RE: Spotted: Honda NSX
Tuesday 25th September 2012
Are NSXs over-priced at the moment, or should we be stashing good ones away in preparation for a march towards six-figure territory?
276bhp V6 under hereThey are pretty Marmite things for the simple reason that you need to have quite a specific list of motoring proclivities – Japan, motor sport, Senna – to worship at the altar of something with only a fraction of a 348’s glamour. Naturally, I am the undoing of my own theory, because I’m sort of an NSX fan.
The engineering side is exceptional. The greatest automotive adventures are those defined by makers forcing themselves into new sectors - direct assaults on the perceived superiority of others. Think Lamborghini taking umbrage at Enzo, Ford building the GT40 to spite, er, Enzo, and then Honda deciding to apply its searing engineering intelligence to, wait for it, have a pop at Ferrari. My weak grasp of statistics is spotting a trend here.
I have never quite understood the hype surrounding the NSX driving experience. It was always good so long as you didn’t push too hard. Then it became a serious handful. The engine was a revelation – so free and musical - and the gearchange made anything from Ferrari and Porsche feel like a 1981 Mini. In so many ways it was streets ahead of the competition.
Cabin perhaps a little too sober
But if we now look back at the NSX era, it’s hard not to see the car as a failure. History shows that Honda launched the car at simultaneously the best and the worst time: a global recession was lurking, but Ferrari was on its knees. The 348 was (and is still) widely regarded as the worst car the company had built in years. That was Honda's one chance to knock a hole in the Ferrari myth, but they never quite applied the coup de grace.
These are beautiful pieces of engineering though. Robust, easy to drive, dripping with interest and a perfect machine to cherish and appreciate. Best of all, whatever Honda does next, it is unlikely to smoulder for 20 years with the legacy of Senna.
In yellow, yes please.
Spotted: Honda NSX
Chris Harris muses on the investability of Honda's Ferrari 348 rival
276bhp V6 under here
The engineering side is exceptional. The greatest automotive adventures are those defined by makers forcing themselves into new sectors - direct assaults on the perceived superiority of others. Think Lamborghini taking umbrage at Enzo, Ford building the GT40 to spite, er, Enzo, and then Honda deciding to apply its searing engineering intelligence to, wait for it, have a pop at Ferrari. My weak grasp of statistics is spotting a trend here.
I have never quite understood the hype surrounding the NSX driving experience. It was always good so long as you didn’t push too hard. Then it became a serious handful. The engine was a revelation – so free and musical - and the gearchange made anything from Ferrari and Porsche feel like a 1981 Mini. In so many ways it was streets ahead of the competition.
Cabin perhaps a little too sober
But if we now look back at the NSX era, it’s hard not to see the car as a failure. History shows that Honda launched the car at simultaneously the best and the worst time: a global recession was lurking, but Ferrari was on its knees. The 348 was (and is still) widely regarded as the worst car the company had built in years. That was Honda's one chance to knock a hole in the Ferrari myth, but they never quite applied the coup de grace.
These are beautiful pieces of engineering though. Robust, easy to drive, dripping with interest and a perfect machine to cherish and appreciate. Best of all, whatever Honda does next, it is unlikely to smoulder for 20 years with the legacy of Senna.
In yellow, yes please.
Discussion
I Rather like these, even if I had the money it certainly wouldnt be at the top of the must buy list but if the 6 numbers come up if would be a must have in the garage and a handy day to day supercar!
On a more likely note I used to have a MK3 Prelude that was great and the number of styling cues borrowed from the NSX is amazing with the interiors being very similar too although this is more a slight on the utterly dull NSX interior than a compliment to the Prelude!
On a more likely note I used to have a MK3 Prelude that was great and the number of styling cues borrowed from the NSX is amazing with the interiors being very similar too although this is more a slight on the utterly dull NSX interior than a compliment to the Prelude!
