RE: Time for Tea? Why the Honda NSX is brilliant...
Discussion
I think this will become my new "poster" car. I loved the original NSX when I was a small boy, and the fact my idol Ayrton Senna was involved made it all the more cool. This, the Porsche 918 and the Jag C-X75 might be the cars to make hybrids cool.
I'm 32 now, and I still think I might have a "poster car"...
I'm 32 now, and I still think I might have a "poster car"...
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Tuesday 7th February 11:02
havoc said:
St John Smythe said:
I've driven both and the M3 certainly felt quicker than the NSX. Although the NSX was a 1992 car and I gather the later ones had a few more ponies.
Pre-94 cars had odd (long) 1st and 2nd gears. I've had a play with an M3 cab and there was nothing in it.LuS1fer - for some that's part of the appeal - with the NSX there's no ego, no wayward handling that you have to drive around, no poor driving position or poor visibility to suffer, no wondering what's going to pop next (well...not as much). It was supercar redux, at the time. Still is, although the power ways have rather overtaken it.
If you equate that with 'lack of character' then you've probably never driven one and you're probably image-led. Gordon Murray, Roman Atkinson and many others suffer no such delusions...are 100RON petrolheads such as these misguided? Or are you blinkered by the badge marketing from Modena and Stuttgart?
jtopps said:
drophead said:
roland82 said:
Solarius said:
Video really makes me think of the early 'Gran Turismo' game's... 
- From about 4 min 10...
The computer simulation was made by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo developers. - From about 4 min 10...I'm afraid I'm going to have to break ranks. While I'd like to drive one to have an informed opinion, the looks of the NSX and specs have always left me feeling a little "meh". I remember being at the motor show around launch time thinking it looked a little old from day 1. I think it was the typical Japanese interior & angular rear end I struggled with.
The new one, however, looks fab! I hope that Honda can bring it to market with minimal styling changes (although the front end looks like it'll need fettling) and that they don't let all that technology spoil the purity that the original had. I think that last one will be a tough ask, but we'll see.
The new one, however, looks fab! I hope that Honda can bring it to market with minimal styling changes (although the front end looks like it'll need fettling) and that they don't let all that technology spoil the purity that the original had. I think that last one will be a tough ask, but we'll see.
An NSX-R with a white paint job on the roof. Similar in look to one owned and run by Tsuchiya Keiichi (who also changed the blacktop)
http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU07438052...
22 Million yen at the moment
Which due to the very poor pound and a very strong yen.....is.....£181,320.51
Earlier NSX-R
http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU08701820...
8.7 Million yen (£71,726.93)
http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU07438052...
22 Million yen at the moment
Which due to the very poor pound and a very strong yen.....is.....£181,320.51
Earlier NSX-R
http://www.carsensor.net/usedcar/detail/CU08701820...
8.7 Million yen (£71,726.93)
St John Smythe said:
Forgot to mention, the NSX was an auto (as loads seem to be for some reason?)
Autos were lower tune - 256 vs 276 bhp, I think. Plus the torque converter losses, it will be noticeably slower.Autos are a minority in the UK, but they seem to come up for sale again quicker than the manuals, which are quickly becoming cherished motors.
356Speedster said:
I'm afraid I'm going to have to break ranks. While I'd like to drive one to have an informed opinion, the looks of the NSX and specs have always left me feeling a little "meh". I remember being at the motor show around launch time thinking it looked a little old from day 1. I think it was the typical Japanese interior & angular rear end I struggled with.
The new one, however, looks fab! I hope that Honda can bring it to market with minimal styling changes (although the front end looks like it'll need fettling) and that they don't let all that technology spoil the purity that the original had. I think that last one will be a tough ask, but we'll see.
I have to completely agree. Have always felt a little underwhelmed by the looks of the NSX. I have no doubt from the legions of review comments that it was/is a great drive - but I also value looks and it has never really done anything for me. It also has not aged well.The new one, however, looks fab! I hope that Honda can bring it to market with minimal styling changes (although the front end looks like it'll need fettling) and that they don't let all that technology spoil the purity that the original had. I think that last one will be a tough ask, but we'll see.
