Need Advice Got My Eyes On An NSX

[sidwac]

Hope you guys can provide advice on whether or not to purchase an NSX I have my eyes on. It's a 1991 with 25,000 miles and had been stored I'm told for several years, hence the low miles. The car is in excellent condition, paint near flawless and only the slightest of bolster wear on the drivers seat, otherwise interior perfect. Upgraded wheels and stereo are the only add-ons from stock. Visual inspection and drive revealed no issues.....this car has never seen rain!! Would this be at the top end of an "A" rating car per the suggested NSX Prime price guide i.e. $35,000? That's were the good news ends.

The current owner (believed to be the 3rd) has virtually NO maintenance records and only owned the car since mid year. One can assume that timing belt, hoses etc.. are all original. Do I:

1) bite my lip and just pass on a car with next to no maintenance records? OR

2) Price the car accordingly and expect a $5,000 Acura bill to replace timing belt, water pump, seals etc...? Is this needed?

Understanding a PPI by a top notch expert in NSX's will be a must. Really appreciate all your feedback, good, bad or ugly.

 

[da3dalus]

If its as clean as you say its a bargain at 35k and a steal at 30k.

 

[The Kid]

Sounds like a pretty good deal. I paid $32,500-ish over 4 years ago for my NSX that had 26k miles.:wink: Sounds like a no brainer, and the $5k bill for T-Belt and W-Pump sounds very high. Trust me, dont loose this car.:wink:

 

[Mark G]

I bought a similar car (91, 26k miles) about 6 months ago for $33k. Replaced the TB/WP and fluids/filters for about $2k. Best car purchase I have ever made :smile:

 

[sidwac]

Thanks folks for the feedback. I'm really having a hard time with this "no records" business. Is it a reasonable risk not to spend the preventative maintenance if the PPI comes out okay? I came up with the around $5,000 based on other posts!!

 

[sidwac]

Mark G, thanks for the estimated costs on the replacement stuff:smile:

 

[The Kid]

Buy this car, do a quick PPI at an Acura dealership and your set. You'll be kicking yourself after the fact and NA1 NSX's with under 50k dont pop up too often for $35k:wink:

 

[sidwac]

Also, should I have concerns with the clutch peddle having to come up 1/3 to 1/2 off the floor to engage the gear? Is that normal? Regards....

 

[hofffam]

Lack of records are not that big a deal to me on a low mileage car. What records would you expect? Oil changes? You should assume no TB/WP service. The car is 16 years old and hardly been driven. Its prior owners never drove it enough to think it needed much.

So the PPI is important. I just had TB/WP/belts/tensioner done for <$1600 by an Acura dealer.

Oh the clutch - the clutch should engage higher than that. It is probably a weakness in the master/slave cylinder. Easy to repair.

 

[davidf]

We need PICS!:biggrin:

 

[Dhalsim]

PICS!!...........Or off with his head...........

 

[RPM217]

OEM NSX clutches engage high, always have, always will. Get the PPI, if it's clean, get the car, do the maintenance, enjoy the ride!

 

[Mark G]

OEM NSX clutches engage high, always have, always will. Get the PPI, if it's clean, get the car, do the maintenance, enjoy the ride!

+1

 

[Jetpilot3]

Yeah that's a nice deal if you can get it. I paid less than $29K for my 1991 with 64K on it back in June...

Go get it!!!