Some questions, Be gentle I am new.

[donglethegreat]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I don’t own my dream car just yet, but I am working on it along with the future wife to let me! lol :)

I have some questions for all you owners and experts, if you can find the time to give me some pointers.

The model I am after is a 1997 3.2. I decided that this would be a great car in relation to condition and refinements made by Honda, plus the bigger engine and 6 gears.

At the moment I am trying to decide on importing a JDM vehicle or searching for a U.K model. (leaning towards JDM at moment)
What views to you have in regards to JDM versus U.K in relation to ownership pit falls?

My existing insurance company will insure me for a JDM 1997 at £1200 per year only 3rd party with theft excess at 2.5% of the vehicle value.

Online comparison sites are coming up with £1600 and with 400+ pounds excess.
Full U.K licence no claims ever and one speeding camera about 5 years ago.

Strangely I can own a Cayman S for £1100 according to confused.com and a 360 Modena for £1084 per year fully comp. Confused??????

Am I correct in thinking the NSX is group 20R insurance?
What are sub 30 years of age owners managing to get good insurance cover for?

Apart from that I am looking forward to becoming an owner as soon as possible!

So any advice regarding this will be great!

Thanks

[simonprelude]

Personally I would look at getting an Insurance quote on a UK car for a start.

From watching Japanese prices (assuming you would be looking at a fresh import) there still doesn't seem enough in it on a 3.2 manual to make it financially viable.
You may well have more choice, however history could prove to be non existant and personally I wouldn't be spending £25k+ on a car that I haven't seen.

Unless you are looking at a type S / R then I can't see the reason for looking at an import (well unless the car has been modified and that's what you want ??)

Sub 30 I was still insuring the car for around £700 with a DR10 on my licence.

Depending on your budget there are 2 3.2s for sale on here, a very nice Blue one and a Silver one with an interesting history courtesy of Jaguar.

Importing would probably need to be a 1997 or early 1998 due to SVA against MOT costs and the 10 year rule.

[TheQuietOne]

Sub 30 I was still insuring the car for around £700 with a DR10 on my licence.

Prices have gone up since 1998 though Simon....:D

[donglethegreat]

Hi thanks for the reply!


I emailed my insurance company regarding U.K insurance, will call them later. confused.com returns same quote for JDM and U.K vehicles or there about for me.

I understand the concern on spending money on a vehicle that’s not had a personal inspection and this is one of my concerns. Photo correspondence still lays a great deal of trust from consumer to importer. I was under the impression that acquiring a lower mileage vehicle is more common in Japan but full service history is also a concern as to the authenticity of miles that I share. So the only thing that was making me lean towards JDM was the word of lower mileage and possible better prices along with condition.

Can I ask what insurance company was offering you that deal?

I will be after a clean car and not the S or R variant, no modifications as if there is to be any modifications I wish to have them performed under my ownership at specialist and trusted garages.


I think I need to do a lot more research into the purchasing, I am starting to realise it’s a patient persons game when acquiring a good NSX Maybe I will look over the forum for the vehicles you mention.

I will do some more reading and digging around. Now I have joined the forum I hope to get a better knowledge before I jump into a purchase. Got to get out of this FN2 I own.

Thanks for your reply Simon

[BabyG]

Hi there and welcome

I'm 28 and paying about £1200 fully comp in the middle of London, 6 points (2 SP30s) and long no claims. That's through privilege, although I'm up for renewal and we'll see what I can sort. Can't recall the excess but nothing extortionate. My car's a bit older so prob worth a bit less than a 3.2, but may be a useful guide.

It's worth taking the time to figure out what you want, and waiting for the right one to come up. Then move quickly when someone on here sells one that fits the bill :)

Rich

[simonprelude]

I have just renewed with Admiral for around £350 for a 6000 mile policy.

The thing I have seen with the NSX in Japan is that they don't want to see good examples leave the shores. However with the equivalent of an MOT over there even a scratch is a possible failure which leads to cars being repaired and then sold abroad.

