I dont think the Dyna was all-aluminum. I know the body panels were, but my understanding was the underlying frame was still steel. Also the engine was a mix between cast iron and aluminum.

 

The NSX seems to be stuck in mid-exotic status. Certainly it's one of the more special and rare of what is currently available, but yet it is still Japanese. And Japanese cars are the king of econo-boxes as perceived by the public.

Without the pedigree the Germans and Italians have established, and the "muscle" from the US, the Japanese have been stuck with this stereotype, which the NSX suffers from. Though it is praised as one of the best sports car deals ever (especially for a used one) I don't think the NSX will ever become as sought after or highly regarded as a 90s Porsche thirty years from now. (side note: car & driver once said the NSX is the pinnacle of 100 years of automotive history)

But lets say thirty years have passed and Honda has discontinued NSX production. I predict the going rate for a NSX will certainly increase due to lack of availablity and a hard core group of ethusiasts. But I don't think it will ever reach the same caliber as other exotics it competes with. The NSX will always be second runner-up, though, it will be a classic (when radio stations play a 90s format as if it were nostalga) but not classic enough. It will certainly represent the Japanese of the 90s way into the future.

Unfortunately, the pedigree is not there... at the same time I am glad it isn't there. Though this is a generalization, I tend to feel more comfortable with japanese car clubs than with the german ones. Because you don't get the "attitude" associated with the high bucks. And I plan on either getting a S2000 or an NSX within the next six months as the prices are within my grasp!

 

Ahh but then you are splitting hairs. Honda, Jaguar, Audi all claim the first all aluminum car in various marketing ploys. In reality none of them, including the NSX are made entirely of alumium.

If you narrow it down to stressed aluminium skin, then yes the NSX was the first on a production basis.

But then you have to wonder, who cares, the damn car still weighs a portly 3100 pounds plus some.....my none aluminium run of the mill S54 M coupe tips the scales at just under 3000 pounds (3131 by BMW's marketing standards) and has 25 more horsepower to tote that already heavy weight around...

 

I agree in that it is destined to be a classic , if not already ? Personally, I would only consider an older one since they have de-valued tremendously. There is no way I could buy a 91 testarossa for $43K CDN, but I could get a NSX for that price ? But if I had the choice of brand new, I'd have to say I'd stilll buy a Ferrari. IMO the NSX has always been "the affordable exotic"

 

Absolutely.

And in my not so humble opinion, anyone with an open mind who drives one will agree. Even today the car blows my mind. Put that in the context of being brought to market what, 12 years ago. It was so far ahead of Ferrari that the 328 was completely outclassed, the 348 wasn't in the same league, only the 355 could really compare (at a lot more $) and the beautiful 360 finally surpasses the car. Count them up, thats 4 generations of car and as great as the 360 Modena is, unless you're filthy stinking rich, you still can't own one as a daily driver. Way too expensive to maintain and the second hand market for Ferrari takes a huge crappola as soon as you start putting miles on your car. Fickle market, the US. Apparently in Europe, people actually drive their Ferrari's and are leery of garage queens where as the situation is the complete opposite here.

As far as your speculation of the car being at Pebble Beach, did you per chance see the latest issue of Automobile? (at least I think its Automobile). They emphatically state that the Honda NSX will be a classic worthy of being featured at Pebble.

 

Acura/Honda has a racing pedigree.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Da Hapa
[B]Absolutely.

 

Hmm, it seems like people use the term classic in different contexts. I've read that its highly unlikely for a car to ever become collectible (by this, I mean one you would, say, see at Pebble Beach) if more than 400 copies are produced. I haven't seen the latest issue of Automobile, but I'll look into that if I can.
Other comments, I thought about the 2000GT when I posted this, but hadn't actually seen how it looks till that pic was posted. Beautiful car. However, I think I remember reading in a short piece in Car and Driver on upcoming exotic cars from Japan that the 2000GT was never produced. Is this correct, or am I just remembering wrong? By the way, it also mentioned that Toyota may have an exotic/supercar in the works, though I don't know if this is just the usual speculation/rumor spreading found in car mags, or if there is any truth to it.
About the weight issue, yeah NSXs aren't the lightest cars around, but I would like to know how much the 911 and 348 weighed. The only reason they used aluminum in the car's construction was to save weight. New NSXs are heavier than before because they only come as targas and the reinforcements that come with chopping the roof off a car that was originally designed with one. I have heard a few explanations for the NSXs weight. One was that it is mid-engined. I personally don't see how this adds weight to a car. Perhaps the mfg. has to add weight in pursuit of making the car safer or something... ? The other I heard was just that the car was designed a long time ago, and technology has advanced since then.
Well, even if it is unlikely for the car to appreciate and become collectible, I think it may still be considered a classic by some, just like the original 240Z is, for all the qualities mentioned in this thread. On a side note, I think I like the 355 better than the 360, even if the 360 is a better car.

 

When the 91 NSX was launched it certainly outclassed exotics such as the Ferrari 348 and Lotus Esprit Turbo. But it can be argued whether it was the best driver's car of the day. The 964 Carrera 2 was definitely a serious contender for that title. If I was in the market today, I would probably take a used 964 RS America over a similarly priced NSX.

 

A few things I forgot to add. I definitely contend that Honda/Acura, as well as the NSX have a racing pedigree, with the Real Time Racing cars, JGTC, Le Mans (Didn't a NSX finish first in class back in the 90s?), and Honda's long time involvement in F1. In fact, I don't think Honda should have ever created the Acura brand. I almost consider it an insult to their heritage. Yeah, yeah, it makes more financial sense to have it.... I wish people weren't so image-obsessed... It also severs the link between the NSX and Honda/F1. Trolling- er, browsing the NSX forums, I saw a thread about some NSX related comments at a Barrett-Jackson auction, and they were of the negative type too.