The new one, if it is not too far removed from the concept, looks great - an uptodate and classic shape. Should be interesting in the head-to-head with the new Mk2 R8
havoc said:
Pre-94 cars had odd (long) 1st and 2nd gears. I've had a play with an M3 cab and there was nothing in it.
LuS1fer - for some that's part of the appeal - with the NSX there's no ego, no wayward handling that you have to drive around, no poor driving position or poor visibility to suffer, no wondering what's going to pop next (well...not as much). It was supercar redux, at the time. Still is, although the power ways have rather overtaken it.
If you equate that with 'lack of character' then you've probably never driven one and you're probably image-led. Gordon Murray, Roman Atkinson and many others suffer no such delusions...are 100RON petrolheads such as these misguided? Or are you blinkered by the badge marketing from Modena and Stuttgart?
To be fair, there were a fair number of road testers in the early days who preferred the Ferrari 348. The argument was that if you wanted a mid engined junior supercar to have fun in, the Ferrari was more of an event to drive, had more drama, looked and felt exotic, and that the Honda, for all its good manners and high limits and solid build quality and reliability, kind of missed the point.LuS1fer - for some that's part of the appeal - with the NSX there's no ego, no wayward handling that you have to drive around, no poor driving position or poor visibility to suffer, no wondering what's going to pop next (well...not as much). It was supercar redux, at the time. Still is, although the power ways have rather overtaken it.
If you equate that with 'lack of character' then you've probably never driven one and you're probably image-led. Gordon Murray, Roman Atkinson and many others suffer no such delusions...are 100RON petrolheads such as these misguided? Or are you blinkered by the badge marketing from Modena and Stuttgart?
Simply put, it wasn't really the kind of car that was going to appeal to someone interested in a Ferrari. It was a new product that needed to make a new market for itself. It was too new school, I think.
Now though, with Ferrari having gone all high street shop and electronic everything and Fiorano laptimes and easy to drive, it could be said that Ferrari have moved into the market that the NSX created, and that a new NSX may do a whole lot better.
Dave Hedgehog said:
looks like a power ranger toy from the 80s 
its begging for a giant wing on the back
Each to thier own but these two comments tell us why you went for your deposit back ... you simply did not understandthe NSX, which is fine, and I'm sure whatever you drive now makes you happy.its begging for a giant wing on the back
Many have commented on wanting to drive the NSX-R ... with only 2 early examples and one late variant known to be in the country, you'll need to be a) very patient and b) have a healthy cheque book before you make this wish come true. You could of course atempt to import one from Japan but you'll be paying the same money or more than the NEW NSX is rumoured to be costing.
For those of you saying you'd really like one the best way is to place a wanted add here on Pistonheads and over on www.NSXCB.co.uk
PH's very own Trackdemon is currently prepping his Red/Black NA1 for sale for those seriously interested.
AS for living with one, its been 5 years of smiles. Completely stock there are simply one of the easiest cars to safely exploit on the Queen's highway or track with all of the power readily available. Earlier cars do benefit well from some minor tweaks to release a few extra ponies. The majority of cars are manual. Earlier there was reference to those for sale being mainly autos; this is because most of the manuals rarely come up for sale and are keepers. The autos do make for a great daily driver as many owners will testify too ... if I had space/money/wife's permission I'd love an auto to compliment my 3.2T
New car looks intersting, and if as I suspect Honda get the balance of power/technology correct, then they will again move the game forward without the need for super high HP numbers for the bar bragging contest .... styling for some may be conservative (I like it) but liek the original and the 12C, I think this is a design that will age slowly, unlike some of the current new commers.
