Looking to buy lightly modded (cosmetic) NSX

[bnrgator]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on an NSX. The price and mileage is good and the color is one I like. The location is remote, so I'm waiting on an inspection before going forward.

There are a couple of issues since I was originally wanting the car to be as close to stock as possible. One is that the car has had all badges changed to Honda badges. I realize it is a Honda, but a US spec car is badged Acura so I prefer that. This even includes the airbag (Acura airbag included with the sale). How much would it cost to completely "Acurize" the car? This would include front, back, center-caps, and airbag install.

The other issue is that the center console has been replaced with what looks like a double DIN version with an early 2k nav system. I could live with the stock tape player, but having an old nav is just lame. I'm torn here of just getting a modern NAV and having bluetooth and modern music options, or trying to go back to stock. Here I'm leaning to just updating to a newer head unit since the center console is already set up for that. Likely cheaper and would have far more functionality. Any suggestions on what to get here assuming I purchase the car? Something non-flashy but functional.

Thanks.

 

[NSX_n00b]

What year is the car? I ask because it can change a few things for going back to acura badges, especially on the rear of the car and for the wheel center caps.

91-01 or 02+ the front badge can be found brand new from The NSX Shop for $60...
https://www.thensxshop.com/exterior/front-acura-emblem

For 91-01, if the current owner put in a Honda H center tail light from 91-01 you need to look at a few things. From 91-01 the JDM Tail lights were darker tinted than USDM and this included the center piece. If the previous owner put in a H center tail light from a 91-01 set of tail lights the "H" will be inside the center piece and not mounted outside. If this is the case you need to look at the Left and Right tail lights to see if they are the darker JDM ones or did the owner leave in the brighter colored USDM ones and the center is just a darker tint and looks "off" compared. If you have a full set of JDM tail lights then in order to go back to the "ACURA" text center tail or to update to an 02+ Acura "A" badge center tail you would need to also get the USDM 91-01 full tail lights or any set of 02+ tail lights (for 02+ both JDM and USDM were the brighter color).

If the current owner put in a Honda "H" center tail light where the "H" badge is on the outside of the center tail then he put in a center tail from an 02+ set of tail lights. In this case you just need to decide if you want the text center tail that says "ACURA" or if you want the 02+ center tail that is the actual "A" badge.

91-01 USDM Center Tail "ACURA":
https://www.thensxshop.com/exterior/na1-north-america-spec-rear-center-garnish-tail-light

91-01 USDM Tail Lights (if the current owner has JDM tail lights in):
https://www.thensxshop.com/exterior/na1-north-america-spec-tail-lights-left-and-right

02+ Acura "A" Badge center tail:
https://www.thensxshop.com/exterior/na2-north-america-spec-rear-center-garnish-tail-light

02+ USDM tail lights (if the current owner has JDM Tails on the car):
https://www.thensxshop.com/exterior/na2-japanese-spec-tail-lights

Center caps can get tricky since there are 3 different sets of OEM wheels 91-93, 94-01, 02+. I don't know that I have ever seen just the center caps for sale. 91-93 wheels typically sell for $200-$400 for the set. I'm not sure about 94-01 wheels. 02+ wheels tend to sell for a decent amount of money. I do know that the center caps for 2000 and 2001 and then 02+ were just the "A" logo. Center caps for 91-99 said "Acura".

Airbag installation can be done in less than 10 minutes by you. You just have to disconnect the battery, pop off one cover on the steering column, disconnect the SRS connector and remove a torx bolt or two, remove a cover on the other side of the steering column remove another torx bolt or 2, then remove "H" airbag piece. Assembly is reverse, put on "Acura" airbag, put torx screws back in, reconnect SRS connector, put covers back on, reconnect battery.

 

[bnrgator]

The car is a 2000. Thanks for the info!

