NSX-R - 1996 NA1 collected from Plans Performance 18 Feb 2016

[Shawnsx5]

Some of you will have seen my earlier post that I have imported an NSX-R a 1996 NA1 model. The photos I posted originally did not do the car justice so this post includes some better ones taken by Graham at Plans just before I collected the car this week.

The car arrived in the UK between Christmas and New Year and was taken straight to Plans for a thorough check over and the minor mods needed to complete the UK registration process. In addition the car needed a new set of tyres and the LMAs changing. The Cam belt and Water pump had been changed in 2015 at a Honda dealer in Japan.

The car has covered less than 50k miles and the condition is better than that mileage would suggest, these photos do not lie. It is car 447 of the 483 NA1 Type Rs produced. I am very pleased with the car and grateful to Graham and his team at Plans for dealing with the UK registration process, MOT and some essential maintenance.

So if anyone is near Suffolk/Norfolk and would like to meet up and see the car let me know.



http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2012_zpskm4dtrzc.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2012_zpskm4dtrzc.jpg.html)



http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2027_zpsdiebmjsq.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2027_zpsdiebmjsq.jpg.html)


http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2026_zpsxlrcrlka.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSXR/type%20r%20-%201%2026_zpsxlrcrlka.jpg.html)

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSXR/Type%20R%20-%201%2081_zpsyxjllkhd.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSXR/Type%20R%20-%201%2081_zpsyxjllkhd.jpg.html)

[unclebob]

gorgeous. what was the final cost to get it to your drive way?

[Shawnsx5]

gorgeous. what was the final cost to get it to your drive way?


Sorry but I have decided not disclose the cost to me. If you are interested in sourcing a type R Graham at Plans can help I am sure. He also imported the yellow NA1 Type R last year that you may have seen on his website, and it sold very quickly.

What I can say is when I was in Japan there were only 3 NA1 Rs to see and 2 NA2 Rs, so sourcing a car is not easy even if you go to Japan. The most expensive of course are the NA2s which were in the range £230k to £330k, once all imports costs had been paid. Of these 5 there were 4 I would have been very happy to own but 3 were out of my price range the 5th was one of the NA1 cars which the owner claimed was genuine an un-abused but when I saw it there was evidence of a roll cage, full re-spray, seats recovered and some panel misalignment, none of which was apparent on the photos I had been sent.

Here is an example of a low mileage red NA2 type R car advertised at present:

9800 km
12/2004
Gasoline
NA2-20000**
M/T


http://jdm-expo.com/10506-cart_default/type-r-sale.jpg


Price(USD): US$315,000 so this is £219k plus shipping and handling say £3k, plus 10% import duty, plus 20% vat plus UK side, handling, mods, MOT and registration say £2k (excludes any maintenance or UK side dealer margin) = £296k.

[Plans Performance]

Here is ShawNSX5 collecting the car:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCjgZ7eCMM0

[nobby]

lovely car and all the very best with it
hope to see it and some point

[NZNick]

^^ I always engage the half-mast height feature to avoid looking like a bumper car.

Lovely car ShawNSX5.

[Shawnsx5]

The half mast feature is a new one to me of course as it was it not available on UK cars. I will try and remember next time I being photographed.

I loved the S Types and S Type Zeros we saw at the Fiesta. I don't think there are any in the UK but hope I am wrong.

[Shawnsx5]

^^ I always engage the half-mast height feature to avoid looking like a bumper car.

Lovely car ShawNSX5.

Yes I need to remember that JDM only feature next time the cameras are out.

I loved the S Types and S Zeros I saw in Japan. I have a photo of Kurosawas Red NA2 R alongside two facelift type S I will find and post tomorrow.

[lotusolly]

The half mast feature is a new one to me of course as it was it not available on UK cars. I will try and remember next time I being photographed.

I loved the S Types and S Type Zeros we saw at the Fiesta. I don't think there are any in the UK but hope I am wrong.

MarkC has an Imola orange type s in the UK but I believe that is the only one here.

[Shawnsx5]

Here is the photo of Kuroswas Red NA2 R type and two Facelift S types, a rare line up indeed.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSX%20Suzuka%202015/IMG_0074.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSX%20Suzuka%202015/IMG_0074.jpg.html)

[Shawnsx5]

A poor shot of the interior of the IOP Type S.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/NSX%20Suzuka%202015/IMG_0171.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/NSX%20Suzuka%202015/IMG_0171.jpg.html)

[NSXGB]

There are two IOP '97 Type-S cars in the UK.

[NZNick]

Only Mark C's is road-legal, IIRC - the other is a "development mule" whatever that really means.

[L696ULO]

So if anyone is near Suffolk/Norfolk and would like to meet up and see the car let me know.




I'm sure once the weather settles a mini meet will be arranged at a suitable location for the East Anglian contingent (and any others from further afield) to see your new purchase

[mjames75]

Guys, if it helps I have an Na2 R on the way for the cost of what most people say an na1 would cost!

[marknsx]

I'm drowning in envy. Love all those motors.

[NZNick]

Which one, mjames75 - from Route KS?

[Shawnsx5]

I have now had the NSX-R home for just over a week, here is a photo along with my2005 last 12 car. The car is everything I hoped it would be but not beinga motoring journalist I cannot do justice to describing how it performs, so Iwill not try.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr87/neileshaw/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/A4B9FAB3-EA5B-4C52-A6B4-CD3A349D959A_zpstqjdnrla.jpg (http://s472.photobucket.com/user/neileshaw/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-02/A4B9FAB3-EA5B-4C52-A6B4-CD3A349D959A_zpstqjdnrla.jpg.html)


Just about the time I was picking up the car a NA2 R became available and with Plans help I have decided to purchase this car, so this means this NA1 R willhave to go to a new home, also with the assistance of Graham at Plans. I canassure you if it was not being replaced in the garage by a NA2 R I would not beselling the car ever. So if you have always dreamed on owning a NA1 NSX-R hereis your chance to buy one ready to drive in the UK in the classic white/black,but be quick I doubt it will be available very long. Please direct anyenquiries to Graham at Plans on 01483 89 8888.

TheNA2 R is due to arrive in the UK early April and I will post photos when I havethe car. It is a 2004 White car with under 30k miles.

[Pride]

You are truly an NSX enthusiast with not only money but a lot of good taste, good on you.:)

Just curious though as to why you decided to change from the non power steered, "basic" electronic controlled original beauty?:rolleyes:

[Shawnsx5]

Well this seems an odd question to me as in my mind the NA2 R is the ultimate NSX. (I am ignoring the 2017 car).


You are truly an NSX enthusiast with not only money but a lot of good taste, good on you.:)

Just curious though as to why you decided to change from the non power steered, "basic" electronic controlled original beauty?:rolleyes:

[Procar Specials]

Nice collection.......if you plan a trip to germany......please contact me.

[Pride]

Well this seems an odd question to me as in my mind the NA2 R is the ultimate NSX. (I am ignoring the 2017 car).

Why odd???:rolleyes:
I was just curious to know your reasons that's all. Obviously you have reasons be it financial or technical and admittedly the later car would be technically improved but the origanol imho would have a more basic raw edge to it and for that reason alone I think I would prefer the earlier one and having driven it I still can't get over its light, direct non electronic/mechanical assistance impression it left me with.

[Shawnsx5]

I hope my choice of phrase did not offend, it is just as I said for me the NA2 R is the ultimate so faced with the opportunity it was a no brainer to choose the NA2 over the NA1. You are correct one of the many great things about the NA1 R is the way the steering feels, helped by the Mono wheel and so much better than the base 1991 car I had about 11 years ago.


Why odd???:rolleyes:
I was just curious to know your reasons that's all. Obviously you have reasons be it financial or technical and admittedly the later car would be technically improved but the origanol imho would have a more basic raw edge to it and for that reason alone I think I would prefer the earlier one and having driven it I still can't get over its light, direct non electronic/mechanical assistance impression it left me with.

[NoelWatson]

Why odd???:rolleyes:
I was just curious to know your reasons that's all. Obviously you have reasons be it financial or technical and admittedly the later car would be technically improved but the origanol imho would have a more basic raw edge to it and for that reason alone I think I would prefer the earlier one and having driven it I still can't get over its light, direct non electronic/mechanical assistance impression it left me with.

I thought the NA2 type R also had unassisted steering?

[Pride]

I thought the NA2 type R also had unassisted steering?
I'll stand corrected but I'm almost certain NA2 type R does have pas.

[NSXGB]

No PAS in 02 NSX-R.

[NZNick]

In Japan, 02+ Auto & Type T had PAS, NA2 Coupe & Type S had the option of PAS, Type R no option of PAS.

[marknsx]

If thats the case Im not buying one!!

[unclebob]

yes i agree, im too old to be heaving a non assisted steering wheel about when i park! :( now if i was twenty years younger.................make that thirty!

[AR]

Great looking car, is that the distress flare in the passenger footwell?

If so you might want to check the expiration date as they can behave unpredictably if expired.

[Nick Graves]

Congrats, Shawn.

What can I say? Put 5,000 miles on the NA1R before you get the NA2R so you can compare with some authority!

[havoc]

I think for UK roads I'd be going for the NA1-R. I know the NA2-R is probably the better car, but it's got even stiffer suspension and I still prefer pop-ups to facelift lights, dynamics notwithstanding. Just personal preference though...the NA2-R will always be the halo-car.

...just promise us you'll bring one or the other to Japfest / Silverstone Classic / ...???

[nobby]

well there is certainly not many can claim to have owned both variants
my hat off to you sir for making the decision ... 2 lovely cars indeed.

non pas is the only way to experience the NSX properly anyway!!! :)

i look forward to seeing your pics of the na2

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Interesting observation.
When I test driven NA1 Type-R and NA2 NSX-R for a short period on UK road, I felt quite the other way round.
I also drove NA1 Type-R for a few months and about a few weeks with both NA1 and NA2 Type-R/NSX-R back to back on the same road/course while in Japan and again, the same impression - NA1 Type-R was much more peaky than the NA2 one from the point of ride quality.

I think the definition of ride quality and the meaning of harshness/stiffness could be different from one person to the other and it’s probably something heavily depends on one's driving style and how you express your feedback but if you just look at the spring rate, you may get the idea that the NA2 NSX-R would present harsh ride quality compared to the NA1 Type-R.

But if you drive both cars back to back, it's actually quite the opposite, well at least, that was the case for me.
Would be interesting to hear the feedback from Shawnsx5.

There are so many factors such as the damper, anti-roll bar, tyre, wheel, bush, etc that will change the so called 'ride quality' and on top of these, you need to consider the roll stiffness distribution.
Compared to NA1 Type-R, Honda 'softened' (not the physical hard/soft feeling, it's the roll stiffness balance) the front side on the NA2 NSX-R to increase the cornering grip.
This was probably the main reason for how I felt when compared the two.

In Japan, even on the smooth road surface on the motorway or at a certain circuit, my hair/helmet was frequently bounced into the ceiling when driving the NA1 Type-R.
Same test sessions but with NA2 NSX-R, I felt much more comfortable mainly because of the increased chassis stiffness and the chassis setup change.


By the way, some of the NA1 & NA2 Type-R/NSX-R owners including the ones tracking regularly installed the EPS using the aftermarket adaptor cables so again, interesting to see the difference in one's view.



Wishing you a wonderful time with your NSX-R, Shawnsx5…..
In my view, I'll never see something like this project again in my life with the support of all manufacturing companies that put the skill and achievement over the cost.


Kaz

[gumball]

I haven't been here in a while. Wonderful to see another of these cars on this little island, the more chance of a peak for us.
I am sure you are enjoying her, surely the pinnacle of the NSX.

[Kye_P]

Thats 3 white Type Rs in the UK now (is there more?), mine which arrived in October last year, one down at Torque GT in Devon (who imported mine) and this beauty. would be great to meet up at some point!