New NSX a go-Down the Road

[RyRy210]

Over 60% of all new NSX's produced are purchased in the US - 223 out of 364 in 2003 (http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=660#). Total NSX's sold in the US in 2004 was 168, out of 256 WW. The NSX may be sought after in Japan, but like in the US, it's by a very small, very enthuiastic group of people. Take the US production out of the equation and NSX WW production would fall to 1 or 2 units per month.

Yup, I know that. The same can be said for the Supra and 300ZX when it was here in the US, and then discontinued. I'm pretty sure if Honda did decide to axe it in the US market, and keep it alive in Japan; they will lower their production accordingly.

Do you think now that the HP agreement in Japan has been lifted that the NSX will get a boost in 2006? That would be awesome. If it is truly desired in Japan, then they should want to improve it.

I think it is sad you can get a 300HP WRX STI for 30K and yet a 90K NSX still only has 290. Surely Honda wants to be the best in their native land???

I sincerely hope so. I visit Japan every year, and always make an effort to snoop around at Twin Ring Motegi and Honda Welcome Plaza. I’ve met 2 types of NSX owners, those that are passionate about the car’s performance, and those that buy it for the prestige. Believe it or not, there are some people who buy the car just because it’s a $90K car and could care less about performance.

 

[NetViper]

I think it would be sweet as hell if Honda launched a 2006 NSX update with a 450HP turbo V6 or the Mugen 4.0 L V8 for a final year before the new car (if there is one). We all know Honda has the ability and the resources, and hell, they lose money on the NSX anyway, so why not lose more money and make a KICK ass machine. Go out with a Bang!

 

[White92]

TC hit the nail right on the head. I hope Honda reads posts like this. I've said it before as well. Honda should have killed this car 2 or 3 years ago and come out with a true "Ferrari fighter." Not just talking, but proving it time and again during tests. If and when Honda introduces a new NSX to compete with Ferrari, the F430 will already be updated and will probably have a V-10 engine.
The day that this car debuts, it will already be outdated.

 

[MJK]

I agree totally with TC - that was a spot on analysis.

IMO, it is shameful that Honda has not even made an attempt to keep the car current. IF a new car was to be lauched in a few years, the current NSX COULD be competitive again with some mild improvements sourced from the rest of the Honda lineup and/or outside partners.

- Keep most of the styling (minimal retooling of the body as with the 02 refresh)
- source a low boost intercooled SC/TC as standard equipment (a la Miata)
- source some better brakes (4pot/2pot maybe)
- Upgrade the stereo from the TL
- Upgrade the engine to i-vtec
- Better valve springs/internals to get to 9krpm?
- Kill the auto or get serious about it (s2k is manual only)
- Update the instrument cluster
- put a new steering wheel on it
- update the ABS/TCS system
- throw in a few other goodies, like Navi & heated seats
- cut costs by automated assembly (they can do it with the S2k)


The suspension is still fine, the body is still fine, and IMO the interior is not too far off. Upgrade the creature comforts and the power, and you at least have something that is not going to get embarrassed by a new Corvettte at half the price. I honestly don't think they would lose any more money per car that way either - hell they might even sell a few close to sticker.

 

[whiteNSXs]

8 is still considered lucky throughout most asian contries.

How did you come up with that? Most Asian countries? Please give some concrete examples.
Steve

 

[comquat1]

Since it launched the C5, GM sells over 35,000 Corvettes per year. The C6 is already outselling the C5. With 35,000 units a year, the Corvette rings up about $1.5 billion in annual sales for GM – most likely at a premium profit margin.

I dunno, seems like I always see deals on Vettes, their a dime a dozen, you have to lower the price to move them off of the lot. I've got four Chevy dealers within 15 minutes of me and they all get Vettes and all try to move them as quick as possible. Every Sunday paper....

 

[UxiNSX]

Yup. Meh on Chebby.

NSX is still a good machine, but is in sore need of an engine and interior update to match the 2002 facelift. Interior could be done with "off the shelf" components ala TL and RL. Engine. 3.5L 350'ish HP should be pretty easy. Hopefully Honda will do it soon. Such changes would be enough to keep the car competitive... all we need is a basic coupe as an option (if not Type-S and Type-R for mag comparos) and the options they already have in Japan (notably nav).

Horsepower bragging rights aren't nearly as important to a company like Honda as it's actual performance. NSX-R is still quite competitive, though it gives up hundreds of horsepower... Factory FI seems the easiest for Honda to do...

A new beast with 500'ish HP V10 or V12, 7-speed paddle shifter, 6-pot calipers, etc would certainly be nice, though.

 

[Dave Hardy]

Has anyone ever tried to sell upgraded new NSX's, like what Saleen and Rousch do with the Mustang? It seems like it would be relatively easy to throw $20K into it, upcharge by $30K, make a profit, and make the tuner NSX a relevant car with 350+ HP and modern amenities.

 

[NetViper]

Has anyone ever tried to sell upgraded new NSX's, like what Saleen and Rousch do with the Mustang? It seems like it would be relatively easy to throw $20K into it, upcharge by $30K, make a profit, and make the tuner NSX a relevant car with 350+ HP and modern amenities.

Isn't that what comtpech and SOS try to do?

 

[Dave Hardy]

Do they sell complete cars, through the dealer and with a warrenty? If so, then yes - and I didn't know that. I thought they just sold parts for upgrading your existing NSX.

 

[NetViper]

Do they sell complete cars, through the dealer and with a warrenty? If so, then yes - and I didn't know that. I thought they just sold parts for upgrading your existing NSX.

I guess you are right in that respect. But they could do it. I just don't know if there is a big enough market for it.

 

[Silver F16]

What TC wrote is so true. Now, if we can only get Fukui email address and send that to him.

