Honda NSX-R 1996

[Neil-5ogx0]

I have just collected my 1996 NA1 NSX R from NSX specialist Plans Performance in Surrey who dealt with all the UK registration work and administration plus some essential maintenance.

I sourced the car myself during a trip to Japan in October 2015 where I also attended the 25th Anniversary NSX Fiesta at Suzuka. The car has done under 50k miles and the condition is better than this mileage might suggest.











Just need to learn to drive it like Senna now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjbrFBE4x8A

I am an enthusiast and have owned the following NSX over the years:

1991 NA1 Coupe Red 3.0 Litre 5 speed Manual - Sold
1996 NA1 Targa Red 3.0 Litre 5 speed Manual - Sold
2003 NA2 Targa Red 3.2 Litre 6 speed Manual - Sold

Current cars

2005 NA2 Coupe Pearlescent White/Red Leather Facelift 3.2 Litre 6 speed Manual (a last 12 car UK car)
2001 NA2 Coupe Imola Orange Pearlescent Pre Facelift 3.2 Litre 6 speed Manual
1996 NA1 Type R Championship White car 447 of 483 built. 3.0 litre 5 speed Manual

Many will be aware that both NA1 and NA2 type R NSX were only ever sold in Japan and there are perhaps only 4 or 5 NA1s and 2 NA2s in the UK. Only 140 NA2 Type R cars were built.

The rarity of all NA2 cars is not well known but even in Japan the numbers of these are very low compared to the original NA1 cars. There are 2 types of NA2 1998 to 2001 pre facelift with the pop up headlamps and then 2002 to 2005 facelift cars with the fixed headlamps, all NA2s have the later 3.2 engine and 6 speed gearbox.

Here are my 2 NA2 UK cars:

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Saturday 5th March 07:29

[Neil-5ogx0]

Plans Performance fitted a de-restricter for me.

All standard JDM NSX have a few differences to the UK cars probably the most significant is gear ratios.

All NSX Type Rs have blueprinted engines (i.e race standard part matching and build) BHP is not claimed to be higher than standard cars but the Rs are also much lighter and have different, wheels, suspension, brakes, steering, LSD, gear ratios and lost of styling changes particularly the NA2 type Rs with the bonnet scoop and special rear spoiler. Here is a fuller list for type R, but this may not be complete, making a replica NSX-R hard and very expensive to create:

Exterior
Aluminium framed and meshed engine maintenance lid
Low specific gravity SMC rear spoiler/wing with 3rd brake light
Special Front Honda Emblem
Special side emblem at the door
Special Rear 'H' logo
Aluminium meshed side air intake guard + front duct cover
Special larger diameter exhaust tail pipe
Special engine head cover

Tyre/wheel
Special tyre
Special 15/16 Enkei wheel

Instrument panel
6 x Yellow needle
Carbon look meter panel
Momo steering wheel

Chassis dynamics
Ventilated brake splash guard
Special damper
Special spring + bush rate
Special final ratio
Special LSD (higher pre-load)
Shorter clutch pedal stroke
2 x Reinforcement bar at the front
Aluminium door beam
Aluminium front & rear bumper beam
Smaller battery size

Interior
Titanium shift knob
Suede like interior (alcantara)
Loop pile floor carpet
Matt black special coated centre panel + door panel + steering column cover
Black plated parking brake lever button
Aluminium side sill plate
Special arm rest centre console
Auto Heater

Seat
Recaro carbon/aramid composite seat (Driver: electrical power slide, Pass.: fixed)

Factory fitted optional equipment
Full automatic A/C Climate control
Honda/Bose audio system + auto aerial with half height switch equipped
Real carbon for centre panel + door

Colour
Addition of Special theme colour: Championship White

Etc.
Removal of SRS Air bag system
Removal of TCS, Cruise control, electric door mirror control
Special alignment with lowered rideheight
Single glazed rear partition glass
Higher accuracy on specially balanced engine parts
Removal of noise deadening material


Here is a link to a video of a parade lap line up from the 25th Anniversary NSX Fiesta at Suzuka, here you will see a wider range of NSX than you are ever likely to, with many Type Rs both NA1a and NA2s most are in the classic Championship white and black but there are yellow, blue (back row) and red at least. Also just as rare are Type S and Type S zero cars that were available Japan only between the production periods of the R Types, they are NA2 cars with the 3.2 engine and 6 speed gearbox and in between the Rs in terms of weight, suspension and performance. There is an S Type in Lime Green in the front row with light weight BBS wheels as standard.

https://vimeo.com/156138636

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Sunday 21st February 13:41

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Sunday 21st February 14:17

[Neil-5ogx0]

Aha well spotted, I have corrected the misspelling of suede!

[Neil-5ogx0]

Hi yes the Pearl White car is one of the last 12 supplied to the UK in 2005. They were available in exterior and interior colours not previously available and my car was the only one in Pearl white and red leather, it is a very special car. It was featured in Channel 4s coverage of last years Silverstone classic. Here is an interior shot.

melvster said:

Sensational. Watching hours and hours of best motoring is probably the closest I will get to owning one. The facelift NA2 you have was the final car imported wasn't it ?

