Power steering or not? Is it worth 10000$

[BITeR]

Ok, my long journey to buy my NSX has started. I have decided to get one and, the journey is long because in my country a 1991 NSX is about 50 000 $ or more.(because of super high car taxes) Newer cost more of course.

A question that has been bothering me for a while is the power steering that was added in 1995 as standard (and option in europe 1994.) I figured I would wait for a 1994 with this because it is better than the non-power steering. I have to spend about 10 000 $ more to get this on the newser model compared to 1991-1992. Is the newer car with power steering worth my money?? I would also benefit from minor changes on the 1994-1995, but really 10 000 is a lot for me.

Please help me choose the cheaper ones. Input on pro/con powersteering and any other fact that I may have missed.

regards
soon to be owner. (well in 1 year or so...)

 

[BITeR]

Can a power steering unity be fitted to pre 1995 cars?? Anyone done this?

 

[nsxtasy]

I don't know about retrofitting the power steering onto an earlier car.

However, you should try driving an NSX without it to see if you really need it and want it. (Perhaps you can find another owner in your country, either through the new Euro forum on NSXprime or the Euro NSX Club.)

I have a '91 without power steering and I like the manual steering. It requires some effort for slow-speed parking lot maneuvers but I don't think it's unmanageable. It provides a lot of road feel. And, at road speeds above 50 kmph (35 mph) the power steering doesn't provide any power assist anyway.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 11 July 2002).]

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I have to say I agree with Ken. I have a 1991 with manual steering and it is fine. I would not make this a major point of your buying decision.

My $.02

LarryB

 

[AaronR]

I don't have it (94 car) and I don't miss it one bit! I could have easily bought a 97+ car but after driving a few, I prefered the earlier car's steering. It became a toss up between 6th gear and power steering for me. I have a 3 series BMW that I use as a track car, and now when I drive it the steering feels sloppy to me (and that car has H&R coil overs on it!) Try a few before you buy, you may be like me and decide on an early car for that reason.
Aaron

 

[Lud]

Having owned both, I think there are positives and negatives to both the manual and power steering. But overall I think the +/- balance out and it's pretty much a wash. I would not pay to add power steering to an NSX that didn't have it, nor would I pay to remove it from one that did.

Unless you have a medical condition which makes it hard for you to use the manual steering cars, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one based on that alone. The only time you really even notice that it is manual steering is at very low speeds.

 

[T Bolen]

I have a '95 that currently is operating with and without power steering.( There is a problem that lights up the EPS light and in turn shuts off the electric assist). I pull the clock fuse , let it reset and return to power steering (thank you, Prime search feature). I can state that I notice very little difference other than that annoying light. I will get it fixed in time but it seems not necessary for driving ease.

 

[NetViper]

I do not have power steering (93), but I can tell you I was a little worried about that when I was looking at NSX's. My civic's steering was so easy, the NSX is quite a bit harder by comparison. I have not driven an NSX with power steering, but I can tell you that if you do a lot of driving under 35 MPH, it might be worth it for you.

That being said, as long as you are moving a little bit, the steering is not bad and you get used to it soon enough.

If there was an option to add power steering to the pre-95 cars, I would certainly be interested in learning more.

 

[Lud]

Given enough money you can do anything.

Yes you can convert a manual steering NSX to power steering, but it will be quite expensive because the system itself is expensive plus a decent amount of labor. The power assembly alone retails for over $4400. I don't know anybody who has done it, but if you do, please document parts, labor and prices and I'll add it to the FAQ.

 

[gobble]

My wife drives my (our) 92 all the time and probably has no idea that it doesn't have power steering. She has never made a comment about the car being hard to steer. I wouldn't think twice about buying an older one without power steering.

 

[Carguy!]

I have owned a '91 and now own a '00 with power steering. I personally prefered the feeling of the '91, I wouldn't worry about the lack of power steering. If someone is interested I might pull mine off of my car and sell it, I am not sure if the power steering from a 3.2 will fit the earlier cars though.

 

[SCS2k]

Originally posted by T Bolen:
I have a '95 that currently is operating with and without power steering.( There is a problem that lights up the EPS light and in turn shuts off the electric assist). I pull the clock fuse , let it reset and return to power steering (thank you, Prime search feature). I can state that I notice very little difference other than that annoying light. I will get it fixed in time but it seems not necessary for driving ease.

This should be a warranty fix for a '95 NSX. My '96 did the same thing and I had received a letter from AHM stating the warranty for the power steering control module was extended to 8 years / 80,000 miles. You might check with your dealer to see if it can be fixed for free.

 

[Dr.Honda]

I have a '92 and didn't realize it didn't have power steering till I read this thread.
I love the way the steering feels.

 

[T Bolen]

Thanks SCS2K for the info about the 8/80 warranty. Can you post the letter or private me? My fax # is 813 876 5159. Good info to have to discuss it with my dealer.
Tom Bolen

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by JimK:
I have a '92 and didn't realize it didn't have power steering till I read this thread.
I love the way the steering feels.