It might be useful to say where you live and your potential budget :)

[Kevin]

If you only insure the car 3rd party, to fit into a budget you are going to have a mahoosive bill should you need to repair anything.

When I was 27 I was paying £600. I guess it may depend a lot on where you live and how the car is parked. My car is older, but relative to the points in time the same as you buying a 1998 car now (ie I got a 1992 car in 1999).

Liverpool Victoria did my insurance then. Now being a (well over) 10 year old car, AON Classic does it, and it's reduced to £400.

[donglethegreat]

Baby G, you are the same age as me and the £1200ish is similer to what I was quoted, was your insurance full comp?
Not sure if my points are due off my licence but I don’t think 3 make much difference.
Gives me a better idea any way.
Thanks.

Simon, £350!!!! How long you been driving. ;)

Ok I live in (outside of) a small town with lots of traffic lights called Stafford.

After my wedding, sale of my existing FN2 and golf Gti along with some other things I might be able to stretch to a max of 30k. However 25/7k is more preferable.

At the moment things are a wip and planning for ownership in the future.
I do however plan to keep it once purchased until they ban petrol!

The vehicle like I said would preferably be a 1997 3.2 and without the chop top.

In respects to external paint, that’s not a problem for me I can get that rectified at material cost to a very high standard. So if they fail JDM MOT on paint alone I will have one lol.
Interior trim, panel & mechanical quality must be in good condition service history is a must and no modifications!

If I imported, it would be a fresh import, not one that has already been in the country. Don’t want confusion of vehicle manufacture dates and registration dates and all that nonsense. However I also don’t want to pay over the top for the vehicle as I presume the JDM residuals are also les favourable, but if the car is exceptionally nice I don’t mind.

Any one on the forum imported direct them selves with good reports / bad ones on there experience or have recommendations for import specialists?

Is there a FAQ on import / UK nsx differences in respect to features and parts availability?

That’s one other thing that worries me regarding NSX from Japan.
Will parts be more expensive to source as they are JDM or are the U.K parts compatible to an extent?

The blue NSX for sale is lovely, I noticed it on Pistonheads and obviously now in this forum. Unfortunately right now is not a time for me to buy, or I might make the 3 hour trip to get it. Lol my preferred colour is black, red and yellow, but that blue is nice.

Thanks guys.

[donglethegreat]

Kevin, my existing insurance company will not insure me full comp on this vehicle until I am 30! not good is it. So i will not be able to use them unless i get them in a head lock!
Is the vehicle a group 20R?

I live in a small private estate outside the town Stafford and park in garage or carport. I fined it insane that online price comparisons will let me own a 360 modena for less and full comp. I think as I have learned in the past I am best calling around! Never considered the classic route……guess it still looks to modern to be a classic, but somthing for me to look into.

[Papalazarou]

When I was 27 I was paying £600.


Was that when you had the Starion?


Cheers,


James.

[Senninha]

After my wedding, sale of my existing FN2 and golf Gti along with some other things I might be able to stretch to a max of 30k. However 25/7k is more preferable.

At the moment things are a wip and planning for ownership in the future.
I do however plan to keep it once purchased until they ban petrol!

The vehicle like I said would preferably be a 1997 3.2 and without the chop top.
Welcome to the forum but it looks like you're going to be busy for a while before you get around to NSX ownership ;)

And you've made things harder for yourself by dismissing one of the best features of the NSX for UK ownership ............:rolleyes:

Happy hunting

[TheQuietOne]

And you've made things harder for yourself by dismissing one of the best features of the NSX for UK ownership ............:rolleyes:

Paul, not sure what you are talking about - where did he say he didn't want an auto?! :P

[Senninha]

Thats quick for you ... must of been at the Red Bull again :laugh:

[donglethegreat]

Thanks for the welcome.

Will be a little busy but its all in hand…… wine chocolate and gifts for bribing the wife to be, Golf is having some tidying up on now and getting ready for sale, FN2….well got to think about that one. I don’t know why I purchased the FN2, it is a nice car, a bit mad looking and drives well not sure why I didn’t go for the S2k. I think I thought I needed more seats??? Now I wish I had 2.

