dreams do come true, Honda NSX.
Discussion
the NSX needs no introduction, i'm sure you already know the Senna connection and how it became the yardstick for Gordon Murray when developing the F1. I have lusted after one for more years than I can remember and had never even driven one!
I have, however driven (for work, I don't have the means to buy a supercar), just about every Porsche and many Ferraris plus the odd Aston so I'm no stranger to the breed. I still wanted the Honda more than any of them.
Then one day the stars aligned and I found myself with the means. I like unusual cars (you may have seen my previous stuff in readers rides) and considered a 996 turbo, Aston v8 vantage and Noble. All desirable for different resons but my heart had been set years ago.
I have, however driven (for work, I don't have the means to buy a supercar), just about every Porsche and many Ferraris plus the odd Aston so I'm no stranger to the breed. I still wanted the Honda more than any of them.
Then one day the stars aligned and I found myself with the means. I like unusual cars (you may have seen my previous stuff in readers rides) and considered a 996 turbo, Aston v8 vantage and Noble. All desirable for different resons but my heart had been set years ago.
So I took one for a testdrive and came away a little disappointed, it was a bit rough around the edges and the performance was underwhelming so I walked. And continued seaching. And searching. This was around the time the classic car market was going bonkers. I remember phoning a dealer about a car that had come on the market on friday. I called on the following monday and it had already sold for the full asking price. Which was more than my budget. It seemed I was being priced out of the market.
So, after a chat with my buddy, I was talked into making an offer on the one i previously rejected. Unfortunately the dealer accepted my very cheeky offer and the car was mine!
So Im the proud and happy owner of this.
Girls not included.
I have been working my way through all the faults including, major service, clutch, full wheel alignment, aircon pump plus many small jobs.
I suppose the big question I need to ask myself is, is it as good as Id hoped? In many unexpected ways it is far, far better.
So, after a chat with my buddy, I was talked into making an offer on the one i previously rejected. Unfortunately the dealer accepted my very cheeky offer and the car was mine!
So Im the proud and happy owner of this.
Girls not included.
I have been working my way through all the faults including, major service, clutch, full wheel alignment, aircon pump plus many small jobs.
I suppose the big question I need to ask myself is, is it as good as Id hoped? In many unexpected ways it is far, far better.
Yes, its the purpley colour. Its called midnight pearl and is very tricky to photograph.Its probably the rarest colour. Of the 300 UK cars only around 10 are purple. Of those I reckon less than half have a manual box.
The number plate came up at a recent DVLA auction and I couldn't resist. As a bonus, noone else bid and I got it for the reserve price.
The number plate came up at a recent DVLA auction and I couldn't resist. As a bonus, noone else bid and I got it for the reserve price.
Its not that purple one, that was another budget buster that sold very quickly.
I was expecting too much from the performance having been spoiled driving more powerful cars. Also I was led to believe there was a big vtec kick, its more of a subtle shove. Its important to remember its 'only' 270bhp and needs to be revved to get the most out of it (8300rpm limit).
I was expecting too much from the performance having been spoiled driving more powerful cars. Also I was led to believe there was a big vtec kick, its more of a subtle shove. Its important to remember its 'only' 270bhp and needs to be revved to get the most out of it (8300rpm limit).
It seems we have similar taste it cars kitchski, although I'd swap the LFA for an alfa sprint speciale.
The car does have an aftermarket exhaust on already. It sounds amazing, kind of like an old F1 car but (a bit) quieter and no drone.
Incidentally I've had someone over to quote for a full detail - they quoted £800! Supercar tax anyone?
The car does have an aftermarket exhaust on already. It sounds amazing, kind of like an old F1 car but (a bit) quieter and no drone.
Incidentally I've had someone over to quote for a full detail - they quoted £800! Supercar tax anyone?
Edited by LarJammer on Wednesday 16th September 12:26
I appreciate all the love! Took it to work today as it was the only sunny day all week, it gets a lot of attention, not a car you can pick your nose in. My favorite part of the car is probably the suspension. It is remarkably comfortable and without the jiggly ride so many sports cars suffer with. Anyway, another shot for the fellow bum lovers.
