Should I switch from a 1994 to 2004 NSX?

[Rob4092xx]

I need some help from you folks who know a lot about the different NSX model years.

I currently have a 1994 NSX, 5 speed, 50k miles.

I am thinking about purchasing a 2004 NSX, Automatic, 20k miles.

My questions are these:

1) What are the differences between a 94 and 04 besides Power Steering and Targa Top?

2) Will I lose much power switching from a 5 Speed to an Automatic?

3) Is it worth $20k to gain 10 years and significantly less miles?

4) Is an automatic difficult to resale down the road?

Thanks everyone!

 

[s14_tat]

I need some help from you folks who know a lot about the different NSX model years.

I currently have a 1994 NSX, 5 speed, 50k miles.

I am thinking about purchasing a 2004 NSX, Automatic, 20k miles.

My questions are these:

1) What are the differences between a 94 and 04 besides Power Steering and Targa Top?

Different suspension tuning, heavier weight due to targa top, different interior colors, you can having color matching leather. the stitching on the dash board is silver, the knobs and the center console is silver, the speedo and tach is blue, along with the trim bezel being a different color. perforated leather at the seats and steering wheel, hid standard on the flush mounted headlights, different taillights, hood, bumper, rear bumper, rocker moldings, and a little spoiler that sits between the wing and the trunk lid. larger brakes front and rear with 17/17 wheels.

2) Will I lose much power switching from a 5 Speed to an Automatic?

yes, you are going into a heavier car with 20 less hp, and 1 less gear. the autos will only rev to 7000 vs 8000.

3) Is it worth $20k to gain 10 years and significantly less miles?

I personally would not own a auto, they still are running on a detuned 3.0 vs the 3.2. some people are not a fan of targas either, why not just do a conversion so you can lose 30 lbs by ditching the pop up lights, and you'll have a stiffer structure.

4) Is an automatic difficult to resale down the road?

Automatics are rare, but if someone wants a automatic they don't have much of a choice.


Thanks everyone!

answers in bold

 

[Rob4092xx]

Wow! Great info!

I am just so tired of trying to shift while talking on the phone, holding a soda, etc. I know I shouldn't be doing this while driving...but I do.

I was thinking an auto would make my ride so much easier.

Is the loss of 20hp significant and will I feel the loss?

Are there paddle shifters or another similar type shift?

answers in bold

 

[s14_tat]

you will lose 20hp, and gain 150lbs so in total, it would feel more like 35hp. that is a pretty significant amount. if you were drag racing, you would be about 3.5 cars behind your old car at the drag strip. but that is if your comparing a manual to a manual. you have a auto so your launch will be limited to how high the stall speed is on your stock torque converter and you have to slower shift speeds, and the torque converter does eat up some horsepower as well. so in real world numbers it would say the difference is is over half a second and the car is probably a low 14 second car vs your mid 13 second car. There will also be a slightl delay when you tip in the throttle because the torque converter has to wind up before it can translate to forward motion.

I mean our cars aren't that fast by todays standards anymore, why would you want to get an even slower version of the same car? all in all auto's are great for daily driving, but for a weekend toy a manual is a must ( just personal preference )

 

[Rob4092xx]

Is there anyone else who switched from a Manual to Auto, or Viceversa?

Comments?

you will lose 20hp, and gain 150lbs so in total, it would feel more like 35hp. that is a pretty significant amount. if you were drag racing, you would be about 3.5 cars behind your old car at the drag strip. but that is if your comparing a manual to a manual. you have a auto so your launch will be limited to how high the stall speed is on your stock torque converter and you have to slower shift speeds, and the torque converter does eat up some horsepower as well. so in real world numbers it would say the difference is is over half a second and the car is probably a low 14 second car vs your mid 13 second car. There will also be a slightl delay when you tip in the throttle because the torque converter has to wind up before it can translate to forward motion.

