Thursday 21st May 2015

Honda NSX R: Spotted

Less power than a new Civic Type R; anyone especially care?

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Media drives of the Honda Civic Type R are imminent and of course expectations are incredibly high; both previous generations found many fans here, it's been in development for a jolly long time and all the stats suggest it should be great.

Let's see.

In good company

But more than that it's the fabulous heritage of the Type R badge, a moniker that's only existed for 20 years but is legendary worldwide for magnificent drivers' cars. Integra, Accord and Civic have been the models in Britain but Gran Turismo has opened up Western enthusiasts to others, including most notably the NSX-R.

Obviously this car had to feature. OK, it's not Championship White and, yes, it has the larger wheels but it's an NSX-R in the UK! It's the first Honda Type R and for many the definitive one; building off a superb base and then made lighter, stiffer and more capable for what must be an extraordinary end product.

The list of modifications from NSX to NSX-R is reassuringly extensive and fantastically nerdy. As well as the stuff you may expect to be jettisoned such as the sound deadening, air-con and the stereo, the NSX-R also ditched central locking, the airbags and even had a smaller toolkit than an NSX. Aluminium was used for a few formerly steel parts, the traction control went and the battery was lighter as well. This is a proper lightweight special. That's before the Recaros, the lighter armrest (!), the thinner glass...

This in addition to one of the finest sports car powertrains that ever there was. Type Rs had closer ratios and a higher rev limit than a standard NSX too - all sounds rather enticing, doesn't it?

The NSX-R was only ever sold in Japan, so at least there's the advantage of right-hand drive. This car has spent the past seven years in Australia and has just arrived here in the UK with 38,000 miles on it.

The 'R' means alot

Now £95,000 looks a hell of a lot for anything, leave alone an NSX. However, there's a method for making the NSX look far better value. It's called the 964 Porsche 911. The parallels between an RS and Type R here are fascinating: both of the same era with similar power outputs and remits as the most driver-focused offerings from their makers. But low mileage RS 964s are £200K. The Porsche name will carry more kudos. But as cars to drive? Hmm. It would surely be fantastic fun finding out though!

We shared this advert across PH social media a couple of days ago and one commenter laughing off the prospect of a £95K Honda received his fair share of supporters. Do enough people appreciate how significant the car is? Let's see how long it's available for. But suffice to say there will be a few lotto tickets purchased in the PH office this weekend!

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HONDA NSX TYPE R
Engine: 2,977cc V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 280@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 217@5,400rpm
MPG: 29.7mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1995
Recorded mileage: 38,300
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £95,000

[daveco]

Surely even more special than a 964RS, given the Porsche's disadvantage in its layout, aero, and engine power?

I bet the this engine sounds better too!

Edited by daveco on Thursday 21st May 11:26

[anonymous-user]

The market has gone daft with these. The Type R has always been the expensive choice but £95K, wow.

[Butter Face]

What a gorgeous car. Love it.

[Lowtimer]

It's a lot of money but it only needs one buyer, and that buyer is probably out there somewhere.

[Dr G]

It's almost sad that it's now at a point where its value is as a collectible rather than a car.

[MissChief]

If I were a multi-millionaire who was looking for a new toy, having tried (or still owning) half a dozen various Porsches, Ferrari's and maybe an Aston or two I'd certainly like to try this over the summer. Only needs one person to buy it as said.

[Hugo a Gogo]

the R means 'Alot'

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.de/2010/04/alot-...

[Ruffy94]

Something to make you want it more, senna in an nsx-r .... https://youtu.be/oNl_-hVOSBY

[0836whimper]

Anything not to like about this car ? Awesome stuff.

[Tom_C76]

Why does the speedo run out at 112.5 mph? That's got to be an issue for a car of that type...

[cocopop]

Tom_C76 said:

Why does the speedo run out at 112.5 mph? That's got to be an issue for a car of that type...

JDM cars are limited to 180kmh from the factory, my RX7 has a similar speedo. Doesn't stop it going off the clock though once the limiter has been removed.

[scubadude]

Dismissing an NSX (let alone an R) because its "only a Honda" shows a gross lack of motoring knowledge and should see a suitable reduction in your Man points :-)

I will buy an extra lottery ticket just in case...

[mrclav]

Article said:

As well as the stuff you may expect to be jettisoned such as the sound deadening, air-con and the stereo

So what's that in the last few pictures then? Unless they're not of the actual car for sale?

[J45ON]

I prefer the yellow to the white.
I prefer the earlier front end.
It's in my top 10.

I would pay that much for that car.

[MissChief]

I would also be surprised if this didn't have more than the 'gentlemans agreement' 276HP.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Hugo a Gogo said:

the R means 'Alot'

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.de/2010/04/alot-...

[4oClock]

Dunno about anyone else, but I'd far rather this than any 911 - new or old.

The NSX-R is very very high up on the want list, but I'd not choose yellow!!

[carl hammond]

This is amazing, what an awesome car.

Having been lucky enough to drive my friends old Green NSX-R I am happy to see another example here in the UK, but the market price increase for a Series 1 NSX-R here in the UK is mad to see. Back in 2011 the guy my friend sold it to advertised it for sale at 45K (http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-spottedykywt/spotted-honda-nsx-r-series-one/23842)
and here is a Yellow low mileage example for sale at 95K... WOW..

When looking online I am seeing a number of Series 1 and 2 NSX-R's available ranging from the following:

HONDA NSX TYPE R = Series 1
Month / Year: March 1993
Color GREEN
Mileage:23,000 km
USD $98,900 (before shipping) so Circa 65K

To HONDA NSX TYPE R = Series 2
Month / Year: June 2003
Color:WHITE
Mileage：14,000 km
USD $225,450 (before shipping) so Circa 145K

These cars are amazing but have sadly become unaffordable to most (even a Normal NSX) which is a shame. I have driven both an Series 2 NSX and a Series 1 NSX-R on a number of occasions and both are awesome, but now both are rapidly moving further and further form my affordability range which I could justify meaning I will by the looks of it never own one of either kind :-(

[Vee12V]

Can't see why this price is crazy. Seems good value compared to many overpriced beetles..

Yellow's not for me though.

[rb26]

I remember the last 'Spotted' article on the NA1 NSX-R, they were in the ball park of £35,000-45,000..... sigh*

I fear the direction manufacturers are taking cars has forced people looking for a more connected driving experience to gobble up all the great cars from the 90's and early naughties, driving up the price.

By the time 90's kids, like me, have a job earning (hopefully) decent money we'll be battling with the issue of bloated prices on our poster cars! Was this the same with the 60's and 70's classics or was it only recently that cars like the S1 E-type's have exploded in price?