Opinions on this local '91.

[06_typeS]

So I found this NSX local, but there is not alot of history on the vehicle. The current owner had bought it in an auction in the states and had it brought up here.

Once he got the car here he replaced the factory clutch. He is unaware of the snap ring problem. Says that its a clean car fax. Also the interior was ivory but he died all interior black.

There is 86,000 miles on the car. And the price is firm at 21k CAD.

Here is the link to the car.

http://novascotia.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1991-Acura-NSX-Coupe-W0QQAdIdZ384663572

I plan on going to look at this car tomorrow. Ive read the wiki article and plan on printing off the questions to ask.

Anything else I shoul look at? Also do any of the senior mbrs know anything on this vehicle?

Thanks

 

[ekhonda87]

Im not sure how CAD compares to USD, but if the price is less than 25k USD, it is def worth looking at, and potentially a good deal!

 

[06_typeS]

Our dollar is almost at par, Somthing like .99.8/1$

 

[PHOEN$X]

Wow, that is cheap if it's clean. Get the VIN and run a search on it.

 

[06_typeS]

So I went and looked at the car yesterday, and practically fell in love when I sat my eyes on the car. As for the exterior, I'd give it a 7/10, The front lower valance has spider cracks all through it. There is a small chip behind the passenger door covered with touch up paint.
Interior is a good 8/10. Although the car had Ivory int, the current owner had the seats and carpet died, and now the seats cream Gloss lol.
When I took the car out for the drive, I noticed that the traction control light was lit up along with the light to the left (cant remember what it is now.) Then the climate control unit started to push full blast without even turning it on/off. I played around with a few buttons and pushed the defroster button which turned off the climate control. So that confused me a little. After I hit the climate control button the light left to the the traction control went out. Also the AC was not cold at all.
When we got back I started to play around with the traction control button and even when pushed it still wouldnt go out.

Another thing I noticed was that when I looked at the engine the valve cover plate is turned around (compaired to all other NSX engines that I have seen.)

So can any mbrs that have NSXs please chime in and give this supercar NooB a helping hand?

I also attached a few pictures. The car is going into Honda tomorrow to get inspected. As long as everything checks out I believe ill be picking this car up.

 

[PHOEN$X]

I'm glad you provided some pictures. The seats look good but there are some odd wear & tear items which may explain the price. Some of it is pretty minor, like the missing clock button cover, worn shift knob and e-brake lever button. The car looks moderately modified, with aftermarket stereo, wheels, exhaust tips, from what I can see.

What's with the missing tow hook cover? Did the front lower bumper hit too many speed bumps?

I'm not sure why the glove box looks so worn inside, what was stored in there? It doesn't look like it closes properly in this picture, but that could just be an optical illusion.

What am I looking at here? And did the owner explain the melted mess under the engine cover?

Let us know what a PPI reveals.

 

[Sportsmind4me]

Looks like some type of rodent ate its way in/out of the glove box.

 

[dablackgoku1234]

At $22k, this needs some TLC cosmetically. Try to get service records, but here's what I've spotted on top of whatever that's already mentioned..

1) missing front lip
2) power antenna is not all the way down
3) missing spare tire
4) very greasy/dirty trunk
5) fire in engine bay causing cover to be toasted?

CCU can be repaired by BrianK. AC not cold means there is a leak somewhere - can be pricey to diagnose and repair.

 

[blue_myriddn]

Looks like some type of rodent ate its way in/out of the glove box.

That is my thought too!
The valve cover is just a plastic thing, I didn't know you could put it on backwards, but I never tried either. It isn't connected to anything engine in the least though, so my guess is it is just a fumble. Or maybe the owner liked seeing it that way?

The electrical stuff sounds fruity, but that could be due to the stereo work. What the heck is that little red light to the right of the clock? Is it more aftermarket electronics? Again - that may explains some of the climate control & traction control light oddities.

Tow hook seems to be there (the big metal loop), but the cover is clearly broken off, mostly just more dmg to an already dmg'd area of the car so not a biggy.

The melted spot in the engine cover is odd too, I wonder if there was a coolant spray that did that. Honestly dunno though.

Other than electronic gremlins and making sure there wasn't some sort of engine fumble indicated by the melted, the car seems overall good considering the price. I'd be sure to ask if the current owner has the factory radio though.

 

[Meeyatch1]

So how did the inspection go?

 

[06_typeS]

The inspection went well. I'm pretty sure they just did a pre-motor vehicle inspection. I don't think they tore anything apart. The car will pass inspection for this year. They said that they noticed a small oil leak but couldn't trace where it came from. The put some kind of dye in the engine and left it in overnight to try and see where it came from.

The owner (which I just found out works at Honda as the sales manager) still swears that the leak inst from the engine.

They are also looking into the traction control wiring issue this am. The senior mechanic wasn't around and they wanted to wait until he returned this am for him to take a look.

