Little something a friend of mine picked up...

[MX793]

Figures I've seen for early 90s NSXs put them around 5.5 to 60 and a 13.9 1/4 mile.  That's about on par with an LT1 Corvette or Porsche 911 of that vintage and a few ticks quicker than a pricier Ferrari 348.

[565]

Figures I've seen for early 90s NSXs put them around 5.5 to 60 and a 13.9 1/4 mile.  That's about on par with an LT1 Corvette or Porsche 911 of that vintage and a few ticks quicker than a pricier Ferrari 348.

Everyone talks about how it's faster than a 348,  sure that's true and all, but the fact is the 348 wasn't all that fast.  We have to look at the car against the entire competition, not just one car.  Like you said, it's about on par with an LT-1 Vette, which happened to cost alot less.  The NSX was also about on par with the 300ZX turbo, which was also released the same time (actually a few months ahead of the NSX in the states), and that also cost less.  And by the time the FD RX-7, Mitsu VR-4, and ultimately the MKIV Supra rolled around in just a couple of years, the NSX was certainly nothing special in outright speed especially in comparison to the rest of the field.  Look at all these cars trapping at ~100mph, or in the case of the Supra, much beyond.  The NSX was priced closer to a ZR-1 or Viper than these cars, and it certainly didn't have that kind of speed.

http://www.300zx.cl/ga3/300zx3/images/car3005.jpg

[VTEC_Inside]

Everyone talks about how it's faster than a 348,  sure that's true and all, but the fact is the 348 wasn't all that fast.  We have to look at the car against the entire competition, not just one car.  Like you said, it's about on par with an LT-1 Vette, which happened to cost alot less.  The NSX was also about on par with the 300ZX turbo, which was also released the same time (actually a few months ahead of the NSX in the states), and that also cost less.  And by the time the FD RX-7, Mitsu VR-4, and ultimately the MKIV Supra rolled around in just a couple of years, the NSX was certainly nothing special in outright speed especially in comparison to the rest of the field.  Look at all these cars trapping at ~100mph, or in the case of the Supra, much beyond.  The NSX was priced closer to a ZR-1 or Viper than these cars, and it certainly didn't have that kind of speed.

http://www.300zx.cl/ga3/300zx3/images/car3005.jpg

Perhaps a better comparison would be a Timex vs a Rolex. Anyone that can't appreciate what makes a Rolex a lot more expensive would perceive the Rolex to be a waste of money, I mean they both tell time right?

[Onslaught]

Everyone talks about how it's faster than a 348,  sure that's true and all, but the fact is the 348 wasn't all that fast.  We have to look at the car against the entire competition, not just one car.  Like you said, it's about on par with an LT-1 Vette, which happened to cost alot less.  The NSX was also about on par with the 300ZX turbo, which was also released the same time (actually a few months ahead of the NSX in the states), and that also cost less.  And by the time the FD RX-7, Mitsu VR-4, and ultimately the MKIV Supra rolled around in just a couple of years, the NSX was certainly nothing special in outright speed especially in comparison to the rest of the field.  Look at all these cars trapping at ~100mph, or in the case of the Supra, much beyond.  The NSX was priced closer to a ZR-1 or Viper than these cars, and it certainly didn't have that kind of speed.

http://www.300zx.cl/ga3/300zx3/images/car3005.jpg

One thing it had over MOST of these cars is reliability and it held it value better.

[565]

I'll agree that its not that fast in a straight line by todays standards. The fact that all but three of the cars in your list are FWD is pretty shocking indeed considering the numbers.

However, I have to disagree that it wasn't when it was released. When it came out it outdid a 348, 355, and is still faster around a track than some cars with 100hp+ advantage.

I think the ultimate point is being missed here though. If the goal was a drag car he could have bought one for a lot cheaper. Whether or not any of those cars could keep up is irrelevant to the driving experience provided by the NSX, not to mention the build quality and exclusivity.

Oh it's not that I don't think it's not a good car.  I just wanted to point out that in 20 years time, straightline speed has improved to the point that many many affordable cars (some of them dedicated family sedans) can match the NSX's straightline performance.  Everyone likes to talk about how the 1960s was the golden era for performance, but I think right now (or at least a few years ago) was really the peak of power in the hands of regular people.

I still maintain that even at the time of it's release, it's straightline speed wasn't that impressive.  I mean I know because I remember at the time of its release, auto journalists weren't that impressed with the straightline speed considering it's price.  I was pretty young at the time of the NSX's release and it was also when I first got into cars, so I read car reviews like the bible.  Like you said the NSX was never a straightline speed car.

