Mr. Hartigan,
I buy extensively at Manheim and Adesa dealer auctions as a wholesale auto broker. I personally drive an NSX, so I have done quite a bit of auction research on the car. For the vehicle you described, a dealer will probably still pay around low 30's for it, if it is clean. A newer vehicle would actually be a better deal because it is out of many peoples budgets so there is not as high a demand for them. The problem is, finding a clean 91-93 or any of the older years. First of all, over 90 percent are on the east coast for the older NSX's at auctions. Once you do find one, most have been painted before by the time they have gotten to the auction. For example, I was on the east coast recently at the auction that sells the most NSX's in the U.S. There were 12 NSX's at the sale, but I couldn't buy any of them because of the condition. Not to say that auction cars are bad, but most older ones have been through a lot and are coming in as consignment vehicles from independent dealers. Newer model vehicles are usually from large financing companies or banks such as Chase Manhattan Bank, Amercan Honda Finance, etc. These cars, are usually in pristine condition with good disclosures about paintwork, damage, etc. Usually, reputable dealers will not try to bring a retail buyer to an auction. However, there are some unscrupulous dealers who will try to make a quick buck by getting you a car for a certain fee. It is not true that you don't have time to inspect a car at an auction. The vehicles are there for preview and there are always on site inspection teams that can be hired for a fee. There is also an arbitration policy in the event that you purchase a vehicle that is not what has been described. (frame damage, trans bad, engine, etc.) So I guess I am telling you to beware with the process. It would be a good deal on a newer model car or something basic, such as a Camry, but the NSX has too many things about it that should be left to a NSX expert to look at.