After reviewing the past threads (including NSXTacy's remarks) I've decided to respond by starting a new thread. There were some great points in the last one, and some I don't completely agree on. In my opinon the two cars have a very fundamental diff. The 993 was developed as a race car, then tamed for the streets. The NSX was designed from the start as the ultimate street car. I reference some simple design diff. to prove my point. For example when I go to the track with Doc we pit together and help each other work on our cars. As I mentioed I was also the owner of a 92 NSX for a year. On the 993 the process of changing brake pads entails removing the wheel, unclipping the pad carrier and swaping the pads, maybe two minutes a wheel. On the NSX the entire caliper has to be pulled off, 10-15 minutes.
Secondly is the steering, now I'm talking about early non-power NSXs (like my old one and Docs) I've driven Doc's car on the track. There is no question that it handles amazing! The car is like a scalpel on turn-in. However steering effort required is substantially more than my 993(also non-power). For a street car that spends a majority of time going straight, that fine, it makes the NSX feel very tight on the street, however on the track it is less comfortable to drive for extended stints than my 993.
The pedals on the Porsche were criticized for being bizzare, and ackward. They are indeed different. The fact that the pedals come up from the floor, as opposed to down from under the dash means that the clutch foot has to stay in the air, no heel pivot (unless you have Shaq feet). This is less comfortable for street use than the NSX's standard set-up. Caught in traffic or just tooling around town, I'd pick the NSX over the 993 9 of 10 times. That said, I feel the 993 pedal layout is better for track use. My car is worlds easier to heel-toe than the NSX. In the porsche you don't even have to bend you ankle. If you roll your heel down while braking with the ball of your foot, the gas is there.
I could go on, but the point is this. The NSX and the 993 are so different that instead of "bashing" one or the other I'm simply thankful for the opportunity to have evaluated them from experience. We shouldn't forget how fortunate we are to be driving these cars. I don't think its fair to say that either car is superior. It all comes down to the priorities and preferences of the owners.
Secondly is the steering, now I'm talking about early non-power NSXs (like my old one and Docs) I've driven Doc's car on the track. There is no question that it handles amazing! The car is like a scalpel on turn-in. However steering effort required is substantially more than my 993(also non-power). For a street car that spends a majority of time going straight, that fine, it makes the NSX feel very tight on the street, however on the track it is less comfortable to drive for extended stints than my 993.
The pedals on the Porsche were criticized for being bizzare, and ackward. They are indeed different. The fact that the pedals come up from the floor, as opposed to down from under the dash means that the clutch foot has to stay in the air, no heel pivot (unless you have Shaq feet). This is less comfortable for street use than the NSX's standard set-up. Caught in traffic or just tooling around town, I'd pick the NSX over the 993 9 of 10 times. That said, I feel the 993 pedal layout is better for track use. My car is worlds easier to heel-toe than the NSX. In the porsche you don't even have to bend you ankle. If you roll your heel down while braking with the ball of your foot, the gas is there.
I could go on, but the point is this. The NSX and the 993 are so different that instead of "bashing" one or the other I'm simply thankful for the opportunity to have evaluated them from experience. We shouldn't forget how fortunate we are to be driving these cars. I don't think its fair to say that either car is superior. It all comes down to the priorities and preferences of the owners.
