My first nsx

[Andronikos]

Hi guys

I have not bought an NSX as yet, as I am really trying to get my head around this car, its performance, character and effectively common problems etc.

I have already studied the Porsche 996 and as I am between that and the NSX I want to absorb as much details as possible for Honda's supercar.

Please give some details for the NSX (interested for early ones upto 1995) problems etc and how it can be compared with the 996.

Thanks

Andronikos

[forumadmin]

Well first of all you won't have to worry about the NSX engine blowing up. There is a thread listing common problems in the technical section. It sounds a long list, but they are problems that individuals have had, so not all are classed as 'common'. 90% of the problems are minor, and cand be prevented anyway.

[TheSebringOne]

Generally I think Honda is always going to be more reliable than a Porsche, plus not a single Honda VTEC engine has ever blown up globally and that is apparently a statistical fact! Happy hunting if you go down the NSX route.

How often do you see a Porsche on the road compared to a NSX? They are rare, getting collectable & reliable too.

[Dave J]

I recently sold my NSX and bought a 996 TT which is great! Looking back though i wish i'd kept the NSX as well as it was a great car and reasonable to run. I've started looking for another NSX now so maybe that's a good sign :D.
Dave.

[Papalazarou]

There seemed to have been a lot of issues with the 996 with regard to RMS, ovalised bores on higher mileage cars and intermediate shafts. Apparently (and I'm only quoting from threads I've read on other forums; PH's and porsche club), the hike in production during the late 90's pulled up some QC issues on the early 996's. however, the turbo and GT3 used a different engine.
With regard to the NSX, there are guys on the US forum with 2-300,000 mile cars, still on the original engines, still running fine.
If serviced correctly they're very strong engines and IMO the build quality is up there with the best.


Cheers,


James.

[simonprelude]

Generally I think Honda is always going to be more reliable than a Porsche, plus not a single Honda VTEC engine has ever blown up globally and that is apparently a statistical fact! Happy hunting if you go down the NSX route.

The Honda quote is......... "There has never been a failure of the VTEC system" plenty of Honda VTEC engines have gone bang though.

These engines seem pretty strong but as with all cars especially Honda's keep a close eye on the oil level.

[markc]

Generally I think Honda is always going to be more reliable than a Porsche, plus not a single Honda VTEC engine has ever blown up globally and that is apparently a statistical fact!

Hi Sebring, just to be accurate this statistic is often misquoted, it should read... "not a single Honda VTEC system has failed" i.e. the second cam lobe lock in system. Plenty of VTEC engines have blown up, including NSX ones, but not through design limitations like Porsche's RMS (Rear Main Seal) rather through poor maintenance (no oil) etc.

NSX's are getting old now especially the 3.0ltr cars you're looking at. You can expect some niggly electrical problems with the a/c and stereo as internal components fail but they're easy to fix and we have a well respected contributor to this site who can repair them for you at a fraction of the cost of the new parts the Honda stealer will want to sell you. Clutches and a/c compressors are relatively big ticket items that will fail sooner or later but you're into the same thing (but even more expensive) with an early 996. Most early 996's should have had their issues (RMS, balancer shaft etc) sorted by now but make sure you get one that has or it could cost you a lot of money to put right.

Even an early 996 (3.4Ltr) has a 300hp and a 6spd 'box so will be at least a match for the NSX (3.0Ltr 5spd) in a straightline drag race. Due to the weight distribution the Porsche is a unique drive on bumpy roads, hard front suspension and soft rear makes for a "lively" ride, the NSX will undramatically "steamroller" the same piece of tarmac.

Character wise the NSX is a slow burner. The steering is often critisied for being slow, the engine a little flat (at low revs) and the handling too safe. Over time you will learn to love the dual character of the engine (beyond 5K revs it's an animal), work with the forgivig chassis (watch out for roll oversteer tho') and get used to the slowish steering.

One of the best things about the NSX is that it's not a Porsche (or Ferrari). I'm a bit of a strange old to$$er but owning a Porsche (I had a 993) was, for me, a bit embarrassing. Lovely cars but they attract some unfortunate owners who give the vast majority of other Porsche owners a bad reputation. The Boxter and particularly Cayenne have made this much worse. I'm in the Richard Hammond school of Porsche sales.. you're only allowed to buy a 911/Carerra, now what colour would you like :)

Cheers

Mark

[markc]

Ha ha, my lengthy reply meant Simon said it first :)

[NoelWatson]

Even an early 996 (3.4Ltr) has a 300hp and a 6spd 'box so will be at least a match for the NSX (3.0Ltr 5spd) in a straightline drag race.

I reckon they will hammer a standard 3 litre - 0-60 in 4.6seconds and 177mph according to Autocar IIRC. I would guess in a drag up to ~130mph they would be on a par (if not slightly ahead) with an 02+ car with intake and exhaust. A lot more mid range torque, so the NSX driver will have to watch his revs.

