The whole point is that the only reason NA1 is holding up its value is because it is an "Entry" lever NSX for people who want to play the game; as long as there are buyers for it, the price will remain strong. However, as the price goes down for later models, I don't see NA1 continue the current "market" rate. A car is only worth what people are willing to pay, some are willing to pay more, so not.
Vance,
It is cool. I don't see NA2s go down too much, my assumption is that at absolute lowest maybe $50k for 02+ and high $37~$42k for 97+ NA2s. There are many types of consumers.
That local example 92 NSX with 150k mile and sold for $35 is an extremely rare, the price he claimed probably also included sales tax as well. We hardly even know him at all. Even if it is true, it is not a big at all. Good deals are not mythical, just hard to come by. Good price and good quality when it comes to NSX, you usually only get 1 of the 2.
It really is not about how much my or Erick's car is worth. You know me better than that. I never ask people personal questions. If they want to tell me they will. Asking stuff like how much you think your car is worth is not very nice in my opinion. Arguing about merely just cost of a car should cost really silly when compare to how people can just go and spent 5~10times of that on another exotic car without even raise an eyebrow. I rather be the later.
Lets not talk about value, rather how difficult it is to obtain. There are a lot of things even with money, you can't buy easily. This is my perspective. While others seem to always perceive me wrong. I take care of all cars not because of perserving the value. Because not only I am just meticulous but more importantly because it can not be easily replaced and I don't want to invest the time and hassle again.
Take the $37k NA2 as example, if it is in bad shape. Then it is not as good of purchase compare to a nice condition NA1. There are early ones that are in better shape than later models. For people who said no to Targa, it is not just an excuse. It really is hardcore stuff.
An older car doesn't necessarily mean it is more abused or used than a later model. Targa is far bigger deal breaker for many than merey just 3.2L and 6spd for those who do care, definitely not just an excuse you seem to have hard time believing. Ask Supra owners and see how big of deal is having a hardtop.
3.2L and 6spd can be retrofit for what I considered very little amount of money compare to mods I done and not really necessary (except 6spd). But to do the coupe conversion, not that easy. There is reason why most NSXes sold in Japan are coupe. You know numbers and the Targas are a lot more rarer than even NSX-Rs in Japan. Hardcore or not, even just a coupe chasis, just that mind set alone is worth it going NA1. Same kind of mind set goes to those who only want Targa.
no car will hold it's value unless it is highly desirable/collectable, and our beloved NSX is not in that category.
I don't care about the value or $ amount, because it is not an investment. Gordon Murray will likely disagree on your desirability/collectibility aspect. I honestly can't not think of a 90s Japanese car that represent the era better than NSX and is low in production number with great built quality. The Supra is not even close in built quality man, FD forget it.
You know the history of the NSX. Think FD, Supra. They didn't sold too well when new either. What other cool buys are out there for $20k that has what NSX has to offer (handbuilt, fun to drive, good looking, total package).
I have discovered many "new" early model NSX owners are stepping up from Civics and S2k; in my opinion, they're the one that is holding up the NA1 market.
It is the car that is holding up the market. $25k~$30k today is nothing for a lot of car buyers. An average condition/high mileage NSX is way more of a car than other offerings you can get of for $20~30k. The lower the price drops, the bigger poll of buyer out there and demand increase x-potentially. Bottomline it is a great bargin.
