It might not be a surprise that the M5 won with 52% of the vote, but just behind it was that 550i. The Acura? A lousy 5%. Speaking of Acura, let’s invite their most historic model to Talk Me Out Of It this week. What’s this – $132,000 dollars for an Acura NSX?
Actually, I’m going to talk you out of it. Let’s take a look at why any NSX, no matter how rare (or new) is a bad idea once you get to six figures. Let’s bring in Mr. Cammisa again, to explain a little about the history of the car. To sum it up, the NSX was perfect – too perfect.
Before I go on and explain just why the Acura NSX is overrated, I’ll show you two examples to talk me out of.
2005 Acura NSX-T vs the 1991 Acura NSX
How fortunate to find both an original 1991 example, and a late 2005 version for sale at the same time. They are, in essence, the same car. The 2005 had fixed headlights, bigger wheels, and a bigger engine, but for all intent and purpose, an NSX is an NSX.
The 2005 Acura NSX-T has:
- 13,000 miles
- A six-speed manual
- Really rare Imola Orange Pearl Paint
- A nice detailing by Larry from AMMO
- Already bid to $132,666
- Clean CarFax
That’s it – this is the perfect example. With only 13,000 miles, you should give it a once over for worn belts and such, but it’s a Honda so…these things run beyond 300k without issue.
Against it, we have an original ’91:
- 63,000 miles
- A four-speed automatic
- Very common Formula Red
- The wheels look ridiculous
- But the pop-up lights are better
- No T-top
- $35,000 so far
- Needs a good detail
- Some scratches and flaws
- Clean CarFax
This one is only 3.0 liters, not 3.2 like the later editions. I also couldn’t own an automatic – I mean what’s the point of even making this car with one? I digress, because now, I’m going to provide you with reasons to steer clear of both examples.
The Acura NSX is a boring car to drive
I hope you’ll forgive the conceit, because I’ve never driven one. What I have driven is a Ferrari 348, this car’s direct competitor. We’ll come back to that in a moment.
Car magazines of the day touted its comfort, quiet ride, excellent fuel economy, great visibility…do these sound like supercar attributes to you? I’m not saying that we need a car that’s going to be a problem from day one, or a car with the kind of power to send you to the moon, but 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque in 2005? A Nissan 350Z had more.
Don’t get me wrong – if this NSX-T were, say, $60k, I’d be ok with it. It’s really the only authentic Japanese supercar ever made, aside from the LF-A. Everything else is much more traditional in layout and build material.
However…
Acura NSX prices are out of control
Ready? Here’s one, an ’05 like our orange car, that sold for $157,000.
…$157,000!
Naturally, there are a ton of cars that you can get in that price range that offer much more excitement, including many Ferraris. How about this 10k-mile F430, for $105,000? It’s so easy to find things that are simply better sports cars in every regard.
You want a new car? Easy – a Corvette Z06. It even comes in orange.
The NSX can’t hold a candle to cars like this.
The world the Acura NSX was built for no longer exists
In my garage right now sits a 473-horsepower, six-speed manual, 1-G pulling BMW M3, and I take my daughter to school in it every day. It’s a sedan, it’s comfortable, and it’s fast. Faster than many supercars. It’s a 3 Series, so the car’s practical side makes total sense.
Ah, but in 1991, there was no such thing as a fast sedan. Even the M3 – only two doors back then. Honda figured that making the car desirable and reliable was the recipe to success. It wasn’t. The NSX never sold very well. Granted, the Supra, 3000GT and 300ZX never sold well either, but they were a lot cheaper.
That makes me ask; if no one wanted it back then, why are they in such high demand now? Nostalgia? The urge to prove how much of a car connoisseur you are, or to finally scratch an itch you’ve had since you were 10 years old playing Gran Turismo?
Cars like this might be an emotional purchase, I get it. But this makes as much sense as lighting a bag of money on fire.
So what will it be? The 2005, the 1991, or something else…
Want your car reviewed?
If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email!
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