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.

If I get either one, I think I'll take off the Honda emblem and replace it with a Lamborghini! Ha ha

 

The Captain, thanks for that interesting point- financing. It's true, I'll probably need to cough up more money on a used car than to finance a new one.

 

Bernie,

Thanks for your totally unbiased comment on both cars. Like many of the members here, I do have a thing with used goods, particularly used cars. Then I thought, hell the NSX, if purchased new would be around $70-80K, who the heck would thrash it and wouldn't they keep it garaged etc etc. so the wear and tear issue would not be an issue right? Anyhow I believe that the car should be a faster than an S2000. Remember it is a 6 cylinde Vtec and not a 4! The one part I didn't thoroughly think through was the maintenance! Most of the replies have suggested that the car would cost a bomb to repair and I am fully aware of the mysterious rear tire wear. Considering all this, perhaps drilling the guy down to $29K would make it a justifiable purchase? I also read Sam Mitami's (Road & Track) comparison and he too feels the S2000 would be a 'funner' car of the two to drive.

 

Kaiwang, thanks for the reply. Getting laid? NSX 1 : S2K 0. I kinda believe that to be true. I've sat outside Starbucks watching people's reactions to what they see. They notice Rovers, Porsches (1973-2001), Nsx's but when an S2000 drives by I hear people say "Look, that's the new Miata" Arrrgh...

 

If I was in your position and really wanted an NSX, I would give it another year or so. That way, you get your finances up a bit more and also more exposure on the new NSX comes out. I think that may drive the value of used NSXs back a little and you may be in a position to spend say $40K on the car which may get you a newer car with lower mileage.

The car has over 90,000 miles which is a lot. That said, you are better off with a well maintained car with 90,000 on the clock than one with 40,000 that has been run into the ground.

If you are really keen on the car, get it well checked out by an experienced NSX mechanic, not just anyone. Focus on the wear in the car and what parts will need to be changed in the next two years or so and factor that in. Believe me, the $3,000 you save won't go far if you need to start getting engine work done. One of my cousins acquired a used 928S4 GTS about two years ago. He had to have a timing belt change among other things which set him back some $8,000 AUD.

Make up your mind and go from there. If you want an NSX, take your time and find a good one. You'll find it given enough time. Honestly, you can't lose either way. They're both wonderful cars. Just make a well thought out and informed decision.

AS I said, I love the S2K but it's no NSX. My dream is the 360 Spyder (in yellow!) but realistically, that is some time away. The thought on the maintenance costs on that is a little off-putting. I don't subscribe to the "if you can afford it, don't complain about the maintenance" theory.

Tell you what though, if I still don't have any "luck", SpaceNeedle will hear from my lawyers!!

 

I'd go with the S2K. I think there's a special feeling of owning a brand new car. Maybe it's living in LA, but I see so many NSXs. They seem played out here, and last thing I wanted was a car I'd see lots of. I'm starting to see more S2Ks, but I see NSXs way more often. I don't get the attention I used to get

But, when I drive into asian communities or car shops. It's all eyes on me (or the S2K). And the girlies my wife tells me to stop looking at go "oooooh, S2000" in their fobby voices keep me driving into their neighborhoods.

 

It's probably eyes on the S2000. Sorry, man.

 

Having both I agree with what's been said here. I think it comes down to noisy convertible vs. a quiet coupe. More importantly, what's you passion? Owning a car like these should stir the soul. One thing for sure, they are redundant in many ways. I'm selling my NSX. BTW, it's a '91 with 30k mi and has been fully serviced and is in excellent mechnical condition. I's sell it to a S2000online member for $32k.

[Edited by NSXS on 03-02-2001 at 11:10 AM]

 

As I have owned three NSXs (92 and 00 Coupes, 1995 Targa) covering a period of 10 years and 60,000 miles, it would appear several comments are in order.
As to reliability, nothing I have ever owned can compare. None of my NSXs ever required anything but routine service/maintenance. I had no mechanical failures or warranty claims. The extended warranty I purchased for the 95 Targa was never used over the 2 years and 15,000 miles it was in effect. Incidentally, I have never heard a single rattle, groan or other untoward noise
; nor have I ever had to add oil btween changes.
The maintenance schedule for the NSX is similar to any Acura. With the exception of tires (see below), timing belt and spark-plug replacement (60K service) and valve adjustment (30K service), maintenance costs are most reasonable. The NSX is far, far cheaper to maintain than any of my previous cars (ZR-1, Viper RT/10, Ferrari 328 and 348, 911 Turbos). I have spoken to many NSX owners whose cars have well over 100,000 miles and whose experiences mirror mine.
Rear tire wear is a concern. The tires on my 92 NSX lasted but 5-7K miles. Due to changes in factory suspension settings, the rear tires on the 95 lasted 8-10K miles. Understand, one can adjust the 91-92 alignment specs to increase rear tire life (or purchase tires with a harder compound).
That 92 NSX with 9,800 miles offered at $34,500 was a steal providing it was neither in snap-ring range nor so little-used that maintenance concerns must be raised. If such was not the case (providing one is not "set" on either a new car or convertible), IMHO that NSX would have been a better "buy" than the S-2000.
BTW, what makes the NSX interior "outdated"? Comfort? Ergonomics? Fit and finish? Ease of use? Show me a better sports car interior. The new 911/Boxster? Cartoonish and not nearly as well put together. The 993 and older 911s? That was a outdated interior. The Ferrari? Beautiful to be sure but neither as comfortable nor as well put together (and the car costs more than twice that of a new NSX).

 

91' NSX or Brand new S2000, hmmm, that depends on the situation I guess.
I moved from 91' NSX to S2000. Also had that much mileage when I got the 91'NSX and sure I paid dirt cheap. But factor in the immediate money that you have to spend to shape it up.
If it is anywhere near 90000 then factor in the cost of replacing the timing belt. Service will set you back 1600-2200 depending on the dealer and I paid $2100 comprehensive 90000miles service including timing belt.
And with that much mileage you can't have reasonably clean exterior as well as interior, such as cracked bumper, various scrapes and scratches since it is very low to the ground, paint chips, leather crack and interior wear such as steering wheel and shifter.
Oh watch out for the incline, one little nasty hit will crack the ac line up front and will cost you $800 to find one.

What I want to sum up is if you are tight on budget forget the NSX and go with S2000.

NSX is no doubt great car and yes it is reliable but parts do worn out just like other cars and you have to replace one by one soon or later and that means spending a lot for buying high mileage car.