The £100k Honda NSX: Spotted
The NSX hits big money, but can it really be worth so much?
Is there anything left to say about the original Honda NSX, nearly 30 years after launch? To be honest, not really. We kind of know all that really needs to be known about. We even know, which is especially pertinent to this car, that the later (2002-on) facelift is the most desirable non-R NSX, even if it did lose the pop up lamps.
But there is a fresh discussion to have on the New Sportscar eXperimental (oh, you knew that as well?) in 2018. That's because, having once upon a time written about an NA1 NSX-R at £45k, a high mileage NSX more recently at £28,000 and near enough every other possible NSX to write about, we now have this: the £100,000 Honda NSX.
As you might expect for a six-figure sum, this NSX is an absolute gem. At present it's the only post-2002 car available on PH in the UK, believed to be one of the final 12 ever produced for these shores (a 2005 reg would support that). The Platinum White Pearl with red leather combo is very rare, the car has covered less than 50,000 miles (with a Honda service 400 miles previously) and has only ever been owned by one person. If it's not the best NSX around, then it must be right up there.
But it's £100,000. The car that aimed to show up the supercar establishment is now worth as much as those very same vehicles - so can it possibly be worth a six figure sum?
Well, the NSX certainly has rarity on its side. While it's been forgotten in the years of reverence since its demise, the mid-engined Honda didn't sell all that well in the UK. Badge snobbery was a problem; buyers unconvinced of the big H at £60k when they could have had a Porsche or a Jaguar instead. What that means now is the NSX is properly scarce: see the stats of HowManyLeft, which suggests there are 147 NSXs on UK roads. And 279 Ferrari F430 F1s...
That fabled powertrain will count for much in the classic market too, the combination of that sensational VTEC V6 with a six-speed manual of equal class - something that's now unrepeatable. However nice the old 911 Carrera flat sixes might be, they're not going to match the NSX's engine for excitement.
Problem is, of course, that £100,000 buys rather more than just a 996 C2. As well as cars like this lovely 997 GT3, it also offers even more exotic possibilities: this Ferrari 360 Modena is the same money with less than 10,000 miles, and this Lamborghini Gallardo has the same mileage at two thirds the price. Even the NSX's R34 GT-R contemporary, this one seemingly about as good as the Skyline gets, is £25k less than the Honda.
A prospective buyer is not short of options, then. But those alternatives are also more common, and opportunities to buy cars as rare as the NSX, in the condition this one is in, don't come up all that often. Whenever they might come along, you can bet that one devotee is surely going to be extremely happy indeed.
SPECIFICATION - HONDA NSX
Engine: 3,179cc V6
Power (hp): 280@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 224@5,300rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 49,000
Price then: £c.£60k
Price now: £99,880
one of my biggest regrets is not buying an early 89/91era NSX when they were around 10k about 15 years ago when i bought my house. over that period a10k car could be worth 30-45k now which is a better return than my property!!!!
one of my biggest regrets is not buying an early 89/91era NSX when they were around 10k about 15 years ago when i bought my house. over that period a10k car could be worth 30-45k now which is a better return than my property!!!!
While the facelift NSX is seen as being the ultimate iteration of the model, most people agree the more charming look features pop ups. The sweet spot of NSX are the late 'NA2' pop ups, which featured the 3.2 engine, 6 speed gearbox and updated interior of the facelift, but in the classic shape.
For me the new NSX is failing at the same thing, Honda are not sprinkling that "NSX Essence" over some of the other models in the range. A Jap company who definitely are is Toyota with Lexus. The mere mention of an LFA to any petrolhead probably brings the vocal exhaust range that car has and those exhausts. Some of which has then trickled down to some of the future F models we see now LC F (which is coming), RC F and some of the "previous" models GS F and IS F.
Equally, I know many "hate" the usage of halo models being reduced down to trim levels on more cooking versions, but it is one of the reasons that so many brands are successful it allows people to buy something with all the looks, but at a cost point that is less prohibitive. From your M Sport, AMG Line, S Line, ST Line, F Sport and others.
In standalone choice of cars of this era I think it would be a difficult choice between an NSX or a 355. Both of which I love (more the facelift for me over the pop ups, but I do understand there is a love of popups).
The colour is fantastic on this and I definitely would buy it. But is it a £100k car, the issue with this example and the only reason the price is so high is down to mileage and rarity. I suspect that the rarity will support an increase in miles, but I think you would loose a fair wedge daily driving it if you were to!
The Honda V6 is alright but late Porsche engines sound better and are more exciting. Probably nearing the NSX in depreciation resistance too. And easier to sell. And way faster.
I suppose it's inevitable but I find it a tiny bit sad when a car becomes a 'collectable' rather than a driver.
There does seem to be a certain amount of rose-tinted spectacles when reviewing the NSX though. It was always underpowered from new with 280PS, so no wonder it wasn't exactly selling like hot cakes come 2005. In the same time frame, Ferrari had moved on from 348 (300PS) via F355, F360 to the F430 (480PS), also still available as a manual.
Also the NSX never looked as good as a Ferrari IMO. It never really had the flowing Pininfarina curves. The rear view in particular seemed sort of American. Anyway, interesting car nevertheless.
Pearls before swine and all that but I would take that 80k McLaren all day long.
I havent driven one but how good can it really be compared to that ? 270 bhp, even allowing for the Senna mystique you would have to really want one.
It shares a basic engine with the Rover 800 as well.
Paid almost £30k less for a facelift NSX last year with far fewer miles - it's our fourth!
I am most certainly a fan boy, but worth remembering that EVO magazine did a group test against the almighty Cayman GT4, and the NSX got the nod.
It is not a car to take on a test drive and assume you've learnt everything about it. It needs some time to learn. Unlike modern supercars, it is far more subtle. The noise is all induction and no exhaust. To hear it better, you keep the windows UP! The clutch is tricky, but the gearbox rifle-bolt in action and sublime to heel and toe in. The steering is slow and needs time to adjust to. You are rewarded with feel and adjustment on the limit.
I'm not rose tinted; I'm also fortunate to have a Performante which is polar opposite. I have had all sorts of 911s including 997 GT3 and 991 GT3. The NSX is the only car that stays.
Ultimately though, price comes down to rarity - good ol' supply and demand. They made less than 15 a year for the UK. Think about how many iterations of GT3 there are in comparison.
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