I beg to differ, i smoked two NSXs before on the freeway!

 

The automatics have 250 hp

 

by the way, whenever you talk about performance, you have to compare equal drivers in a situation where you know a comparison is being done. Some NSX drivers may be smart enough to not race on the street/highway. Some of them may not know to downshift. Some of them may not know your intent.

In any case, keep the racing off the streets...

 

As a bay area NSX owner, I can tell you that most owners here aren't going to get into a race with you. In fact, I live in your neighborhood (Cupertino), I can tell you that if you pulled up to me, I'd just let you blow by and break laws.

Having said that, I don't believe the S2000 is faster. I've driven both cars. In fact, I was also facing the exact same dillemma of the original poster.

I would strongly encourage you to drive an NSX and see for yourself. Even the "older" NSXs are still quite fast. 0-60 times are quoted at anywhere between 5.2 and 5.7 seconds. Its unfortunate that the older NSXs do not get the respect they deserve. They are still extremely fast cars that have the ability to embarass most cars on the street today.

Having said that, here are my thoughts for the original poster (older NSX versus stook):

NSX Pros:
- Exotic looking. No matter how old the NSX ever becomes, I believe that it will always turn heads. The NSX is using an 11 year look today, and I still turn heads.
- Faster than an S2000.
- Pleasant cruiser at freeway speeds in overdrive gear (fairly quiet)
- Pretty high redline, 7900
- Awesome driving view. 312 degree panoramic view with no blind spot and very short hood. Feels like you're flying an airplane 4 inches from the ground.

NSX Cons:
- Lack of power steering makes parking a bear
- Living in fear for dings on its aluminum skins (you will walk, and walk alot).
- Attracts attention from racers who want to prove their car is faster than yours.
- Aftermarket clutches can make car hard to drive.
- Hood chip magnet due to how low it is off the ground


S2000 Pros:
- Thrilling engine sounds at high RPMs
- Substantially more "tossable" than an NSX
- Convertible!

S2000 Cons:
- Could use a little more torque at the low-end (NSX beats it clean here)
- Engine volume can be a bit annoying.

In the end, I chose the NSX. It was a 7 year old car, with the wear and tear that you would expect from a car that age. However, I like the way the NSX looked. Its high redline gave me that F1 feel that the S2000 gave me, but its engine note didn't overwhelm me (only when I wanted to by pushing it to redline).

On a more personal note, the NSX was at one point in my life, the holy grail of cars I had lusted for. I felt that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to own one. I figured, a 30K+ NSX is going to depreciate less than a 30K+ S2000 over time. If the NSX didn't work out, I could still sell the NSX and get an S2000 (possibly used) after a couple of years if I still desired the S2000.

Hopefully, I will be able to own both cars one day so I won't have to make that decision. I think the S2000 is a fantastic vehicle, but to compare the S2000 to an older NSX is like comparing apples and oranges. At this point in my life, I could only own one, and I chose a used NSX.

 

I think your question can't be answered without a more detailed understanding of what it is you want out of the car.

Both cars are simply fantastic. I am contemplating purchasing an early 90's NSX (probably a 93 or 94) myself.

The issue, as I see it, with NSX ownership is that no matter how you slice it, you're talking about owning an exotic. True, for the most part, that's a good thing. But it's still going to be more expensive to own than an S2000 (excluding the important criteria of depreciation). The fact is that the NSX is very reliable for its type of car. However, if anything goes wrong, it's going to be quite expensive to fix. Moreover, insurance is pretty brutal on the car due mainly to the aluminum construction of the car.

If you're thinking of a second or third car and you're not going to use it every day, go for the NSX (IMO). If; however, you need the car on a more daily routine, the under warranty and cheaper to own S might be the better choice.

As to which car is faster, I think an earlier post summarized the truth best when he warned not to compare apples to oranges.

I've been lucky enough to recently drive a 1994 NSX with 64K on the odo. Simply put, I would be much faster in a straight line in that NSX than I am in my S2000 any day of the week. The superior horsepower, similar weight, and better low and mid-range torque makes the NSX a "quicker" car in almost any real world situation, IMO.

But the, opinions differ.

 

Hmmm...I take issue with people saying the NSX has a "dated" design. WHat about the 911 which has basically looked the same for several decades now.
I believe the NSX, like the last RX-7, is a rare breed of car and its design transcends time. If it was released to day it would still look great
Yet, the same can be said of the S2000 IMHO...

 

01 S2K has less miles for sure and runs strong compares a 92....its been spank by some owner for almost ten years...... that thing is worn...


DaRKCrow
"I hope our human body dont wear out as fast as a car...."

 

Simple solution - just get both...

 

I wish i could get both
well...maybe....I have a have blue 95 M3 which i could sell, but it has a ton of miles (115,000) and is an automatic (yes, yes i know...why did i buy an automatic?...i was barely out of my teens when i bought the M3 3 and half years ago and didnt know better)...anyone interested???
i have a 94 accord ex for sale as well...

 

'nuf said.

Picture's worth 1k words. No comparison, if you REALLY look and drive.

NSX is a real exoctic supercar. Why do you think it costs close to $100K...