I have a 91 NSX and sold an 01 M3 6 months ago which I dorve for 8 months - bought the M3 because it has back seats for the kids - thought it will make me forget the NSX - but NO WAY - I would take a 91 NSX over any M3 - for me, M3 seats were not as comfortable as the NSX on long drives, gear box in the 6spd is garbage, suspension is extremely stiff, wife could not take the ride, car felt heavy as well. The best thing about the M3 is definitely the engine. A much much better car in my opinion is the 911 - although an 02 996 C2 is more expensive than an 01-03 M3 - but it is a much much more of a sports car. Will definitely be my second car (family car) in the near future.
NSX vs M3
- Thread starter gsr.sedan
- Start date
gsr.sedan said:
Dont let 10K hold you back from your "dreamy car" also be prepared to spend additional ~5K within several weeks/months of NSX ownership for must have mods.
Ski_Banker
Suspended
Just edited my "not very helpful" post. :wink:
One thing I haven't usually seen in NSX vs. ____ comparos is "potential for theft." I have no idea how NSX stacks up against the M3, but might be an important consideration if you are going to daily drive one or the other.
One thing I haven't usually seen in NSX vs. ____ comparos is "potential for theft." I have no idea how NSX stacks up against the M3, but might be an important consideration if you are going to daily drive one or the other.
Don't get the older Boxster S, the one with 250 hp or so. My friend has one and i smoked him in my 91. The newer S though has close to 300 so that might put up one hell of a fight.
I had to make the same decision a while back, a new E46 or a old ass used NA1. The E46 is a pimp car, chicks will love the fact that you drive a BMW (M3, they don't know what the hell that is anyway), the NSX EVERYONE will love/hate.
The E46 to me has too many creature comforts that shouldn't belong in a sports car, heated seats? I'm glad my NSX doesn't have P/S, my speakers are blown, I want to remove my Cruise Control, and rarely use my A/C.
I had to make the same decision a while back, a new E46 or a old ass used NA1. The E46 is a pimp car, chicks will love the fact that you drive a BMW (M3, they don't know what the hell that is anyway), the NSX EVERYONE will love/hate.
The E46 to me has too many creature comforts that shouldn't belong in a sports car, heated seats? I'm glad my NSX doesn't have P/S, my speakers are blown, I want to remove my Cruise Control, and rarely use my A/C.
nsx's hold there value M3's dont ive owned both. look at an 2001 M3 they can be had for 25K now you can barley touch an 91 nsx for that. and geezus look at the poor e36 m3 you van get a nice one for under 10. An early NSX with bolt ons will roast a e46 M3 in a straight line and NSX's arent even a good straight line car. If your lookin at gettin at an M3 a 2005+ is just a poor business choice. the 2003 with CPO is the EXACT same car with as much warranty left as a "new 2005" M3 but half the price.
- Joined
- 12 September 2006
- Messages
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As an owner/driver of several BMW cars including M3, and now driving another fast German car, I feel I have to chime in and suggest the NSX. I have loved and experienced both the M3 and NSX in their various iterations, but find the NSX to be the clear winner between the two in all categories save stoplight drags and the occasional need to throw a friend in the back seat. Also, your attempt to compare them is valid - it is an honest comparison regardless of how many people claim it's "apples vs. oranges".
evof575gtc said:
Oh My!!! the NSX looks like a LaMans car parked next to that "SUV" (comparatively speaking)
due to you wanting a newer nsx and new M3.. i probably can't say much.. but if you want more info PM me..
but i owned a '91 nsx and '97 M3
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/darknezz_ghost/nsx3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
but i owned a '91 nsx and '97 M3
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/darknezz_ghost/nsx3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
Batmobl said:
Have to disagree on that as 2001-2003 had problems i.e engine blowing up so if it's something he wants 04-06 are the best way to g
f course maybe the 04-06 haven't been around long enough to have the same kind of problems.Lol you sound like the reverse of all the M3 guys who say they roast NSX's all the time. I go to M3forum.net and whenever there's a M3 vs NSX thread they talk about how slow the NSX is. There needs to be an NSX vs M3 drag day so people can get this mess out of their system...LoL
gsr.sedan said:
I thought I had that data saved from my search. I was looking at a M3 too, but it just missed my top 10 list so I didn't do the due dilligance on it.
I believe edmunds has the cost per year, etc, etc on both cars.
For the resale value, just find 5 example of each, then 5 more the have 2x more miles and 3 years older. Average it, then just figure it out...
In all reality it simply comes down to what you want. Neither car has major short comings. The only thing I would point out is, when the new M3 comes out, will you still like yours? I used to think the last gen was perfect, now I think its bla compared to the new one. The nsx has been a classic for 16 years.
jond said:
I live in Huntington Beach, M3 Capital of the world. I drag M3s all the time, and I won every time. EVERY TIME!!!
jond said:
No need to convince me I just said that ,because each car fan says their car is faster. I love them both for different reasons and depending on your lifestyle one will suit you better than the other. Oh and as far as the next m3 goes so far the styling leaves me cold. Lots of people like the new 335i ,but it looks like a German civic ( previous gen ) to me and the next m3 spy shots are not doing anything for me yet either:frown:
Someone please tell me... Am I nuts? I picked my 05 NSX, with its 15 year old design, over a dozen cars some of which cost 40K more. I sold a V12 Renntech Mercedes that cost over $140K, I picked the car over a new 997S (nevermind a Cayman), a Maserati Grand Sport, A used Modena, an SL55 (and 600), a BMW 650ci, several Aston Martins, etc.
Yet I see all these comparisons to much lesser cars like the M3, the Cayman, etc. And people are legitimately asking these questions.
