To buy or not to buy

[DaveW124]

Hi there,

I am presently considering purchasing an early model NSX and would like a little input. Everthing that I have read lately has increased my interest in the NSX. One of the concerns I have is, do I have to drive it at "lose my license" speeds in order to be able to enjoy it? How do you fellow Ontarians enjoy driving your NSX's on our somewhat boring roads with restricted speeds. I always remember James Hunt (former F1 champ) saying that his favourite car was his Devon A30 because he had to drive the snot out of it just to keep up with everyone else. What I am trying to say is, is it possible to enjoy the NSX 's without having to take it to a track for track days?

Also, checking out the classified adds it appears that NSX's aren't the easiest cars to sell. It seems that many have been listed for quite sometime with little or no action on them. Does there appear to be a certain colour or combination of colours that are more popular and easier to sell?

Thanks for any and all info.

Dave

 

[Bram]

Welcome, and happy looking....

If you are looking at Auto trader.ca, only a few of those cars are worth looking into, the others have been on the trader for a couple of years . Your best bet is to buy one that people on here know and would recommend.

The NSX Club of Canada can help you find a good NSX, and guild you away from the not so good one's.

If you need help, just drop me a PM.

Bram

 

[Jetpilot3]

Hi there,

I am presently considering purchasing an early model NSX and would like a little input. Everthing that I have read lately has increased my interest in the NSX. One of the concerns I have is, do I have to drive it at "lose my license" speeds in order to be able to enjoy it? How do you fellow Ontarians enjoy driving your NSX's on our somewhat boring roads with restricted speeds. I always remember James Hunt (former F1 champ) saying that his favourite car was his Devon A30 because he had to drive the snot out of it just to keep up with everyone else. What I am trying to say is, is it possible to enjoy the NSX 's without having to take it to a track for track days?

Also, checking out the classified adds it appears that NSX's aren't the easiest cars to sell. It seems that many have been listed for quite sometime with little or no action on them. Does there appear to be a certain colour or combination of colours that are more popular and easier to sell?

Thanks for any and all info.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Welcome to NSX Prime and to the Canadian owners section.

I'm originally from Edmonton now living in Dubai and recently purchased a 1991Berlina Black with some slight mods. Your topic interests me because I wondered the same prior to my purchase.

The best part of the NSX is that you don't have to drive it fast to enjoy it. Some of us prefer to do so as you'll hear the VTEC kick in and honestly my favorite gear is second around 5K and sometimes accelerating for no reason other than to hear and feel the acceleration (it becomes addictive). I've driven both stock and modified NSX's like mine and either are fun to drive normally. The previous owner installed JDM Short Gears and NSX-R final gear 4.23 in my car and its amazing how nice it accelerates...you may want to consider this in the future.

I would advise hooking up with the Ontario owners for a track day at Mosport because its good to know what the car is capable of (I've done it and quite enjoyed it).

As for the more popular colors for the earlier years certainly Red and Black were the most common and you can see for yourself in the NSX Prime WIKI section above (search for pages containing production numbers). As for selling the NSX its an exotic and one where not alot of people know of, or are prepared to pay for, because these cars hold their values really well.

Hope this helps and you won't be disappointed. Perhaps you should ask a local member to meet you and go for a spin...that will convince you instantly.

 

[Red]

The cars listed for sale in Autotrader are either WAY overpriced because they are lease returns that keep getting re-leased by young guys who can afford them for a bit and then give/lose them back or they were imported "story" cars that the dealer/owner is trying to make a killing on since CDN prices have historically been higher.

Depending on your budget we have members selling NA1/NA2 >02's so they can buy 02+s. Those member cars are the ones to buy, not only do we know about them since we've seen them for years, but the guy selling it to you knows he's gonna see you regularly - so there won't be any "stories"

The only Member car to avoid is Omars, which was smokin' hot and the engine is out'a sight!

 

[BioBanker]

I think that the best proof that you dont need to drive an NSX fast to enjoy it comes from Red (Stu).

He loves his car: never driven it fast and wouldnt know what to do with it if he did.

 

[Sean Firth]

Good morning,

As a fellow newcomer, welcome-these guys are very knowledgable, and extremely helpful.

Red, I move to a new house next week and as soon as I am in, you will be seeing my cheque for annual membership. That makes me wonder though; Do you have a reduced "poser" rate :biggrin: for those of us who don't have an NSX yet?

In answer to your question Dave, read this thread http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101854 If the car was good enough for Gordon Murray to put 75000kms on it, I am sure it's more than sufficient for you and I.

Additionally, I have been talking to SWbatte, so stay away from London I want first dibs

 

[Red]

Good morning,

As a fellow newcomer, welcome-these guys are very knowledgable, and extremely helpful.

And a little silly, right Dave?

