I would always take ring times with a pinch of salt unless they are all measured to the same standard.

There's a great difference in the way they are measured.

Standing start, rolling start, full lap, bridge to gantry etc etc.

I think I have the video and review of my car doing it in 8:38 as above so can tell you exactly where it was measured from.

 

That is a great DVD and I have it - it is called "Type R Legends" and there is a special feature at the end on the S2000 (an S reg UK registered model doing an awesome lap at the ring!). I have not watched it since having my S, but think I will get it out and have a look today!

 

Well, I've just returned

I met Denis, the salesman/manager who was great, he has an S2000 and has karting experience and actually knew a lot about the NSX, giving me a once around the car, showing me the storage spave, engine bay and so on, and pointing out the awesome cassette player

The interior made me reminisce about my old CRX, perhaps showing the NSX's age, but not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned. The instruments clear and easy to read. The cabin is very spacious, that big windscreen enabling a great voew of the road out front, and the all round visibility is fantastic.

Denis drove us out of the dealership, let's say "enthusiastically", the V6 making a lovely baritone noise behind us, different to the S2000's tenor wail. The car cornering very flat and very fast.

As expected, just a scoot up the M4 to Langley. We changed over at the Heston services and I tentatively joined the M4, getting a feel for the car, finding it very easy to drive. Once we were safely on the motorway, I gave the accelerator a press and let the NSX do its thing. Again, that lovely, addictive noise and a good shove in the back, making me smile. We ran into some serious traffic after the M25 junction, again the NSX docile and easy in the jam, pootling along at 40mph in 5th.

Round the roundabout at Langley, not fast, sadly. I managed to give it some stick off the roundabout and up the sliproad, making sure I kept an eye on the speedo, noticing the precision of the steering. I managed to make a few rapid lane change manoeuvres, the NSX very stable and making precise.

Off the M4 and it's true what they always said, the NSX is really easy to drive. In the busy West London traffic it was simplicity itself to pilot.

All in all, a very positive experience and many thanks to Chiswick for indulging me.

I'm 40 next year and an NSX would make a lovely present...

Off to try a Cayman this afternoon I hope.

 

You can see the lap itself here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdGoFhs1pf4

Enjoy!

 

Now that just makes me want to go back

**** me though, that time is a genuine full lap

Most people do from bridge to gantry, which misses out a good bit.

Very fast...

 

When the V6 is cold, you get a distinctive unbalanced three-pot sound from behind you and the steering column slightly vibrates up & down in sympathy. I find that really charming.

 

Back from Cayman test.

Arranged 2pm appointment. Salesman busy until 2.30. Key and bookings computer broken down and Cayman S has been taken out by another customer - further 15 minute wait. Time used to browse the showroom. Cars there have a minimum of

 

Interesting...

I hear the PASM is very good, and sorts the bumpy bits out.

 

I was talking to a Cayman S owner whose opinion I trust, only the other day

He said that

He also said the car definitely lacked a little grunt

Not as in underpowered as such, but that overtakes were not quite as simple as he would have liked

 

Great write-ups. Must be correct, since they concur with mine!

All Porsches are tricked up with options; gives lie to the residuals and if you DID order a boggo, I wonder if they could/how long it would take to build it?