I have seen these comparisons over and over and sometimes other cars are recommended. So how is it that I see it so differently? I would never buy an M3 over a new NSX, perhaps an M6... I had that choice too and I didn't take it.
So am I just unusual? I wonder if half the people on this forum even think I am nuts or that I made a big mistake. I adore my NSX. I am on this forum so much because I love the car so much... weird I guess.
Yet I see all these comparisons to much lesser cars like the M3, the Cayman, etc. And people are legitimately asking these questions.
I have seen these comparisons over and over and sometimes other cars are recommended. So how is it that I see it so differently? I would never buy an M3 over a new NSX, perhaps an M6... I had that choice too and I didn't take it.
So am I just unusual? I wonder if half the people on this forum even think I am nuts or that I made a big mistake. I adore my NSX. I am on this forum so much because I love the car so much... weird I guess.
TURBO2GO said:
We get these comparisons by people looking to buy used NSX's not new and the NSX's price point will alway's make people want to compare it used.
NSX's price point has alway's been it's achilles heel. Even most fans of the car wouldn't buy it new. Even though it's always been a bargain. That's the magic word right there "bargain". Because the car is/was a bargain it will alway's be compared to these types of cars.
It's odd that we don't really get 911 or 355/360 comparo questions. The NSX isn't far off their used price and is just as close performance wise as an Evo or STi or M3 is to the NSX. I guess people who look at Porsche and Ferrari aren't so price conscious.
This thread is going on as we speak.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=4917639#post4917639
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=4917639#post4917639
WingZ said:
those guy sure love NSX's :biggrin:
TURBO2GO said:
Good point.
I think there are 2 reasons.
1. The styling hasn't changed. You can get a 1991 Ferrari pretty cheap too. I wouldn't want one.... A 1991 NSX still looks really good.
2. People feel the NSX is going to be reliable used with high mileage, and reasonable to maintain. This makes people consider it as a daily driver. Where a Ferrari HAS to be your second car, a NSX can be your primary car.
But you're right though. An exotic car shouldn't be compared to a mass produced sports car.
- Joined
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- Messages
- 415
Well for one thing, i am proud to have become a member after reading the boards for several years. Didnt feel in place without owning one of my own. I just recently sold my 500hp e36 M3 for an NSX . Regardless of teh step down in power, theres no feeling like it. It always belonged to my brother but since it wasnt being used as often its in good hands now. As far as the e46 M3 goes the NSX has such a better driver friendly and crisp response on the road (especially the non ps ones). Drive them both if you get the chance, then make your decision. The M3 has a fun factor that wears in time whereas the NSX doesnt. The one i acquired has been in my family for over 10years.
2001-2002 had oil pump somthing or other problems they were all worked out in 2003 and most of the 02< cars were fixed under recall. stock for stock an e46 M3 will beat a 5spd NSXWingZ said:Have to disagree on that as 2001-2003 had problems i.e engine blowing up so if it's something he wants 04-06 are the best way to g
Lol you sound like the reverse of all the M3 guys who say they roast NSX's all the time. I go to M3forum.net and whenever there's a M3 vs NSX thread they talk about how slow the NSX is. There needs to be an NSX vs M3 drag day so people can get this mess out of their system...LoL
I got rid of my M3 for an NSX.
I have a friend who I am super competitive with. I had a 04 M3 6spd stock.. he had a C5 modded vette with about 380 rwhp. He would usually serve me up a healthy dose of ass whuppin on the straight. We took the cars to a time attack and I kicked his ass on the turns. Drivers race, really, but still.. an asswhupping is an asswhupping.
After our track closed, I went back to getting my healthy dose of Asswhuppings on the straights..
I traded my car in for a 05 NSX 6spd. lighter.. a little less hp. I thought.. dayum.. I'm gonna get worked on the straight.. and since no track.. I can't kick his ass in the turns..
but I hung with him. He was shocked.. I didn't lose any or gain any.. the handling is WAY WAY better then my M3. He got rid of his vette just so that he can get a Viper and beat me on the straights.. I don't care.. my car runs way better then his viper any day.
I have a friend who I am super competitive with. I had a 04 M3 6spd stock.. he had a C5 modded vette with about 380 rwhp. He would usually serve me up a healthy dose of ass whuppin on the straight. We took the cars to a time attack and I kicked his ass on the turns. Drivers race, really, but still.. an asswhupping is an asswhupping.
After our track closed, I went back to getting my healthy dose of Asswhuppings on the straights..
I traded my car in for a 05 NSX 6spd. lighter.. a little less hp. I thought.. dayum.. I'm gonna get worked on the straight.. and since no track.. I can't kick his ass in the turns..
but I hung with him. He was shocked.. I didn't lose any or gain any.. the handling is WAY WAY better then my M3. He got rid of his vette just so that he can get a Viper and beat me on the straights.. I don't care.. my car runs way better then his viper any day.
If by "ps" you mean "power steering" Then you really have no idea what you are talking about!Angelo08 said:
Angelo08 said:
Then you imagined there would be a difference and then that's what you felt!
A lot of people a prejudiced against power steering! So it doesn't matter if it is better or the same or whatever! Once they know it has it, they don’t like it! I'm afraid you have fallen victim to this psychosis as well.
Do some reading up on the electric power steering and you will realise that the electric motor assist disengages at or around 35mph. After that the systems are identical. The electric motor assist only works at slow parking speeds. I know… I have both!
Honda invented a new power steering system for the NSX, it is like nothing you've come across in the past and it is simply brilliant!
Batmobl said:
Oil pump too huh. I was referring to the 01-03 rod bearing recall which supposedly was causing the engines to blow.
I agree and never even think to compare speed on a NA1 NSX vs E46 M3. I always refer to NA2 vs E46 M3.