When she sees an NSX in the flesh I am sure she will like posing in it as I drive her around lol.

Thing is if I was in the market for say a Porsche, I could easily source one, I have a friend that is a bespoke car tuner / sales for Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and so on. But for me those cars are becoming plentiful on the roads. Well the Porsche at least.

I see porches everyday, I see at least 3 Murcielagos around where I live and an Lp640, and the odd Ferrari 360 and my favourite F car the 355. ahhhhhhh dreamcast f355 challenge………..

However I have only seen 1 NSX on the roads! And that was a one of.

The only other NSX I know of is owned by somebody my father loosely knows.
I believe he owns a yellow face lift model. When delivering his Audi back after a repair job at the family owned body shop I caught a glimpse of it hidden away at the far corner of his big drive.

It looked just stunning, I wasn’t sure what it was to begin with I knew it was an exotic, and then it clicked.
Since then I wanted one. The style the performance, well just the whole package is so dam appealing.

(Just learned that he has drove it into a ditch and damaged it…… so it might come in for repair as he likes us repairing all his stuff…… )

I have been researching a bit on the vehicle the obvious changes over the years and so on but now I just need to establish more information on the general prices in relation to condition miles and age. I haven’t looked at the black book yet but I am not sure how accurate that will be for such a vehicle. Getting a better idea of the market the more I look, just not to many come up for sale!

And as I mentioned I am also looking into the option of freshly importing a model and disadvantages / advantages of such a move over U.k. specified vehicle.


Sorry to sound confusing I do not mind if the NSX is U.K. or JDM, just trying to settle in my mind the best options and any downfalls of a JDM model if a good one appears.

U.K. ownership is not out of the question.

Auto no thanks…………. I like to select the gears my self….. It has crossed my mind to get an auto and do a manual conversion but I am not sure on the costs involved in that…………………….hummmmmmmmmmm auto models go for less don’t they????

I shall have an NSX!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure when but I will get one……..

[donnac]

Hi and welcome, we are also very new to the site and to NSX's. We only picked ours up on Friday but are loving it:cool:

We also had the same thoughts as you with regards to importing a fresh model for ourselves but when we begain enquiring into this its actually a lot cheaper to buy a UK car, at least this way YOU get to look the car over, drive it and have the piece of mind its everything you want.

Also i dont think 3rd Party is a good idea for a car like this:eek:, try A Plan, that is who we are with and it cost £1050 for fully comp this year but thats with 6 points and a total loss claim last month.

Its a 1996 NA1 model in Yellow we have but having seen the pics on here and Pistonheads we fell in love with it, the seller was a big influence in us buying this one too as he was very open and honest about the cars history and a genuine enthusiast. Just the type of seller you love to buy a car from.

When the time comes and you are ready to buy check the cars on here for sale first and go and see them, the members on here seem a good bunch.

Also we were told the same with regards to importing a car, the Japanese idolise the NSX so its only usually bodykit'd ones or not so good examples that make it over as most good ones are snapped up at the docks.

You may also see some at a dealer so you could trade the FN2 in against it? how are the values of them holding up? i test drove one when i sold my EP3 but it was just too different for me:laugh:

Good luck in whatever you decide but id certianly not write off UK models, many will be a pampered 2nd car that will be garaged and not used in bad weather and it shows in the condition, i know ours does:cool:

[donglethegreat]

Hi,
Glad you are getting on with the vehicle you acquired on Friday!

That’s some encouraging advice, and I guess now I am leaning towards taking the time to purchase a U.K example. And as you said I think I will look on this forum 1st for sales offers.

My insurance told me that there underwriters only insure people my age on a group 20R vehicle at 3rd party, regardless if its import or U.K. I told them that unfortunately when I acquire one I will have to take my business elsewhere as I feel like I am being penalised and assessed as a risk due to my age. lol

So they might get back to me with a deal as apposed to losing business, but then they might not. I will get the deal and quote I want when I get more time to hit the phone lines.