 

[natcc99]

Here is another source for the parts you are seeking. Click on "Exterior"
https://www.scienceofspeed.com/index.php/nsx.html

If you get a membership at NSXCA, you can also get discounts are various locations. Depending on what you need, the discounts might pay for the membership and more.
https://nsxca.org

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[bnrgator]

I pulled the trigger today and put a deposit down on the car. It is a 2000 Silverstone NSX with roughly 70k miles.

I had the car inspected remotely and the only issue found was that the tires needed to be replaced. The dealer offered to do that for free. I'm unsure what tires I'm getting at this point since there aren't a lot of options in this size.

I'm hoping I can get the car in next week.

Here are some pics. They show the mods I mentioned above.

It's starting to feel like Christmas. Owning an NSX has been a dream since I first saw the magazine ad back in 1990 in high school.

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[brettowen]

Congratulations! I don't know about anybody else but...I can't open/view the pics you posted.

 

[bnrgator]

Weird. A couple of days ago, I uploaded the photos as attachments. They worked at the time, but now I can't even see them. I then added links to the photos on Google cloud. Those show up for me.

Well, imagine a pretty silver NSX. If you look at the online car sights (Autotrader, or Cargurus) it is the one from McLaren Philadelphia.

I'll try to figure out how to post pictures when it gets in.

 

[docjohn]

welcome . If you are not a real diy then it pays to check with other local owners who is the go to for service...many dealers have cycled out of techs who understand the old nsx.

 

[bnrgator]

welcome . If you are not a real diy then it pays to check with other local owners who is the go to for service...many dealers have cycled out of techs who understand the old nsx.

I'm not even sure there are any local owners (Huntsville AL) that are active on these boards. I have seen one NSX in a 30 mile radius in the past year and that was a very rare sighting. I posted a message in the local forums but didn't get any responses.

My plan is to use the local Acura dealer for service unless I can get a better suggestion.

 

[NSX_n00b]

I'm not even sure there are any local owners (Huntsville AL) that are active on these boards. I have seen one NSX in a 30 mile radius in the past year and that was a very rare sighting. I posted a message in the local forums but didn't get any responses.

My plan is to use the local Acura dealer for service unless I can get a better suggestion.

It’s worth an ask in the NSX Prime and NSX OWNERS GROUP groups on Facebook for local recommendations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bnrgator]

Trying one more time to link pictures for those who can't see the one's above.

 

[NSX_n00b]

@bnrgator did you see this yet?

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/207509-F-S-16-17-oem-Acura-centre-caps?p=1979752#post1979752

Technically for an 2000 the center caps should the the "A" logo instead of "Acura" but at least you'd have Acura caps instead of Honda.

Also based on the pictures you have USDM Tail lights with an 02+ Honda Center Piece. So two options, buy the pre 02 Acura center piece that says "Acura" or the 02+ one that has the "A" logo and you'll be fine.

 

[bnrgator]

@bnrgator did you see this yet?

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/207509-F-S-16-17-oem-Acura-centre-caps?p=1979752#post1979752

Technically for an 2000 the center caps should the the "A" logo instead of "Acura" but at least you'd have Acura caps instead of Honda.

Also based on the pictures you have USDM Tail lights with an 02+ Honda Center Piece. So two options, buy the pre 02 Acura center piece that says "Acura" or the 02+ one that has the "A" logo and you'll be fine.

Thanks. That is useful information.

 

[Saclam]

Thanks. That is useful information.

If you'd like to get rid of your rear center "brake" light OM me. Acura is kinda of sacrilege to me. LOL.

 

[neuronbob]

Congrats! That is one gorgeous NSX. I’m partial to silver, myself so...biased.

 

[Aero]

I'm a previous NA1 Huntsville owner. The only service I didn't do myself (shock upgrade) I took the car to BarnMan (who may not be active anymore) in Nashville since I didn't trust the local Acura dealer. I took the car to Jerry Damson when I first got it for an alignment and didn't have any complaints but I wanted to let Barnman do the other work. Everything else I did myself.

