New to Forum - are any of you 911 converts?

[keitho64]

Hello

I have been thinking about a NSX for some time. I have always admired the car and decided it is time to research a purchase.

I currently own a 1969 911 that is some what of a modified car, but mostly a street car with limited track use. My enjoyment comes from driving and I really enjoy the response of the lighter, early cars. Are there many of you here who have owned, or own, 911's? How would you compare the cars? Were you happier with one or the other?

I have not decided between a Targa or coupe but I am leaning toward an open car. Also I am still undecided between the earlier 3.0 models vs. the 3.2. It seems like the 3.2 may be the preferred route. I really think the decision will come down to availability, price and condition. I am not scared off by high mileage cars but I do not want one that has been abused or modified extensively.

I am currently living in the DC area but commute between here and Chicago. The car will primarily be in DC as the roads here will be great for the car.

Well that is enough of an introduction, now I will start searching the forum to see what knowledge I can amass. Oh, if anyone knows of a clean NSX in the area I am interested. My only real requirement is it must be a stick. If it were a blue, targa that would even be better.

 

[bfrank1972]

Sounds like you have the right idea - condition for these cars (just like 911's) is very important. Mileage and year are always considerations, but having a well documented history is what you really are looking for. As far as driving experience (I used to own a 73 911S), completely different. Think something closer to driving a 997 rather than an early 911, but really the NSX a unique experience on its own. The NSX is also tighter on the inside if you're tall. Best thing to do is find one and drive it. Do a search here on the NA1 (3.0) and the NA2 (3.2) cars. Lots of info on the pluses and minuses...

 

[shawn110975]

yeah but high mileage means NOTHING to these cars, guys have them pushing over 350K miles, and going strong. when Honda makes something that make it to last. unlike BMW, Mercedes, lexus, Ferrari, lotus you get my the picture

I always tell people to check out this link to give them a better idea on Used NSX's and read the whole article, people say this and say that, but when they read this article they usually shut up.
about mileage

http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/includes/htup_0810_acura_nsx_buyers_guide/index.html

print it out read it and take it with you during any inspections of an NSX you will thank me

goodluck

note: I have had 5 people PM me and thank me for posting that link so far.

 

[JLCoolman]

yep, i have that issue

and i keep that article in the back of my mind

 

[bfrank1972]

yeah but high mileage means NOTHING to these cars, guys have them pushing over 350K miles, and going strong. when Honda makes something that make it to last. unlike BMW, Mercedes, lexus, Ferrari, lotus you get my the picture

I always tell people to check out this link to give them a better idea on Used NSX's and read the whole article, people say this and say that, but when they read this article they usually shut up.
about mileage

http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/includes/htup_0810_acura_nsx_buyers_guide/index.html

print it out read it and take it with you during any inspections of an NSX you will thank me

goodluck

note: I have had 5 people PM me and thank me for posting that link so far.

Don't quite agree that mileage means nothing on an NSX. It always means something. An NSX is not just a motor. There is always wear and tear - higher mileage cars of any type require a deeper look into how well it was maintained. There are plenty of very high mileage BMW, Mercedes & Porsche cars out there, just depends on how well the owner(s) maintained the car, depends on where the car was driven, depends on how it was driven, etc.

 

[shawn110975]

even if the previous Owner beat the shit outta his NSX, with some repair/ inspection the car will keep going, like any car i guess, but you are right about how well they were maintained, but in the real world one guys word doesnt mean shit intill you get the car home. and do a personal inspection your self.

JLCOOLMAN that issue of Honda tunning with the buyer guide, can you tell me what issue it was in, I want to try and find that issue and add it to my NSX stuff. please help !!!!

 

[JLCoolman]

it was the October '08 issue, has a white and a blue TSX on the cover

 

[goa360]

Oh, if anyone knows of a clean NSX in the area I am interested. My only real requirement is it must be a stick. If it were a blue, targa that would even be better.

I think Pohanka Acura in Chantilly, VA had a red one. I don't recollect details. You might want to contact them. Good luck!

 

[SFNSXguy]

I'm a forty-five year PCA member. Replaced a 930 with the NSX. Look at it this way, Porsche has been trying to build the perfect sports car (911) since 1965... with the 2010 turbo, GT2 and GT3 they are getting very close.
Honda tried it in 1990 and got it right the first time.
Anyone who likes a short-wheelbase 911 will have an orgasm the first time they track a NSX.
Hint: you want a coupe -- especially an early one (91-92) lighter, less frills -- though the NA2 cars have more hp and the six-speed. Read the Wiki and learn the subtle differences before you buy.

 

[whiteNSXs]

Having been driving 911 for 20 some years. Have had 4 911 and still drive a 1989 3.2 cab almost daily. The NSX spanks all the air-cooled 911 probably except the 993TT. This is not a fair comparision since all air-cooled 911 are derivatives of an almost 50 year old design. The current 997s are obviously faster than the NSX.
Steve

 

[keitho64]

Thank you for all the excellent replies. I copied the article from Honda tuning and will keep it with me at all times.