Red, I move to a new house next week and as soon as I am in, you will be seeing my cheque for annual membership. That makes me wonder though; Do you have a reduced "poser" rate :biggrin: for those of us who don't have an NSX yet?

Dave asked for a Poser rate rate too - he was trying to plead disability based on his lap times @ Mosport!

Sorry, we only have one class of members!:biggrin:

 

[LITTLE RED COUPE]

The ones that are hard to sell seem to me to often be the cars with an uncertain history. Knowing where your car has been, sho has owned it, what they have done to it, how they have used it, how often it has been serviced and by whom - is EXTREMELY important. I bought my '92 with 150k kms and 5 years later am up to 175k km. It doesn't leak or burn anything and runs like a scalded cat (bone stock except wheels).

Red/Black it classic, but other colours are good. Red is very easy to keep looking good.

You don't have to drive it fast to enjoy it, but it really helps.

DC

Hi there,

I am presently considering purchasing an early model NSX and would like a little input. Everthing that I have read lately has increased my interest in the NSX. One of the concerns I have is, do I have to drive it at "lose my license" speeds in order to be able to enjoy it? How do you fellow Ontarians enjoy driving your NSX's on our somewhat boring roads with restricted speeds. I always remember James Hunt (former F1 champ) saying that his favourite car was his Devon A30 because he had to drive the snot out of it just to keep up with everyone else. What I am trying to say is, is it possible to enjoy the NSX 's without having to take it to a track for track days?

Also, checking out the classified adds it appears that NSX's aren't the easiest cars to sell. It seems that many have been listed for quite sometime with little or no action on them. Does there appear to be a certain colour or combination of colours that are more popular and easier to sell?

Thanks for any and all info.

Dave

 

[bjmills]

DaveW - what part of Ontario are you in? There is a small group of us up here in the Ottawa area.

 

[damthatbeaver]

I bought my 91 NSX with 200,000 kms on it last year and I have had no problems with her at all! I do not race around the streets but am guilty of getting up to the speed limit as fast as possible...my baby came with sooooo much done to her - Wings West body kit, 18/19 Niche Rien rims, Dali Ferrari exhaust, Tien Adjustable suspension and a DVD/CD/LCD monitor upgraded stereo package - and she had her timing belt and water pump done along with valve plugs and tune up. Its amazing what you can get when you look around! As for selling her...most keep them for many years...and in a number of years the true breadth of the car will become known to all. Just remember...the NSX was hand assembled...hand assembled...outside of her looks, that was one of the great selling features of the car that I loved in 1991!

Dam

 

[NSXCessive]

Found the Canadian cars to be a bit on the high side, I did some research on a few that are still listed for sale almost 2yrs later. Right now its way cheaper to get the same comparable car in the U.S with a wider selection I might add. I picked up my what seemed like new 2000-T in New Hampshire last Aug, about 1000miles away, but was worth the drive down to see it, and ticket was a cheap $125ish to fly down and drive her back.

Just to give you a rough idea my newer car had 15k miles on it, full dealer service history very very clean, well cared, and clean inside and out... I saved about $15~20k buying in the U.S. With our dollar now almost at par, I can't think of a better time to buy one over there. If you have any questions on the process do a search on importing or PM me...

 

[BioBanker]

But you were buying a much newer car.

Any nice older car is going to fetch $30k to $35k down south, and you probably dont have the advantage of knowing the owner personally for years. Plus when you go to sell it, unless you sell it to an American, you will get less for the car too.

I agree - my cars value took a bath since I bought it - and I bought it smartly against their $125k asking at the time, but you save much less on less expensive cars. I doubt the $5k or maybe even less difference is worth the increased risk and hassel.

 

[swbatte]

But you were buying a much newer car.

Any nice older car is going to fetch up to $35k down south, and you probably dont have the advantage of knowing the owner personally for years. Plus when you go to sell it, unless you sell it to an American, you will get less for the car too.

I agree - my cars value took a bath since I bought it - and I bought it smartly against their $125k asking at the time, but you save much less on less expensive cars. I doubt the $5k or maybe even less difference is worth the increased risk and hassel.

This is true. I have researched the market on both sides of the border thoroughly. I have seen that the year doesn't matter as much as the condition and mileage, particularly in 91-94s. Most NSXs that are 91-94 fetch up to $35k if they are low mileage under 60k miles. The cheap ones ($25-$30k) are usually over 100k miles.

I did the math. $35k US, plus your time down there, plus GST 5%, plus duty 6.1%, plus RIV $500-$1000, and most of the cars require a timing belt and some other maintenance. You'll find that the same car up here is worth $40k or more. They have been selling for that by the way. Several new owners have pulled the trigger on Canadian cars in the last 6 months. I priced mine with all that in mind.

The cars stuck on autotrader.ca are not selling for a reason (or two).