Will have to try stealers but they will most likely be stamping some good mark up, however a trade in is something to consider.

Ep3, nice car a bit more raw.
I think after J Clarkson’s comments on the car the residuals are probably dropping… lol The git, read the great reviews in top gear mag and other mags got the car and now even though it is good I wished I went for something else.

Some issues with the FN2 also. 3rd gear is a problem engages with a double notch feel and at times will jump out after raising clutch as it’s not engaged. Sometimes the vehicle has intermittent starting, and I find the drive by wire throttle can give a un smooth response at times. Also when the revs are dropping as it goes to different power bands, say 4K rpm to 3Krpm the vehicle loses that speed in a juddering way, not smooth. They could have made it just that little more refined in relation to rear suspension and ride. Sporty doesn’t just mean make it stiff and give it a space hopper for the rear. If they added a bit more power an LSD! just sorted them bits out it would be just that bit better, and more worthy of the R badge.

I hear everyone on the U.K. cars, pampered and loved, that’s the car I want. I clean and wax my dam cars every week! Lol

Thanks

[gsuds]

.hummmmmmmmmmm manul models go for less don’t they????



No, autos tend to be less fancied on the NSX & go for less. If I was more city-bound I'd consider one...but then I'm 40....:rolleyes:

Try AON for insurance as Kevin suggests. They provide a lot of car club policies (e.g. MX5OC), and have just bought up a couple of the big-name classic insurers. You have to be >25yrs though. Please don't consider TPO cover - if you bend it, remember that all-ally construction!!!

Cheers,

Graham

[AR]

Please don't consider TPO cover - if you bend it, remember that all-ally construction!!!

Cheers,

Graham

Sound advice mate.

[donglethegreat]

I thought I posed autos go for les!!! Will edit that one lol.
I will never consider TPO I am 28, and yep Alloy repairing is a little specialised. Full party only on NSX for me.
AON seems to be popping up a lot so I will call them.

Thanks

[Lankstarr]

I'm 27 and paying £550 on my 3.2.

Insurance quotes vary each month so each co needs to be tried each time.

I'm currently with RAC and received £75 cashback for doing an online quote through Quidco.co.uk (and another £75 for my wife's policiy!). It's worth looking on there to see what cashback deasl can be had (they DO work!).

There are a few threads on here telling how to get a better deal on insurance... I work in insurance and went to lengths in one post.

Main points are shop around, get quotes with and without your other half (or your mum if your other half has a poor record) and play around with the options when doing an online quote - With RAC you get free roadside cover and having sat nav reduces your quote! FYI my wife is 26 and reduced my quote by £150.

Luke

[Senninha]

FYI my wife is 26 and reduced my quote by £150. Luke
Well, we've seen you drive so thats not surprising ... :D

I have to say that I'm struggling to align the ownership of a satnav system with lower insurance premiums?? Can you enlighten please?

regards, Paul

[simonprelude]

I think statistics show that when you don't know where you are going you focus more attention on directions rather than other road users, hence knowing where you are going all the time 'helps' your driving.



I have to say that I'm struggling to align the ownership of a satnav system with lower insurance premiums?? Can you enlighten please?

[Senninha]

And I'll wager a bet that the survey for the stats was mainly male drivers who are generally c**p at stopping to ask directions!

It really is the easiest thing to do as follows;
- arrive at edge of town of your destination
- pull into petrol station (as they usually have maps at the till) OR
- stop at convenient newsagent (They know most places due to the paper-rounds)
- obtain clear local directions
- arrive safely at destination

Does it differentiate between OEM or aftermarket? I ask as most of the OEM are very quick and accurate in my experience whereas the portable things often have some 'slack' in the accuracy. This can lead to you being directed past your turning because the system has a delay. ......

regards, Paul




I think statistics show that when you don't know where you are going you focus more attention on directions rather than other road users, hence knowing where you are going all the time 'helps' your driving.

