Salvaged? or Original Owner?

[NimbleSexyXquisite]

Longtime Follower, First Time Posting!

Hello NSX Universe!

I am planning on buying a NSX

I currently make 45K+ a year

I currently own a 2002 RSX Type S Bone Stock (Private Sale worth $16-$17)

I prefer 91' Model; No T (Reason for swap of cars is that my dream car growing up was the NSX and now that it can become a reality. Why not seize the day)

NSX would be daily driven and occasional recreational track use like autocross, drag, maybe drift, but more daily.

Im a car freak, Member of SAE and so on, so I know what the NSX has brought to the Automotive World, I've always had the dream to collect cars as I got older and I want to make the NSX my first collector car.

Its about performance and handling not looks for me(haha the NSX body is enuff looks for me!)

I prefer Naturally Aspirated, then Super charger; No Turbo!

I prefer buying from Original Owner with no Mods; Right out the factory

Most I will spend $35K, but I would prefer to spend $18K-$28 on the car value

Oh yeah, I'm 24 years old, no family/kids, planning to buy a house soon, so I really dont want to loan away too much. that's about it in a nutshell.

Only Concerns and Questions I have are:

1. Experts say that the body would last for at least 30 years. Any one have any issues with any wear or tear on ridigity and so on...? Also body and frame issues after a crash with only front end damage.

2. The Engine gets better after 50K Miles, how about over 100K Miles or even 200K Miles?

3. Should I just wait for a 97' or 02' or 05'; save a little more money + value to drop a little more? Shoot the more I wait the more my RSX go down in value =(

4. A salvaged 91' (Front damage only, ie. replaced ac duct, radiator and front bumper) with mods like Rims, Widebodykit, Aero Hood 115K Miles for $22K - $23K or less after some wheelin' and dealin' or a Original owner 92' All OEM 100KMiles for $25 or less?

5. How much should a salvaged NSX be worth?(Front Damage only) Or how can i check to see if there was any frame damage of loss of ridigity?

I love this forum and Im on it everyday, it is trully a good forums not like others out there.

I really respect and appreciate everyones advice and stories so please reply, I want to get all types of views and advice from salvaged owners to Original owners or bought from original owners.

 

[nsxtasy]

The only people I know who were satisfied with salvaged NSXs are those who own body shops, do their own body work so they don't have to pay much for unforeseen problems, and understood all the issues with the cars before they bought them. With everyone else, it was pretty much more like "I really learned a lot from that experience, and now I understand why everyone told me not to! What a disaster!"

If you don't know how much a salvaged NSX is worth, and all the safety issues involved, you shouldn't be buying it. Period.

 

[Hugh]

If this one doesn't sell, you should grab it. The price is excellent. It is identical to the '93 I bought 2 1/2 years ago with 70,000 miles on it. It now has about 160,000 miles on it and has never had a major service related issue. Just one or two of the common NSX gremlins I'm sure you've read about.

 

[pizzadude]

I bought a 95 with a rebuilt title. I was very nervous going it to it of course. The car had been hit in the back 3 or 4 years ago. A guy around me bought it and had it fixed and drove it for several years. I talked to the guy that fixed it and he said he had no idea why they totaled it with the damage that was on the car. I also had it inspected before I bought it. After I bought it I took it to an Acura deal to get the T-belt done. They said it was a beautiful car and ran like a dream. I did not tell them it had been wrecked, I wanted to see if they could tell. They did not say anything to me. Bottom line....it is risky and I was worried about it but if you do your homework on the car you can get a good deal. I love mine and am very pleased with it.

 

[Ebony NSX]

HI,

I have had my 91 NSX for about a year now. My suggestions are these:

1) get your financing approved in advance so when a deal pops up you can jump on it, and be patient.

2) buy a car with less than 100K miles. if it is less than 90k, know at 90K you are going to need to do a timing belt and water pump replacement about $2K.

3) have a seperate car, even if you drive the NSX a lot. (I drove 29K miles in the first year),I will probably drive more like 18K yearly in the future.

4. avoid cars that are in the snow states because of salt on the roads.

5. consider the smog laws where you are and where the car is coming from to avoid inability to pass.

6. avoid salvaged, unless the deal is GREAT, and you have some patience and money to cover repairs.

7. check www.autotrader.com regularly. (it is where I get my car last year for $27,500 with 78K miles, a week later I found another 91 with 64K miles for $25K both in excellent condition.

8. Be selective when you drive fast, (not in town because cops will track you), and avoid the yahoos who want to race you (and there will be many). My standard line at a red light is, " Anybody can be fast just buy a Chevy and soup up the engine, but not everybody can be exotic."

Good Luck,

Ebony NSX
Kerwin

 

[Cincinnati Scott]

There are way too many good cars out there to settle on a salvage cars. I bought my 1991 in March for 27k with 47k miles on it. It had new stereo (albeit poorly done), 17/18" wheels, upgraded intake and exhaust, and was in good shape cosmetically.

Even if you find a "good" car that has a salvage title, there's enough folks out there who will never buy one if you chose to sell it later. That automatically cuts your resale group considerably.

Just my $.02.

Scott

 

[2fast2c]

NimbleSexyXquisite

First of all, welcome to the club. This is one of the best forum that I've found. I belong to 3 more clubs but by far this one's the best.

I was in same situation until I bought mine 2 weeks ago. I was looking at silver 91 with 89k miles with lots of upgrade. From the picture and description, car looked awesome and owner told me that it was in great shape even though it had Arizona rebuilt title. He told me that previous owner had a small wreck in the front right corner and it was fixed and no body damage. After negotiation, we agreed on $25.9k. I had acura dealer do PPI. When the tech called back he said that it had lots of problem.

So I was really glad that I didn't take it.
So be careful, do your homework before especially if you can't see the vehicle in person.

By the way, I ended up buying 97 NSX-T with only 24K miles. I really love it. The car is in excellent shape. Nobody can believe it's 97.

Hopefully, this helps.

Good luck

:biggrin:

 

[PhiAlpha44]

There are way too many good cars out there to settle on a salvage cars. I bought my 1991 in March for 27k with 47k miles on it. It had new stereo (albeit poorly done), 17/18" wheels, upgraded intake and exhaust, and was in good shape cosmetically.
Scott

Yeah I agree. I bought mine for $21,500. It's got 115k miles on it but who cares. It's a Honda. It's got aftermarket wheels, stereo, paint, custom leather seats, carbon fiber dash, suspension upgrades...... and a clean title.
Relax and wait for the right deal to come along.

 

[Shumdit]

4. avoid cars that are in the snow states because of salt on the roads.

Why?

 

[rickysals]

Why?

ditto?!

aluminum doesn't rust

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Good luck in your search. Remember that you aren't buying a chevy. This car is an exotic - and albeit cheaper to maintain than a Ferrari, it still is pricey, especially if you can only afford a sub $30,000 car. I'd stay away from salvaged vehicles for this reason.

Remember that 91-93 are essentially identical - to help in your search.

If you like automatics - they will go for cheaper.


remember - PPI, snapring, timingbelt.... good luck!!

 

[slashmatt]

Good luck with that.