Hello! & Questions

[Acura Man]

I just wanted to introduce myself to the group and ask a few questions!

My name is Chris and I’m a telecommunications engineer from Illinois just outside of Chicago. I’ve always been into cars and when I bought my first Acura I knew I had found the right car company.

The first car I bought was an 88’ Legend coupe 5 spd. Since I bought that car it has slowly turned into a show piece that has been completely restored & customized and is now only driven for fun.

The other car that I own is a 98’ Honda Civic which is my daily driver. A great reliable car that gets good mileage (no mods to this one).

So now I’m seriously considering buying a NSX. This dream car of mine has finally come into my financial reach and I’m looking to all of you for some advice. I looking to buy a 91’ or 92’ and I’d like to know what to look for as far as known problems or maintenance that should be done. I’ve read most of the information in the FAQ section (and there’s a lot in there) but any advice would be greatly appreciated. Or if there is a specific site that you could point me to that contains a list of things to look for, that would be helpful too.

Thanks,
Chris

BTW – If you’d like to see some pics of the Legend look here http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos.asp?mi=3&smi=1&a=58448

 

[nsxtasy]

Hi Chris,

There really aren't a lot of problems that are both costly and common enough to worry about in the early cars. The snap ring transmission issue affects less than 20 percent of the '91 cars but most (all?) of the '92 cars, and is identifiable by transmission ID number. And the window regulator problem, which is preventable by installing the $15 Dali Racing window fix-it thingies. That's about it as far as things to watch out for, other than the usual wear and tear on the finish, the leather, etc - the difference between a car that is well-maintained and one that isn't.

At this point, maintenance IS a concern. Every '91-94 NSX that hasn't had the timing belt and water pump replaced is at least two years overdue (or more) for this service. The rest of the items of scheduled maintenance should also have been performed, based on mileage or time intervals. This is something to check on ANY used car - not only to ensure that you don't have additional costs to put into the car, but also as a sign of how well the current owner has been maintaining the car. Any owner should be able to provide service records or to direct you to the dealer who can do so.

If you're interested in meeting a bunch of local NSX owners, come join us for our dinner February 16. Click here for details. Bring your SO if you like, since many of us will be doing so this time around.

 

[Barn Man]

Hello,
Ken, (NSXTACY) is defintely your best hook up to learn all you want about the NSX in the Chicago area. He is absolutlely right about the T-belt service. If it hasn't been done, it needs it asap. Be carefull of some of the price differences you will find from dealer to dealer. If you get one that hasn't had a t-belt yet and you have the time you can drive to Acura of Brookfield and talk to John Vassos. Tell him Barney sent you. (Now watch, he won't remember me)! ANyway, if your in the Nashville Tn. area anytime gimmie a yell and I'll do it for ya.
Barn Man...

 

[steveny]

Also make sure the A/C and heater are working. It can cost as much as 4k to have it repaired if its not working. There have been a few new owners, including myself, that have found this out the hard way.

 

[nsxtasy]

In the Chicago area, there are nine Acura dealers. Two of them do a lot of NSX service work: Woodfield Acura in Hoffman Estates, and Pauly Acura in Highland Park. Both do excellent work, and each has two superb NSX techs. Woodfield does even more NSX work than Pauly, and I think Woodfield's prices are slightly lower, but you can be confident getting good service from either one.

Acura of Brookfield, in the Milwaukee area, also does excellent NSX work, and plenty of it. But they're 100 miles further away, and these two local dealers are right here. There are other outstanding NSX service facilities around the country, in places like Phoenix, and the northern Philadelphia suburbs, and Nashville

, to name a few. But when you live in or near one of the world's great cities, with 8 million people, there's an outstanding specialist close to home in just about anything. And fortunately, that includes great NSX service work.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 07 February 2002).]

 

[Acura Man]

Thanks for the advice and the warm welcome guys!

As far as replacing the timing belt and water pump goes that is something I’m confident I can do myself. I’ve changed a few out in the past but I’d have to look at a service manual just to be sure. Of course I rather buy a NSX with the work done already.

About dealerships though, anyone have experience with Acura of Elmhurst? I’ve had some good dealings with them I’d like to hear your opinion. Acura of Lisle, forget it. I don’t like their attitude, very snobby. Although I live in Bolingbrook, Woodfield isn’t to far of a drive. If they’re the best in the area, then it’s worth it.

Nsxtasy – I just might join you guys for the brunch, I think that would be fun and educational.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[nsxtasy]

About dealerships though, anyone have experience with Acura of Elmhurst?

Two datapoints about Ed Napleton Acura in Elmhurst. Not long ago I ran into one of their service writers, who confirmed to me that it's extremely unusual for them to do work on an NSX. And biophase reported a bad experience there - with an OIL CHANGE! Click here for the whole story.

