Drive Review
Just found this - some people just don't understand, do they... ?
The URL won't work - heres the text...
Samurai supercar
By Joshua Dowling
The Sun-Herald
Thursday July 25 2002
Honda's revamped NSX looks the business but doesn't fit the bill. It's showing its age and has been oupaced by European thoroughbreds.
Pigeonhole: Japanese Ferrari.
Philosophy: Honda has gone back into Formula One so it's time to resurrect the racy image by giving the 11-year-old NSX a quick buff and polish.
Who's buying it: Not many. Honda sold four last year and six the year before that. Ferrari has sold 46 cars so far this year compared to Honda's tally of ... three.
Why you'd buy it: Next question.
Why you wouldn't: It's old, outdated and a pretender. You can have a European thoroughbred for the same price. Or less.
Standard equipment: For almost a quarter of a million dollars you'd expect more than climate-controlled air conditioning, remote central locking, a CD player and a few this-and-thats. Nevertheless, most bases are covered.
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Safety: Dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control. Hardly ground-breaking stuff for a faux supercar. A humble Holden Acclaim has these features plus side airbags, which the NSX lacks.
Cabin: Stepping into the NSX is like stepping back in time. There's no eight-track, but there's no hiding this Honda's age. Cosy, for two only. Feels like you're sitting in a bob-sled.
Engine: The 3.2-litre once howled, but tighter emissions have muted the V6's growl and go-fast urge. It doesn't feel like 206kW. In fact, a Ford Falcon XR6 would probably see it off these days. A dramatic fall from grace for a former Wheels Car of the Year.
Transmission: Six-speed manual shift is solid, direct and precise.
Steering: Electrically assisted, not too heavy, not too light. Turning circle a not-so-good 11.6m.
Ride: Given the low-slung stance, it handles the bumps reasonably well.
Handling: So-so. When the NSX came out, it was among the class leaders, but by today's standards is easily overtaken by the likes of Porsche and BMW for competence and confidence around corners.
Fuel: Expect a best of 9.5 litres per 100km on the open road, 13.0 around town and much worse than that if you use the right foot liberally.
Brakes: Responsive feel through four-wheel discs with ABS, but not in the same league as Porsche or BMW.
Build: The boot on the test car did not close properly, but otherwise no major complaints.
Warranty: Three years/100,000km. The industry average.
Security: Immobiliser. But at this pace, who'd want to steal it?
Audio: Above-average sound from Bose hi-fi: AM/FM radio with in-dash CD player.
Cost: The NSX is $245,100, manual or auto. The Targa with the removable roof is $256,100. If you want one, be sure to twist an arm as they're hardly bolting out the door.
Verdict: The Honda NSX looks the business, but doesn't deliver anywhere near the performance it suggests. At a quarter of a million dollars it's no wonder there are more Honda NSXs on billboards than on the streets.
Just found this - some people just don't understand, do they... ?
The URL won't work - heres the text...
Samurai supercar
By Joshua Dowling
The Sun-Herald
Thursday July 25 2002
Honda's revamped NSX looks the business but doesn't fit the bill. It's showing its age and has been oupaced by European thoroughbreds.
Pigeonhole: Japanese Ferrari.
Philosophy: Honda has gone back into Formula One so it's time to resurrect the racy image by giving the 11-year-old NSX a quick buff and polish.
Who's buying it: Not many. Honda sold four last year and six the year before that. Ferrari has sold 46 cars so far this year compared to Honda's tally of ... three.
Why you'd buy it: Next question.
Why you wouldn't: It's old, outdated and a pretender. You can have a European thoroughbred for the same price. Or less.
Standard equipment: For almost a quarter of a million dollars you'd expect more than climate-controlled air conditioning, remote central locking, a CD player and a few this-and-thats. Nevertheless, most bases are covered.
advertisement
advertisement
Safety: Dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control. Hardly ground-breaking stuff for a faux supercar. A humble Holden Acclaim has these features plus side airbags, which the NSX lacks.
Cabin: Stepping into the NSX is like stepping back in time. There's no eight-track, but there's no hiding this Honda's age. Cosy, for two only. Feels like you're sitting in a bob-sled.
Engine: The 3.2-litre once howled, but tighter emissions have muted the V6's growl and go-fast urge. It doesn't feel like 206kW. In fact, a Ford Falcon XR6 would probably see it off these days. A dramatic fall from grace for a former Wheels Car of the Year.
Transmission: Six-speed manual shift is solid, direct and precise.
Steering: Electrically assisted, not too heavy, not too light. Turning circle a not-so-good 11.6m.
Ride: Given the low-slung stance, it handles the bumps reasonably well.
Handling: So-so. When the NSX came out, it was among the class leaders, but by today's standards is easily overtaken by the likes of Porsche and BMW for competence and confidence around corners.
Fuel: Expect a best of 9.5 litres per 100km on the open road, 13.0 around town and much worse than that if you use the right foot liberally.
Brakes: Responsive feel through four-wheel discs with ABS, but not in the same league as Porsche or BMW.
Build: The boot on the test car did not close properly, but otherwise no major complaints.
Warranty: Three years/100,000km. The industry average.
Security: Immobiliser. But at this pace, who'd want to steal it?
Audio: Above-average sound from Bose hi-fi: AM/FM radio with in-dash CD player.
Cost: The NSX is $245,100, manual or auto. The Targa with the removable roof is $256,100. If you want one, be sure to twist an arm as they're hardly bolting out the door.
Verdict: The Honda NSX looks the business, but doesn't deliver anywhere near the performance it suggests. At a quarter of a million dollars it's no wonder there are more Honda NSXs on billboards than on the streets.
