Folks,

Some people appreciate sports cars for the R&D that went into it, not simply power 'numbers'.

If you look past the numbers and open your minds to all the development and design that went into the NSX (as did the S), you will realize what a marvel of a vehicle the NSX really is, -espically the inovation that it created during most of its tenure-despite the lower 'numbers' compared to other sports cars, and continued to set the standard over ten years later! There are many other factors in quantifying a sports car rather then simple 'numbers'.

This link contains the entire TIDH (Technical Information and Development History) that was sent to all owners in 91 which was the cars inception. This will give you a whole new perspective on the NSX, as well as sports cars in general, as it did for me. http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/press/tidh/tidh.htm. A VERY entertaining and stimulating read.

I believe once you read everything from that link, NO other exotic (except maybe something from the Prancing Horse stable, of course ) comes close.

-Nader

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Prancing Horse
[B]Folks,

Some people appreciate sports cars for the R&D that went into it, not simply power 'numbers'.

 

The link is dead.

 

Ok I corrected it by removing the full stop.

http://www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/press/tidh/tidh.htm

 

I agree the NSX is an engineering marvel. I like the look and if someone gave me one I'd drive it. BUT... if I had to buy it myself we'd be more likely talking Z06 vette with enough mods to spank an NSX bad. And all that amazing aluminum alloy engineering didn't really get Acura an especially light car. It just prevented it from being obese.

I love the engineering on my S2000 but I bought it for the performance/value and it does not disappoint. If I spent $90K on the NSX I think I'd be disappointed. My $0.02

 

I've driven the NSX but never the S2000. I will say, however, that the NSX can be driven well and fast by just about anyone. My dad let me drive his a couple of times when I was 16 - I stalled it a few times getting used to it, but other than that I could drive it hard within a very short time.

Example: Stuck behind some lady in downtown Edmonton heading into the valley - finally get a small space, drop it into second, and pretty soon am doing 70 mph downhill, in traffic, on a fairly twisty road (with a 30 mph limit). Keep in mind that I don't even have my license at this point! I've never driven anything else in my life for an extended period of time.

Example: Driving in fog coming home from some racing. Head into a cloverleaf at 60 mph that I think is a wide, easy turn (couldn't see, though) - it turns out to be a VERY sharp turn. What did I do? Stomped on the brakes while turning (stupid) but what did the car do? Nothing. It just stuck and turned - most cars would've slid or at least spun. This car is FORGIVING. My Dad wasn't (he swore for about five minutes straight), but anyways....

My point is this. A good driver in a Z06, Ferrari, or Porsche will probably beat a good driver in the NSX in most areas. However, a merely average driver in an NSX will probably beat ALL of those cars with similar drivers because it's so easy to drive. An idiot can drive one well - I should know <grin>. The car revs hard and high, still has very good performance (best numbers I've seen are 0-60 in 4.5, 1/4 mile in 13.1, lat. accel. of .97g for a "regular" NSX - the Zanardi edition handles better) gets decent gas mileage, has very few mechanical problems, and as pointed out, lasts for well over 100K miles.

I don't know how hard the S2000 is to drive well, but from what I've read it can be a handful for an average driver trying to do better than average moves... The NSX has no such "problems", but can still achieve equal or better performance than the S2000.

The cost is high for a number of reasons. The materials are expensive, the technology in the car is/was expensive, the cars are in limited production and are hand built (!) (jacking up costs even more), and the car lasts way longer than any other exotic (only Porsche comes close) out there. You don't get all that for the $50K or so that you pay for a Z06, not to mention the $150K for the Ferrari - again, only Porsche comes close.

Instead, you get amazing performance (but not THAT much better than the NSX) with crappy reliability, subpar workmanship, and a car that isn't nearly so easy on you when you drive it every day. Oh, and far less functional interiors, too. Z06 = acres of plastic and not nearly so good ergonomics. The Ferrari interiors are surpassed in functionality by the smaller S2000 - check out www.pulpracing.com if you don't believe me! The guy has an NSX, S2000, and F355 - the F355 is the funnest to drive, but it is always in the shop! Not exactly my idea of a sports car since he can't truly enjoy it constantly.