[Neil-5ogx0]

Yes Rossub is correct the price inc import is not something I would like to share but contact Plans Performance if you are interested in a Type R NSX or a standard NSX they always have a good selection of cars for sale and have imported several cars including R types.

rossub said:

tankplanker said:

How much did you pay including all the import costs if you don't mind me asking?

I seriously doubt he'll be telling you that. If it's less than 6 figures, I'll be surprised.

[Neil-5ogx0]

I understand your point as prices have increased in the last few years but I still think the NSX is great value compared to many alternative performance cars and it is much rarer than many higher priced alternatives.

[Neil-5ogx0]

tankplanker said:

Neil-5ogx0 said:

Yes Rossub is correct the price inc import is not something I would like to share but contact Plans Performance if you are interested in a Type R NSX or a standard NSX they always have a good selection of cars for sale and have imported several cars including R types.

No worries! Looking at their website I'm guessing the Type R is out of my reach but I can still afford a decent standard manual. How do you rate Plans Performance?

Also do you plan on taking the Type R to any shows?

I rate Plans Performance very highly - in my view there is no where better to buy or sell an NSX. I bought my 2005 white car from them and they sold my 2003 Targa as well. Give them a call and speak to Graham Horgan he will be able to answer any questions you have about NSX ownership, the virtues of the various models available, market prices and cars that may come to the market in the near future.

I hope to be able to go to the Silverstone Classic.

[Neil-5ogx0]

Sillyhatday said:

You had me at Honda on the title. This is one of my top five. I'm still kicking myself for not buying one five years ago when I could afford one! Now look

There was a guy on another forum found one of these in Japan. It was just sat under a shelter, with moss, dirt and twigs all over it. Don't think the guy saved it.

If I ever bump into you I'd love a look round it and a sit inside. Never seen any NSX in the flesh. Fantastic sir

Happy to show anyone these special and rare cars, I often get stopped at petrol stations by people who have never seen one before, not surprising as less than 500 came to the UK during the entire production. Other than shows I have never seen another whilst I have been out in one myself.

If you get a chance to go to the Silverstone Classic the owners club will be there with a good selection of cars to see, we had around 50 last year for the 25th Anniversary of the launch.

You will not be surprised I don't find it hard to agree with you on this being a top 5 car.

[Neil-5ogx0]

Trexthedinosaur said:

Ok, whilst not a -R the NSX really odes represent excellent value @ plansperformance, manuals for under £40,000 ...

I would suggest you won't lose much (if anything on one), nice to see one with 170,000 miles on there too!

Stunning cars OP, I was at the Bremen classic show two / three weeks ago and they had a stunning dark blue, manual

ETA: more pics?

Edited by Trexthedinosaur on Monday 22 February 15:37

The following appears on page 2 of the thread from Plans Performance and gives more photos of the car whilst it was being prepared for me at Plans :

A gallery of all the photos can be seen here:

https://plans.smugmug.com/Other/Type-R-White/

There are several pages of photos to scroll through - note the two Type-R NSXs next to each other in the workshop.

I think anyone who has bought an NSX in the last few years has benefitted from appreciating prices but they still remain very good value compared to many alternatives.

High mileage NSX should not put anyone off, I had one that had done 106k miles and it drove as well as the other NSX I had at the time with half the miles covered.

[Neil-5ogx0]

Hi the seat swab does come out separately and the base looks to be on the floor but as I have not taken a standard seat apart I cannot say if it will give you more room. NSX-R seats are very difficult to find and expensive.

Crockefeller said:

Superb. Na1 coupe owner here with a question about the seats...

I've removed the seat cushion completely from mine as I needed the headroom. Is the seat cushion removable on these (expensive) NSX-R seats and is the base of the shell itself "on the carpet" as it is on the standard cars?

Would be great to see the car sometime if the opportunity arises.

[Neil-5ogx0]

I have not decided yet but will at least be there for Saturday. Last year there were many NSX on all 3 days, but Saturday was the peak day as you might expect. The event has plenty of variety and certainly enough to keep you interested for at least one whole day.

Sillyhatday said:

Just to back track a little bit, I'll be attending the full weekend at Silverstone Classic. If it weren't for this car, I'd have not thought to go.

To the OP, what day or days is the NSX club attending? I'm assuming Saturday at least.

Pretty excited to take some photographs of the superb collection of cars. I've seen the S2000 club is also attending, so either I'll have one by then or get some good advice from them.

[Neil-5ogx0]

Hi, it is not easy and I only saw 3 NA1 type Rs for sale, if you are interested in sourcing a car I would suggest you contact Graham Horgan at www.plansperformance.com. I did not see any Type Rs/Ss in black.

DUNNERS said:

My favourite all-time car, period. Very jealous indeed!