If you're just looking for oil changes and routine maintenance I'm sure Damson is fine. Nothing hard about the routine things. Major things like clutches/timing belt I'd try to find a specialist.

I'll keep an eye out for your silver one. They are definitely a rare sight in HSV.

I'm not even sure there are any local owners (Huntsville AL) that are active on these boards. I have seen one NSX in a 30 mile radius in the past year and that was a very rare sighting. I posted a message in the local forums but didn't get any responses.

My plan is to use the local Acura dealer for service unless I can get a better suggestion.

 

[bnrgator]

I'm a previous NA1 Huntsville owner. The only service I didn't do myself (shock upgrade) I took the car to BarnMan (who may not be active anymore) in Nashville since I didn't trust the local Acura dealer. I took the car to Jerry Damson when I first got it for an alignment and didn't have any complaints but I wanted to let Barnman do the other work. Everything else I did myself.

If you're just looking for oil changes and routine maintenance I'm sure Damson is fine. Nothing hard about the routine things. Major things like clutches/timing belt I'd try to find a specialist.

I'll keep an eye out for your silver one. They are definitely a rare sight in HSV.

Thanks. Doesn't look like Barnman has been active for a several years. I PM'ed him to see if he still does that type of work.

 

[GaNSX]

Eiffel's Place in Marietta, Ga is about a 3hr drive west of you if you can't find a local shop. I'm not local to you but if you find yourself in West Ga, hit me up.

 

[bnrgator]

The wait is starting to get to me. Originally the shipper was supposed to pick up the car on Wed. Then Thursday or Friday. Now Monday. Ugh! I already have the title paperwork in hand, but no car.

I have been researching the center caps and it looks like the 2k model should use the "A" center cap and not the "acura" one. Is there a legit source for these?

Found some on Ebay that look good but don't really trust ebay typically. Do these look legit?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ACURA-...312506910?fits=Year:2000|Make:Acura|Model:NSX

Also, I am now leaning toward restoring the stereo to the original Bose unit. Any aftermarket system I get will eventually be outdated while the original system is timeless. However the price for it seems slightly insane at 2.7k at the nsxshop. Is there a less expensive source for these?

 

[NSX_n00b]

I have been researching the center caps and it looks like the 2k model should use the "A" center cap and not the "acura" one. Is there a legit source for these?

Also, I am now leaning toward restoring the stereo to the original Bose unit. Any aftermarket system I get will eventually be outdated while the original system is timeless. However the price for it seems slightly insane at 2.7k at the nsxshop. Is there a less expensive source for these?

It looks like according to the acurapartsforless website the part number for the center caps is 44732-SL0-A40ZA and they are still available for ~$40 ea. There is a 5% off discount code that you could use to help make them a bit cheaper.

https://www.acurapartsforless.com/o...lJnk9MjAwMCZ0PW5zeC10JmU9Ni1zcGVlZC1tYW51YWw=

As for the head unit, create a post in the WTB section or look through the last couple of months of for sale ads. They pop up every now and again for a reasonable price.

 

[bnrgator]

Major update! Car is here.

It was raining when I received the car. Sitting in this car was my first time sitting in an NSX ever. At 6'3" I was worried and thinking I was maybe crazy for buying a car before sitting in it. Luckily it fits like a glove.

Driving home everything felt natural. I'm dying for it to dry out so I can really drive it. The sound of that engine!!! OMG.

In the trunk was a pleasant surprise. The Acura hood ornament, tail light, airbag and 3 of the center caps were included. Unfortunately the original radio wasn't and the aftermarket one is terrible.

Here it is in its new home.

 

[Pollymazz]

I just bought an Acura that i want to swap to Honda... Maybe we can mean something to each other...
Only thing is that i live in Belgium.

 

[Sportsmind4me]

Gorgeous car and welcome to the club!

 

[bnrgator]

I'm in the waiting list to get Wilman's modded stereo that will look stock but have bluetooth and USB. The included 2007 Nav really looks out of place in the car.

I love walking to my car and seeing this!