What to look for a in a used NSX?
- Thread starter jhp012
- Start date
It really depends... in my case I wanted a coupe, but I was after a very particular color combination - because of this I needed a 1994, so my decision was easy. There are slight changes between the years (see the FAQ here on prime), with the 1994 being the last year of the widespread hardtop, and having all of the 'goodies' up to that point. If you purchase an early year, and it is not in 'snap ring' range (or if it has been fixed) you should be good to go, If it were me picking I would much rather have a '91 with 30k miles, and service completed at the time intervals, rather than simply being deferred, than a '95 targa with 50k miles, but even 50k is low miles for these cars - there is a new 'high mile' thread, with many cars over 100k, and a few in the 150k-200k range.
Here's the checklist I used when shopping for mine:
Before Test-Drive, Check:
- Headlights
- Parking brake
- Power windows
- Seatbelts
- Power seats
- Speakers
- Fuel door, Hood, Bonnet, Trunk - do all openers work and doors align?
- Door jams - evidence of repainting?
Engine
- Is engine cold? (does he only want you to test drive the car when its warm?)
- Coolant resevoir, condition of coolant
- Dipstick, condition of oil
- Oil cap, condition of oil
- Shocks
- Wheels
- Brake fluid condition, Spare tire, Battery
- Radiator
- Rock chips
Does the car’s VIN fall in these ranges and if so, has the work been done:
- Snap Ring Range J4A4-1003542 to J4A4-1005978
- Hose Recall 002406
- Power Window Regulators replaced?
- Speaker amplifiers rebuilt?
During Test Drive Check:
- Slow warm-up? (stock engine is lumpy around 2000rpm)
- Wipers, washer
- Clutch (OEM catches high and will slip a little on hard high-rev shifts)
- VTEC (at 5600)
- Heat
- AC
- ABS
- Cruise Control
- Rear defogger
After Drive Check:
- Oil cap, condition of oil.
- Smoke from engine compartment (oil seals leaking).
- Radiator fan, should come on occasionally once warmed up and idling.
- Engine fan, should come on occasionally once warmed up and idling.
- Timing belt/water pump replaced? Receipt?
Have fun and good luck!
-Gregg
Before Test-Drive, Check:
- Headlights
- Parking brake
- Power windows
- Seatbelts
- Power seats
- Speakers
- Fuel door, Hood, Bonnet, Trunk - do all openers work and doors align?
- Door jams - evidence of repainting?
Engine
- Is engine cold? (does he only want you to test drive the car when its warm?)
- Coolant resevoir, condition of coolant
- Dipstick, condition of oil
- Oil cap, condition of oil
- Shocks
- Wheels
- Brake fluid condition, Spare tire, Battery
- Radiator
- Rock chips
Does the car’s VIN fall in these ranges and if so, has the work been done:
- Snap Ring Range J4A4-1003542 to J4A4-1005978
- Hose Recall 002406
- Power Window Regulators replaced?
- Speaker amplifiers rebuilt?
During Test Drive Check:
- Slow warm-up? (stock engine is lumpy around 2000rpm)
- Wipers, washer
- Clutch (OEM catches high and will slip a little on hard high-rev shifts)
- VTEC (at 5600)
- Heat
- AC
- ABS
- Cruise Control
- Rear defogger
After Drive Check:
- Oil cap, condition of oil.
- Smoke from engine compartment (oil seals leaking).
- Radiator fan, should come on occasionally once warmed up and idling.
- Engine fan, should come on occasionally once warmed up and idling.
- Timing belt/water pump replaced? Receipt?
Have fun and good luck!
-Gregg
jhp012 said:
If you are looking for a NSX, you should spend some time reading the FAQ. If the FAQ doesn't answer your question I'd be surprised:
Here is a great checklist: http://nsxprime.com/FAQ/BuySell/used_nsx_checklist.htm
