today's humour/gassing the car

[Relayer]

So the laugh for today is ...

I went to fill up my NSX at the local Chevron, and while there I checked the oil. While I was wiping off the dipstick a dignified older gentleman (in his 60s) in a pressed white shirt and tie came over to talk to me about the car. Nice British accent and lots of questions and comments:

- what a lovely colour this car is
- what on earth is it?
- bless my soul, I didn't know Acura made a car like this!
- how fast does it go?
- why is the engine in the middle?
- how does it handle?
- how old is it?

Then the clincher:

- do you mind if I ask how much these cost?

So I told him. CAN $140,000 new. And he said ...

"$140,000! For a fucking Honda?"

And walked away shaking his head. I nearly peed myself laughing

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Always great to read these comments!

I'm sure al you guys have heard good ones lately. post'em!

 

[bartonkt]

Should have mentioned that the brand new NSX looks just like the 1991 NSX, which can be had for $25-40k. That usually drops people's jaws...

Hell, I can afford an older NSX and enjoy driving it around just as much as someone that pays close to 100k for a new one - thats good in my book.

 

[DeHaldaswerth]

Several days ago, I parked the car for a quick pit stop. When I came out, two blue collar guys are standing near the car. One asks "Is that some kinda kit car?" I answer, "no, it's an Acura." They get a puzzled look: "I ain't never heard a no ACRA" [sic] one of them states, thoughtfully. I tell them its built by Honda. The other answers "Hmm, a Honda Acra, I'll have to remember that." I smile and get in the car.

 

[1NSX2GO]

I had a similar experience, yes, at the Chevron station. While filling up my car a gentleman with his wife came over to ask about the car. At least they knew what an NSX was, being a former vette owner but said they had only seen the NSX a couple of times passing by them on the road. Well they walked about the car and asked a lot of questions which I answered for them. The guy owns a body shop and just loved the paint job. The wife looked at the car from every angle and said that it had classic lines no matter from which direction they chose to admire the car. We both agreed that the 'vette designers seemed to lack any clue as to what to do with the final 1/3 of the cars body. After about 15 minutes in front of the gas pump I offer the mans wife the front seat to get a feel for what it was like behind the the wheel. After she got out they seemed like it was time to look into the possibility of checking the car out for some serious investigation. She wanted to know "if the car would go, can you drive it?" I assured here she would be impressed. I also told them about NSX Prime and they said they would check it out when they got home(They were on vacation from WA). Anyhow it seems that the Chevron station is the place for getting into a discussion about our NSX's. I think there's a couple in WA with a better appreciation for our car.

 

[ilya]

That's hilarious. I've had numerous encounters at the local Chevron as well. Damn that 91 Octane!

 

[PAUL M]

I love hearing these stories. The other night i was at an outdoor cafe eating with the car parked pretty close in the lot. Three couples that had been eating inside come out and see the car. They start looking at it and walkng around it trying to figure out what it is(my rear center acura was removed) when one of the guys sees the front badge and figures out its an acura then one of the women sees my wheels(work anehlos which has an emblem that says EQUIP) so the six of them come to the conclusion that it must be a new ACURA EQUIP. Go figure!
PAUL M
1995 acura equip blk/blk-t rmintake rsrexhaust wingwest kit rm sways engine cover removed
2001 clk430
2002 clk320

[This message has been edited by PAUL M (edited 06 August 2001).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Hey Lud, looks like the domain EQUIPprime.com is still available...

 

[bartonkt]

Speaking of gas, down here 91/92 is now around $1.80 at some gas stations....and thats in SoCal folks.

Thank god the gas prices have dropped! Of course, not as cheap as it used to be...but, still better than $2.20 a gallon.

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Originally posted by bartonkt:
Thank god the gas prices have dropped! Of course, not as cheap as it used to be...but, still better than $2.20 a gallon.

WHOAAAAA!!!!!! $2.20 a gallon????

Try approx $4.00 a gallon........ having an NSX and the wife having an VW VR6 which is doing 17 miles to a gallon!

We get the 97 octane though.........


Dutchy.

 

[ilya]

Yes, we forget that many European countries get it hard when it comes to gas prices.

I would rather pay $2.20 for the better octane. However, judging by what Larry told me a few days ago, maybe we shouldn't care. I was complaining to him about the 91 and he said "you're lucky if you're getting 89."
euchh!

I know that I notice a difference in 91/92 from one station to another. Looks like the custom turbo means I'll have to put in fuel additives at every refill.

 

[Jimbo]

Regarding gas prices...

What's interesting and annoying to me is that the price of gas, whether it's here in the US of A or in other countries, rarely reflects the actual cost or supply of this commodity. For the most part the price of gas is merely an indication of the taxes and tariffs imposed by politicos.

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords

 

[nsxtasy]

So you're complaining that our taxes on gasoline are lower than in most other developed countries?

 

[Jimbo]

No, no, not at all...

I was simply commenting on the fact that when one discusses gas prices it's more of a commentary on local taxes as opposed to the value/cost of the actual product.

Here in the USA we're often singled out as having obscenely low gas prices. That might be true when compared to the rest of the world and in particular, Europe. But that's only because our taxes (which are still quite high, IMHO) are much lower.

With most other things, like NSXs and aftermarket NSX parts, for example, we can discuss the cost/price and we don't have such a huge differential in price (2X-3X) because of local taxes.

Just a rabid right-wing observation...

Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords

 

[nsxtasy]

With most other things, like NSXs and aftermarket NSX parts, for example, we can discuss the cost/price and we don't have such a huge differential in price (2X-3X) because of local taxes.

As I recall, there are some markets (I believe it may have been some in southern Asia such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and/or Australia) where the NSX does indeed cost three times as much as in the United States and Japan.

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Current listprice NSX in The Netherlands : $ 120,000

Build up:
(((real car price+options) + 40% Tax)*19%VAT)

I do have to agree that the aftermarketparts from the US are pretty expensive for you to, but......... then i order a couple of pieces from RM, and the adding cost for shipping is something like $150 (thats if i'm lucky) LOL.

Dutchy

 

[Ryoma]

I'm perplexed by the fact that I can drive the car one day and it is seemingly invisible and mundane and then the next day people stare constantly. I did notice that following the release of The Fast and the Furious that it got a lot more attention.


I realize that I am, as all of you are, a serious car enthusiast and thus well-informed, but still, how are there people in America who have never heard of Acura? Amazing...