Why was Honda NSX not a great seller?
Discussion
RudeDog said:
Now you are just being mischievous... but to answer your question. I think that the Ford GT probably would have sold a few more if its production run wasn't limited however its in a different market to the Honda NSX and it has a great legacy. I think Ford would struggle to sell huge numbers of 911 competing models if it were to release one now.
How so? I don't see it was in a different market to the Honda - a mid-engined supercar which was aroung £120k new - probably still not as expensive as the Honda adjusted for inflation. I think Ford could sell many more of that type of car and the main bugbear of that model was the silly doors. It's not like Ford lack a motor racing pedigree. Of course it would have to be great because the Nissan GTR and 911 are no pushovers but the Gt won PCOTY quite easily so the basics are there. The "unknown" is whether people paid over £100k solely because of the retro styling or because of the way it went...or maybe both.I was going to suggest such a car would need to be GTR money but I'm not so sure. Styling is generally make or break in this area which is where the Nissan falls down IMHO.
RobM77 said:
he future's bleak in this respect. Toyota have stopped making the MR2, and even the FWD Celica - so have abandoned sportiness altogether for their affordable cars (I'm ignoring the LFA there..). Do Honda stil make the S2000? From the far east I think we're just left with the 370Z and GTR for a sports/GT car aren't we?
Toyota are coming out with a RWD coupe (the name escapes me) Mazda are continuing with the RX cars. There is always a future when a company like Nissan produce the Micra and GTR! It's odd, but IMO Japanese don't seemed to have an evolution to a fast car, they just sort of make one, so don't be suprised if a Godzilla inspired sports car designed by Suzuki starts appearing on our forecourts!
Harji said:
Yes the interior looks like it came out of a Honda Accord, and it is it's down point IMO.
I always find that a lazy s
t of a comment spouted out by people who put far too much purchase on throw away comments from equally lazy journalists.
Show me the interiors of the NSX's competitors throughout the 90s and show me any that are better in materials, ergonomics and even visuals. Cleanly laid out, stitched leather. And you know it won't rattle, creak or fall to pieces like something Italian might do. Compared to a 964 or 993 it's a f
king masterpiece and it's a damn sight cleaner and better resolved than a 996, 348 or 355.Accord my arse.
Its all irrelevant - they arn't made anymore. For someone who can't afford to pay Ferrari service prices, would like a car that no one (Joe Public) knows about, can take enough camping kit + 2 people to Le Mans (and back) - well it works. If you want spills thrills and excitement buy a Caterham 7. The NSX set the mark in many ways it sold well in the USA (Honda in the UK has always had a "middle age man" tag).
Im too cheap to own a Porsche (my 20 year old NSX insurance is £300 my annual service costs £150 even a pair of rear tyres are only £200).
Pagani Zonda - ok let me drool but i can't afford one. Bugatti Veyron (sold loads of those didnt they) I can't even afford the tyres. In 1984 I drove a friends Porsche 911 (sorry I dont have any idea which variant) - I was unimpressed.
So they made 19,000 NSX they all sold - and rarely has one car so polarised opinion. Oh and I have a SMART Roadster as well, 80BHP of awesome power HAHA.
This thread has made me smile, if only because so many people really know so little about the NSX :-D but have an opinion.
Im too cheap to own a Porsche (my 20 year old NSX insurance is £300 my annual service costs £150 even a pair of rear tyres are only £200).
Pagani Zonda - ok let me drool but i can't afford one. Bugatti Veyron (sold loads of those didnt they) I can't even afford the tyres. In 1984 I drove a friends Porsche 911 (sorry I dont have any idea which variant) - I was unimpressed.
So they made 19,000 NSX they all sold - and rarely has one car so polarised opinion. Oh and I have a SMART Roadster as well, 80BHP of awesome power HAHA.
This thread has made me smile, if only because so many people really know so little about the NSX :-D but have an opinion.