Good luck to those looking for originals, and to those who may be fortunate to own the next generation ... and if you get one, I'll trade you a drive in yours for a drive in mine ;o)
regards,
senninha2 said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
looks like a power ranger toy from the 80s
its begging for a giant wing on the back
Each to thier own but these two comments tell us why you went for your deposit back ... you simply did not understandthe NSX, which is fine, and I'm sure whatever you drive now makes you happy.its begging for a giant wing on the back
Many have commented on wanting to drive the NSX-R ... with only 2 early examples and one late variant known to be in the country, you'll need to be a) very patient and b) have a healthy cheque book before you make this wish come true. You could of course atempt to import one from Japan but you'll be paying the same money or more than the NEW NSX is rumoured to be costing.
For those of you saying you'd really like one the best way is to place a wanted add here on Pistonheads and over on www.NSXCB.co.uk
PH's very own Trackdemon is currently prepping his Red/Black NA1 for sale for those seriously interested.
AS for living with one, its been 5 years of smiles. Completely stock there are simply one of the easiest cars to safely exploit on the Queen's highway or track with all of the power readily available. Earlier cars do benefit well from some minor tweaks to release a few extra ponies. The majority of cars are manual. Earlier there was reference to those for sale being mainly autos; this is because most of the manuals rarely come up for sale and are keepers. The autos do make for a great daily driver as many owners will testify too ... if I had space/money/wife's permission I'd love an auto to compliment my 3.2T
New car looks intersting, and if as I suspect Honda get the balance of power/technology correct, then they will again move the game forward without the need for super high HP numbers for the bar bragging contest .... styling for some may be conservative (I like it) but liek the original and the 12C, I think this is a design that will age slowly, unlike some of the current new commers.
Good luck to those looking for originals, and to those who may be fortunate to own the next generation ... and if you get one, I'll trade you a drive in yours for a drive in mine ;o)
regards,
i drove one coming towards the end of its production run and the performance was showing its age a little
but for me the car was just too easy to drive and bordering on boring to drive at road speed for how it looked, it felt like a civic, using the top gear analogy it had no fizz in relation to how it looked, it didn't feel like a supercar to me
i only mentioned the R because from what i have read they do "fizz", no idea they where so rare
Alfanatic said:
To be fair, there were a fair number of road testers in the early days who preferred the Ferrari 348. The argument was that if you wanted a mid engined junior supercar to have fun in, the Ferrari was more of an event to drive, had more drama, looked and felt exotic, and that the Honda, for all its good manners and high limits and solid build quality and reliability, kind of missed the point.
Not so sure. Ferrari have always had their own market, or rather two:-- those who HAVE to have a Ferrari badge
- those who want something which is an event to drive
The first is the reason the original NSX bombed in the UK. And is the reason the (GTO-beating) LF-A is also receiving a rather lacklustre welcome over here.
The second is part of the area the NSX targeted...and I guess in a way it did miss the mark - by being so accessible, so easy to drive and so reliable/well-built, it left those wanting the "TVR/80s Ferrari" ownership experience cold.
As exemplified here, which is quite ridiculous* given the current crop of Ferraris and the hype around the GTR:-
Dave Hedgehog said:
but for me the car was just too easy to drive and bordering on boring to drive at road speed for how it looked, it felt like a civic, using the top gear analogy it had no fizz in relation to how it looked, it didn't feel like a supercar to me
To me, this sort of car being accessible to an amateur like me is part of the attraction, as I've said already - here is a car I can drive and have fun in without worrying about what the car will do (whatever the weather). I do agree with Alfanatic here - Ferrari have now gone even further in this direction, with the cars now almost driving themselves, for the amateur - what the NSX did with a competent chassis and benign handling, Ferrari now do with electronics!As for those road-testers - guys like David Vivian, I'll wager, who can't keep their prejudices off the page. Guys like Chris Harris who want to boast about their hairy-chestedness. The NSX wiped the floor, dynamically, with the 348 and 964. It was also a more rounded package than either, and sounded at least as good. Looks and badge aside, and this spurious "too easy to drive" comment, what is there to prefer about the 348??? OK, probably steering feel, but that'd be about it.
* Probably the only car to have been criticised for benign and accessible handling. Actually - this and the Boxster!
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