Regarding the cost lets just say the most Ive ever paid for a car previously was £1800. This was substantially more! Its tricky to judge where values are, there are quite a lot for sale currently and some have been on sale a long time which would suggest the asking price is too high or they are mutton dressed as lamb? Parts can be very expensive, the clutch cost more than £1200, plus labour.
Its probably not fair to compare servicing costs with a civic but rather its contemporaries. A Ferrari 355 requires engine removal to change the cambelt and it seemingly needs to be done every full moon.This would put the sevice cost of the NSX much closer to the civic than 355...
As for values - I enquired about the red car when it first came on the market and got some odd answers to my questions. I subsequently googled the company and decided I needed a longer bargepole. I think values are realistically between 35 - 45k for average mileage cars. Auto boxes and imports seem to be a bit cheaper.
As for values - I enquired about the red car when it first came on the market and got some odd answers to my questions. I subsequently googled the company and decided I needed a longer bargepole. I think values are realistically between 35 - 45k for average mileage cars. Auto boxes and imports seem to be a bit cheaper.
One more point regarding my underwhelming comment.
Ive done over 1k miles in it now so Im getting to know it (it hasn't become a he or she yet). imo what makes it such a great car is also its biggest failing and that is this - it does everything remarkably well. The electric power steering just works. The ride comfort is exceptional. The handling is benign. The driving position is great. The boot is big. All of which adds up to a great car.
Sometimes though its lacking the thrill you want from something special. If that makes sense?
Ive done over 1k miles in it now so Im getting to know it (it hasn't become a he or she yet). imo what makes it such a great car is also its biggest failing and that is this - it does everything remarkably well. The electric power steering just works. The ride comfort is exceptional. The handling is benign. The driving position is great. The boot is big. All of which adds up to a great car.
Sometimes though its lacking the thrill you want from something special. If that makes sense?
Gingerbread Man said:
Are the disappointments from the test drive not nagging at you?
No. Now most of the niggles are fixed I can enjoy the whole package. Its so well rounded, almost flawless, I can believe a granny used one everyday!I was chasing a pair of Mclarens at a recent show and they left me wanting more power. But to put it in perspective its a hardly believable 20 years old now. BHP figures are similar to the Ferrari 328 and Porsche 964
So what's it been like for the last 2 years?
Pretty damn awesome.
I haven't had to spend much on it after the initial work but then its only averaging 2k miles per year. It has been to Goodwood every year (and will be going back this month for the FOS). It is the perfect car for that type of journey, rapid and comfortable, in fact everyone (and i mean everyone) who I take out for a ride says how comfortable the seats are. They are the best seats I have ever sat in. Anyway, some pics, this one showing the colour quite well.
20170610_131209 by antshearer, on Flickr
Pretty damn awesome.
I haven't had to spend much on it after the initial work but then its only averaging 2k miles per year. It has been to Goodwood every year (and will be going back this month for the FOS). It is the perfect car for that type of journey, rapid and comfortable, in fact everyone (and i mean everyone) who I take out for a ride says how comfortable the seats are. They are the best seats I have ever sat in. Anyway, some pics, this one showing the colour quite well.
20170610_131209 by antshearer, on FlickrEdited by LarJammer on Tuesday 20th June 19:12
Edited by LarJammer on Tuesday 20th June 19:16
And another at a recent PH sunday service
20170611_160637 by antshearer, on Flickr
20170611_160637 by antshearer, on FlickrEdited by LarJammer on Tuesday 20th June 19:16
It's not all been smooth sailing though...
I have noticed in the last few months that the handling has REALLY deteriorated & mid corner bumps make me clench, plus there is an uncomfortable steering vibration at speed. So I have invested some more money in it & bought some new Bilstein suspension.
20170617_120210 by antshearer, on Flickr
You can see the clever front suspension in this shot.
Plus a few new bushes, bolts and a couple of trim parts to smarten it up (I wasn't happy at the price of the ashtray, which has been missing since I bought the car).