10 Pence Short said:
I always find that a lazy st of a comment spouted out by people who put far too much purchase on throw away comments from equally lazy journalists.
Show me the interiors of the NSX's competitors throughout the 90s and show me any that are better in materials, ergonomics and even visuals. Cleanly laid out, stitched leather. And you know it won't rattle, creak or fall to pieces like something Italian might do. Compared to a 964 or 993 it's a fking masterpiece and it's a damn sight cleaner and better resolved than a 996, 348 or 355.
Accord my arse.
No need to get so arsey, time of the month? That interior looks so generic, nothing special, the dials if you took them out and showed them to anyone they would say Honda, I like the car but I can't say I don't like the interior? t of a comment spouted out by people who put far too much purchase on throw away comments from equally lazy journalists.Show me the interiors of the NSX's competitors throughout the 90s and show me any that are better in materials, ergonomics and even visuals. Cleanly laid out, stitched leather. And you know it won't rattle, creak or fall to pieces like something Italian might do. Compared to a 964 or 993 it's a f
king masterpiece and it's a damn sight cleaner and better resolved than a 996, 348 or 355.Accord my arse.
Jog on.
LuS1fer said:
How so? I don't see it was in a different market to the Honda - a mid-engined supercar which was aroung £120k new - probably still not as expensive as the Honda adjusted for inflation. I think Ford could sell many more of that type of car and the main bugbear of that model was the silly doors. It's not like Ford lack a motor racing pedigree. Of course it would have to be great because the Nissan GTR and 911 are no pushovers but the Gt won PCOTY quite easily so the basics are there. The "unknown" is whether people paid over £100k solely because of the retro styling or because of the way it went...or maybe both.
I was going to suggest such a car would need to be GTR money but I'm not so sure. Styling is generally make or break in this area which is where the Nissan falls down IMHO.
I think there is still quite a difference even when you factor the economy changes over the last 20 years.I was going to suggest such a car would need to be GTR money but I'm not so sure. Styling is generally make or break in this area which is where the Nissan falls down IMHO.
The Ford GT was made to compete with some of the very best Italian GT sports cars. The 612 Ferrari Scaglietti or 575M and the Lamborghini Murcielago. It wasn't pitched at the 911, F430 or Gallardo, the modern day equivalents of the NSX competitors. The big factor for me though is its race winning legacy. I would guess that lots of people who bought the Ford GT would have lusted over the GT40 in the 60's in the same way I have the F40 and 959 in my PH fantasy garage. They are the cars I craved for when I was a kid. Not many people grow up wanting a Honda and that's the main difference for me between the desirability of a Ford GT and the Honda NSX.
10 Pence Short said:
Show me the interiors of the NSX's competitors throughout the 90s and show me any that are better in materials, ergonomics and even visuals. Cleanly laid out, stitched leather. And you know it won't rattle, creak or fall to pieces like something Italian might do. Compared to a 964 or 993 it's a fking masterpiece and it's a damn sight cleaner and better resolved than a 996, 348 or 355.
Accord my arse.
I think you just have weird taste, 10p.king masterpiece and it's a damn sight cleaner and better resolved than a 996, 348 or 355.Accord my arse.
355
NSX
Although in your defense, your post has made me look a bit closer and realise it is ony the dials that really let it down. THey are so poor that they focus all your attention and lead to the above comments.
Harji said:
No need to get so arsey, time of the month? That interior looks so generic, nothing special, the dials if you took them out and showed them to anyone they would say Honda, I like the car but I can't say I don't like the interior?
Jog on.
You might have (and be perfectly entitled to) a subjective opinion on whether or not you like the styling of the interior. What I typically find incredulous is the attitude from some that it was in any way worse in quality or layout than anything competing with it, not only at launch, but for a good few years beyond. I doubt the interiors of contemporaneous Ferraris would stand the test of time so well or actually be such good production quality items, yet people forgive them for being wJog on.
k in the name of 'character'.