 

[Darkcyd]

Just wanted to chime in and agree with what TC wrote. It's all a damn shame. I love my car to death and am proud of it. But with all the new cars coming out, I don't want to have to resort to FI in order to keep my head up. "A Car With No Excuses." I hope that Honda goes with this tagline moving forward. Somebody find the emails for the Honda execs and I say we spam them with copies of TC's post. Or make up a virus/worm that will blast their desktops with it. I jest, but really, lets try and get their attention.

 

[TC]

I dunno, seems like I always see deals on Vettes, their a dime a dozen, you have to lower the price to move them off of the lot. I've got four Chevy dealers within 15 minutes of me and they all get Vettes and all try to move them as quick as possible. Every Sunday paper....

Corvettes are plentiful, no argument about that. Take a look at the spread between the MSRP and invoice pricing for the C6 Corvette at your favorite auto site - it is about $6,000. Try to find any car under $70,000 with a larger profit margin - BMW, Acura, M/B. I scanned a few dozen cars and could not find a single car with a higher profit margin. If GM is passing this kind of profit margin to its dealers, it's own profit on the Corvette is probably just as healthy. As far as I know, GM never offered a factory rebate on the C5 or the new C6. Some dealers may discount Corvettes, but given their margins, it is likely that they are still making a decent profit.

BTW, I don't own a Corvette nor have I ever had one - the styling and general formula (front-engine, rear-drive) doesn't appeal to me. But I do admire the car, starting with the C5, even more so with the C6. What you get for $50,000 is absolutely stellar. For Corvette fans, it is a wonderful time to be a Corvette fan. The C6, the recently announced C6 Z06, Corvettes tearing up the track at LeMans, Speed World Challenge, Grand Am and ALMS. I'm sure that our counterparts on various Corvette forums are buzzing with excitement.

 

[effer]

Just wanted to chime in and agree with what TC wrote. It's all a damn shame. I love my car to death and am proud of it. But with all the new cars coming out, I don't want to have to resort to FI in order to keep my head up. "A Car With No Excuses." I hope that Honda goes with this tagline moving forward. Somebody find the emails for the Honda execs and I say we spam them with copies of TC's post. Or make up a virus/worm that will blast their desktops with it. I jest, but really, lets try and get their attention.

I think it is time for us to do something.

What about a petition in which we could find an explicative letter like TC wrote?

Let's try to get as much signature from Prime members.

And then try to make as much wave we could by sending it to big magazines and most importantly to Honda.

Any takers?


Magazines and Honda won't definately be comfortable to ignore such an action.


We have more influence than we might think.


We only have to be united...

 

[NetViper]

Magazines and Honda won't definately be comfortable to ignore such an action.


We have more influence than we might think.


We only have to be united...

I'll sign it.

 

[smonop]

I'm in. I have used petitions quite successfully... alas, not to Honda, but it can't hurt.. :biggrin:

 

[Dr.Honda]

I don't think it's ever going to happen (NSX-2), Honda has clearly demonstrated that it has lost interest in its former flagship. I truly can't understand this from a company that is #2 in F1, #1 in IRL and has a strong presence in virtually ever other form of motorsport. They refuse to upgrade
the NSX, tease us with the (admittedly underpowered) HSC, then Mugen puts the NSX's rightful motor in the RL. I think there is some sadistic SOB over at Honda that is reading these forums and laughing at us like we're a bunch of Linus's waiting for the great pumpkin.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Ah - now I understand: It's Lucy that really rules Honda - taking the ball away everytime we want to kick it :biggrin:

 

[White92]

I've always hated Lucy.

 

[TC]

...like we're a bunch of Linus's waiting for the great pumpkin.

That is the funniest thing that I've read on any NSX Prime forum in a long, long time. But, unfortunately, it seems to be 100% true. Some day I'll post my series of car mag clippings on the new NSX dating back to 1996 - it is sad when you see about 15 rumors and predictions, several made by Honda and Acura execs, go unfilfilled. Call me Sally, I'm pissed off that I've missed Halloween and I'm leaving the pumpkin patch.

 

[NetViper]

That is the funniest thing that I've read on any NSX Prime forum in a long, long time. But, unfortunately, it seems to be 100% true. Some day I'll post my series of car mag clippings on the new NSX dating back to 1996 - it is sad when you see about 15 rumors and predictions, several made by Honda and Acura execs, go unfilfilled. Call me Sally, I'm pissed off that I've missed Halloween and I'm leaving the pumpkin patch.

I agree. SOOOOO many magazines have all these predictions for what the NSX has in store. NONE have been right. Everything from Hybrid to V8 to V10. I again will cite the Peter Cunningham interview from 1998 where he says "the new car is already done, they are just waiting to introduce it" (loose paraphrase). But honestly, what the hell was he talking about???

My thought is if you love the current NSX, spend the money to get the performance up to par with current cars and enjoy it.

The NSX is, and will only ever be, one of a kind.

 

[White92]

I again will cite the Peter Cunningham interview from 1998 where he says "the new car is already done, they are just waiting to introduce it" (loose paraphrase). But honestly, what the hell was he talking about???

Maybe he was talking about the 02 update?

 

[NetViper]

Maybe he was talking about the 02 update?

I don't think so. Here is the scan. I have NO clue what he was talking about. All I know is he was very wrong.

 

[White92]

I hadn't read that article before, but I've heard similar stuff from the local Acura rep right about the same time. He told me it was also done, but they were perfecting the suspension before they released it. If that's the case, it ought to handle pretty nice if it takes 6-7 years to tune the suspension!

This also makes me think back to the HSC. That car was also "done" and there were some pretty strong comments directly from Honda that made us think that the HSC was the replacement for the NSX and would be released sometime around 2005/2006.