TheQuietOne
27-04-2006, 09:05 AM
Hi Guys, I have been following the topic on Piston Heads (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?p=48&f=23&t=226933&h=0) which is a question and answer session by 'Flemke' an owner of a F1 which he is modifying to his own standards and lives at the ring most of the time. He made mention a couple of times about his love for Honda engine's and their handling (as linked on here before) so I thought I'd ask what his opinions are of the NSX in general. I thought you'd all like to read this as it is very interesting - and gets better towards the end fro us owners. It has caused a slight NSX shift in the F1 thread too which is a bit of fun :wink: In a later post he mentions that he considered importing a Type-R himself but was warned off it by Honda UK, and that he had a good look at the one at Chiswick over Christmas but described it as 'very tired'.
Matt,
First, welcome to PH.
Second, as regards the NSX:
I don't know much about cars; I'm just another guy who enjoys driving whilst lacking any special insight into what's going on as I do so.
In the last few months I've driven a recent-model NSX maybe 2,000 kms, including a number of laps of the 'ring.
The NSX chassis is very poised, and is the best thing about the car. From my position of ignorance I would say that its handling all-round is as good as that of any car I have driven.
You always know where you are with the car. It follows instructions nicely and allows you to control it. Its transitions are gradual and predictable. I've done a lot of laps of the'ring, and at Schwedenkreuz, which is perhaps the circuit's trickiest high-speed bend, I came closer to the car's limits whilst retaining control over it (or at least it seemed!) than I've done in any other car.
I would say that the NSX's primary ride for some people is too harsh, although the secondary ride seems fine.
It could do with a quicker steering rack. (The F1's rack is about equally slow, although that can be justified, I suppose, because the F1 lacks PAS and needs enhanced stability in light of its high max speed. These things do not apply to the NSX, so I don't know why its rack isn't quicker.)
Because of the PAS, you don't get the most surface feedback from the steering, but for an assisted car it's not bad. At the same time, the weighting is nice and the quality of rotational feedback I found to be quite good.
The NSX's brakes aren't the best - they began to fade on my first lap at the 'ring - but they're okay for a road car. They are over-servo'ed, however.
As you say, the engine has a lot of character. It produces something like 85 bhp/litre, whereas current high-performance engines easily generate more than 100/litre. It's not a problem in the upper 2000 rpms, where it's lovely - again, for a road car. It must be said, however, that the NSX really would benefit from more low-to-mid-range torque.
As you say, the engine note is musical. It's entirely different from the F1's but perhaps equally appealing.
The gearbox and shift action is superb - as good as any out there. Unfortunately the clutch pedal bite point is too high, and the bite itself is surprisingly vague (in my experience, that is).
People will have their opinions on the aesthetics; I find them appealingly quirky and in many cases handsome. There are some really nice details such as the external door handles and the interior door handles and leather-trimmed spaces behind them.
One frequently hears the objection that the NSX interior is dated. What an inane comment. Monet's Waterlilies series is dated too - but it's good enough for me!
The interior functions well - excelllent visibility in all directions except rear quarter. The ergonomics of the steering wheel and gearshift are quite good. The instruments are all legible, although one regrets the lack of an external temperature indication.
I think you could make the argument that the NSX is the most satisfying all-round sports car. If you combined the best of it and the best of the McLaren, you would have an incredible machine.
Cheers.
Matt,
First, welcome to PH.
Second, as regards the NSX:
I don't know much about cars; I'm just another guy who enjoys driving whilst lacking any special insight into what's going on as I do so.
In the last few months I've driven a recent-model NSX maybe 2,000 kms, including a number of laps of the 'ring.
The NSX chassis is very poised, and is the best thing about the car. From my position of ignorance I would say that its handling all-round is as good as that of any car I have driven.
You always know where you are with the car. It follows instructions nicely and allows you to control it. Its transitions are gradual and predictable. I've done a lot of laps of the'ring, and at Schwedenkreuz, which is perhaps the circuit's trickiest high-speed bend, I came closer to the car's limits whilst retaining control over it (or at least it seemed!) than I've done in any other car.
I would say that the NSX's primary ride for some people is too harsh, although the secondary ride seems fine.
It could do with a quicker steering rack. (The F1's rack is about equally slow, although that can be justified, I suppose, because the F1 lacks PAS and needs enhanced stability in light of its high max speed. These things do not apply to the NSX, so I don't know why its rack isn't quicker.)
Because of the PAS, you don't get the most surface feedback from the steering, but for an assisted car it's not bad. At the same time, the weighting is nice and the quality of rotational feedback I found to be quite good.
The NSX's brakes aren't the best - they began to fade on my first lap at the 'ring - but they're okay for a road car. They are over-servo'ed, however.
As you say, the engine has a lot of character. It produces something like 85 bhp/litre, whereas current high-performance engines easily generate more than 100/litre. It's not a problem in the upper 2000 rpms, where it's lovely - again, for a road car. It must be said, however, that the NSX really would benefit from more low-to-mid-range torque.
As you say, the engine note is musical. It's entirely different from the F1's but perhaps equally appealing.
The gearbox and shift action is superb - as good as any out there. Unfortunately the clutch pedal bite point is too high, and the bite itself is surprisingly vague (in my experience, that is).
People will have their opinions on the aesthetics; I find them appealingly quirky and in many cases handsome. There are some really nice details such as the external door handles and the interior door handles and leather-trimmed spaces behind them.
One frequently hears the objection that the NSX interior is dated. What an inane comment. Monet's Waterlilies series is dated too - but it's good enough for me!
The interior functions well - excelllent visibility in all directions except rear quarter. The ergonomics of the steering wheel and gearshift are quite good. The instruments are all legible, although one regrets the lack of an external temperature indication.
I think you could make the argument that the NSX is the most satisfying all-round sports car. If you combined the best of it and the best of the McLaren, you would have an incredible machine.
Cheers.