NSX v Cinqy Sporting - one has to go!
Discussion
Hi all, (and yes, weird title, but welcome to my world...)
So the situation is that I hope (as of Monday) that i'll be getting a GR86 order confirmed with delivery July-ish. Judged by the GT86 it's just my sort of car; fun at most speeds, not too fast, quite small and quite light. Plus it's time for a change. But while that decision was easy, the choice of which current 'fun' car has to go to liberate the garage space has left me totally conflicted and with no clear decision yet.
In the left corner, we have the Honda NSX (1991, manual). Mine for about 7 years now. Fantastic car, handles beautifully, rides beautifully, built beautifully. The longest I have owned any 'fun' car. Only gets noticed by petrolheads too, which I love. In the right corner, we have the Cinqy Sporting (1997). Polar opposite of the NSX in many ways, but puts a big smile on my face and I had a red one as my first new car many (many) years ago so bought as a trip down memory lane and not regretted one bit!!
So, I genuinely need help (probably in many ways, with a garage as eclectic as that) to decide which will have to go. I'm lucky enough that I don't need the money to fund the GR86 (or it would be off with the silver one). We have family motors for family duties, so practicalities don't some into it either.
My early thoughts were that the GR86 is more similar to the NSX (RWD, sports), so perhaps it should be the NSX to go. But I've been stupid, had it too long, done lots to bring it into great nick, invested too much time - basically every sin you could commit short of naming it. And I can't shake the thought that I would regret selling the NSX.
So then we come to the Fiat. It of course may do something terminal and very Latin in the next few months to force my hand... but if I'm honest, the daft yellow peril probably puts a bigger smile on my face when I drive it than the NSX. There's something about such a simple car, being able to have fun at speeds that don't put anyone else in danger, etc. Weirdly, it may also be rarer in the UK than the NSX now (how odd is that?).
I even wrote an add for both of them on Car & Classic (actually had fun with the Fiat ad) to see if that would help me resolve this, but it didn't help in the slightest.
Well, I've probably done a poor job of making a case for either of them here, but if anything that just reflects the muddled thoughts in my head. I have both my boys (for they be petrolheads too) helping me with it, but I thought a few suggestions from you lot might make me see sense?
And yes, God knows there are much bigger things going on in the world just now. And I know that you are not me, and that ultimately it's got to be me that decides, but I would genuinely be interested in having your choices - with reasons - thrown my way!
Cheers,
Paul.
So the situation is that I hope (as of Monday) that i'll be getting a GR86 order confirmed with delivery July-ish. Judged by the GT86 it's just my sort of car; fun at most speeds, not too fast, quite small and quite light. Plus it's time for a change. But while that decision was easy, the choice of which current 'fun' car has to go to liberate the garage space has left me totally conflicted and with no clear decision yet.
In the left corner, we have the Honda NSX (1991, manual). Mine for about 7 years now. Fantastic car, handles beautifully, rides beautifully, built beautifully. The longest I have owned any 'fun' car. Only gets noticed by petrolheads too, which I love. In the right corner, we have the Cinqy Sporting (1997). Polar opposite of the NSX in many ways, but puts a big smile on my face and I had a red one as my first new car many (many) years ago so bought as a trip down memory lane and not regretted one bit!!
So, I genuinely need help (probably in many ways, with a garage as eclectic as that) to decide which will have to go. I'm lucky enough that I don't need the money to fund the GR86 (or it would be off with the silver one). We have family motors for family duties, so practicalities don't some into it either.
My early thoughts were that the GR86 is more similar to the NSX (RWD, sports), so perhaps it should be the NSX to go. But I've been stupid, had it too long, done lots to bring it into great nick, invested too much time - basically every sin you could commit short of naming it. And I can't shake the thought that I would regret selling the NSX.
So then we come to the Fiat. It of course may do something terminal and very Latin in the next few months to force my hand... but if I'm honest, the daft yellow peril probably puts a bigger smile on my face when I drive it than the NSX. There's something about such a simple car, being able to have fun at speeds that don't put anyone else in danger, etc. Weirdly, it may also be rarer in the UK than the NSX now (how odd is that?).