Although I live in Bolingbrook, Woodfield isn’t to far of a drive. If they’re the best in the area, then it’s worth it.

It's not all that convenient a drive for me, either. There are four other Acura dealers that are closer to home than Woodfield is. But, like you say, it's worth it to take the car to a place that knows the NSX, that works on them all the time.

Nsxtasy – I just might join you guys for the brunch, I think that would be fun and educational.

It's dinner, not brunch. Feel free to join us - but please let me know ahead of time, so I can make sure the restaurant is expecting the correct number of people. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 08 February 2002).]

 

[Dr.Honda]

Welcome Chris. First of all, I'd like to congratulate your fine taste in automobiles.
I too drive a '98 Accord as my daily driver,a V6 coupe which has been lightly
riced. May I also recommend the MDX. Re the NSX, I am in total agreement with NSXtasy.
I might add that many Honda mechanics have alot of experience with the NSX. I'm a bit alarmed by the comments about the Acura dealer in Lisle. That's where I was planning to have my timing belt done and I had a good experience when I bought my MDX.
Please elaborate about any concerns about their service department. Thanks.

 

[nsxtasy]

I have friends who bought their NSX at Continental Acura in Lisle. They tell me they go there for oil changes but would not take their NSX there for major services (like the timing belt). I suspect it's mostly because they don't see all that many NSX's there; the comment above is the first thing I've heard about "attitude".

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 08 February 2002).]

 

[gobble]

All the 92's are affected by the snap ring problem? Thats bad news for me. My transmission is in that range but I've always though I was safer since I had a 92 instead of a 91. Is there data anywhere on the percentage of 92's that have failed? Am I correct that there is nothing I can do (at no cost to me) to proactively take care of this problem.

 

[Jim]

So far, I have taken my NSX to Woodfield Acura for the major stuff (30k service, ARC exhaust installation). I plan to have them do my timing belt, etc. this spring. Fortunately, they are only 25 minutes away.

Arlington Acura in Palatine is the dealership closest to me and their service department is not too bad. They have 1 NSX tech and I've seen several NSXs being serviced there. I've only had minor stuff done like oil changes, tire mounts and installation of chin spoiler and Zanardi side scoops done there though. They are pretty friendly to me and the whole staff seems friendly, and I usually stand next to the NSX tech while he is working and he doesn't mind. Arlington Acura is also the place I bought my NSX from.

Jim

[This message has been edited by Jim (edited 08 February 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Jim (edited 08 February 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

All the 92's are affected by the snap ring problem?

I'm not sure but I suspect so.

My transmission is in that range but I've always though I was safer since I had a 92 instead of a 91.

What matters is the transmission ID number, not the VIN number. I believe the transmissions are numbered sequentially as they are produced. However, that does not mean that they are installed in NSX's in precisely the same sequence. That's why you need to check the transmission number, not the VIN number.

That being said, the affected transmission range started being produced towards the end of the 1991 model year, and ended around the end of the 1992 model year.

Again, the way to find out for sure is to check the transmission number on your car.

Is there data anywhere on the percentage of 92's that have failed?

Not that's available to the general public.

Am I correct that there is nothing I can do (at no cost to me) to proactively take care of this problem.

There is nothing you can do at no cost to you.

The best advice on what to do with a car in the snap ring range was presented by Mark Basch; click here to read it. The key sentences in that write-up are as follows:

"A snap ring and case costs no more to replace after a failure as it does before unless you drive a long time that way."

"I do not recommend replacing the case before a failure, unless you have the tranny apart anyway i.e. synchro replacement or short gear install. Definitely do it at this time, if you are in range."

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 08 February 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Two other notes about Woodfield Acura (that probably apply to many other dealers as well):

1. They don't stock 10W30 synthetic motor oil. If this is what you prefer to use in your car, buy a case (6 quarts) and bring it along, and they'll be happy to use it in your engine. Bring a gallon ziploc bag for them to put the remaining 0.8 quart in, and you can take it home and bring it next time along with five full quarts.

2. Their normal practice is to hand-wash your car when they're done servicing it. If you're picky like me and prefer that no one else wash your car, just tell them when you're leaving your car for service and they'll be happy to skip the wash step.

 

[Acura Man]

To elaborate on the whole “Acura of Lisle” thing, it’s probably just an isolated incident. I just didn’t like the way they treated me. So, I’ll take my business elsewhere. If someone else has had good luck with them by all means don’t let me discourage you.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

Spend some time here as well:
www.NSXPrime.com/toc.htm

There are points to look for on a used car.

-- Chris

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