I was in the same predicament when I got my s2k, I was looking at a 93 nsx, a 98 3000gt Vr-4 and the s2k. I really wanted the nsx, but heard about the ridiculous insurance I would pay if I got one, and it is a really old car, so there are goin to be problems mint or not, and that is goin to cost big bucks. The 3000gt I had a problem with the dealer so that was out and I got the s2k and dont regret it a bit.

 

What a nice predicament to have!

A lot of very practical views have been given to try to help you with your decision. I actually replaced my 1996 NSX with the S2000 although I had both cars for a couple of months as I waited for the friend I was selling the NSX to to come up with the money.

It really depends on what you are looking for. The two cars are in a different class, both from the point of view of classification and status.

One point you need to think about is your finances. Is the S2000 a comfortable acquisition or is it a squeeze? Even if it is a squeeze, it isn't going to cost you much for a few years due to it being new and on warranty.

The NSX, on the other hand is not just used, but is ten years old. They are hideously expensive to maintain. Just bloody frightening and the insurance is absurd. If you deicide to get this, ensure you have it fully checked out both mechanically and for any body work that may be required and factor the cost of what you need to do into it. Note the words of SCS2k. The car likes eating tyres for somew reason and rubber of this quality is expensive.

In performance, well just my view but there are a few people dreaming on this board. There is NO comparison and I have the benefit of first hand experience. The NSX is noticeably FASTER. Torque is way superior through the range and the car is far more comfortable and solid.

After all this, which car do I like better? The NSX was an absolute dream car but I think I should have bought a convertible years ago. I bought the S2000 as I did not want to spend big bucks until I was sure I liked a convertible. Don't know what I am going to get next but I really like the the S2000 so it will certainly be a convertible. I'd love a 360 but that would be really stretching the finances!!

PS: KaiWang, did you say the NSX would get you laid? Damn, I mustn't have used it properly....

 

I was facing a similar question a while back. It should be obvious which way I went. Back in early '99 I started looking at NSXs in the $30k range. Basically, any NSX for that price I was able to find was in pretty poor condition. I would have been driving the dregs of the NSX family. It's an awesome car, but that wasn't what I wanted. When I had the opportunity to get an S2000 in late '99, I jumped on it. I'd definitely prefer a new NSX over a new S2000, but a $32k NSX is nowhere near as nice as a $32k S2000.

 

Well put Elistan. Also consider the 10 year old car will require some out of warranty maintenance.....costly. Any money on the new, under warranty, S2000 is for goodies

 

While the NSX has been my dream car for over 10 years now, I would get a new S2000 over a 91 NSX. One reason being financing. If you have a good job and a good credit rating then you can easily get an S2000 financed but you will have to come up with more money down since the entire amount of the used NSX won't be financed.

I was going through the same situation recently as I bought a 2001 Miata last October and while I love the car, I wanted more power. While I was looking into the S2000, I started looked at used NSX's and really thought about getting one. The financing was one reason that I went with the S2K, another was that I still wanted a convertible, and the third was that I didn't want to take a chance with a used car, especially an 8 or 9 year old car.

I know the NSX is extremely reliable but I am just leary about used sports cars unless I am absolutely sure that they have been taken care of.

Just my 2 cents.

Kirk

 

Just because the NSX is 10 years old doesnt mean the cost of labor and parts is

Even something simple, lets say the power window mechanism is probably not a fairly expensive job, but its also something that would be under warranty on the S2000...

the biggest downfalls on the NSX for people on a limited budget are the high insurance and, my personal view here --

I'd be scared to death of some fool hitting the NSX. Yeah, its 10 years old, but it probably still costs just as much to fix as a new NSX.

 

Just checked out a '92 NSX here in Bellevue. What can I say?

Old. Totally dated interior. I would not get one.

And about the "this car will get you laid" assertion. Is there a warranty on that? Cuz I thought just like racing it's 95% driver. And that other 5% is reserved for yellow Ferraris.

 

Even through S2000 is nice, I would go for a used NSX.
I bought my '91 NSX used with 70k km in '99 and I've put about 20k km on it since them and never had any problem.
My NSX still looks and drives like new, and people cannot believe it's a ten years old car.
Performance wise, with exhaust and header, NSX will gain 20hp from them due to the cast iron exhaust the earlier NSX had. NSX is definitely faster than S2000 with equal drivers. When it comes to fun factor, S2000 wins hands down.

 

lvs2k, the miles I checked just now is 93,031! I haven't gotten a chance to inspect the car. Maybe this weekend.

 

Space Needle- And about the "this car will get you laid" assertion. Is there a warranty on that?

I know I'm going to get slammed for this one but most women have absolutely no clue to cars/vintage/etc. I remember my friend back in high school sporting an old red RX7. The idiot took off the mazda badge and pasted a ferrari instead. It was pure Ghetto but believe it or not, most of my classmates (female) believed it to be a ferrari. What a crack up.