So today I had a couple friends help me out to do a close-up comparison of the 2002+ NSX vs. the R8 v10. Many of you have thought of how they two cars are like distant brothers from opposite eras. A few Prime members like myself are lucky enough to own both cars and today I was able to drive them back to back for the photoshoot.
Besides the obvious differences, I wanted to share a few things that only owners of both cars would understand. I hope some of you find this post as much fun as I had writing about it.
The NSX is a special car that will always be dear to my heart. I say this literally since my wife and I used this car in our wedding and it's been a real adventure with this NSX since I took ownership of the car many years ago. The NSX is a true collectors car and is a very mod friendly car. It responds well to modification and is an easy car most DIY can work on. The R8 not so much but it has all the amenities we wish the NSX has. Bluetooth, NAVI, backup camera, amazing 500+ hp motor, AWD, 6MT tranny option, and can be a daily driver or pushed hard on the race track.
The NSX is the nimble, graceful, soft spoken gymnast that knows how to keep things fun and treats the driver with instant response, raw exhaust note, amazing steering, and a steering feel that is tough to match. I do admit the 2002+ NSX steering has lost some of it's rawness appeal because of the power assist. I love my buddies 94 NSX with no power steering. It's more of pain to drive around town but feels better at speed.
The R8 v10 is a true power house. It masks speed and is capable of incredible acceleration if the driver demands it. Each gear clicks into place and the revs climb very speed. Driven at slower speeds, it almost feels like a normal Audi. Interior is comfortable and the suspension is quite soft compared to my last GT3 which was bone-jarring and always reminds the driver you are piloting a race car. You can take the Audi to Target, buy groceries and even hit Costco if you don't buy too much bottled water. The dual personalities is what makes the R8 everything the modern NSX should be. Almost every car in our stable has been modded but I dare say the R8 is one car I can drive in stock form and be plenty happy. The stance is not too low but sits quite nice. I can clear most garage entry ways and speed bumps. Best of all this is a car I can enjoy with my kids since the front seat is capable of accepting a baby seat!
IF you guys have any questions I'd be happy to answer or if you want to see a specific angle I missed here, just ask!
Let's start with a fun picture, both cars have a lot of doors to open but in this round the NSX wins!
Both mid-engine cars, the powerplants of choice are the V6 from Honda and v10 from Audi:
Butt to butt, the NSX sits lower but this makes it the harder one to drive around town:
The battle is about to face off:
Frontal view:
R8 could use a bigger wing:
Here you can see why the NSX is hard to drive around town front and rear:
Parting shot:
Although the NSX is 3.7" more narrow than the R8 v10, it's surprising to me the R8 is actually shorter visually!
Side profile shot shows the R8's bulging rear side-blades:
Besides the obvious differences, I wanted to share a few things that only owners of both cars would understand. I hope some of you find this post as much fun as I had writing about it.
The NSX is a special car that will always be dear to my heart. I say this literally since my wife and I used this car in our wedding and it's been a real adventure with this NSX since I took ownership of the car many years ago. The NSX is a true collectors car and is a very mod friendly car. It responds well to modification and is an easy car most DIY can work on. The R8 not so much but it has all the amenities we wish the NSX has. Bluetooth, NAVI, backup camera, amazing 500+ hp motor, AWD, 6MT tranny option, and can be a daily driver or pushed hard on the race track.
The NSX is the nimble, graceful, soft spoken gymnast that knows how to keep things fun and treats the driver with instant response, raw exhaust note, amazing steering, and a steering feel that is tough to match. I do admit the 2002+ NSX steering has lost some of it's rawness appeal because of the power assist. I love my buddies 94 NSX with no power steering. It's more of pain to drive around town but feels better at speed.
The R8 v10 is a true power house. It masks speed and is capable of incredible acceleration if the driver demands it. Each gear clicks into place and the revs climb very speed. Driven at slower speeds, it almost feels like a normal Audi. Interior is comfortable and the suspension is quite soft compared to my last GT3 which was bone-jarring and always reminds the driver you are piloting a race car. You can take the Audi to Target, buy groceries and even hit Costco if you don't buy too much bottled water. The dual personalities is what makes the R8 everything the modern NSX should be. Almost every car in our stable has been modded but I dare say the R8 is one car I can drive in stock form and be plenty happy. The stance is not too low but sits quite nice. I can clear most garage entry ways and speed bumps. Best of all this is a car I can enjoy with my kids since the front seat is capable of accepting a baby seat!
IF you guys have any questions I'd be happy to answer or if you want to see a specific angle I missed here, just ask!
Let's start with a fun picture, both cars have a lot of doors to open but in this round the NSX wins!
Both mid-engine cars, the powerplants of choice are the V6 from Honda and v10 from Audi:
Butt to butt, the NSX sits lower but this makes it the harder one to drive around town:
The battle is about to face off:
Frontal view:
R8 could use a bigger wing:
Here you can see why the NSX is hard to drive around town front and rear:
Parting shot:
Although the NSX is 3.7" more narrow than the R8 v10, it's surprising to me the R8 is actually shorter visually!
Side profile shot shows the R8's bulging rear side-blades:
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