What's the car really like

[naaman]

How does the NSX handle compared to other (less expensive) cars in it's class? The closest I've come to actually driving one is in Gran Tourismo 3 on my PS2. Supposedly the cars handle and perform just like in real life, but when I read about the real life cars, I read things about understeer and tail slides. In the video game, I make faster lap times around complex tracks with the NSX than with the Corvette or the Viper or lots of other cars that are "faster," mostly because those other cars seem to handle quite poorly compared to the NSX--which does exactly what I tell it to do.

Anyway, maybe I shouldn't be comparing videogames to real life, but is the NSX actually competitive with the American "giants"? A lot of the magazine reviews I read tend to really praise the 911 Carrera and the Z06. I do know that American cars tend not to last as long as the Japanese ones which puts a vette out of the question for me, and as far as I know, the porche is way more expensive. Anyway, does anybody have any experience in these cars who can compare them for me? Dollar for dollar, which is the best all around car (handling being at the top of my list followed by acceleration--top speed is not really a concern for me), considering that the Corvette costs 50k, compared to the NSX's near 90k?

 

[Michigan NSX]

Originally posted by naaman:
...Dollar for dollar, which is the best all around car...

Define all around. You need to think about the following (not in any order)

1. Handling
2. Acceleration
3. Braking
4. Looks
5. Build Quality
6. Resale Value
7. Reliability History
8. Comfort
9. Availability of Parts/Service
10. Safety Features
11. Wet weather/snow ability
12. Cargo/Storage Space
13. Drive system (fornt, rear, or all wheel)
14. Is it a street only or street/track car
15. Price
16. Cost of Service
17. Insurance cost
18. Drivers aids (Traction control, ABS, Cruise control, etc...)

I'm sure others can come up with a few more options to weigh.

------------------
'91 Black/Black

 

[ilya]

Speaking of performance alone and purchased new, the Corvette has been the best dollar-for-dollar true sports car for some time. However, knowing that an early model NSX can be had for 30-35K, the NSX is the current winner in my eyes.

Disclaimer:
The following are my opinions having owned 3 Corvettes and an NSX. They are not based on
fact, but my personal preference.
1. Handling- NSX
2. Acceleration- Draw. NSX is more fun on the top end, but the Vette takes it for street grins.
3. Braking- Corvette
4. Looks- NSX
5. Build Quality- NSX, NSX, NSX, did I say NSX
6. Resale Value- NSX (for early coupes)
7. Reliability History- NSX
8. Comfort- NSX
9. Availability of Parts/Service- Corvette. Higher volume= better availablity and aftermarket
10. Safety Features- ?
11. Wet weather/snow ability- ?
12. Cargo/Storage Space- C5, no question
13. Drive system (fornt, rear, or all wheel)-?
14. Is it a street only or street/track car-
Both make excellent weekend track cars.
15. Price- New/Corvette Used/NSX
16. Cost of Service- Corvette is cheaper
17. Insurance cost- Corvette is HIGHER! Considered by many Insurance companies as one of the most dangerous vehicles for sale.
18. Drivers aids (Traction control, ABS, Cruise control, etc...)- Both Excellent, but the C5 has more gadgets.


I enjoy both cars. I have to be truthful that the vette was quite fun around town. The loads of torque never gets old. Everything else I give to the NSX. It's been more thrilling to drive andthe cockpit view is awesome. It's the only car I feel like I'm wearing instead of driving. The vette feels and drives like a very fast street car. The NSX feels and drives more like a kart to me.

None of this takes away from the C5. It's also a great performer. The C5 is loads of fun around town, IS quite reliable actually, and the coupe has unheard of trunk space for a two seater. Drive both and make your own choice. You will not go wrong with either!



[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 22 May 2002).]