Also I will say something that will shock alot of you, but on the track the NSX wasn't as fast as everyone remembers it to be.  Mostly people were impressed more by it's character than it's actual speed.  In fact I don't recall ever reading a magazine comparo from that time where the NSX managed to out lap the Supra Turbo.

In fact I do remember an article from 1990, the year of the NSX's release when the NSX was actually outlapped by the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4.

In fact here is that part of the article.

[565]

Perhaps a better comparison would be a Timex vs a Rolex. Anyone that can't appreciate what makes a Rolex a lot more expensive would perceive the Rolex to be a waste of money, I mean they both tell time right?

Actually that is not a good comparison.  A Timex vs Rolex comparison would be something like a Nissan GT-R vs a 911 Turbo.  One without brand prestige against the benchmark one with brand prestige.  Honda's Acura brand at the time had pretty much no recognition, as it was new, and Honda was just like any other Japanese automaker.  The biggest selling point for the NSX over the European competition was actually functionality and promised reliability, at the cost of brand prestige of a Ferrari or Porsche.  So if anything the NSX would be like the watch that Timex (Honda) made to compete with Rolex (Ferrari) on the promise it told time more clearly and more reliably.

[GoCougs]

Uh, but no family sedan is running 13.7 sec 1/4 times (at least yet). The NSX is quite a machine 10, 15 and even 20 years later.

[565]

Uh, but no family sedan is running 13.7 sec 1/4 times (at least yet). The NSX is quite a machine 10, 15 and even 20 years later.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=124876

[Catman]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=124876

Cant believe that car is going the way of the dinosaur.

[VTEC_Inside]

Actually that is not a good comparison.  A Timex vs Rolex comparison would be something like a Nissan GT-R vs a 911 Turbo.  One without brand prestige against the benchmark one with brand prestige.  Honda's Acura brand at the time had pretty much no recognition, as it was new, and Honda was just like any other Japanese automaker.  The biggest selling point for the NSX over the European competition was actually functionality and promised reliability, at the cost of brand prestige of a Ferrari or Porsche.  So if anything the NSX would be like the watch that Timex (Honda) made to compete with Rolex (Ferrari) on the promise it told time more clearly and more reliably.

I didn't mean to compare in terms of brand prestige (in that sense Acura still blows) but rather craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The NSX is/was a hand built gem with great attention to detail. Things like a 23 step paint process, one person assembly of each engine, etc...

[the Teuton]

When it came out, the NSX was around $60,000.  At that same time, the Diablo was around $200,000, and it ran to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and only some versions hit 202 mph -- the fastest ever in 1990.  5.6 seconds and 160 mph don't sound that bad for 1/3 of the price.  And by comparison of 1992, the 415 hp Viper RT/10 wasn't much better at anything but acceleration than the NSX, much less refinement, for the same price.

Yeah, the NSX wasn't that powerful, and by today's standards, it's a bit outclassed by your average Solstice GXP.  But for the time it came out, it was an amazing machine.  And it still is.

[2o6]

However, when this happens, you know that all good things must come to an end.

[the Teuton]

I would gladly rock a Type R or a Type Zero S NSX.  Yeah, the fake scoop is a bit over the top (literally), but the car is awesome otherwise.

[MX793]

Everyone talks about how it's faster than a 348,  sure that's true and all, but the fact is the 348 wasn't all that fast.  We have to look at the car against the entire competition, not just one car.  Like you said, it's about on par with an LT-1 Vette, which happened to cost alot less.  The NSX was also about on par with the 300ZX turbo, which was also released the same time (actually a few months ahead of the NSX in the states), and that also cost less.  And by the time the FD RX-7, Mitsu VR-4, and ultimately the MKIV Supra rolled around in just a couple of years, the NSX was certainly nothing special in outright speed especially in comparison to the rest of the field.  Look at all these cars trapping at ~100mph, or in the case of the Supra, much beyond.  The NSX was priced closer to a ZR-1 or Viper than these cars, and it certainly didn't have that kind of speed.

http://www.300zx.cl/ga3/300zx3/images/car3005.jpg

Published numbers I've seen for early 90s ZR-1s put them in the high 13s in the quarter mile, so not too much quicker than an NSX (of course, once the ZR1 got a power bump later on, it was a good bit quicker).

[SVT666]

Cant believe that car is going the way of the dinosaur.

Drive it.  You aren't missing much.

[Raza]

I'll agree that its not that fast in a straight line by todays standards. The fact that all but three of the cars in your list are FWD is pretty shocking indeed considering the numbers.