Anyways, enough of my rant - I want an S2000 because it's relatively affordable, fast, and is reliable. I'd prefer an NSX, but I don't think that's happening any time soon - the S2000 is, as many have said, the little brother of the NSX and that's just fine by me.

In short: If you want an ultra-high performance DRIVEABLE car, the NSX is for you. If you want a high performance AFFORDABLE car, the S2000 is for you (I think most people in North America could afford one before they're 40 or so). If you want an ultra-high performance car, period, get a 911 Turbo, 360 Modena, or Murcielago - if you can afford them, cost of maintenance obviously isn't going to bother you.

 

I've driven an '01 NSX and my S2000 back to back. The NSX is a much more comfortable car to drive, esp being 6'3". The seating position being closer to the front of the car made it seem more accurate directing the car through turns, much more fun sophisticated I suppose. The engine didnt seem as loud as mine, but I liked the sound behind my head, definately made me feel like a million bucks. The looks are to die for, best looking and exclusive car for under 100k imo. There are some things about the NSX that I didn't like though. The lack of HID's, tape deck, antenna, and the steering made me yearn for my S2000. The distance lock to lock is considerably more than the S2000's. The owner of the NSX drove my car and commented on how he wishes he had my steering. The fact that it has a tape deck is ridiculous for a car of its stature. Its easily replacable, but why should you have to immediately have to deal with getting an in dash cd player as soon as you buy the car? I thought the car could have bigger wheels, the NSX has a lot more wheel gap than my S2000 making me want to lower it for looks. If you play the numbers game, the NSX is a rip off, even overall its a little pricey. It really is a shame that Honda hasn't updated it more over the years keeping on top of competition. I'm not very impressed with the reskinned '02 model. I prefer the old front facia to the new headlights. The back looks great though and the new colors and interiors are a plus though. Just waiting to hear what will happen with the next generation...

 

Not sure why this guy had only a tape deck, but my dad has had two ('91 and '92) and both had CD and cassette stock from the factory. You can also get a CD changer for the trunk as well. No HIDs for '01, but the newest models (with the flush headlamps) do have them .

The steering is quite good on the NSX (imho), but I don't have an S2000 to compare it to. I've read, though, that the S2000 has about as sharp steering as any car out there, so I can believe it's better than the NSX.

One thing about the NSX steering, though - below about 30 or 35 mph, it's a bit "vague". Beyond that, though, it's amazing - absolutely perfect (again, imho). How fast did you drive the NSX, and it what conditions?

I'm not sure about the new look - initially I liked the old nose, but looking closer at the new one, it kinda grew on me. A toss-up, I guess - at least it's now more aerodynamic - top speed is now around 175 mph or something. The custom interiors are cool, though - very classy.

 

I think there was a cd changer in the trunk and he just got an MP3 changer but the tape deck in the dash has to go. I haven't used a cassette tape for over 10 years and this is an '01 model?

I know the 02's have hid's, but the S2000 had them since '00, the NSX should have had them years before being the Honda flagship model.

There's nothing wrong with the steering in the NSX, but the S2000's is so tight that in comparison there's a big difference I guess.

All in all, if this is all I can complain about it's a pretty awesome car.

If I had the $ I'd definately trade my S2000 in for a '97+ NSX in white.

 

Local dealer will have one of the 2002's in next week and I will definitly check it out, but doller for doller you can;t do much better then the S with any manufactor. Find another car around32K that can do anything that our beloved cars can do. With mine my friends constantly compare it to there 911's boxter's AMG's and the like. All I got to tell them is I get comparable preformace for 1/2 the price. But if I could afford it I would get a 2002 before they change over to something like the dual note styling in 2003.

But having driven a NSX I can say one thing, above 100mph there is no comparrison to the S. The NSX wins hands down for stability speed and comfort. It is a real GT freeway flyer.