1036NA's 2002 GPW NSX Build Up
Hello Prime!
Just wanted to share my story with you guys
Long story so jump to photos if you aren't interested LOL
I have lusted for this car since I first saw it in 1992 (I was 12, but even more so back in 1998 when I as next to the Zanardi)
My wife found this photo just before I purchased my car...
8/3/13: So in early August, I made a trip from SoCal to NorCal to pick up a 2002 Grand Prix White NSX-T with ivory/white interior (Unicorn).
After spending weeks going back and forth with the seller, everything ended up checking out and it seemed like he was the perfect seller and I was the perfect buyer.
3 buddies and I made the trek up early morning in an E92 M3, also in beautiful Alpine White
Our plan was to do a turn around trip but my buddy made a call to one of his buddies and found out that he lived 2 miles from the seller's house.
So our plan was to make it up, test and inspect the car and then have some dinner and crash out early to head back on PCH all the way down.
My biggest fear outside of the car being in good shape was how the car was gonna drive.
About 6 weeks prior, I met up with a guy in Manhattan Beach who was selling a 97.
When I went to test drive it, I was all smiles, couldnt stop smiling. The car felt so good, lots of torque. I was about to make an offer on it but I told him that I was gonna let him know by the weekend because I wanted to do some research on it. He told me that it had a salvage title but it wasnt a big accident and not to worry.
Well turns out, it was a big deal when I googled the VIN and found the original owner was on prime and he wrote out exactly what happened when he crashed it.
The car had some mods on it so I didnt know whether the car drove like that normally or if it had parts that make it feel that good.
As I continued to look, my buddy Chad threw me a little NSX meet in front of his restaurant. He was very eager for me to get one and wanted to convince me. At this point in time, I was getting a little burnt out looking for one as it was over 3 months of seriously looking and over 18 months of on and off searching. After driving a handful of NAs, I was still conflicted about how the power was gonna be on the NorCal one because I drove such a variety of NAs by this point. Also met Chris and Jason for the first time... my compas <3
Before we did drive up, I have to give much thanks and praise to Jim @ Colonge for doing the PPI. Jim, what a professional... on every level. He took the time to explain to me his findings and really took the time to listen to me as well. Wasn't brushing me off or acted like he's heard what I had to say a thousand times. Pretty astounding considering he's around these cars all the time. I still have yet to call him after purchasing Uni to let him know I finalized it and if you are reading this Jim, I do apologize but once again, thank you so very much!
As we finally turned on to the street of the seller, the intensity was mounding and I couldnt wipe the damn smirk off my face. We finally saw the front end of Uni (thats her name lol) we knew it was all good from there. As we did the visual inspection, every component was just stunning. Then when we started her, my face almost cramped from the shear smile that froze on my face. The seller told me to take her around and that's just what I did. The best part was, it drove just like the one in Manhattan Beach but it was so much better... Already just around the block, I was getting people breaking their necks just to get a glimpse of the unicorn. It was a blessed day to say the least.
When I got back to the house, I let my buddies know it was a "go" and we finalized the deal after a little more negotiations. The seller who requests to stay anonymous was an awesome seller and thank you again for your part. We then headed to my friend's place a few miles down where we parked the NSX and M3. It still hadnt occurred to me that I now owned a 2002 NSX. It was unreal, just a dream... now that at the age of 33 it has happened, it's just crazy to realize. But seeing the M3 and NSX next to each other, we knew we couldnt just leave the cars there. We were in NorCal of all places and we just had to go for a drive. So we headed north to the Golden Gate.
We noticed a dark cloud looming over the city and as we got closer, it only got darker and more ominous. By the time we got to the Golden Gate and that hill (where everyone takes photos) the fog was so thick we couldnt see much. However when we pulled over at the view points, we had a few fan boys that were yelling out "NSX, hell yea!", "I love NSX!".... it was thrilling... We took some photos and then toured SF. By the time we got to the Wharf, we got screwed cause it was so packed and so much traffic just to get out. But got more people cheering the car on... I knew at that point I had to get used to that type of response. lol... even a cholo gave me props....
When we got back, it was about midnight and we crashed and woke up around 7am to start our journey down PCH. Long story, shorter... it took us 10 hours but had a blast driving all the way down. Pulled over a few times to snap more pics.
Wiping off the tree sap from the night before.... the NSX was so beautiful the trees cried all over it... thats the only reason I can put in my head without getting angry lol
I hope this was somewhat enjoyable to read.... I know I can yap too much... I will continue to talk about the work I am doing to the car and date it so you guys have a time frame.
Special thanks to my buddy Isaiah for driving us up to NorCal, my buddy Pro for being Pro and Lloyd for tagging along. Special special thanks to my wife for letting all of this go down! <3
Car Specs on pick up: 74,XXX miles, JDM Front and Rear Fenders, Downforce Type R Spoiler, Procar CF Valance, Alpine headunit and amp, ATi Super Damper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/1/13: I wanted to drive around in the NSX for a year before doing any mods to it because I know it in its stock forum but when a prime member was selling a brand new set of KW V3's for a good price, I had to jump on it and that is the start of the mod bug... I still have not installed them as of yet because I am waiting for my wheel selection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/13/13: Cleaned ignition switch and resoldered main relay due to car randomly turning off while idle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/15/13: Bought Berlina Black Side Ducts and installed it a week later
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
11/22/13: Went to my buddy Randy at Evasive Motorsports to pick up my Red Jersey Recaro Pole Positions
Hello Prime!