However, I have to disagree that it wasn't when it was released. When it came out it outdid a 348, 355, and is still faster around a track than some cars with 100hp+ advantage.

I think the ultimate point is being missed here though. If the goal was a drag car he could have bought one for a lot cheaper. Whether or not any of those cars could keep up is irrelevant to the driving experience provided by the NSX, not to mention the build quality and exclusivity.

The NSX was a great car.  Great looking, groundbreaking in its reliability (but it wasn't faster than a 355), and it never got the respect it deserved.

The car will be remembered for changing the way manufacturers built high end sports cars and GTs (I hesitate to say supercars, since I don't consider the NSX or its contemporaries supercars), but its individual performance (and even value on the used market) are not as noteworthy as you think.  For some, the NSX is the be-all, end-all, but the S2000 all but outdid it when it came out.  I remember watching a video of a race driver taking the S2000 around the Ring and mentioning that it goes through corners as quickly or more quickly than the NSX he drove. 

[sportyaccordy]

Mid 13s are not fast? Since when?

[VTEC_Inside]

[Onslaught]

I prefer them when the tops could be painted to match. But that's a clean looking NSX and I'd take it in a heartbeat.

[Sigma Projects]

mmm NSX, i've seen people shave 100lbs and keep it looking stock inside and out.

Really hope they turn that G8 into some kind of Chevy. Such a nice car... 

[Schadenfreude]

Drive it.  You aren't missing much.

Right.  Because the G8 isn't one of the best family sedans the Big 3 has put out in how long?

[Schadenfreude]

mmm NSX, i've seen people shave 100lbs and keep it looking stock inside and out.

Really hope they turn that G8 into some kind of Chevy. Such a nice car... 

And the G8 won't be a Chevy, at least not this generation anyway.  A shame too. 

[S204STi]

Drive it.  You aren't missing much.

I disagree.

[GoCougs]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=124876

G8 GT really not a family sedan IMO.

13.7 sec 1/4 mile time is still a pretty quick car today - not modern exotic car fast, but pretty fast nonetheless...

[Catman]

However, when this happens, you know that all good things must come to an end.

LOL.   

[Raza]

Mid 13s are not fast? Since when?

No, it is fast.  For a car that costs 50 grand.  Not 90+.

(E46 M3 ran 13.6 last I saw.)

[sportyaccordy]

No, it is fast.  For a car that costs 50 grand.  Not 90+.

(E46 M3 ran 13.6 last I saw.)

It's not hard to make a car fast. I haven't driven one but just from the specs alone there aren't too many cars in the NSX' price range that have the same level of neutrality. Yes, in 2009 the 90K NSX is a silly proposition... but in 1989 even in 1989 dollars a 90K NSX was a hell of a bargain (and the bees knees). People speak of Porsche' build quality but I still hear of pretty gruesome and silly issues plaguing cars as late as the 996. The NSX was no more problematic than an Integra which is huge for a car of its caliber.

[Raza]

It's not hard to make a car fast. I haven't driven one but just from the specs alone there aren't too many cars in the NSX' price range that have the same level of neutrality. Yes, in 2009 the 90K NSX is a silly proposition... but in 1989 even in 1989 dollars a 90K NSX was a hell of a bargain (and the bees knees). People speak of Porsche' build quality but I still hear of pretty gruesome and silly issues plaguing cars as late as the 996. The NSX was no more problematic than an Integra which is huge for a car of its caliber.

And I've also heard of Ferrari-like out-of-warranty costs for the NSX.  So it goes both ways on that.  But then again, I remember reading a Classic Motorsports where they put a bunch of RS clones to the test on track.  20-30 year old Porsches, being abused on track all day long.  Not a single car had a fault.  Not even one drop of oil.

If the NSX were priced along the Corvette, we'd never have this discussion.  Period.  If it evolved as the competition moved on, we wouldn't have this discussion either.  But it was not and did not, therefore it's called into question. 

If I had one, I'd love it and defend it to the hilt.  But would I buy one?  With money that I had to earn?  Probably not.  For a basic 1990, you're still looking at 20K or so.  That buys a lot of used Boxster on the market.  For an open top car?  Probably 30.  And that buys an Elise on the used market. 

[giant_mtb]

Meh, who cares.  They just built it so they could make a race car out of it and qualify.

[Vinsanity]

I could see myself with a nice lightly-used NSX-T as a second car someday. To me, the money buys extra refinement over a Vette and more exclusivity than a Porsche.