 

[Tom Larkins]

I'll tell ya first hand, I drove and did alot of research on the other cars you spoke of.
1) Vet-Great car with its pricing, but it will drop like a rock as far as re-sale within a year.
2) Cheap interiors, looks are good if your seeking a 996 c-2, but enjoy the maint. costs. Re-sale is good if the color is right. 993 is you best bet if you like a more raw look before toned down in 996 models.
Don't compare anything to the game. Go drive them like I did, you may find a good used NSX thats reasonable in cost and there are alot less of them on the road if you want something thats unique as well as drives well w/o the maintence cost and/or depreciation in value.

[This message has been edited by Tom Larkins (edited 23 May 2002).]

 

[naaman]

Hmmmm...how many of you guys are filthy rich?where do you get all of these cars? It sounds like so much fun. Anyway, I would like to test drive the cars, but I've heard that dealers require a deposite of something like $30,000 just to test drive exotics like the NSX and Porches etc (which is a sum that I just never have at one time) so that they know you're not just wasting their time. Is this actually true?

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by naaman:
I would like to test drive the cars, but I've heard that dealers require a deposite of something like $30,000 just to test drive exotics like the NSX and Porches etc (which is a sum that I just never have at one time) so that they know you're not just wasting their time. Is this actually true?

No.

 

[NSXTC]

Originally posted by naaman:
...compared to other (less expensive) cars in it's class?

There aren't any.

 

[Forums Nazi]

Originally posted by naaman:
Hmmmm...how many of you guys are filthy rich?where do you get all of these cars?

Try browsing through the off-topic forum, where you'll find threads such as:
http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000212.html http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000243.html

Remember your friend, the...

 

[NSX UNITED]

Given the fact age doesn't really matter (okay, the story would be different if you're 16) since I'm relatively young. The key is to let the dealers know that you're serious. I test drove many cars over the past 6 months, RSX Type-S, 540i, 996 C2, 996 C4S, NSX and even a 996TT without putting down a dime. Never tried with a Ferrari dealer though.

 

[NSX UNITED]

Hey Nazi, you should set that as your signature. It cracked me up so bad.

 

[Jimbo]

Ilya,

I added a Z06 slant to your chart because I think it makes a big difference when comparing C5s. Note much of this is my opinion....

1. Handling- Z06
2. Acceleration- Z06
3. Braking- Z06
4. Looks- NSX
5. Build Quality- NSX
6. Resale Value- Hard to compare, but I think the Z is priced much more reasonably than the X to begin with. It's common to hear of new NSXs being discounted $5K-$10K. Not so with the Z06.
7. Reliability History- NSX
8. Comfort- NSX...although close.
9. Availability of Parts/Service- Z06. Higher volume= better availablity and aftermarket
10. Safety Features- Z06 (Active Handling, Traction Control, Tire Pressure sensors, Heads-up display)
11. Wet weather/snow ability- Z06 (Traction Control)
12. Cargo/Storage Space- Z06
13. Drive system - Toss up
14. Is it a street only or street/track car-
Both make excellent weekend track cars.
15. Price- Z06 Better bang for the buck.
16. Cost of Service-Z06
17. Insurance cost- Surcharge for Fiberglass body, but NSX is much more expensive...toss up.
18. Drivers aids. Z06 (Heads up display is very nice and is not a gimmick, wish the NSX had one)

-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

 

[naaman]

Okay. I'm going to drive one tomorrow...oh, wait... I'll need to learn stick first (my mom won't teach me). No, I'm not a teenager, though I'm not far from it at 21. I just think It's my mom's moral responsibility to teach me how to drive (a manual) as my "only" parent (my dad's a deadbeat... but that's not what I'm here to talk about). Anyway, how long did it take you guys to lear stick shift (for those of you who may remember, or who actually had the option) and what is the difference in experience between the auto and the manual? I'm going for the manual, but if I can get a somewhat accurate idea by test driving the auto I'll just do that. And that search gif makes me curious: how many of you early 20's people remember Different Strokes and Knight Rider? ....Maybe that part should be discussed in the off topic section...

 

[naaman]

Hey Jim,
What is a heads up display? and doesn't the nsx had TCS also?

Here's another factor to consider: I want a convertible or T-top. The Z only comes as a coupe, right?

