. Cars like this normally go for around $30K, so at $20K you are well a head of the curve even if you had to do a $2500 timing belt and water pump change.

 

[Ric]

For 20k I would jump on it

 

[shawn110975]

my 1992 is all original paint its black, so one would assume my paint should have faded and need repainting 120K miles not so its mint.

there are guys on here with all the colors of the rainbow and never need a full paint job, maybe the front bumper but thats it.

I would have it inspected by an NSX Certified Mechanic, not some old honda dealership or an acura dealership that doesnt have an NSX mech working there.

an NSX specialist.

as for the price with those low miles it may need the TB/WP valves adjustments done so add that to the price max price 22,500 with it completed.

if you post the link we can all look at it for you. dont worry we dont jump
on someone elses dreams and steal this great buy ( if it is ) from under you LOL


read this article about used NSX's http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/includes/htup_0810_acura_nsx_buyers_guide/viewall.html
print it out and bring it with you to check the car out and do the checklist

 

[TURBO2GO]

TB/WP or not, any decent NSX at 20K is an outright steal. If the car is not a salvage or something, I'd grab it quickly. You are local to me and I know the car well so if you need help let me know.

 

[Ric]

Don't post the info on the car. Someone will steal it from under you lol

 

[Meeyatch1]

For $20k who cares about maintenance records?? That car is so far below value (assuming that it is a non-accident car) that you could do any and all maintenance and be just fine. Wait too long and someone else will buy at that price.

 

[sidwac]

If there were legitimate documented reasons for the re-paint, and a PPI and Carfax is clean then, in my opinion, $20k is a good deal. If there are maintenance records that show the car is well looked after, and, the TB/WP has been recently done then I'd call $20K more of a steal. These cars mostly go to market between $20k and $32K. So you can see the wide $$'s all based on condition and service records/maintenance performed on the car. Good luck in your search...siD

 

[RedWings]

Regardless of the re-paint...

have a professional pre-purchase inspection by a true NSX specialist and a leak down test on the engine so you KNOW what's going on.

Even if 20K is a great deal, make sure you have solid mechanicals...

Sounds like Turbo2Go can lend you a hand with inspection

Hope it turns out great for you

 

[RSO 34]

Not passing my sniff test. Why would an owner who sounds like a collector (I.e. "several exotics") and who is fastidious end up with an nsx driven less than 3k per year that needs a complete repaint? And why would he let the car go for well below market price? I can't believe this car doesn't have a story.

 

[shawn110975]

Im with RSO 34 there has to be a story,

maybe a bird shit on the car and instead of washing the bird shit off he had the car re-painted some people do have money to burn LOL

like i said sounds funny.

and there is nothing wrong with a salvage if its put back together correctly? An inspection can determine if it has been in a wreck.
one of my 04 NSX's is a salvage and would make a Non-salvage car look like a rolling POS side by side.

 

[RSO 34]

maybe a bird shit on the car and instead of washing the bird shit off he had the car re-painted some people do have money to burn LOL

Except that a fastidious owner with a collection of exotic cars would never let that happen. Plus, there is a dealer in the middle and no dealer works for free so that 20k price makes as little sense as the story that the seller was "fed up with the original paint". I have heard various complaints about the NSX over the years but they generally involve not enough power and tire life but have never heard anyone complain about the paint on these cars.

 

[EdinKali]

Too good to be true but if it is, make sure it isn't in snap ring range as well.

 

[ChrisK]

Too good to be true but if it is, make sure it isn't in snap ring range as well.

Even if it is in snap ring range he is still a head. I just bought a rebuilt trans from Science of Speed for $2000. So, if he had to do timing belt and water pump change for around $2500, plus God forbid a snap ring goes and needs a new trans at $2000 plus labor, he is still into a 55K mile 91 with presumably only a repaint for whatever reason for around $26K. That is still a good deal provided the rest of the car is good. You have 100K mile NSX going for $26K.

 

[NSX 888]

If I were you, I would buy it. lol

 

[Steven Allen]

It's to good to be true. There is a story for sure. The repaint is the first clue
and more to come with a PPI. Contact the previous owner he/she should not be hard to find.

 

[bostnwhalr]

Wow, thanks for everyone's comments, both encouraging and ones of concern. I share the same concerns regarding the repaint. I know the shop that did the work, and I work with other collision centers in the area, so I should get some good guidance in this area. I'm certainly going to attempt to find out more details by talking to the seller. He is a long-time resident of the town, so I don't think he'd pull any fast ones on his friend and dealer.

RSO 34, I appreciate your skepticism. The repaint doesn't add up, really. When I get information on the exact cause for the repaint, I'll let you know.

The good news is that I've been working with this particular dealer for quite a few years and we have a trusting relationship, so I don't think anyone is trying to snowball me. I'll get a chance for an extended evaluation of the vehicle over a couple of days, though I haven't asked at this point.

I especially appreciate the comment on finding an NSX Certified Mechanic. A big thank you.

Turbo2Go, I'll be in touch with you.

 

[docjohn]

your best bet is to inspect the car with an owner like turbo, deviations from normal aging will standout quickly.Please post your findings.Plus for your own benefit pop the vin in the search function and see if it has been discussed on prime.

 

[zxtec]

I would have it inspected by an NSX Certified Mechanic, not some old honda dealership or an acura dealership that doesnt have an NSX mech working there.

an NSX specialist.

I don't mean to get off topic, but what type of things/problems would a NSX certified mechanic might find that a good general automotive mechanic may not see?

 

[bud777]

First of all is the snap ring. Visually inspecting the snap ring can tell you a lot more than just looking for play in the shifter. I just bought a 91 in New Hampshire that was solid as a rock, but a later visual inspection showed that one leg of the snap ring was missing. The SOS transmission repair is not $2000, it is more like $4000 plus labor and shipping. A NSX mechanic would know about this, other might not.

I would check the window thingies (see other threads here) and the speakers and climate control. Beyond that, it's pretty normal. And I agree with the others here. For 20k, you could fix all this and still be ahead

 

[ChrisK]

The SOS transmission repair is not $2000, it is more like $4000 plus labor and shipping. A NSX mechanic would know about this, other might not.

Maybe $4000 if you don't send your original transmission back to get your core charge refunded. I paid the $2095 plus $450 freight shipping to Hawaii. Nowhere near $4000.

 

[TCroly]

My gut says that this deal is way too good to be true. I am certain that here is more to the story of this car that has been told. But I follow with interest to find out the restof this story.

 

[EdinKali]

Even if it is in snap ring range he is still a head. I just bought a rebuilt trans from Science of Speed for $2000. So, if he had to do timing belt and water pump change for around $2500, plus God forbid a snap ring goes and needs a new trans at $2000 plus labor, he is still into a 55K mile 91 with presumably only a repaint for whatever reason for around $26K. That is still a good deal provided the rest of the car is good. You have 100K mile NSX going for $26K.

If you swap the trans you might as well replace the clutch while you are in there so add about another $2K to that depending on what clutch you get.

Now you are at about $28K, still about 2K ahead but that may be moot due to the repaint.