Prospective owner questions

Albert86 · 30 April 2012

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ther; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> Hi – I am just a prospective owner, but I have a few questions I hope Primers members can help on.
I don’t see that I would track a car I bought, but I might take it to a local track for a driver training type of course – just to learn how to be a better driver.
I am thinking I would like to get 97 or newer.
In trying to decide on a car I am stuck with modded or not.
In modded I am talking about CT – suspension, lowering, etc. – I don’t think I would go for body modifications.
I am not too concerned about headers and exhaust – these seem like simple mods.
Does a CT run up the cost of maintenance ( I feel silly asking about this – seems obvious)?
Would a CT add to the cost of TB/WP replacement?
What may I not be thinking of as far as cost of ownership of a modded car?
How important is it to get stock parts with a modded car when you purchase?
I have a car that looks interesting – I have the VIN - is a way to get service records (Accura) on a VIN that I am interested in?
Relative to TB/WP replacement interval, say a car is a 98 with low miles - < 35K, would it be unadvisable to drive this car 1500 miles home before this service was performed?
Last but not least – What would I expect to pay for a PPI in the LA/OC area and could anyone provide a recommendation?
I have read through the forum and I have not found answers to most of these questions - sorry if I did not see a post.

As always – Thanks for your patience and help – (I sure sound like a nube) - Al

NSX2398 · 30 April 2012

Welcome to NSXPrime! I don't know how long you've been on the site but another good source of reference information is the NSX Wiki which you can access from the red action bar at the top of most pages. There is a section on "Buying an NSX" and also one on "Modifying Your NSX" although I suspect you won't find direct answers to all your questions.

The term "mods" covers a fairly broad range and can be as simple as an aftermarket exhaust or different wheels. A CompTech supercharger is a fairly expensive mod and not all that common but it was the first forced induction option that Acura offered and I believe it is smog legal in California which may be something you're interested in.

Suspension mods can be as simple as installing Koni or Bilstein shocks or going with a stiffer sway bar .. or could get more involved with replacing with adjustable coilovers. You will find information in the Wiki on most of these.

If you are just thinking of high performance driving instruction, none of the above mods are required. In fact, a completely stock NSX is not only competent for these driver education events but also competent for the kinds of high speed track events that are offered as an annual part of the annual NSXPO convention. My car is a '91 and has neither a supercharger or modified suspension and my son and I participated in the track event at the 2010 NSXPO in different categories. Over the two days, the car was on the track going as fast as we dared for a total of 16 sessions (a total of about 10 hours) and other than tire wear, the only downside was that I needed a new set of brake pads. Note that we also drove it 1500 miles down and back.

Mods do affect re-sale so if you're worried about that, then you may want to consider keeping the OEM pieces if they're easy and not expensive to put back on. But mods or not, the thing that will help resale the most is a detailed history that the car has been well maintained. Note that the timing belt is an item that should be replaced based on age or mileage WHICHEVER IS LESS. So even though the car you're looking at has low mileage, it is way past the TB interval so you would definitely be taking a risk and if a timing belt fails, it causes very expensive engine damage. Having said that, many people on this site have gone beyond the interval and TB failures due to age are fairly rare. But that's your choice.

Good luck. Do a Google search with the VIN and you may see hits on Prime in our new "Registry of VIN sightings" or in the for sale section.

Prospective owner questions

Albert86

NSX2398

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