[TheSebringOne]

Welcome and good luck in your search and getting a decent insurance quote! Best bet is to get insurance on a 10 year old as premiums drops and 97s with 3.2 are in that age bracket just! Also need to consider the colour you want, but you may need to compromise. Red is a great colour with the best availability for this rare car with about 50-60% of all cars sold, yellow is rare, but black even rarer! I know you are aching to get your hands on this great car, but lesson that most of us learnt, is be patient, spend as much as you can and eventually ownership is priceless. Happy hunting. :)

[donglethegreat]

Thanks for all for the advice and help. I will be looking out for the right car and best things come to those that wait. As long as waiting is not too many years!
Rest assured I will be gloating on hear as soon as I locate one! Really like the black didn’t know it was a rare colour.
My colour preference in order is Black, Blue, Red yellow. Dam.....

[markdas]

Is there an opinion that an Imported *** car is going to be in a damn sight better condition underneath (salty roads, rain, sleet etc) than a UK car. I have found this with the Mitsi GTO world, my 1991 cars look almost new underneath, mine has been in the country for about 3-4 years now.....how are the UK sold NSX's holding up, especially the ones that are not in a garage all the time?

[Senninha]

....how are the UK sold NSX's holding up..........
Pretty well Thanx .......

[markdas]

In general I mean......its a fact guys that the UK weather is pretty poor....it would not be surprising if a UK car is suffering more than a *** car thats only been here for a year.
I had a Honda back in the late 80's and it was lovely but not rustproofed well enough.....is the NSX better at resisting this?
Many thanks
Mark

[markdas]

Why the hell can't I type the word *** on here (short for Japanese)???

[Papalazarou]

Why the hell can't I type the word *** on here (short for Japanese)???

Kevin hates sloppy English.


Cheers,


James.

[TheSebringOne]

The NSX was the first production Alu car in the world, thats includes the body, chassis, suspension parts and even the seat runners. Think the only bits not alu are some bolts. clips and the bar inside the dash board!? Have you ever seen a badly corroded NSX, no I think is the answer, so I would'nt worry about corrosion. Also most cars are used as second/third car anyway and sometimes driven very little or not at all during the Winter months. HTH :)

[TheSebringOne]

Paul, too much tooth brushed cleaning! :laugh:

[markdas]

Thank you for clarifying.....I had over looked the all aluminium construction.....I am currently trying to balance out the decission of an NSX against a DB7.....both are lovely cars for different reasons......any immediate thoughts - probably why I shouldn't go for an NSX (I know that is a strange question on a forum).

[jaytip]

Thank you for clarifying.....I had over looked the all aluminium construction.....I am currently trying to balance out the decission of an NSX against a DB7.....both are lovely cars for different reasons......any immediate thoughts - probably why I shouldn't go for an NSX (I know that is a strange question on a forum).
reliability?

[Midnight Blue]

Why the hell can't I type the word *** on here (short for Japanese)???

There was a discussion on another Honda forum, (RC30/RC45) about the abreviated term for the Japanese people and it was strongly asserted that the Japanese take it as derogatory.

Cheers,

Andy

[PeteM]

I have always loved the look of the DB7 but having sat in one it put me off the idea of ever wanting to own one just from the driving position alone.
Due to the wide transmission tunnel your feet end up to the right of the steering wheel centerline so your body is sat twisted, not a problem that occurs in the Nsx.

Sorry Can't think of a single reason not to own a Nsx ! :)

[markdas]

Yes, the niggles I have regarding the NSX v DB7 are around reliability, although the owners I have spoken too say that the straight 6 set up is bomb proof (except the early ones that had some cylinder lining issue). There is some suspension problems especially at the rear with early wear on some bushes. The DB7 certainly has the looks and more thoroughbred lines but of course the NSX is also drop dead gorgeous too. I dare say the value of the NSX should hold up better than a DB7 too in say 5 years time?
I have to say that the word that cannot be mentioned but is short for Japan(ese) is pretty well accepted anywhere else....there are several car shows, magazines and events that use this....surely the context in which we use it is important (or is that sounding like my wife when she tells me....its not what you said, its the way you said it)!
Anyway, thanks so far for the views and opinions on the NSX....I ahve a few more things to ask about soon!
Mark

[simonprelude]

The DB7 has an aggressive look, however when you peel that away you are unfortunately no longer left with an AM :(

Trust me, my family know quite a lot about the DB heritage and anything post DB6 is certainly no longer worthy. They are nice in their own right, but certainly not something that the heritage fans would ever acknowledge.