When I priced mine, I took all of this into account, and since mine is in excellent shape (which requires $ and time) I priced it according to market. When I bought it, I could have bought one that cost $5000 less, but I paid more as I wanted a perfect car.

You may find one down there for $30k with 50,000 miles and all service done, but I doubt it.

The NSX is an excellent car to drive. Track events and driving schools will actually make you a safer, and I find slower driver on the street. You could go to the track a dozen times and still not come close to touching the capabilities of the car. Most drivers won't ever drive the car at its limit. Trust me.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Oyagi]

One of the concerns I have is, do I have to drive it at "lose my license" speeds in order to be able to enjoy it? How do you fellow Ontarians enjoy driving your NSX's on our somewhat boring roads with restricted speeds.

I'm sorry but when I read that I sort of laughed and then rolled my eyes.

This is a street car. It was designed to drive safely on Canadian roads in all seasons (though most of us store ours over the winter) using DOT approved tires and on 91 octane gasoline.

As such, like any street car it can be thoroughly enjoyed at legal speeds. The dynamics of the car and build quality will always make you feel like you're in something special. Its always a treat to take the nsx out for a spin. It doesn't matter if you're hitting the Forks of the Credit or around the block to Rogers Video.

Having said that, a lot of us recommend taking her out to the track and attending a track school to really appreciate the car. Its capabilities FAR surpass what your brain tells you is possible. The first time I took mine to a skidpad I was shocked at how much throttle you ca feed into the her before she broke lose. Amazing! :biggrin: MUST you do this to own the car? Of course not.

If you think Ontario's "somewhat boring roads with restricted speeds" is not good enough for the nsx I think you might have this car up on too high of a pedestal. I love my nsx but its certainly well suited for public consumption.

Good luck with the search, but buy Sean's car.

 

[DaveW124]

I would like to thank everyone for their input so far.

As I expected there certainly is varied opinions about purchasing a vehicle but it does seem that everyone is in agreement that it is a great car (if I make sure the one I buy has been properly taken care of). I guess I was thinking of it more as a high performance car (in a somewhat impractical manner like the old Ferraris etc) than an everyday street car. The car would be in addition to my other cars and would be used mostly for nice weather driving. I do find it therapeutic to clean and wax nice cars (had a '90 Jag concourse winner) and so would look forward to keeping it as impeccable as possible so that people see a nice shiny blurr as I roar past them.

I will continue to lurk here and may even be able to make it out to Gananoque in May. Nothing definite yet and so I have not booked a room. If I don't show up in an NSX it will be in my '91 BRG miata.


DaveW

 

[Red]

I will continue to lurk here and may even be able to make it out to Gananoque in May. Nothing definite yet and so I have not booked a room. If I don't show up in an NSX it will be in my '91 BRG miata.

Two things,

1) Join the club now, that way you'll meet lots of us this month - and, if the weather is nice see a lot of cars now:smile:

2) Gananoque requires membership (see point #1) AND don't expect to come at the last minute - the hotel is almost fully booked and there is only one other big hotel in town and its the May long weekend - if you don't book now you may end up sleeping in your car! (Although Dave was inviting some guys to "rack" with him:wink: )

 

[NSXCessive]

But you were buying a much newer car.

Any nice older car is going to fetch $30k to $35k down south, ... .... I doubt the $5k or maybe even less difference is worth the increased risk and hassel.

That is true he didn't mention which years he was looking at or what his spending budget is... I still think buying a 97+ in the U.S is cheaper, there is more of a selection there, and I think if you knew the car was well taken care of, history, service etc you could save upwards of the 5k mark, I say go for it.... you can do a bit with 5k in terms of upgrades on a stock NSX.

Definitely for the earlier years (RIV doesn't apply if the car is older than 15years when looking to the U.S side) if you can find one here for 30~40ish with lower than 60k kms with all the service up to date in good condition etc it would be going rate in Canada private sale, dealer of course would probably be higher. Problem is a few in the CND Trader now aren't 100% 'clean' cars or they've been imported from the U.S with unknown history, or the asking price is way too high.

I should also mention I got really lucky finding mine, depends how long you want to wait to buy, it is a buyers market on these cars so if you find one you like make an resonable offer and see what happens, what do you have to loose? Some tend to stay on the market for sale more than they are driven these days, sometimes because there is some unknown about it...

There aren't very many cars used out there that can touch the greatness of the NSX for the price. This is a very user friendly car and the nice thing about it is you can drive it within normal limits without any problem, makes a great everyday driver (unless there is a blizzard outside and 4 ft for snow blowing around LOL). After previously owning a 91 for almost 7yrs I opted this time for a newer T which is a more refined 3.2L, 6Spd, etc which another thing to keep in mind. Either way you go 91 to 05 you can't go wrong they are all great NSX's to own and drive.

-Richie