NSX's for $20k

[nsxtasy]

Is it unheard of for an owner to handle the maintenance?

No, it's not unheard of. However, most owners don't. In many cases, owners are able to afford the NSX because they spend a lot of time on their business, which means (a) they don't have the time (or, often, the inclination) to do their own maintenance, and (b) they can afford to pay someone else to do it. But to answer your question, there are some owners who do their own maintenance.

is there any reason not to plan on maintaining an NSX myself?

No, none at all. Many NSX services are similar in complexity and effort to those on other cars, including brake pad changes, fluid changes, valve adjustments, etc. Some services, such as clutch replacements and timing belt replacements, are more complicated; not only do they require more time, but some involve equipment (lift, hoist, etc) that the backyard mechanic may not have.

If you're interested in finding out more about various NSX maintenance procedures, check out the do-it-yourself area of the NSX FAQ (which you can find on this site), the service manual (ditto), and other sites such as DanO's.

 

[vintagecarman]

Not true. That is the average figure, and that is supported by surveys here. (5K miles per year the average figure among NSXs of all vintages, not just early ones). However, most NSXs with average mileage or below are sold in private transactions, and never reach dealers. Many are sold to friends and associates, while many others are sold in forums such as NSXprime. They often sell very quickly, while higher-mileage cars may remain up for sale for extended periods. Also, higher-mileage cars are more likely to be sold at dealerships; as a result, the listings on sites like Autotrader, where the majority are listed by dealers, tend to consist of higher-mileage cars.

Are lower-mileage cars more difficult to find? Yes, because they tend not to be listed for long periods of time. But plenty of them are out there.

True: except they do not sell for $25K or under. I was saying the NSX in question had low miles for the price. Considering the 1st models are now 14 years old, the miles are starting to pile up.

 

[nsxtasy]

True: except they do not sell for $25K or under. I was saying the NSX in question had low miles for the price.

Ah! That makes sense - slightly above average miles for a price that is typically associated with much higher miles.

Considering the 1st models are now 14 years old, the miles are starting to pile up.

Sure. The average of 5K miles/year means that the average for a '91 is 65-70K miles. That's more than the average mileage on a '91 a few years ago, of course (even with the same average per year).

 

[vintagecarman]

Ah! That makes sense - slightly above average miles for a price that is typically associated with much higher miles.

Sure. The average of 5K miles/year means that the average for a '91 is 65-70K miles. That's more than the average mileage on a '91 a few years ago, of course (even with the same average per year).

You are one of the few owners on Prime who purchased their NSX new in 1990. Would your current NSX be that same one? If so, how many miles do you have?

 

[NSXER119]

I have attend several NSX owners luncheons in North California here, and I have seen at least 5 91-93 model NSX's with less than 50,000 miles, and couple of them are only around 20k mile I wish they are for sale when I was looking for one. Most NSX's that I found for sale are slightly or significantly above average mileage.

 

[nsxtasy]

You are one of the few owners on Prime who purchased their NSX new in 1990. Would your current NSX be that same one? If so, how many miles do you have?

No, the NSX in question is not mine, and I am not interested in selling it at the present time or in the foreseeable future (at least, not for its fair market value). If I were in the process of selling mine, I wouldn't post about selling prices, or I would include an appropriate disclaimer in my posts.

Mine has slightly below average miles (~58K).

 

[vintagecarman]

No, the NSX in question is not mine, and I am not interested in selling it at the present time or in the foreseeable future (at least, not for its fair market value). If I were in the process of selling mine, I wouldn't post about selling prices, or I would include an appropriate disclaimer in my posts.

Mine has slightly below average miles (~58K).

I realize the car in question is not yours. Sorry, I was not clear with my question. Do you still own the same NSX you purchased in 1990?

 

[nsxtasy]

Do you still own the same NSX you purchased in 1990?

Yes.

 

[Meeyatch1]

.....and with some help we may be able to answer this mans question on if a $20,000 NSX is worth it for his friend.

 

[vintagecarman]

.....and with some help we may be able to answer this mans question on if a $20,000 NSX is worth it for his friend.

Personally, I would suggest NOT buying a $20K NSX unless you have an additional $5k set aside the odds are a NSX at that price will need some type of mechanical or cosmetic up-grades, unless you get very lucky.

Always searching for NSX’s under $25000, I firmly believe that you can find a relatively low mile well maintained clean NSX at that price. While selling my last NSX, I found a 91 Black and Ivory with 101K that had a long list of high quality performance up-grades clean car fax NO accident needed nothing and was mechanically and cosmetically perfect, sold for $24000. It happened to be one of the best deals I have ever come across.

Once again, If you are willing to spend $20K but refuse to spend $25k I wouldn’t highly suggest not buying one.

 

[Meeyatch1]

Personally, I would suggest NOT buying a $20K NSX unless you have an additional $5k set aside the odds are a NSX at that price will need some type of mechanical or cosmetic up-grades, unless you get very lucky...

Agreed. Unless you happen to find a diamond in the rough, almost every other $20,000 NSX is going to need a few thousand dollars dumped into either mechanical or cosmetic updates. Now, if you are looking for a 'beater NSX' to keep miles off of your garage queen....well, that is a different story.

 

[vintagecarman]

Now, if you are looking for a 'beater NSX' to keep miles off of your garage queen....well, that is a different story.

True: even then, a $20K will need something.

 

[Meeyatch1]

True: even then, a $20K will need something.

True...but if it was a true 'beater' then the items needing fixed would never get fixed.....

 

[Vegas Boy]

Here's some advice from Warren Buffet, could certainly apply to
this dicussion: " I'd rather pay a fair price for a great company than a
great price for a fair company"

Just switch company for NSX, and there you have it.

 

[vintagecarman]

True...but if it was a true 'beater' then the items needing fixed would never get fixed.....

Might be splitting hairs but if the water pump or timing belt hasn't been replaced well, you know what I'm getting at. There are some aspects that can not be ignored. $20000 NSX aren't up to a reliable mechanical par. enough to trust one anyway.