Can I ask how easy the car was to source in Japan? Was there many on the market to choose from or did you simply know the then current owner?

I don't suppose you saw one in black with red Recaros and carbon interior trim for sale? Just in case I come into a substantial amount of money in the coming weeks?...

[Neil-5ogx0]

Yes the mods would put me off. With the additional costs of shipping, 10% import duty, 20% VAT, UK handling side and registration costs you will need about £170k to drive this car away in the UK, I used an exchange rate of 158 yen to 1 GBP, which makes the base price £126,600.00 The exchange rate was much better in October when I purchased my car.

This does show just how highly rated these cars are in Japan and what good value UK standard NSX remain.

dobly said:

This is the only NA1 Type R that I can see for sale at the moment:

http://kuruma-ex.jp/usedcar/detail/ccCU4358073315

It has been mucked about a bit, as you can see - whether it is an improvement is debatable.

Just to let you know, that asking price is ~125k in Pounds, and that is before VAT, import costs etc.

[Neil-5ogx0]

This is a NA2 Type R, the later model 2002 to 2005, price is not shown but they are significantly more expensive in Japan than the NA1 Type Rs like my car. They are the Holy Grail of NSX. They have the 3.2 litre engine and a 6 speed gearbox plus many other mechanical and styling improvements compared to the early 3.0 litre 5 speed cars.

There were only 140 NA2 Type Rs compared to the 483 NA1 Type Rs, so both are very rare cars and Japan only. But remember UK NSX are very rare as well, with less than 500 between 1990 and 2005, and most were early NA1 cars.

If you are after a standard UK NSX the NA2 3.2 manual car is the one that should be top of your list, but the NA1 cars are also outstanding cars. There is a blue NA2 manual pre facelift car with low mileage at Silverstone Auctions this weekend and it will be interesting to see what price it makes.

danllama said:

dobly said:

^ Not quite what you were after, but this is available......

http://kuruma-ex.jp/usedcar/detail/ccCU4383783561

Blooooody helllllll

[Neil-5ogx0]

So the 2001 NA2 Circuit Blue NSX sold at Silverstone Auction today at just shy of £71k including buyers premium, which makes the red similar car in the classifieds look a real bargain at £65k

Neil-5ogx0 said:

[Neil-5ogx0]

Just about the time I was picking up the NA1 Type R, featured in this thread, a NA2 R became available, in Japan of course, and with Plans Performance help I have decided to purchase this car, so this means this NA1 R will have to go to a new home, also with the assistance of Graham at Plans.

I can assure you if it was not being replaced in the garage by a NA2 R I would not be selling the car ever. So if you have always dreamed on owning a NA1 NSX-R here is your chance to buy one ready to drive in the UK in the classic white/black, but be quick I doubt it will be available very long. Please direct any enquiries to Graham at Plans.

The NA2 R is due to arrive in the UK early April and I will post photos when I have the car. It is a 2004 White/black car with under 30k miles.

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Sunday 28th February 07:01

[Neil-5ogx0]

Actually very close to £71k with the buyers premium and Vat on the premium.

AMG Merc said:

Out of interest, this went for almost £70,000 yesterday...

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/2001-honda-nsx...

[Neil-5ogx0]

To answer Stradman all NSX R both NA1 and NA2 model types are RHD only as they were not sold outside the Japanese Domestic Market.

Similarly Type S and Type S Zero cars are also RHD only.

The only special LHD NSX which was similar to a Type S Japanese market car was for the USA only and named Alex Zinardi Signature Edition in 1999, and only 50 were made.

All these special editions are very rare, e.g.:

NSX-R NA1 total production 483
NSX-R NA2 total production 150

[Neil-5ogx0]

Mr Tidy said:

By the way that orange one in the photo looks fantastic - that must be a rare colour.
:

I have never seen complete colour data for UK NSX but have the breakdown for 243 (26 are JDM imports), the total UK production numbers were 495.

Red 118
Silver 29
Blue 21
Black 21
Yellow 16
Green 14
Purple 12
Imola Orange Pearlescent (IOP) 8
White 5
Grey 3

There is a NA2 pre facelift in IOP car at Silverstone Auctions this weekend with an appropriately low guide price as it is a Cat D, this compares to the blue similar car that sold at the same auction house last weekend for around £70k including fees.

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Saturday 5th March 07:25

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Saturday 5th March 07:29

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Saturday 5th March 07:30

[Neil-5ogx0]

Sillyhatday said:

This is a nice thread, though it's not doing anything for my insatiable thirst for an NSX

Does this help?

https://vimeo.com/157820737

Shows Club members NSX at Silverstone Classic 2015 for the 25 th Anniversary of the launch, you will see my Pealescent white car is featured, and next to it is another "last 12" car in black. Coverage is from the Channel 4 program.

We were lucky to be able to drive around the Silverstone Circuit on the day.

Edited by Neil-5ogx0 on Saturday 5th March 08:04