As for J A P, I think it is as bad as some of the abbreviations for Chinese and taken as such. It has connotations with WWII as well as others which is a time that the Japanese would certainly rather move on from. I agree with Kevin's decision to not allow it on this forum. After all for the majority of the time we are not dealing with illiterate school leavers with their first car, how hard is it to type "anese".


Yes, the niggles I have regarding the NSX v DB7 are around reliability, although the owners I have spoken too say that the straight 6 set up is bomb proof (except the early ones that had some cylinder lining issue). There is some suspension problems especially at the rear with early wear on some bushes. The DB7 certainly has the looks and more thoroughbred lines but of course the NSX is also drop dead gorgeous too. I dare say the value of the NSX should hold up better than a DB7 too in say 5 years time?
I have to say that the word that cannot be mentioned but is short for Japan(ese) is pretty well accepted anywhere else....there are several car shows, magazines and events that use this....surely the context in which we use it is important (or is that sounding like my wife when she tells me....its not what you said, its the way you said it)!
Anyway, thanks so far for the views and opinions on the NSX....I ahve a few more things to ask about soon!
Mark

[Silver Surfer]

:yes::thumbsup:

SS


The DB7 has an aggressive look, however when you peel that away you are unfortunately no longer left with an AM :(

Trust me, my family know quite a lot about the DB heritage and anything post DB6 is certainly no longer worthy. They are nice in their own right, but certainly not something that the heritage fans would ever acknowledge.

As for J A P, I think it is as bad as some of the abbreviations for Chinese and taken as such. It has connotations with WWII as well as others which is a time that the Japanese would certainly rather move on from. I agree with Kevin's decision to not allow it on this forum. After all for the majority of the time we are not dealing with illiterate school leavers with their first car, how hard is it to type "anese".

[gsuds]

Understand that the DB7 is essentially a modified XJS under the skin (OK - maybe oversimplistic), but what about the DB9, Simon? Does this come under the same category? Is it just me, or are there too many of these around - beautiful or not - for the AM exclusivity to survive?

G

[Senninha]

As for J A P, I think it is as bad as some of the abbreviations for Chinese and taken as such. It has connotations with WWII as well as others which is a time that the Japanese would certainly rather move on from. I agree with Kevin's decision to not allow it on this forum. After all for the majority of the time we are not dealing with illiterate school leavers with their first car, how hard is it to type "anese".

I too support this view.

Ref the common sighting of DB's on todays roads, Am is almost a victim of its own recent sales success. There was a time when spotting an AM was almost as rare as an NSX. IMO, it was this rarity that helped to make them special. If the money wasn't an issue then I have always fancied owning one, and today that would most likely be the AMV8.

My concern however is that they are not built to the same quality levels in terms of long life. The modern production facility may mean there are beter to drive and more reliable mechanically, but if you get the chance to take a close look at a 2-3 yr old Aston, it really is not standing up to the rigours of our road conditions quite the same way as a 10 yr old NSX does.

Unless things change significantly, the NSX remains the car that I shall continue to enjoy for many more years to come.

regards, Paul

[simonprelude]

I think they are more akin to the DBS V8 etc of the 70's / 80's
I think DB6 and before they are just something different, something more like the NSX.


Understand that the DB7 is essentially a modified XJS under the skin (OK - maybe oversimplistic), but what about the DB9, Simon? Does this come under the same category? Is it just me, or are there too many of these around - beautiful or not - for the AM exclusivity to survive?

G