[Dave J]

The 996 would easily beat an NSX!
Having owned, and loved, both an NSX and several 996's i'd put my money on the 996. For my money i think the 996 offers better value for money overall as they tend to be a lot cheaper but there are a lot of old dogs about now. Either car needs carefull inspection as both are expensive to repair / put right.
The downside with the Porker is that many see you as a person who likes to have sex with himself and never let you out of junctions etc as they do with an NSX :).
Dave.

[Papalazarou]

Really? Why do you consider the 996 to be better value for money? I concede that it has more luggage space. but the Honda is a better made car, is more reliable and equal in straight line performance and better through the bends. The NSX is also rare in comparison to the porsche which is commonplace on our roads; I see about 10 a day when I'm out working, but only seen one NSX. The NSX is also cheaper to run than the Porsche and doesn't suffer from RMS, Intermediate shaft or bore issues. Sure this wasn't a problem for the Turbo or GT3, but look what they cost to service!
My 02 car's next service will cost £160.00 from my local honda dealer and the cambelt service is due every eight years. Your average OPC wouldn't give you any change out of £350 for even a basic service.



Cheers,


James.

[Dave J]

Well it's only my personal opinion but i would definately consider the 996 cheaper to run especially with the much larger range of aftermarket servicing items........the Porsche turbo is a little more expensive to run i agree.
I also still stand by my thoughts that the 996 is a quicker car both on the straight and the bends. We should organise a friendly comparison afternoon on a track and see who's correct, that would be a good afternoon :D
Dave.

[simonprelude]

Well it's only my personal opinion but i would definately consider the 996 cheaper to run especially with the much larger range of aftermarket servicing items........the Porsche turbo is a little more expensive to run i agree.
I also still stand by my thoughts that the 996 is a quicker car both on the straight and the bends. We should organise a friendly comparison afternoon on a track and see who's correct, that would be a good afternoon :D
Dave.

That depends which 996, my NA2 used to smoke Carerra's, C2's and C4's.

[markc]

I reckon they will hammer a standard 3 litre - 0-60 in 4.6seconds and 177mph according to Autocar IIRC. I would guess in a drag up to ~130mph they would be on a par (if not slightly ahead) with an 02+ car with intake and exhaust. A lot more mid range torque, so the NSX driver will have to watch his revs.

Those figures sound a bit optimistic for an early 996 but I agree that a standard heathly 996 (3.4) will outrun a standard heathy NSX (3.0 Ltr). Not by that much though. It's easy to get caught up in on paper performance specs whereas at the track my car isn't that much slower than even the GT3's... until my brakes/tyres wilt :)


The 996 would easily beat an NSX!
Having owned, and loved, both an NSX and several 996's i'd put my money on the 996. For my money i think the 996 offers better value for money overall as they tend to be a lot cheaper but there are a lot of old dogs about now. Either car needs carefull inspection as both are expensive to repair / put right.
The downside with the Porker is that many see you as a person who likes to have sex with himself and never let you out of junctions etc as they do with an NSX :).
Dave.

Remember were talking about early 3.4Ltr cars Dave. They're a fair bit down on power and torque to the 3.6's.

Early 996's do look good value for money but they're not loved by the Porsche community. Most advice is to go for a post 2001 3.6 (these still hadn't completely sorted the RMS issue) or even a late model 993 which seem to be apprieciating at the moment.

I quite agree with the servicing cost though, my 993 seemed to cost a minimum of £500 each service with the odd one at £1000... done at independent specialists.

Assuming I couldn't streach to a GT3 my Porsche money would go on a 1995/6 (NOT 1997 which had taller gearing) Carrera (Varioram 285hp engine but definately NOT a widebody S car) with sport suspension, sport seats and ABD (diff).

Cheers

Mark

[NoelWatson]

That depends which 996, my NA2 used to smoke Carerra's, C2's and C4's.

A base 300bhp Carrera 2 - I think yours was in the Autocar road test where they said the 996 was faster across the board, but as Mark says, maybe the Porsche was a ringer.

[Dave J]

Some good points from all here, i won't get drawn into an argument as firstly i love my cars and sell them for a living but i'll be honest and say i don't know each and every spec of every model. I'm just offering a personal opinion based on my experience with both cars but i've only ever had an early NSX so maybe i need to drive a 3.2 and then compare :)
I've has a complete change from *** cars lately as my R34 GTR was insanely loud and did 4mpg on a hard drive..........it won't be too long before i get another NSX though!
Dave.

[TheSebringOne]

Simon & Mark, thanks for putting me right again! :D

I feel guilty for starting a right real 996 v NSX debate!