One of the things I love about the 911 I have is it weights 2,200 with me in it. I am intrigued by the fact the 91 and 92 are lighter. I always prefer the lightest car possible.

I am going to look at two different ones this weekend. Both are at dealers and I would prefer to buy off the owner, not a dealer.

I will not rush into it yet, unless I happen to find the perfect car.

I know there can be quite a bit of debate on mileage. All I can say is I will take a car with 150,000 that has been properly maintained over a car with 70,000 that has been abused. My thought is if the car has made it to that high of mileage it has been maintained. This is really true it is a car with one or two owners.

I just bought a new daily driver that has 80,000 miles on it. It drove better than many cars I drove with less than 40,000. I got the car from the original owner with all service records. Hopefully I can be lucky with the NSX as well.

 

[scorp965]

One of the things I love about the 911 I have is it weights 2,200 with me in it. I am intrigued by the fact the 91 and 92 are lighter. I always prefer the lightest car possible.

The 996 Carrera is lighter than the NSX, if this is your primary area of interest.

 

[whiteNSXs]

^^^^^^^
Just saw your list of cars. True fan of rear engine, air-cooled boxers.
Steve

 

[keitho64]

I've driven the 996, while it is a great car I came away still liking mine better. I also was lucky enough to drive a 996 GT3, now that was a great car - just out of my budget.

What I find the most appealing about the NSX is the balance of comfort, performance, appearance and usability. I see it as a car for long drives, spirited 'cruises' and track day use. I know I could never drive the car to its' limit but I will have fun trying.

I do have a affliction with a different breed of cars. I prefer to own something unique. I have been hooked on the Corvairs for a long time. Like the Corvair, the NSX is a car you seldom see on the road. I still wrench my neck every time I see one.

 

[scorp965]

I've driven the 996, while it is a great car I came away still liking mine better. I also was lucky enough to drive a 996 GT3, now that was a great car - just out of my budget.

What I find the most appealing about the NSX is the balance of comfort, performance, appearance and usability. I see it as a car for long drives, spirited 'cruises' and track day use. I know I could never drive the car to its' limit but I will have fun trying.

I do have a affliction with a different breed of cars. I prefer to own something unique. I have been hooked on the Corvairs for a long time. Like the Corvair, the NSX is a car you seldom see on the road. I still wrench my neck every time I see one.

You don't need to justify your decision; I have owned 911's and NSX's, and purchased them for very different reasons. The NSX shines as a GT car, and is an exciting daily driver.

The 911 is also a great car. I have owned both an RS clone, and a turbo. My RS clone was a very raw car, and my turbo was heavily modified, so making comparisons between them and the NSX would be of limited value to you. I have a soft spot for air-cooled porsches, in spite of the fact that they are showing their age, and are somewhat finicky (especially compared to a trouble-free car, like the NSX). 996's are inexpensive, and are quick, but I have personally never cared for watercooled porsches.

I wonder what the intent of your thread is then, as the 911 most directly comparable to the NSX is an early year 996. You have experience with aircooled porsches, and while they make great 'extra cars', it would be a poor fit for your stated purpose of long-distance commuting between DC and IL.

If you are looking for generic NSX information, from ex-porsche owners, the NSX is far more reliable, just as enjoyable to drive (in a different way, of course), and both easier, and less expensive, to maintain. You should locate a NSX specialty shop, just as you have probably located a specialist for your vintage porsche, and you should look for a car with complete service records, which show a timing belt and clutch service done recently.

The timing belt and clutch service are the two primary areas of concern with the NSX, not because they are failure prone, but because they are expensive service items. The timing belt is due every 6 years, and the cost is around $1500-2k. The clutch service is around $2500. All other service is priced similar to any other V6 Honda/Acura product.

 

[GOTTSPD]

I work in Rockville so let me know of you want to get together some time.

 

[tbromley]

Scorp's advice is right on point and very well put. I've owned 911s - 3 of them, an 83 SC targa, an 87 Turbo Look cabrio, and a '96 993 coupe and I love the air coolers. I would never ever even think of buying a 996 - the new 997.2 - now that's another story. They've finally, or apparently worked out a lot of the bad kinks in the engine design with the direct fuel injected models. There is too much possibility of engine failure with the 996 for me to risk ownership - I speak of the RMS and Intermediate Shaft bearing failures - even though there is a fix for the bearing now as I've read - although not cheap. I'd pass.

I was ready to buy a 4S 996 when I sold my 993 - and sometimes regret selling the 993 - that is a great car by the way. But as Scorp says they are finiky just like all the air coolers and a 69 model is surely no different in the finiky department. If you've had your 69 for a long time you surely know the deal with old 911s. I love the 89 model 3.2s and would consider that to be the most bullet proof of all of them - period!

