LOL, this thread is crazy, and I guess to be somewhat expected considering that the NSX attracts Honda fanboys like bees to honey. Nothing Honda does could ever be challenged by lowly Nissan or lowly Toyota right?
Here's reality from a person that OWNS both the best Honda coupe of the planet, and the best Nissan coupe on the planet (exluding the R34-GTR of course) the G35c:
1. The G35c is insanely capable at high corner velocities, I don't doubt the multiple mag skidpad test results above .90g that its garnered since its introduction. It's suspension is fab, as flat in the twisties as my stock 3.2L NSX-T, possibly more. You've got to drive it to believe it. Car and Driver said this month that in some ways the G35c is a better handler than the 350Z itself, and again after owning the car for six weeks now I can only agree with that statement. I cancelled a 350z preorder after driving it and realizing that it was vastly overpriced, a better $25,000 car than the $35,000 model I had speced out. The impression the G35c gives me now is that it's vastly underpriced at $35k. It really could compete in the $40k+ class of vehicles quite nicely. Imagine that, we're calling a $35K car a "bargain" lol.
2. The cosmetics of the two cars are not comparable in the least so Please. Stop. I. Can't. Laugh. Any. More. The Honda is average, with an uninspired full-on Civic look from the front, and a poor man's rip off Mercedes view from the rear. From the side, arguably its worst view, well words fail me. Hideous. The G35c on the other hand has gotten me pulled over twice already by cops wanting to know exactly what it was, what it cost, and what it could do. Not to mention that for some reason the G35c is absolutely adored by women. I don't know what it is, but in that car I'm f-ing Pierce Brosnan or something, which doesn't happen in the NSX-T nearly as much. Constant attention and questions from women at the gas pump, grocery store, etc. Yesterday it came from a sweet little Asian package that had just gotten out of her nice e46 M3 cabriolet. My wife loves my newfound status...NOT. See both the Accord coupe and the G35c in PERSON, not INTERNET PICTURES before you judge, LOL! Otherwise refrain from commenting, as you have no basis. And look for a black G35c. Heaven.
3. Rear wheel drive, there is no substitute. (Wasn't that a line from Risky Business? "Porsche, there is no substitute." Something like that...) I will never own another sloppy front wheel drive family car again, (owned two previous Accord coupes) I don't care if its engine is somewhat close in power to the G35c's or its price tag is approximately $7K less (no folks, not the wild $12k nonsense that's been floating around in this post) when identically equipped. Say it with me: Rear wheel drive = fun and the way all cars should be equipped, front wheel drive = your Grandma's cup of tea.
Final summary: I wouldn't have a problem slapping on a few mods on our G35c and really turning it into a track car. It's heavier than I'd like for that purpose of course, but it is that close to being a perfect sports car. I'd put a Stillen s/c kit on it along with a few aftermarket JDM suspension bits and it would be as capable as cars costing far more. I'd do all this without hesitation, the G35c has impressed me that much. In fact, dare to say it, but if I had to make a choice on just one car for the family, the impractical NSX might be the one kicked off the island. But thank god I don't have to make that choice, as the NSX is my baby.
But how many of you would think to slap an s/c kit on that Honda accord coupe and go hardcore racing with it? How many of you would utter the forbidden words "almost as fun as an NSX in the sportscar department" from this hugely unbalanced front wheel drive pusher? Give me a break. You’d get more thrills from a used Prelude VTEC model, no question.
A final comment. Nissan is nearing completion on their first Skyline GT-R that's intended for the world market. It's powered by the same VQ35 engine that's in the G35c and 350z, only with two electrically spooled-up lag free turbos attached to it (a first) making between 350 and 400hp depending upon which Nissan leak you believe. Amazingly, fewer suspension and braking modifications were necessary than most would have thought in moving from the 350z/G35c platform to the GT-R platform, even with that sort of power level. The G35c and 350z are that well prepped.
Meanwhile the new Accord will be lucky to see a "California Special Edition" version, lol, let alone a Type-S or Type-R badge. They wouldn't even think of throwing that sort of spec on that car, which is designed to be the ultimate grocery-getting experience, not the ultimate sports car experience.
One is a Skyline to be, and one is a competent people mover. So says Nostradamus.