I even wrote an add for both of them on Car & Classic (actually had fun with the Fiat ad) to see if that would help me resolve this, but it didn't help in the slightest.
Well, I've probably done a poor job of making a case for either of them here, but if anything that just reflects the muddled thoughts in my head. I have both my boys (for they be petrolheads too) helping me with it, but I thought a few suggestions from you lot might make me see sense?
And yes, God knows there are much bigger things going on in the world just now. And I know that you are not me, and that ultimately it's got to be me that decides, but I would genuinely be interested in having your choices - with reasons - thrown my way!
Cheers,
Paul.
I don't get the small eurobox thing, so I'm clearly the wrong person to ask, but you did... get rid.
The NSX has been on my wishlist for decades - I remember sitting in one at the Honda Showroom in Bristol mid-90's - I was buying a Prelude and lusted after the NSX. Just simply couldn't afford it. Never driven one, but been passenger a few times - I was not disappointed.
The NSX has been on my wishlist for decades - I remember sitting in one at the Honda Showroom in Bristol mid-90's - I was buying a Prelude and lusted after the NSX. Just simply couldn't afford it. Never driven one, but been passenger a few times - I was not disappointed.
I mean, in your position I'd be looking at wrapping the NSX yellow with the money made from the sale of the Italian as a fitting tribute 
To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
BckFlash said:
Keep them both.
If the GR86 turns out to NOT be what you hoped and dreamed for, then you're shafted and sold a car that you didn't want to sell in the first place.
That's really wise, I second that.If the GR86 turns out to NOT be what you hoped and dreamed for, then you're shafted and sold a car that you didn't want to sell in the first place.
You can even post on owner's forum that you might sell them, to get a short list of potential buyer, so you can sell the selected one fast if needed.
(You have good taste
)Goes to show that the value of a car doesn’t have to correlate with it’s fun.
I’d personally be keeping the NSX, mainly because of how special it is. I think that the very fact you’re asking the question means that you actually want to keep the Fiat, but are struggling to justify that you enjoy it more than the NSX so need PHers to agree with you!
Either way, enjoy the GR86 and whichever you keep.
I’d personally be keeping the NSX, mainly because of how special it is. I think that the very fact you’re asking the question means that you actually want to keep the Fiat, but are struggling to justify that you enjoy it more than the NSX so need PHers to agree with you!
Either way, enjoy the GR86 and whichever you keep.
SturdyHSV said:
I mean, in your position I'd be looking at wrapping the NSX yellow with the money made from the sale of the Italian as a fitting tribute
To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
I like the way you think! Thanks for your thoughts. To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
Assuming both those cars are in excellent condition, the trouble you've got yourself is that they're both pretty much irreplaceable now.
Being a new car, the GT86 is easily replaceable, I'd consider leaving this outside and keep the other 2 garaged.
If pushed, I'd get rid of the little Fiat.
Being a new car, the GT86 is easily replaceable, I'd consider leaving this outside and keep the other 2 garaged.
If pushed, I'd get rid of the little Fiat.
lb3nson said:
Goes to show that the value of a car doesn’t have to correlate with it’s fun.
Very true that. I think the fact that NSX values have increased 3-fold since when I bought it have made me a little nervous.I don't really like having an expensive car! But I do like having a great car. Is there any rationalising those two?
SturdyHSV said:
I mean, in your position I'd be looking at wrapping the NSX yellow with the money made from the sale of the Italian as a fitting tribute
To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
This is my thinking.To try to offer some mildly more helpful advice, it strikes me that if you realise you've made a terrible mistake, it's going to cost you a lot less to find another Cinquecento (or any small old French/Italian shoebox) than to find another manual NSX in excellent condition.
Could one argue that the sort of low speed fun the cinqy is good at is actually closer to the GR86, despite the difference in drivetrain?
Either way, picking between which of those 2 have to go in order to make room for your new GR86 frankly puts you at peak Pistonheads, I think we can all agree, you should post more
Plus I can't get excited about the Fiat.
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