Your '92 has power steering if it's an automatic, not if it's a manual.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Perhaps you can find another owner in your country

See the post by Trond here.

 

[wilsonp]

Originally posted by NetViper:
I have not driven an NSX with power steering, but I can tell you that if you do a lot of driving under 35 MPH, it might be worth it for you.

My NSX is an automatic with power steering, and one thing that surprised me is the abrupt transition in effort the first few times I drove.

It seems to transition more like 20 MPH than 35 MPH. Going below 15, steering effort is quite light and easy. At around 20 or so, there is an abrupt transition to "that seems quite stiff" and by the time I am up to 40, it is pretty easy again.

Of course, at 40 I don't turn the wheel so sharply, so that probably explains some of it

My MR2 was more predictable with just manual steering, though a lighter car made effort easier, so I don't think the power steering is very important.

 

[huckster]

ive driven both and own a 91 without power steering. dont want it one bit. it is a little effort when parking in a tight spot, but hey, it makes me feel good on the days when i didnt make it to the gym.

you dont need it IMO, unless you have health issues or it feels too difficult for you.

good luck. try both if you have the opportunity.

 

[Russ]

Originally posted by Larry Bastanza:
I have to say I agree with Ken. I have a 1991 with manual steering and it is fine. I would not make this a major point of your buying decision.

I'll second (third?) this. It's nothing like the manual steering feel of old, not burdensome at all. I say put the $10K to better use.

------------------
Russ
'91 black/black

 

[Trond]

nsxtasy: You're even faster than me !

BITeR: Saw this thread yesterday, but didn't have time to reply. I have a 92 European spec NSX (of course without any power assisted steering). You're welcome to visit my shop for a test drive anytime. I have 8x18'' with 225/40 on my front axle, and parking do require some armpower from time to time, but if that's the main reason for going up to 94/95's, I would spend that extra money on tuning parts instead

------------------
92 Honda NSX, Style Auto body kit (fully repainted incl. roof), Bilstein/Comptech suspension, RH AL 8x18/10x19'' rims with 225/40 & 275/30 Yokohama AVS Sport, RM Racing air inlet/exhaust/gearknob, Comptech cat. pipes, Cantrell CF engine cover, Taitec CF mirrors ++
On the way from SoS: AP Racing 330mm brake kit (f&r), SoS sway bars, Taitec hub, SoS CF brake air ducts
Planned: Basch SC

 

[BITeR]

Thanks again for all the comments. So far you all seem to agree that the manual pre 95's are quite good and effortless. So that problem should be out of my way. Now I only have to worry about one "outside snapring range" and maybe look for one with the adjusted camber settings for less tire wear (also a newer NSX change, after 1992??) I am ,like all of you, really picky and when I first decide to get something (especially a 50 000$ something)I do a lot of research.

Trond, I would love to test drive your NSX. I have seen it a few times and I have spoken to you a couple of times. I drive the black Integra Type R. I assume you will be at the Rudskogen trackday this weekend for Gatebil?? Or we can arrange something else.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by BITeR:
Now I only have to worry about one "outside snapring range"

I wouldn't be afraid of one in the snap ring range. It may never go bad - but if it does, as long as you don't drive it, you may have a relatively inexpensive repair, that's all. For complete advice, click here.

Originally posted by BITeR:
and maybe look for one with the adjusted camber settings for less tire wear (also a newer NSX change, after 1992??)

Don't worry about that. That is just an alignment setting. Any NSX can be aligned to either alignment setting - the specs originally recommended in '91-92, or the revised specs which were made retroactive to those years. It just takes an hour or two labor by an alignment specialist. This is not something to worry about in your car search.

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by BITeR:
I figured I would wait for a 1994 with this because it is better than the non-power steering. I have to spend about 10 000 $ more to get this on the newser model compared to 1991-1992. Is the newer car with power steering worth my money?? I would also benefit from minor changes on the 1994-1995, but really 10 000 is a lot for me.

$10,000 to add EPS, or to delete it??

IMO all NSXs would do just fine without it.

 

[Meeyatch1]

Originally posted by wilsonp:
My NSX is an automatic with power steering, and one thing that surprised me is the abrupt transition in effort the first few times I drove.

Hey! Another guy with and automatic! From the picture it looks like you have a black/ivory also. Mine is a 1991 #2882. What about yours?



------------------
Mitch

(a.k.a.-- 'Mason'...Tire Rack sales guy in training.)

1991 Acura NSX black/ivory

 

[wilsonp]

Originally posted by Meeyatch1:
Hey! Another guy with and automatic! From the picture it looks like you have a black/ivory also. Mine is a 1991 #2882. What about yours?

It's black/ivory - beyond that?

I think it is a '92 with a changed VIN (VIN says 93 manual). The more I look at it, the more I realize it's had a wreck, but it looks pretty good and drive pretty good, so I'm still enjoying it!

I guess I'll be buying some tires from you soon!