I was slowly saving up for one and the early ones were slowly falling in price, then they stopped making them and the prices went up. I'd got close, but now I'm thousands away from getting a nice one. So I've given up.
Dark green for me, 3.2 with pop-ups. There used to be one I'd see every few months and it was gorgerous. I've been in a later car, but the lack of pop-ups kill it a little for me.
I remember reading a review in which Senna was driving and the journo said that half way round a corner, sideways, he was in enough control and so little drama that he had time to wash the windscreen. I often wondered if the screen wash button was something you could clip by accident when flailing at the wheel trying to impress a journalist, or whether it was deliberate as reported.
Dark green for me, 3.2 with pop-ups. There used to be one I'd see every few months and it was gorgerous. I've been in a later car, but the lack of pop-ups kill it a little for me.
I remember reading a review in which Senna was driving and the journo said that half way round a corner, sideways, he was in enough control and so little drama that he had time to wash the windscreen. I often wondered if the screen wash button was something you could clip by accident when flailing at the wheel trying to impress a journalist, or whether it was deliberate as reported.
MarJay said:
I always thought that NSX's were legendary... Until I found out that they 'only' had 276bhp and from a V6 of all things.
I at least expected a 300bhp V8... Not sure why.
They're a japanese agreement '276bhp' and check out the weight numbers of an NSX. They really aren't all that heavy. I at least expected a 300bhp V8... Not sure why.
RobPhoboS said:
Stunning machines, I still badly want to own one but the prices are utterly, utterly ridiculous . It's as if the few owners have had an email telling them to chuck on a few more thousands each year.
Bugger it.
It's not unusual for good condition, almost classic-status supercars that were built in small numbers to appreciate though is it? If there aren't many for sale the price will rise. Bugger it.
The NSX, along with a 964 RS and a pagoda Merc, is a car I should have bought when affordable, but I don't begrudge the rising values.
You can't have an NSX article without this video (view HD and Fullscreen for best results):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlaWp4bCl1A
Chris, consider a challenge to make a better video about the NSX than this guy. Probably the best 9 minutes of car video on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlaWp4bCl1A
Chris, consider a challenge to make a better video about the NSX than this guy. Probably the best 9 minutes of car video on YouTube.
Edited by hussein on Wednesday 26th September 10:20
"I have never quite understood the hype surrounding the NSX driving experience. It was always good so long as you didn’t push too hard. Then it became a serious handful."
In your 2002 test, I recall you saying that it was very close to the 996. As an aside, I wonder what happened to that NSX press car as it certainly wasn't standard.
In your 2002 test, I recall you saying that it was very close to the 996. As an aside, I wonder what happened to that NSX press car as it certainly wasn't standard.
MarJay said:
I always thought that NSX's were legendary... Until I found out that they 'only' had 276bhp and from a V6 of all things.
I at least expected a 300bhp V8... Not sure why.
Like all Japanese sportscars then? I at least expected a 300bhp V8... Not sure why.
It's the 280PS thing - marketed as such but generally these things produced a lot more power at the 'fly than they were "supposed" to. Basically Japan attributed high-powered cars with this 'Gentlemans Agreement' to not exceed 276bhp / 280PS in the domestic market.
When exported, however, the cars often had a higher output. See the JDM-spec cars vs. their UKDM counterparts. Often, the 'restriction' was either not really there in the first place or easily removed (rumours have it JDM cars were 'detuned')
I'd wager that the NSX in the article above even has more than 276bhp...
For me let down by the heavy handed rear wing styling and the utterly plain plastic interior.
Nevertheless a Mk 1 coupe (no no no targa) in red with a black roof is miles better than a 348 and a lot cheaper to run too. As for the Senna connection enough said, we are not worthy.
So for me an 8/10.
Nevertheless a Mk 1 coupe (no no no targa) in red with a black roof is miles better than a 348 and a lot cheaper to run too. As for the Senna connection enough said, we are not worthy.
So for me an 8/10.
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