I mean our cars aren't that fast by todays standards anymore, why would you want to get an even slower version of the same car? all in all auto's are great for daily driving, but for a weekend toy a manual is a must ( just personal preference )

 

[NSX GT]

Don't do it. Not worth switching it for the money. Expensive face lift inside and out. Also expensive tranny when it goes out. However, if you have bad knees or drive in up hills or stop and go traffic, I can see doing an automatic. Just personal opinion.

 

[MaxGeek]

I know the NSX isn't fast by comparison to the current breed of sports cars out there, but an automatic turns an NSX into a sweet looking Honda Accord V6. It would still handle nicely, but too much performance would be lost to the 4 speed automatic and weaker engine. There are definitely better options for automatic sports cars in that price range. Z4, M3, M5, Porsche (911,Cayman, Boxster), Corvette, S4, RS4, SLK AMG, SL55 AMG, etc.

Also I think automatics are harder to sell and they definitely don't seem to go for as much as the manuals.

 

[Cozmo]

Wow! Great info!

I am just so tired of trying to shift while talking on the phone, holding a soda, etc. I know I shouldn't be doing this while driving...but I do.

I was thinking an auto would make my ride so much easier.

Is the loss of 20hp significant and will I feel the loss?

Are there paddle shifters or another similar type shift?

Spend ~$500 on an aftermarket radio with bluetooth and another $50 on a cup holder.

 

[clr1024]

Spend ~$500 on an aftermarket radio with bluetooth and another $50 on a cup holder.

Or just get a blue tooth headset amd the zetoolman cup holder. I could never imagine driving this car as an auto after owning a manual unless I had too. It's one of the best gear boxes I have ever driven...would seem like a huge step back.

 

[troca]

Not a chance, but then again I have a green '94 5 spd.

 

[TomCat]

I am just so tired of trying to shift while talking on the phone, holding a soda, etc. I know I shouldn't be doing this while driving...but I do.

Go auto...

 

[Dr.Honda]

Or just get a blue tooth headset amd the zetoolman cup holder. I could never imagine driving this car as an auto after owning a manual unless I had too. It's one of the best gear boxes I have ever driven...would seem like a huge step back.

my '92 was an automatic. I would have kept it if it was a manual. Glad I didn't, as the transmission failed shortly after I sold it! If you want an '04, get a 6-speed, fabulous transmission!
I personally think that the resale market for an automatic NSX is very small.

 

[tosugrad]

What are you going to DO with the car? Cruiser? Track?

I would NOT buy a Targa for the track. Cruiser, yes.

I wish I still had my coupe. I miss it :frown:

 

[Gofastguy]

I believe the answer of Auto vs Manual is answered by your driving needs. If you need performance, sounds like a manual is your route. I like manuals but got the auto because I live in town with a lot of stop and go, pretty much a daily driver, the wife can't drive a stick and I wanted her to enjoy it too, and generally, we like to cruise about and let everyone get a good look. Also, I can find other things to do with my right hand...(snicker!). Plus, we wanted to removable top, hence the '98. I love the way the car handles...I'm not a racer. I'm sure the lighter, more powerful version would be more fun, but I like, wait...I love what I have. I guess I'm not as demanding as some in regards to performance. I like the paddle shifter and it seems like it responds very well, but I have not driven something like a Lambo to compare it to. I've owned manual Nissan Z's and auto Z's and, sure, more fun in the driving but after a while it seems to just wear you out around town.
Oh, yeah, sure, more to replace an auto IF it goes out, but check out how much to replace a clutch WHEN it wears out.

Just my happy .02!

 

[Honcho]

1) What are the differences between a 94 and 04 besides Power Steering and Targa Top?

"Facelift" body with fixed headlights, sideskirts, 17" wheels, etc.
Slightly revised suspension.
Bigger brakes.
Different interior with perforated leather.

2) Will I lose much power switching from a 5 Speed to an Automatic?

Yes. As others have mentioned, the Automatics use a de-tuned 3.0L and you will lose about 20 hp from this alone. Also, the transmission is a 4-speed with wider gears than the manual, so the car will feel even slower due to the tall gearing.