I don't mind spending on it, after all the value of an NSX has risen so much in the last couple of years that I am unlikely to end up in 'negative equity'. But the business has taken financial priority over the last year, I sold my 944 which has freed up a little money so I can start spending again... Hoping to finish the suspension work this week and have a new, improved ride to Goodwood.
I really wanted to take it to Orkney this year but a lot of other stuff has got in the way so maybe next year.
I have noticed in the last few months that the handling has REALLY deteriorated & mid corner bumps make me clench, plus there is an uncomfortable steering vibration at speed. So I have invested some more money in it & bought some new Bilstein suspension.
20170617_120210 by antshearer, on FlickrYou can see the clever front suspension in this shot.
Plus a few new bushes, bolts and a couple of trim parts to smarten it up (I wasn't happy at the price of the ashtray, which has been missing since I bought the car).
I don't mind spending on it, after all the value of an NSX has risen so much in the last couple of years that I am unlikely to end up in 'negative equity'. But the business has taken financial priority over the last year, I sold my 944 which has freed up a little money so I can start spending again... Hoping to finish the suspension work this week and have a new, improved ride to Goodwood.
I really wanted to take it to Orkney this year but a lot of other stuff has got in the way so maybe next year.
little update.
Finally got the wheel refurbished but due to having a very small garage I can't remove all of the wheels in there so bought some Civic Hybrid wheels to fit temporarily. These were 15" and still fitted over the factory brakes (just).
20171011_124737 by antshearer, on Flickr
They cost me £32 and I sold them for £20. result!
Here it is at Stony Stratford on New Years Day - it proved very popular.
2018-01-25_03-56-48 by antshearer, on Flickr
2018-01-25_03-56-33 by antshearer, on Flickr
Finally got the wheel refurbished but due to having a very small garage I can't remove all of the wheels in there so bought some Civic Hybrid wheels to fit temporarily. These were 15" and still fitted over the factory brakes (just).
20171011_124737 by antshearer, on FlickrThey cost me £32 and I sold them for £20. result!
Here it is at Stony Stratford on New Years Day - it proved very popular.
2018-01-25_03-56-48 by antshearer, on Flickr2018-01-25_03-56-33 by antshearer, on FlickrI have been putting off a particular job for a while - there is a slight knock from the rear which is usually one of the balljoints. But you can't but just a balljoint, you have to buy the whole arm (or hub) which are around £1500. Yes, that is correct, £1500 for a wishbone.
As one of the CV boots had started leaking I decided it was time to get it all sorted so I have removed the hub and driveshaft to have a really good look / cleanup. As with most cars the ABS sensor is fitted in the hub, I tried to remove it but it was so brittle the little bugger broke. That's £400 please... Plus another few hundred for other parts at my local Honda dealer. Genuine CV boots cost over £100 each, good job the kit comes with everything, including a bottle of special custard.
Fortuitously, the knock turned out to be a loose bolt on the inner toe arm. I should've checked that months ago... Prices above are just for your info, I never expected it to be a cheap car to maintain & when I get a price it usually makes me chuckle as it is inevitably ridiculous. It is a fabulously well engineered car (just look at the CV joint pictures below - full of needle rollers - bonkers).
2018-01-25_03-43-21 by antshearer, on Flickr
2018-01-25_03-43-05 by antshearer, on Flickr
As one of the CV boots had started leaking I decided it was time to get it all sorted so I have removed the hub and driveshaft to have a really good look / cleanup. As with most cars the ABS sensor is fitted in the hub, I tried to remove it but it was so brittle the little bugger broke. That's £400 please... Plus another few hundred for other parts at my local Honda dealer. Genuine CV boots cost over £100 each, good job the kit comes with everything, including a bottle of special custard.
Fortuitously, the knock turned out to be a loose bolt on the inner toe arm. I should've checked that months ago... Prices above are just for your info, I never expected it to be a cheap car to maintain & when I get a price it usually makes me chuckle as it is inevitably ridiculous. It is a fabulously well engineered car (just look at the CV joint pictures below - full of needle rollers - bonkers).
2018-01-25_03-43-21 by antshearer, on Flickr2018-01-25_03-43-05 by antshearer, on FlickrGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff