91 or 95

[darkblueturbo]

Some of you may have seen my WANTED post...

I've had a PM from someone here selling one and my wonderful girlfriend has found one having scoured Google for hours on end...

One's a low mileage 91 and the other's a high(er) mileage 95, so they're about the same price...

I've done a lot of reading on websites and magazine back issue's... Performance Car/Evo swear blind that the early models were the better drivers car, yet Autocar rate the 94/95 model as the better car.

I prefer the look of the wheels of the later car, but I'm more keen on the more driver focused car, which would point to the 91.
I haven't had the chance to go out in a later model yet but, naturally, I'll be taking a look at both of these cars - hopefully over the weekend, if the honours permit.

I just wanted to know people's thoughts on here about the two different models. Which would you go for, at the same price?

Thanks
Dan

[simonprelude]

If the 91 has power steering then go for the 95.
However if you are looking for the purists car without power steering and the 91 matches that then go for it.

Personally I prefer 6 gears and the 3.2 which is why I have a 97.

Don't naturally think a low mileage car will be a better car, these engines should last, however are better if they are actually used.

[Minch]

Well I've got the best of both worlds. Mine has the later alloys but is a '92 model, so no power assisted steering. In my opinion any car with PAS takes away feedback from the road, hence not quite the drivers car you may be looking for.

[DamianW]

The power steering on the later models is one of those electric jobs, but its assistance tapers with speed. At higher speeds there's no assistance and the feedback is great I think, I've no complaints. I just wish it was a quicker rack - its what, 3.2 turns lock to lock? I know I always whinge about this but its ridiculous on a sports car. Knocking half a turn off would make such a difference.

[gsuds]

Agree with Minch above, having driven both I would personally prefer non-PAS (mine is a '93 with the later wheels). Rack is not really that quick on either version, EVO picked this up, but I think "feel" is better on earlier car.

Overall though, it's unlikely to impinge that much on the ownership experience - take the car that's been best looked after (again, not necessarily the lowest-mileage).

HTH

Graham

[kevinpsw]

I drove 3 early pre-power steering cars before buying any early 97 (last of 5 speeds). The only time I noticed the difference of the power steering was at very slow speed when, arguably, it is appreciated.

I consider the later wheels to be more attractive than the early types although you can pick up second hand sets from time to time as people go after market. Later wheels have to be worth £1000.

If the history and condition of each car is about the same then the later car has to be worth a few thousand more (there used to be a Parkers guide for older cars that included NSXs). If one car is lower mileage, then check to see that the clutch and cam belt don't need doing soon as these together will be £2000+. I believe 50-60k is probably the average clutch life although they can need doing earlier.

One further advantage of a later car is that its aircon refridgerant will probably be of the newer eco-friendly type. An early car with a dodgy air con, so I was told by a Honda NSX specialist garage (in Worthing), will need to be converted if it ever needs regassing.

[darkblueturbo]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys...I must admit my original preference was for an early 91-93 model, from everything I'd read. (and my budget, otherwise I'd want a 6-speed 3.2 if I could afford it)
But those later wheels are damn fine (I'd already thought about changing to them anyway if I bought an earlier car). The 95 has the throttle-by-wire and new diff too, as it's a late 95.

The early car has a new clutch and is currently having the aircon regassed.
Having spoken to both owners both cars appear to have been well looked after and the pictures show them both to be in fantastic condition.
They also both have FSH and all documentation and bills since new, which is always nice...

So I guess it will come down to which one I prefer (or which one doesn't get sold to someone else, which would obviously make my mind up). I'll just have to go see them, won't I.

I'm going to see the 95 tomorrow morning and hopefully I'll hear back on the 91 soon so I can check that out tomorrow or Sunday (gotta wait till it's back from being regassed, and wait to hear if the guy who looked at it first doesn't buy it).

Hopefully I'll be buying one of these over the weekend...

[jaytip]

I drove 3 early pre-power steering cars before buying any early 97 (last of 5 speeds). The only time I noticed the difference of the power steering was at very slow speed when, arguably, it is appreciated.

I consider the later wheels to be more attractive than the early types although you can pick up second hand sets from time to time as people go after market. Later wheels have to be worth £1000.

If the history and condition of each car is about the same then the later car has to be worth a few thousand more (there used to be a Parkers guide for older cars that included NSXs). If one car is lower mileage, then check to see that the clutch and cam belt don't need doing soon as these together will be £2000+. I believe 50-60k is probably the average clutch life although they can need doing earlier.

One further advantage of a later car is that its aircon refridgerant will probably be of the newer eco-friendly type. An early car with a dodgy air con, so I was told by a Honda NSX specialist garage (in Worthing), will need to be converted if it ever needs regassing.
I have to agree with Kevin regarding the steering.I had a 92(non pas) and now i have a 96.I think that you would have to be a keen driver and take the car on track to notice significant difference between them IMHO.
I think you would be lucky to see 50-60K on a clutch though Kev.Thats asking a lot of any car,let alone the NSX.
I was also told by the chap that re-gassed the air con in my audi that if you put the new gas in the old system(after completely emptying the system)then you should have no problems with the O-rings and seals for many years.

[kowalski]

Ime not a track specialist but I definitely prefer the non PAS version, IMO you definitely notice the improvement in steering response but it all comes down to your own preference. Test drive both and see which you prefer.

As for the Air con on early ones, I had mine converted and regassed for £70. The conversion is only 2 small valves on the fill points and new gas.

leigh

[darkblueturbo]

I've just got back from the 95 (the 91 has been sold) and having already driven a 91 I must say I prefered the PAS.

So I've agreed on a price... The seller's just got to change the number plate over, as it has his personal one at the moment.
Anyone know how long it takes for the DVLA to change the reg?

[amo]

I've just got back from the 95 (the 91 has been sold) and having already driven a 91 I must say I prefered the PAS.

So I've agreed on a price... The seller's just got to change the number plate over, as it has his personal one at the moment.
Anyone know how long it takes for the DVLA to change the reg?


hi mate got mine done with in 3 days full change over
but u get ur new plate the same day
thx amo

[DAVEMAT]

Same here, 3 days.
Bye the way, congratulations.

Dave

[darkblueturbo]

Thanks guys.

And thank you for your congratulations... It's been quite hard getting to sleep, waiting for it...
But if it's only 3 days, should have it by the weekend then, I hope.

Never thought I'd hate to see a Bank Holiday but it puts everything back a day. LOL!

I'll post a new thread with lots of excitment when I have her...

[DAVEMAT]

Believe me 3 days is easy, I had to wait 9 weeks from buying mine, to collecting it, but well worth the wait

[NSX 2000]

I' don't know about three days, I bought a car with a private plate and we had to wait about four weeks! The DVLA have made a lot of changes in the last six months, my dad Part ex'd his car with a dealer only last month and still had to wait about two weeks before he could put his private plate on the new car!

Sorry about the gloom, but good luck with the purchase.

[AR]

Congratulations,

Either car in good condition would have been great.

I used to prefer PAS, but I must admiit that I love the feeling of the npon PAS steering on the NSX-R.

So what colour?

Cheers

AR

[darkblueturbo]

It's a silver one... I would have fancied red, but the only red one's I found available were auto's or left hand drive.
I had said to myself I'd take any colour, as long as the car was good... This one was imaculate and it drove like a dream (well, like an NSX really).

I've always had PAS (Impreza) so would have taken some used to non-PAS steering anyway, although I'm sure I would have.
It still feels great though and I'm absolutely thrilled....
I've found it hard getting to sleep over the last couple of nights, so hopefully it will be ready by, or, for this weekend for me to pick up.

I have a few pics, but it would be rude to post them as they're the owner's own ones. I'll take some myself when I pick her up and post them...

[simonprelude]

I am sure Tom wouldn't mind, after all they were on pistonheads on his for sale advert.

Congratulations anyway.


I have a few pics, but it would be rude to post them as they're the owner's own ones. I'll take some myself when I pick her up and post them...

[jaytip]

i went to my local DVLA office today to transfer my plate and was in formed that at the moment it is taking 7 days.

P.S i don't know if it is taking 7 days just at that office or nationwide???

[rkanaga]

Congratulations. It looks like a great car! I'm hopefully selling my Caterham 7 this weekend, and if it goes through then I may be following you in the hunt. But judging by the scarcity of good cars I'm prepared for a wait!

enjoy!

Robin