3) Is it worth $20k to gain 10 years and significantly less miles?

With the NSX, no. This car is remarkably well-made and if you address the big ticket/well-documented wear items like TB/WP, hoses, etc it will give you many years of reliable enjoyment no matter the year.

4) Is an automatic difficult to resale down the road?

Yes. Most people who buy the NSX are buying it as a sports/pleasure car and prefer the manual transmission for that reason.


You have a relatively low-mile 94, which is a great year and can be refreshed to like-new condition fairly easily. Instead of spending $20k on a 04, spend $10k making your 94 perfect and just how you want it. Most people who buy the NA2 do it to get the 3.2/6spd combo, which is the best powertrain for the NSX. Since the auto does not have that option (even a 04 is a NA1), it isn't worth it in my opinion.

 

[Hothonda]

Had a '97 Spa Yellow T auto for a couple of years. Did Comptech exhaust, intake, Eibachs etc etc. Owned a '94 Black 5 spd coupe for 3 years prior to this. The first time I took the top out on the '97, I thought I had a bad tire but quickly found it was cowl shake.

The auto never felt right and consequently I moved to a new Zanardi in '99. Performance of the auto was adequate, but never returned the sports car feel of the manual. Looked into a manual control valve body, but that's as far as I got with the project.

Back to the cowl shake issue. On the three T's I've owned, the tops seldom came out & only once for about an hour on my '05. With the top in - no problem in the body structure integrity.

I recall reading that auto NSX's are very popular in Japan.

 

[Big_D]

Dont do it!!! I don't think it will be worth the money.

 

[Rob4092xx]

I don't track the car....don't ever race anyone....so will I really miss the power during day-to-day driving?

Dont do it!!! I don't think it will be worth the money.

 

[clr1024]

I don't track the car....don't ever race anyone....so will I really miss the power during day-to-day driving?

You will miss the gear box. Even if I am not racing I like shifting/gear box in the NSX.

 

[heySkippy]

I would say keep what you've got. Those newer ones have funny looking headlights.

 

[Ray05NSX]

I need some help from you folks who know a lot about the different NSX model years.

I currently have a 1994 NSX, 5 speed, 50k miles.

I am thinking about purchasing a 2004 NSX, Automatic, 20k miles.

My questions are these:

1) What are the differences between a 94 and 04 besides Power Steering and Targa Top?

2) Will I lose much power switching from a 5 Speed to an Automatic?

3) Is it worth $20k to gain 10 years and significantly less miles?

4) Is an automatic difficult to resale down the road?

Thanks everyone!

I had a '96 Targa (5 speed, 3.0L) with 47Kmiles, and moved up to an '05 (6 speed, 3.2L) with 15K miles for about that difference, but sold my '96 first. Obviously, it's not just the difference price, but how much you end up spending....there are great deals now, and I think the resale in the future for the newer ones will hold better....if you have to get an automatic, get a car with paddle shifters at least, and you will still have fun when you want to shift, versus the old technology(I wouldn't think the NSX would be as much fun with the auto).....good luck!

 

[AR]

I test drove an Auto and yes it is slightly slower but it did not feel slow by any standards. It still has enough performance for overtaking. If I was in your situation I would.

 

[s14_tat]

I don't track the car....don't ever race anyone....so will I really miss the power during day-to-day driving?

well the auto's do have slightly more torque so if all you do is putt around town then you should be okay.

 

[oscar_driver]

Automatic? .... keep your 94 ///

 

[flaminio]

I need some help from you folks who know a lot about the different NSX model years.

I currently have a 1994 NSX, 5 speed, 50k miles.

I am thinking about purchasing a 2004 NSX, Automatic, 20k miles.

I wouldn't do it, mostly because I prefer the coupe over targa, the manual over automatic, and the pop-up headlights over the bug-eyes.

My ultimate NSX would be a 2001 coupe 6sp. And I know who's got one! :biggrin: