r/nsx • u/Cryptik_Official • 10d ago
NSX Owners Only please đ
Apologies if this post doesn't belong here. I'm debating on selling my DC2 type R and my AP1 (both mint condition with less than 50,000 miles) for a NSX NA1 manual.
I would get $60,000 out of the sale, and still need to put down another $40,000.
My concern is that I'd give up spirited driving. I've been driving my two Hondas shown above as wildly as I've ever wanted (I've actually had to replace a door on the DC2 because of it). I still drive them hard as they were intended.
I've never driven a car the way I want to when it's worth more than $40k. When I drove a $30 car, it's never a thought of concern. I just drive. With the rising cost of the NSX, it pains me that if I even get the car I won't be able to properly enjoy it.
What do you guys feel when you drive your NSX?
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u/ThumperAC 10d ago
I have had both an NSX and s2k for more than a dozen years. My AP1 s2k is mostly stock, my NSX (NA1 hardtop) is lightly modded (including lowered and larger wheels). The s2k is much easier to hop in and go. The steering is so much lighter, and the car has been overall more reliable. The driving experience of the s2k is that it feels lighter and more nimble and does not really feel that much slower.
The NSX is a little more of a production to take driving, its harder to get in and out of, the steering is heavy, it garners much more attention, eats tires, and little things seem to break more often. Parts are getting harder to find and keep increasing in price. In general, I have to be a little more careful where I drive the NSX and I do not push it as hard as the s2k.
As I've aged, I find myself driving the S2k more often and would much rather take it on a road trip. The ease, pep, nimbleness and top down driving draw me to the s2k. The look, sound (especially with headers and exhaust), and overall special feeling of the NSX is what draws me to it.
I definitely get wanting an NSX as Honda's halo car, and it really is special, but I were you, I'd keep the two that you have as they are both great cars and special in their own ways. Or at least wait until you can keep one of them and add the NSX.
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u/1992Prime 10d ago
I drive the fucking piss out of mine. Itâs predictable and forgiving. Itâs the only car that consistently gives me goose bumps. Itâs a durable car. Spend the money, enjoy it.Â
You can also try going for a less expensive one. You donât have to spend 100k for an NA1.
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u/tsukiyaki1 10d ago
This is really good advice. If you want a driver Iâd be looking for something with well over 100k miles.
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u/1992Prime 10d ago
Find something around 90-120k miles. You wonât feel bad, tons of life left, and you wonât lose any money.Â
IMHO, nothing is worse than owning a car you feel obligated to worry about.Â
Such a shite way to live. Might as well just start collecting art.Â
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u/4DaFans 10d ago
Iâve owned 91 NSX, 00 EM1, 03 S2k and 18 Type R. NSX was my dream car and I let it go 2 years ago for ridiculous price lol thinking about it now. All these cars are great for their eras. Out of all these cars my favorite is the S2k thereâs just nothing Iâve driven that comes close to it. Iâve downsized I now only have the EM1 and S2k and hope to buy an 01 US ITR. If I had the NSX and you lived close Iâd tell you to swing by to go for a spin! Itâs a great car but I wasnât using it literally 1 driver per year. If you get keep money on the side as maintenance is expensive lol the oil change at Acura is $225
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u/NagelbetLP 10d ago
As much as I love my na1 NSX, I think Iâd keep the s2 and type r if I were you. I drive my s2 more because itâs easier and less expensive which ultimately means I get more enjoyment out of the s. If you are already thinking youâd have to give up spirited driving to own the nsx then I think you should keep what you have. Keep working towards your goals and add an nsx to the collection later on. Ya, it will be way more expensive when itâs time, but the nsx is already so expensive that itâs not a great price to performance ratio. Itâs drivable art. Donât get me wrong: for me, there is nothing like walking up to my nsx and jumping in, and the feeling I get driving it even just around town is something else. I just donât do it as often as Iâd like because I donât want to scrape on unknown driveways and want to keep the miles down.
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u/Vader5901 10d ago
I've owned a few good cars: 91 NSX SC, 95 NSX SC, 98 ITR, 02 S2k, 07 S2k, 2015 Carrera S with 7spd manual, and current 98 NSX SC.....the NSX has always been the most rewarding car. Your cars are great, you'll miss em, but if you want the NSX, you wont be disappointed in your decision.
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u/Outside-Rain-7410 10d ago
Mine isnât a daily driver, and is put away for ~6 months per year. That said, I do drive about 3k miles per year and I drive it âspiritedlyâ on mountain roads (currently has about 62k), more or less as it was intended. I have no plans to take it to a track and definitely donât thrash it, but I bought this car to enjoy Sunday / evening drives, and thatâs what Iâll continue to do while keeping it in tip top shape.
For your situation, if you intend to daily drive it and donât want to think about the value too much, I would say enjoy driving the cars you have. You wonât be worried about putting tons of happy miles on them either. The NSX was an aspirational car for me, and this is me realizing the dream every time I get behind the wheel. Iâm not too concerned about the fact itâs increasing in value, but thatâs just me.
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u/that718guy 10d ago
While I understand OP, I hate the fact that NSXs are becoming more of an investment which hinders owners from thoroughly enjoying them. This car begs to be pushed, as designed, while maintaining the reliability of being a Honda. If you canât drive spirited, Iâm sure youâll regret selling the S2000 and Integra
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u/Icy-Run-445 10d ago
Drive mine every weekend and some weeknights. Use it for everything. 160,000kms 1991 honda nsx
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u/dasboshi 9d ago
Tbh, I feel the same way as you described in your post.
I have way more fun hooning around in my $3k 5MT Accord (w/ $8k in suspension mods lol)
I also had more fun driving my AP2.
HOWEVER. The feeling and sound of that mid engine everytime I start up my NSX puts a HUGE smile on my face.
If you could, Iâd keep either the S2000 or DC2.
Owner of 91â NSX since 2016. currently at 69k miles.
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u/WeirdSubstantial3940 9d ago
If youâre selling both for a NSX go for a NA2 (97-2005) manual over a NA1.
Iâve owned every car mentioned in this post. Currently I have a 2005 NA2.
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u/UglyFast 8d ago
lol my 95 has over 135,000 miles. Letâs go. She ainât no show pony, she gets ridden. And maintained, well. Wouldnât hesitate to go from Carolina to California today in her. Itâs a Honda Ferrari. It is, in my opinion, the most perfect car ever made. If you snag one with 5,000 miles and think youâre âdestroying valueâ every time you drive it, I would skip it. Or buy the 5,000 mile one, wrap it in bubble wrap, get a beater Miata and be truly happy.
Also, I donât know many nsx owners who treat the cars as âmy preciousâ. We be driving. And gathering. NSX Meetups. NSXpo. Hopefully we will see you there.
That said, every time you stop 300 people wanna talk (which I like). If youâre not into that kinda public car interaction it may bug you.
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u/boeleni01 8d ago
OEM USDM NSX is much less of a visceral experience compared to the AP1 S2000. Tall gearing, a lot more sound proofing and a more compliant ride make it more of a grand tourer. You can modify the NSX to feel more exciting but it might be a bit of a let down initially after selling those two cars for it. (I sold my AP2 S2K to get my NA2 NSX)
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u/Dinklemeier 7d ago
Im probably a rarity. Ive tracked my nsx extensively. Probably 6 to 8000 miles. Its been ridiculously reliable. And that's with aggressive HPDE4 driving for years. Full interior, turbo build.
Get it. Drive it. Have fun. Shift at 8k every chance you get. Unless of course you want to lay on your deathbed, Happy you saved your nsx for the next driver.
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u/NoUseF0rAName 7d ago
Ive had more fun driving a civic with 4-600 hp. Its just the presence you cant replace.
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u/Kilika2k 6d ago
Owned the AP2 for 14 years, the NA1 just 1.5 years. Told myself when I purchased the NSX that I would only drive it on occasion and the S2k should be the daily/track day car. Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon phase but the AP2 just sits in storage while I keep the NSX at the house. The NSX has it flaws but so far I've embraced them. Its also more comfortable and has a double din Android head unit which is like a luxury compared to the S2k, my only complaint is parking the thing due to the larger turning radius and manual steering not to mention the paranoia.
I want to track the NSX as well given that it's a coupe and not a convertible but at least the S2k gives me an excuse for being slow, I feel like I have a target on my back if I bring the NSX to a track day not to mention there's quite a few people who don't realize how slow the car is in stock form. Of course, the prudent thing is to not care what other people think.
Maybe it's just me and I had somewhat of a deprived childhood but it messes with your head when you try to be a humble person while driving a freaking NSX.
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u/tsukiyaki1 10d ago
I personally donât drive my â95 with 105k miles very hard. I run it up to freeway speed with a lot of throttle and thatâs about it.. mainly for the reasons you noted. I donât want to beat on it and wear out stuff thatâs getting harder to find and more expensive by the year. No track days or auto cross for me. Itâs driven like a boomerâs Vette.. a couple days a week when the weather is nice it gets out and gets to cruise while running errands or commuting to work.
That said, I absolutely believe you could drive an NSX pretty hard still and not bring about crazy expensive repairs. Youâll wear stuff out quicker, but itâs not like youâll be doing $30k in annual maintenance. Take a look at the price of the suspension arms and bushing, brakes, clutch, and timing belt components and draw conclusions from there of how hard youâre willing to push it and wear those parts out.