The reason I want a convertable is because for me, driving is as much a part of life as breathing. I live in Santa Monica, and drive to the Valley to visit my car-less friends who moved there for college, plus I run a lot of errands for my mom. I also have a lot of friends in San Diego from college and I want to be able to take advantage of the beach scenery (and air) around PCH and San Diego. I LOVE wind on my face when I drive, and I always go as fast as I fast as I can get away with (about 80 in LA, but 95-100 down towards San Diego). Anyway, open top car is a must for me. What would you think about the corvette convertible compared to the nsx?

 

[NSX UNITED]

Learning stick shift only takes one night and it took me about 10-15mins. I had a friend who used to drive the same car as me before except his is manuel and mine is tiptronic. Since I knew my car back then really well as I use tiptronic 100% of the time, switching to stick is easy as pie.

In terms of perfecting stick is a little different. It took me 5-7 days to drive smooth and without stalling once.

Okay, convertible Vette vs. NSX-T. I don't know how well the con. Vett performs but it definitely doesn't compare to the coupe whereas NSX-T is just a little heavier than its coupe version. However, one thing I'm sure of is that the con. Vette looks even crappier than its coupe whereas NSX-T looks exactly the same as its coupe (if not better).

 

[naaman]

Wow. Thanks. You guys are all awsome. I've posted three topics in the last two days and have gotten thirty or so responses.
I'm really glad to be a part of this group. I live in Los Angeles. If any of you live around me let me know and I'll race you in my 85 toyota pick up truck

0-60 in 12.9 seconds...

 

[lemansnsx]

Originally posted by naaman:
Hey Jim,
What is a heads up display? and doesn't the nsx had TCS also?

The Corvette has an optional feature to display a projected image of the instruments in front of the driver. The term means what it sounds like: a display that allows you to keep your head up - instead of looking down and re-focussing on the instrument panel. Originally developed for fighter pilots and now in development for race cars. Delphi have a helmet that projects on the visor.
Sounded kind of gimmicky at first but I've used it on the Corvette and it is pretty neat. By casual observation, the display appears to be approximately out in line with the headlights of the car - meaning this is where your brain thinks the image is - it is actually projected on the windshield.
Regarding TCS - yes, the NSX has it too but let's face it: the NSX was designed in the late 1980s and technology has improved somewhat since then.


------------------
Andrew Henderson
The NSX Model List Page

"We have long acknowledged that enthusiasm for things automotive is a sure
sign of emotional instability if not outright dementia" - Brock Yates

 

[Tom Larkins]

Hey, Nazi.... You're a sick man.. I like the search post but I don't remember the name of the dude on the left...

 

[naaman]

It was Gary Coleman from Different Strokes.
Cars are cool.

 

[steveny]

Originally posted by Forums Nazi:
Try browsing through the off-topic forum, where you'll find threads such as:
http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000212.html http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000243.html

Remember your friend, the...

I almost fell out of my chair. LOL

 

[ilya]

Yeah... the Z06 is another story. I still prefer the handling traits of the NSX, but that's just a matter of opinion. It pretty much takes all numerical performance categories.
They also seem to be holding their value well. Definitely can not buy one yet for 30-35K and it may be a while. The Z06 is what made the Viper obsolete in my eyes. They are near equals in performace and the Z06 is light years ahead in every other category. OK... it doesn't look as cool.

If I was buying a car for performace alone, I would not even hesitate. For the money, you can't beat a Z06 in performance.

[This message has been edited by ilya (edited 23 May 2002).]

 

[naaman]

Yeah, the Z06 is pretty cool. I read in car and driver (I think) that it had a faster 0-60 than the Viper... but I'v only seen this in one source. Other sources put the viper above the corvette in accel. Maybe the guy driving the viper just sucked. Even looking at the numbers, though... there is still something more appealing about the NSX... maybe its because I see several corvettes everyday, or maybe because the corvet just seems like such a huge car (at least at the front end) compared to the NSX. Or maybe its the VTECH... or maybe its because the NSX does with 290hp what can't be done without a much larger amount of hp in other cars...