Just wanted to share my story with you guys
Long story so jump to photos if you aren't interested LOLI have lusted for this car since I first saw it in 1992 (I was 12, but even more so back in 1998 when I as next to the Zanardi)
My wife found this photo just before I purchased my car...
8/3/13: So in early August, I made a trip from SoCal to NorCal to pick up a 2002 Grand Prix White NSX-T with ivory/white interior (Unicorn).
After spending weeks going back and forth with the seller, everything ended up checking out and it seemed like he was the perfect seller and I was the perfect buyer.
3 buddies and I made the trek up early morning in an E92 M3, also in beautiful Alpine White
Our plan was to do a turn around trip but my buddy made a call to one of his buddies and found out that he lived 2 miles from the seller's house.
So our plan was to make it up, test and inspect the car and then have some dinner and crash out early to head back on PCH all the way down.
My biggest fear outside of the car being in good shape was how the car was gonna drive.
About 6 weeks prior, I met up with a guy in Manhattan Beach who was selling a 97.
When I went to test drive it, I was all smiles, couldnt stop smiling. The car felt so good, lots of torque. I was about to make an offer on it but I told him that I was gonna let him know by the weekend because I wanted to do some research on it. He told me that it had a salvage title but it wasnt a big accident and not to worry.
Well turns out, it was a big deal when I googled the VIN and found the original owner was on prime and he wrote out exactly what happened when he crashed it.
The car had some mods on it so I didnt know whether the car drove like that normally or if it had parts that make it feel that good.
As I continued to look, my buddy Chad threw me a little NSX meet in front of his restaurant. He was very eager for me to get one and wanted to convince me. At this point in time, I was getting a little burnt out looking for one as it was over 3 months of seriously looking and over 18 months of on and off searching. After driving a handful of NAs, I was still conflicted about how the power was gonna be on the NorCal one because I drove such a variety of NAs by this point. Also met Chris and Jason for the first time... my compas <3
Before we did drive up, I have to give much thanks and praise to Jim @ Colonge for doing the PPI. Jim, what a professional... on every level. He took the time to explain to me his findings and really took the time to listen to me as well. Wasn't brushing me off or acted like he's heard what I had to say a thousand times. Pretty astounding considering he's around these cars all the time. I still have yet to call him after purchasing Uni to let him know I finalized it and if you are reading this Jim, I do apologize but once again, thank you so very much!
As we finally turned on to the street of the seller, the intensity was mounding and I couldnt wipe the damn smirk off my face. We finally saw the front end of Uni (thats her name lol) we knew it was all good from there. As we did the visual inspection, every component was just stunning. Then when we started her, my face almost cramped from the shear smile that froze on my face. The seller told me to take her around and that's just what I did. The best part was, it drove just like the one in Manhattan Beach but it was so much better... Already just around the block, I was getting people breaking their necks just to get a glimpse of the unicorn. It was a blessed day to say the least.
When I got back to the house, I let my buddies know it was a "go" and we finalized the deal after a little more negotiations. The seller who requests to stay anonymous was an awesome seller and thank you again for your part. We then headed to my friend's place a few miles down where we parked the NSX and M3. It still hadnt occurred to me that I now owned a 2002 NSX. It was unreal, just a dream... now that at the age of 33 it has happened, it's just crazy to realize. But seeing the M3 and NSX next to each other, we knew we couldnt just leave the cars there. We were in NorCal of all places and we just had to go for a drive. So we headed north to the Golden Gate.
We noticed a dark cloud looming over the city and as we got closer, it only got darker and more ominous. By the time we got to the Golden Gate and that hill (where everyone takes photos) the fog was so thick we couldnt see much. However when we pulled over at the view points, we had a few fan boys that were yelling out "NSX, hell yea!", "I love NSX!".... it was thrilling... We took some photos and then toured SF. By the time we got to the Wharf, we got screwed cause it was so packed and so much traffic just to get out. But got more people cheering the car on... I knew at that point I had to get used to that type of response. lol... even a cholo gave me props....
When we got back, it was about midnight and we crashed and woke up around 7am to start our journey down PCH. Long story, shorter... it took us 10 hours but had a blast driving all the way down. Pulled over a few times to snap more pics.
Wiping off the tree sap from the night before.... the NSX was so beautiful the trees cried all over it... thats the only reason I can put in my head without getting angry lol
I hope this was somewhat enjoyable to read.... I know I can yap too much... I will continue to talk about the work I am doing to the car and date it so you guys have a time frame.
Special thanks to my buddy Isaiah for driving us up to NorCal, my buddy Pro for being Pro and Lloyd for tagging along. Special special thanks to my wife for letting all of this go down! <3
Car Specs on pick up: 74,XXX miles, JDM Front and Rear Fenders, Downforce Type R Spoiler, Procar CF Valance, Alpine headunit and amp, ATi Super Damper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/1/13: I wanted to drive around in the NSX for a year before doing any mods to it because I know it in its stock forum but when a prime member was selling a brand new set of KW V3's for a good price, I had to jump on it and that is the start of the mod bug... I still have not installed them as of yet because I am waiting for my wheel selection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/13/13: Cleaned ignition switch and resoldered main relay due to car randomly turning off while idle
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
10/15/13: Bought Berlina Black Side Ducts and installed it a week later
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - Updated - - -
11/22/13: Went to my buddy Randy at Evasive Motorsports to pick up my Red Jersey Recaro Pole Positions
Last edited:
