prospective new member

[JamesyBoy]

Hi Guy's,

I'm very interested in buying a Honda NSX, I can be pretty patient to wait for the right car as I've got membership to the Classic car club in London that doesn't run out until Autumn. I'm 190cms and reading the post's it seems that I would have to go down the Coupe route, and I'd definately be after a manual.

Couple of questions

1. What sort of budget would I be looking for a 3.0, and/or a 3.2 litre car?
2. I'd be thinking of getting a limited mileage insurance, does anyone have any particuarly good experiences with any of the specialist companies out there?

Thanks in advance.

James.

p.s. header should read - Prospective new Owner ; )

[sutats]

Welcome James. I can only answer Q1.

The asking prices over the past year on PH ranged from around £15k up to £35k (3.0l to face lifted 3.2l).

[nobby]

hi james

I'm in the same boat as yourself, looking at acquiring the right NSX for ME as well at the moment.

as the other post commented anywhere from 15 to 35k mate is a realistic budget but dont rely on anything close to 15

a clean 3.2 (2000 +) variant will be very high 20's into 30's ... for eg an 03 3.2 went for over 33k on these forums ... it was a LOVELY car

a clean 3.0 will realistically set you back 18 and upwards but that will depend on year, mileage and condition of car ... but tbh mileage etc does not really come into the equation as these cars are reknowned for doing inter-galactic mileage anyaways so no real discounting on higher mileages, plus all the cars are well serviced anyways due to the type of owners these cars attract ... if no service history ... WALK AWAY

it will very much depend on what YOU want from the car and your budget. As i said i am in the market and I know what I need to budget for if i want to get the right car for ME.

as for insurance, looking to do the same but as I live in NI, I dont have he market you have ... so cant give you too much detail ... if you want to do decent mileage on a classic car you will pay more and be affiliated with a club (which you already have)

plenty of advice on this forum, but the common consenus is that know your budget and know what you want. Most if not all the guys on here know most NSX's out there so you'll get an idea of history etc.

in terms of owning a VTEC, in my opinion an AUTO box is not an option. has to be manual. As for your height your the same as me, and I can say the Coupe is OK, but BEST ADVICE TRY ONE OUT for sure.

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on your journey ...

[JamesyBoy]

Hi Guy's

thanks for the advice so far, I was thinking 20-25K which I guess is putting me in the 3.0L coupe, which is fine by me, I was never quite sold on the headlight treatment of the later car.

Luckily I have plenty of time to wait for the right car to come along, so I'll keep checking Piston Heads, here and autotrader.

I'm in central London so the insurance is looking a bit of a problem at the moment (2K is cheapest I can find up till now!), but I'll check out a few specialists.

All the best

James.

[Senninha]

Hi Guy's

thanks for the advice so far, I was thinking 20-25K which I guess is putting me in the 3.0L coupe, which is fine by me, I was never quite sold on the headlight treatment of the later car.

All the best

James.

Hi James,

Welcome to NSXCB,

For Insurance try talking to Competition Car Insurance. Ask for their sports car policy. I've been with them 4 yrs and it gets cheaper every year. 5k miles, garaged, guaranteed value if it goes wrong and includes 4 track days and Euro cover.

Ref history, yes, do look for a good 'detailed' history. Stamps in the book alone are no good without the documentation to back it. There are a few specialists, ie Plans or Kaz from this forum. If either has owrked on the car then this will not detract frorm the value. In fact in the case of Kaz it will enhance the value (check hte Health Check thread to understand why this is case).

You have a really good budget to find a good NSX. Whilst it will buy a 3.0, right now you have the rare chance to buy a 3.2 pop-up NA2 thatss just gone up for sale by member Lankstarr. Check his post in the sale section.

Good luck

regards, Paul

[L23 NSX]

Guys,

I always smile when i read the comments about NSX Automatics from non owners. I've driven manuals and Auto's. I own an Auto with the F-matic system.

Theres no doubt that the manual is slightly faster and is more of a racy drive and i felt actively encouraged to change gears just to hear the engine roar. Theres also no doubt that the 3.2 is slightly faster than the 3.0. A coupe will also be slightly lighter than a targa etc etc.

All this is great if you are taking your car on the track but the reality for most of us is a limited milage car that is used in the summer and on weekends. The cars look the same inside and out.

Personally I really wanted a NA1 with the pop up lights as this was the car I fell in love with as a young lad. I was lucky enough to be helped out by a couple of guys on this forum who looked over the car for me and gave it the thumbs up. I bought the automatic as I use the car on UK roads and in UK traffic. I bought a targa so i could take the roof off in the summer. I was lucky in that the car I bought had the F matic gearbox (basically a forerunner to the paddle switch on the steering column) this allows you to change up and down manually and once you get used to it is great fun especially on A roads etc. The funny thing is that as soon as I am driving normally I immediately switch back to normal drive.

Basically what I'm saying is that the Auto is a great car if you actually want to use it in what i would call a normal way ie as a daily driver with the odd spirited drive, showing off to your pals, driving to the odd event where you get to park and look at your car...If you want to race or do track days in an NSX then buy a 3.2 manual coupe and start making modifications. If you just want to own and drive an NSX then look around for the best car available at the time whether it be an auto or a manual which fits your budget and go from there.

The biggest issue i have with my car is the simple fact that it only has two seats....this causes me no end of grief with a wife and 3 children....

Good luck in your searches

[AR]

If you want to race or do track days in an NSX then buy a 3.2 manual coupe and start making modifications.


FYI There are a few SC and Turbo autos in the US.

Nothing wrong with a 3.0 manual.



If you just want to own and drive an NSX then look around for the best car available at the time whether it be an auto or a manual which fits your budget and go from there.


Good advice.

[L23 NSX]

Hmmmmm Turbo charged Auto..

Mines fast enough for me, I'd end up either with no license or parked in a field!!

[BabyG]

I'm 6'5, I have a thinner seat cushion and fit OK. It's marginal, but the right side of the line.

I've got an 'X in central London, insurance with Adrian Flux is a lot less than that (I'm 30), even when it was briefly parked on the street. Best to look at a few cars, if you want to have a look at mine drop me a PM. An NSX is surprisingly fun even cruising round London by the way ;-)

Rich

[JamesyBoy]

Hi L23 - my comments on the targa were based very much around my height, and reading the other comments on the Targa roof using up an extra couple of inches of the available height otherwise, I'd very much like the throw a little bit of open air into the mix (plus there seem to be more targa's in the market place at the moment.
Regarding the Auto, it's very much a personal taste, I walk to work and only really drive for pleasure, so the manual is an easy choice, however I take your points onboard, and if an auto comes up that ticks all the other boxes, I won't ignore it just for that.

Rich, I'd be very interested in having a look at your car, thanks for the offer... :D

[NoelWatson]

Hi Guy's,

I'm very interested in buying a Honda NSX, I can be pretty patient to wait for the right car as I've got membership to the Classic car club in London that doesn't run out until Autumn. I'm 190cms and reading the post's it seems that I would have to go down the Coupe route, and I'd definately be after a manual.

Couple of questions

1. What sort of budget would I be looking for a 3.0, and/or a 3.2 litre car?
2. I'd be thinking of getting a limited mileage insurance, does anyone have any particuarly good experiences with any of the specialist companies out there?

Thanks in advance.

James.

p.s. header should read - Prospective new Owner ; )

I'm also 190cm and belonged to the CCC, but it annoyed me so much I bought an NSX instead and it has been much more fun.

[markc]

The biggest issue i have with my car is the simple fact that it only has two seats....this causes me no end of grief with a wife and 3 children....

You're absolutely right there.... I wish mine was a single seater as well :)

Cheers

Mark

[dan the man]

Correct me if im wrong but im sure that some on here dont realise the NA1 NA2 lights setup after reading this thread...

Just a reminder.

NA1 is a 3.0LTR engine.

NA2 is a 3.2LTR engine.... In Pop up guise AND Facelift fixed lights guise.


Ta, good luck!

For the Record i wanted a NA2 pop up but bought a NA1 manual and NEVER regretted it at all. 3.0 ltr and 5 speed still an awesome car. I bought it with 90k on and out of all the other lower milage cars was the best with most history. simple.

[Dave J]

You're absolutely right there.... I wish mine was a single seater as well :)

Cheers

Mark

You could divorce the wife on unreasonable behavior, get a nice dockside apartment by yourself and live happily ever after with the NSX.....mmmmm.....where's my solicitors number :rolleyes:
Dave.