RE: Spotted: Honda NSX

Author
Discussion

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

172 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
C.A.R. said:
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?

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...
It will have around 285bhp, if standard.

DanDC5

18,748 posts

166 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Derek Chevalier said:
It will have around 285bhp, if standard.
Apparently the facelifts are around 320bhp and the facelift Type R are around the 350bhp mark, it would explain how it could do 60 in 4.5secs hehe

GranCab

2,902 posts

145 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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Capt. Muppet ... SNAP ! smile

Lyons

132 posts

283 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Ok, I’m going to be the first 348 owner to stick up for the Ferrari. The NSX was rightly a revelation at the time for two reasons:
1: A Japanese company makes a desirable mid-engine super car – normally the remit of Europeans up until then
2: It was a supercar with the usability and practically of a Honda, which was unheard of up until then.

Because of these two things it made a good story for the motoring press at the time, and got a lot of publicity.

But putting these two things aside, in hind sight it is clear that the 348 is much more fun, better looking, more special and desirable.
(ducks)

Jont999

322 posts

209 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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Talking to a marshall at a track day at Pembrey Circuit in South Wales years ago and he was telling me about how Tiff Needell wiped one out there while shooting for Top Gear. If it's too much of a handful for Tiff, how are us mere mortals supposed to cope? wink

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

172 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
DanDC5 said:
Derek Chevalier said:
It will have around 285bhp, if standard.
Apparently the facelifts are around 320bhp and the facelift Type R are around the 350bhp mark, it would explain how it could do 60 in 4.5secs hehe
The press car may well have had 320, but the standard ones don't.

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

172 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Lyons said:
Ok, I’m going to be the first 348 owner to stick up for the Ferrari. The NSX was rightly a revelation at the time for two reasons:
1: A Japanese company makes a desirable mid-engine super car – normally the remit of Europeans up until then
2: It was a supercar with the usability and practically of a Honda, which was unheard of up until then.

Because of these two things it made a good story for the motoring press at the time, and got a lot of publicity.

But putting these two things aside, in hind sight it is clear that the 348 is much more fun, better looking, more special and desirable.
(ducks)
How are you defining fun, special, and desirable?

NSX Monkey

21 posts

174 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Having sold my 2004 car 18 months ago and seen it sold on for 12K more than i sold it for a couple of months ago (after keeping it 2.5 Years and getting what i paid for it) my opinion is great car as it was a good example is not worth the 50K mark. As much as I loved it I would baulk at that kind of money for an 8 year old motor.

MrTickle

1,825 posts

238 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
loved my '97 manual coupe version - fantastic car.

not sure why I ever sold it confused

SWoll

18,207 posts

257 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Lyons said:
Ok, I’m going to be the first 348 owner to stick up for the Ferrari. The NSX was rightly a revelation at the time for two reasons:
1: A Japanese company makes a desirable mid-engine super car – normally the remit of Europeans up until then
2: It was a supercar with the usability and practically of a Honda, which was unheard of up until then.

Because of these two things it made a good story for the motoring press at the time, and got a lot of publicity.

But putting these two things aside, in hind sight it is clear that the 348 is much more fun, better looking, more special and desirable.
(ducks)
yes

Captain Muppet said:
Is it really much more dull than the 348 inside?

yes


BelfastBoy

779 posts

159 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Since the NSX and earlier Skyline GTRs etc had (allegedly) 'only' 276bhp, how did Toyota get away with the Supra, openly sold with 326bhp?

Agoogy

7,274 posts

247 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
The fact it was not a 'success' at the time I think makes it all the more desirable...so many other factors here, because despite the fact it is widley recognised as 'great' or at the very least 'very good' meant little as you has looks, inside and outside, political/financial climate, price and badge/brand snobbery...
All that adding to the fact that now...it's rare, still very good and with the passing of time increasingly desirable.... Honda's finest road car moment?
Power ain't the be all and end all, it was comparative tot he Ferraris and porsches of the day so thats that box ticked...and Clarkson handled it ok at Laguna Seca....smile

sinbaddio

2,357 posts

175 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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One of my all time favourites. In fact I introduced my two boys, 10 and 13 to the delights of the NSX last night, albeit on Forza 4! They loved it and couldn't believe it was 20 years old!

trunks82

252 posts

197 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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Theres one rotting in a garden up the road frm me.such a shame.

Agent Orange

2,194 posts

245 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Chris Harris said:
Are NSXs over-priced at the moment, or should we be stashing good ones away in preparation for a march towards six-figure territory?

It was always good so long as you didn’t push too hard. Then it became a serious handful.
A few years ago, when I was in the position to drop £20K on a 3rd or 4th car without much thought, you could pick up a good NSX with low mileage for £15-20K. There weren't that many around then and less now so if there is demand they will always increase in value. That yellow NSX is very low miles and a one owner.

But six figure? My head is telling me you'd be waiting to see that but then they have almost doubled in 3-5 years. Try doing that with shares!

Is the handling that bad? Never got to drive one by didn't Gordon Murray use the NSX as a benchmark for the F1?

marshall100

1,124 posts

200 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
trunks82 said:
Theres one rotting in a garden up the road frm me.such a shame.
BURN THE HERETIC!!

"The 348 was (and is still) widely regarded as the worst car the company had built in years."

I think you missed the 0 when you hit the 4.

melvster

6,841 posts

184 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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Fantastic car, one of my all time faves.

trossr32

10 posts

193 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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hussein said:
You can't have an NSX article without this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlaWp4bCl1A
Great vid, thanks for the link

bigtrev200

25 posts

166 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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Whenever I read about NSXs I'm always reminded of the time I saw this little moment at Castle Combe which shows how the NSX can bite back...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCP4F6P9zXw

tomoleeds

770 posts

185 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
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NSX in yellow, no thanks,the red looks nice