So that's about it. I'm still nervous a little bit as its a big purchase for a used car.

The owner still is firm on 21k.

 

[06_typeS]

I'm glad you provided some pictures. The seats look good but there are some odd wear & tear items which may explain the price. Some of it is pretty minor, like the missing clock button cover, worn shift knob and e-brake lever button. The car looks moderately modified, with aftermarket stereo, wheels, exhaust tips, from what I can see.

What's with the missing tow hook cover? Did the front lower bumper hit too many speed bumps?

I'm not sure why the glove box looks so worn inside, what was stored in there? It doesn't look like it closes properly in this picture, but that could just be an optical illusion.

What am I looking at here? And did the owner explain the melted mess under the engine cover?

Let us know what a PPI reveals.

I'm pretty sure the picture is an optical allusion because it opened and closed fine for me.

The second pic is from under the trunk mat. Although it doesn't look to appealing there looked to be no leaks or body fill there.

 

[Meeyatch1]

...

So that's about it. I'm still nervous a little bit as its a big purchase for a used car.

The owner still is firm on 21k.

I am saying this for your own well being because I do not want to see anyone have their dream ruined by getting in over their head (which is easy to do when blinded by a passion for a car or any object of obsession). Assuming you buy the car for $21,000 as it sits, do you have the ability to put $3,000 into the car right off the bat to make sure it is up to date on maintenance and possibly some repairs? If not, you really need to think this through. Because putting $3,000 into an NSX can happen in the blink of an eye. Easily half of that $3,000 figure (if not more, depending on the dealerhip) can be sucked up on timing belt/water pump/accessory belts which are due at 90k miles (and are probably OVER DUE due to time on this car).

So assuming you get a decent deal on that service, you still have to do the 90k service of fluid changes and other items. So now out of that $3,000 you have probably spent $2,500 which leaves you only $500 to do anything else you want to do. From the looks of that car, it will need more than $500 in other repairs. So that leaves you with $24,000 into the car with a long way to go to make it where you probably want it to be. Remember, that timing belt/water pump/accessory belt service is NOT something you can afford to just 'put off until later'. The short block for the NSX is $32,000 new for the part alone, and even a good complete used motor will cost you probably $10,000 installed at a decent shop. So really think this through before you jump. In all reality, you could probably spend $5,000 on this car without batting an eye, especially once you get into fixing that oil leak. Just trying to look out for you. Be careful.

 

[Honcho]

I agree with Mitch. From the pictures and general NSX knowledge, you will need $3,000 to $5,000 to make this car liveable right off the bat. Budget another $5,000 for stuff you don't know about yet. If the car does not have service records, you need to assume it needs all services to get it up to date.

Here is a list just off the top of my head (prices for some parts are used):

90k Service (timing belt/WP/plugs/valve adj) = $2,000
Replace all engine oil gaskets (spool, oil sender, etc) = $500
Harmonic Damper (new) = $300
Front Lip Spoiler = $100
Shift Knob = $100
E-Brake Handle = $100
Glove Box = $100
Re-Paint Bumper = $500
Ouality Paint/Interior Clean and Detail = $500
Coolant Hoses = $600
Brake/ABS Flush = $300
New Seat Covers (leatherseats) = $650
Fix CCU = $150
Fix TCS and electric issues = $500
Repair A/C = $1,000
Trans Flush = $100

TOTAL = $7,500

Now, the above is just for known issues and is a low estimate based on used parts prices. The engine and trans have 86,000 miles on them and, without records, you have no idea how they have been treated. Maybe the previous owners babied the car and changed oil every 3,000 religiously. Or, maybe they were out there every friday night at the import drag races dumping the clutch and lighting it up. Thus, problems may arise after purchase that could be very expensive. The damage to the engine cover looks suspiciously like fire damage to me- the plastic appears to be melted. Coolant would not do that. That is very concerning. If there was a fire in the engine bay, even a small one, it could have damaged electrical connections and vacuum lines you can't see- basically anything rubber or plastic. I would press the owner hard about this issue.

Assuming you buy it for 21, your total cost to get the car right would be $28,500, which is right about where a solid 91 with no issues should be in terms of price. Thus, I think 21 is a good deal, but as Mitch said, make sure you have that extra $7,500 on hand right now. Plus, budget another $5,000 later for stuff you don't know about yet.

 

[Ric]

I would walk. Don't make the dream become a nightmare.

 

[Fuoss484]

I would walk away too. There are better examples of a NSX out there for what you are going to end up putting into this car. If you still havent found an NSX within a month or so of looking. Call the gentleman up and see if he has sold it and is willing to take alot less. 21,000 dollars is alot of money to be throwing around. So make sure you take your time in finding the NSX that is right for you. You will have over 25K in this car, just to get it up to date. In the long run, it will be way cheaper to spend a little more money from the begining.