RobM77 said:
Harji said:
Skylines, FSO, Z-cars, RX series, 3000GT, LFA, MR2, Impreza, EVO's, Vtec, Rotary, wouldn't the motoring world be so so dull without the Japanese making an effort, even if they don't always get it right.
The future's bleak in this respect. Toyota have stopped making the MR2, and even the FWD Celica - so have abandoned sportiness altogether for their affordable cars (I'm ignoring the LFA there..). Do Honda stil make the S2000? From the far east I think we're just left with the 370Z and GTR for a sports/GT car aren't we?10 Pence Short said:
Harji said:
No need to get so arsey, time of the month? That interior looks so generic, nothing special, the dials if you took them out and showed them to anyone they would say Honda, I like the car but I can't say I don't like the interior?
Jog on.
What I typically find incredulous is the attitude from some that it was in any way worse in quality or layout than anything competing with it, not only at launch, but for a good few years beyond. Jog on.
And in a car of such astounding ability and one that carries a £52,000 price tag, an interior that would look better in a hot hatch £40,000 cheaper is not good enough. The ingredients are fine – great driving position, superb seats and excellent visibility for its configuration all score in its favour – but their execution and the attention to detail leave much to be desired. The dashboard, for instance, is swathed in an unpleasant vinyl and houses instruments that, despite being easily read, are strangely characterless.
andymadmak said:
Autocar road test of the day said:
And in a car of such astounding ability and one that carries a £52,000 price tag, an interior that would look better in a hot hatch £40,000 cheaper is not good enough. The ingredients are fine – great driving position, superb seats and excellent visibility for its configuration all score in its favour – but their execution and the attention to detail leave much to be desired. The dashboard, for instance, is swathed in an unpleasant vinyl and houses instruments that, despite being easily read, are strangely characterless.
Shock horror, western european middle class John lewis shopping journalists dont like Japanese interiors...And in a car of such astounding ability and one that carries a £52,000 price tag, an interior that would look better in a hot hatch £40,000 cheaper is not good enough. The ingredients are fine – great driving position, superb seats and excellent visibility for its configuration all score in its favour – but their execution and the attention to detail leave much to be desired. The dashboard, for instance, is swathed in an unpleasant vinyl and houses instruments that, despite being easily read, are strangely characterless.
Anh said:
It's a good thing that the NSX is what it is, it separates the socialite ladder climbing Boxster driving wannabee's from those who actually like cars regardless of brand and price.
The Boxster? That fantastic driver's car that all the wannabes deride because "you only buy one of those if you can't afford a 911"? That one? 
LuS1fer said:
How so? I don't see it was in a different market to the Honda - a mid-engined supercar which was aroung £120k new - probably still not as expensive as the Honda adjusted for inflation. I
Mildy O/T, but depends how inflation is measured - I would argue cars have become cheaper over time on a performance/£ basis. The NSX was only £10 more expensive in 2005 than in 1990.blindswelledrat said:
I think you just have weird taste, 10p.
355
A lot of it subjective, of course. But looking at that 355 interior, it looks like they built the car, then went "Oh crap, we forgot to do the interior. Right lads- you've got an afternoon to raid the parts bin".355
Look at the steering wheel. Does the centre boss material in an way match that of the outer rim? Does the Ferrari badge look like it's stuck on over the top of a different badge? Is that gaping hole where the transmission tunnel disappears under the dash look resolved? Does the carpet around the driver footwell look tidy and professional? Is that a nice aftermarket Sony stereo stuck down in the bowels of the dash? Is that stalk behind the wheel placed in a stupidly low position relative to the 10-2 hand position on the wheel, presumably to accomodate the paddle shift location without any decent though behind what's going on? Just look at the offside heating vent. It looks like it's been taken from a DAF. It probably has.
As daft as it sounds, in some configurations the 355 interior is quite nice, but it's an ergonomic crap heap and the materials don't give me an impression you're getting your moneys worth.
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