With that said - I ended up with a 91 Silver coupe and it is a fabulous car! There are issues of maintenance as you would have with any older auto - the better maintained with records (being a 911 owner you know the maintenance history drill) is the only way to go. Mine came with a stack of records and I still put 5k in mine when I bought it. The timing belt/water pump/hoses and clutch, master and slave, fluids, and AC are all important issues to check! If you buy an older model there will surely be some good examples on our "Market Board". There are some that are available right now that will range from early to last model year from mid 20s to 70k+. The md 20k cars will need stuff - most likely a lot of stuff but it may be that they are selling low because of miles - obviously the interior is going to lack something with high miles. Transmission with high miles might need syncro attention - might. The 91 and 92 models partial years in both may have a transmission snap ring issue. The numbers on the tranny tell the story of if they are in the range and even if in the range not all have the problem. If it does and it hasn't been dealt with I might factor that in for future repairs - they should have had that attended too in most of them by now.

The paint on these cars is terrific - the seats are unbelievably comfortable and once you "get in", which isn't as easy as you'd think, it is an ergonomic dream boat! The 3.0 has a 6 year or 95k mile issue with the timing belt - the later 3.2 is 7 years or 105. The brakes hardly ever wear out - mine are still great at 46k miiles. The clutch in the early cars is around 2400 including labor but the 3.2/6 speed clutch is about that much just for the parts. The later models with the 3.2 are all, almost all with very rare exceptions, targas. That may be a bonus to you? There is not enough difference in the weight to worry about. The 3.2 is more powerful - so it really boils down to looks - do you want concealed head lights or the later 02 -05 models with exposed headlights? They are all good!

You won't regret going from a 911 to an NSX. You might wish you could keep your 69 and also have an NSX.....? I don't know but I think I might , but then my favorite model might be a 72 911 S with mechanical fuel injection - but there are lots of cool Porsches and I'm still a member of the PCA! I still get Excellence and read it cover to cover.

Enjoy your search - stay patient - and remember Bruce Anderson's advice - it applies to NSXs as well I think.



The NSX is a great reliable auto and it has all the sport you'll want and if you are coming out of a light tossable 69 911 you will appreciate the early models

You don't need to justify your decision; I have owned 911's and NSX's, and purchased them for very different reasons. The NSX shines as a GT car, and is an exciting daily driver.

The 911 is also a great car. I have owned both an RS clone, and a turbo. My RS clone was a very raw car, and my turbo was heavily modified, so making comparisons between them and the NSX would be of limited value to you. I have a soft spot for air-cooled porsches, in spite of the fact that they are showing their age, and are somewhat finicky (especially compared to a trouble-free car, like the NSX). 996's are inexpensive, and are quick, but I have personally never cared for watercooled porsches.

I wonder what the intent of your thread is then, as the 911 most directly comparable to the NSX is an early year 996. You have experience with aircooled porsches, and while they make great 'extra cars', it would be a poor fit for your stated purpose of long-distance commuting between DC and IL.

If you are looking for generic NSX information, from ex-porsche owners, the NSX is far more reliable, just as enjoyable to drive (in a different way, of course), and both easier, and less expensive, to maintain. You should locate a NSX specialty shop, just as you have probably located a specialist for your vintage porsche, and you should look for a car with complete service records, which show a timing belt and clutch service done recently.

The timing belt and clutch service are the two primary areas of concern with the NSX, not because they are failure prone, but because they are expensive service items. The timing belt is due every 6 years, and the cost is around $1500-2k. The clutch service is around $2500. All other service is priced similar to any other V6 Honda/Acura product.

 

[keitho64]

I work in Rockville so let me know of you want to get together some time.

I am in Rockville as well. I am at Standish Place near Gude and Crabs Branch.

I saw a red NSX this weekend parked off 117 in Boyds. Not sure of the name of the forest preserve. I pulled in but now one was around. Was that you?

I'll send you a PM with my contact information.

 

[EuroBoutique]

Unlike some of the old farts on here (j/k) I have never owned some of the older P-cars you guys are talking about and quite honestly don't know much about them. Heck most of them were made before I was born! :biggrin:

I have owned a 997 GT3 prior to buying my NSX and from that experience I can tell you the 08 GT3 is light years ahead of the NSX in technology obviously but even with a 130k price tag, I actually enjoyed driving the NSX more ~ some people call me crazy but the GT3 is a bit too fast for street driving and overkill in so many ways. The ride quality on the GT3 was basically like a race car and super firm. You learn to avoid potholes with that car and the PCCB Ceramics are just too expensive to replace if you drive a lot of miles. Speed wise the GT3 is a monster on the top end but the NSX surprisingly has great pull in the top end as well that I really don't miss the extra 125hp! :biggrin:

btw OP, you have some really intersting cars in your collection! Would love to learn more about those one of these days.


rick

 

[Big_D]

My advice to you would be to find a 91 or 92 model with fully documented maintenance history and you can't go wrong. If you want a little more power you can add some headers and a good exhaust and you will make as much power as the 3.2. Good Luck on your search.

 

[BATMANs]

91 and 92 have some A/C issues from my local NSX mechanic notes. That and the aforementioned snap ring issues.

Storage in the NSX cabin is finite. Since the 91/92 have no passenger air bags, the glove compartment have more storage.

Hardtop > targa for performance (lighter chassis and less chassis flex - probably even safer in accident)

Going with an older/high mileage NSX gives you more options with regards to modifying the car (stroker kit, Forced induction, etc.)