In the market for an NSX - local vs buying out of state

[onilink]

Hey guys, I've been browsing this forum for the past couple of years and finally have my finances set that I can purchase my dream car. I've wanted an NSX for a long time now, and the plan is to own one by the end of the year.

I wanted to post here first since I live in Sugar Land and it would be nice to buy one locally or close by in Texas. I know that's also hard to do most of the time for this car so flying out of state to purchase and driving back is common. If you guys have any advice on the process of buying one out of state is, or can share your personal experiences that would be helpful. If by any chance any local prime member here is wanting to sell their car in the near future then this would also be a heads up for someone in the market that is looking.

Please let me know of any helpful tips you guys have. And for those who did not buy locally, did you fly out or get the car shipped to Houston. I've been searching the prime F/S threads, as well as Craigslist. I'm looking for a GPW 92-94 model ideally and I know the GPW is pretty rare and goes quickly.

Thanks for your help!

 

[AZNSX001]

I've only managed to find one out of 25 cars I've purchased over the last few years near me and that was my 2000 LandCruiser so keep that in mind. It's always better to get the car you really want vs. settling for something because of its location.

Best thing to do once you identified a car you want is to browse the board for someone to put a set of local eyes on it, then get an idea of an NSX specialist/dealer in the area that can at least give it a mechanical once-over so you don't run into anything big. I used a dealer that had a factory trained tech close to the seller of my car and they looked the car over, checked compression, identified some minor items and reported this directly to me vs. the owner (as is to be expected when paying for a PPI). Once I had the report and after I sent the seller the funds, I had the same dealer do a complete service on the car so I could drive it home (CA to AZ), and to be honest, driving the car back home is a great part of the process for me. I get to drive the car uninterrupted in order to become familiar with all the things about the car that I might not have noticed until much further down the road. It also allows you to find any issues you might need to address, things like a wandering steering wheel, non functioning interior/exterior lights, controls not working, etc. so you can get to those once you get home.

It's not as bad a process as it seems and with a network like the one on this board I'm almost sure you will find it to be fun and memorable. Good luck in the search these are really great cars, much better than most people give them credit for.

 

[onilink]

^^^Thanks for the tips. Good thinking on the Pre-Purchase Inspection, that looks like that is a necessity when buying one. How much does a good PPI typically cost for the NSX? Or it just depends on the state/dealer?

I've been searching NSX's and searching the VIN's posted up. I've noticed some that have been sold around a couple times the past few years and the price has increased significantly now even though mileage has gone up. Has the NSX appreciated that much since say 2009-2011?

 

[Houstonbuckeye]

Onilink,
I shopped for close to a year before I understood the market and found what I was looking for. Part of the fun is in the hunt. I was very particular about what I wanted (milage, # of PO's, originality, service history and color). It paid off as I am very happy with what I found. As rare as our cars are, over time, there is a very good variety of cars on the market. It sounds like you know what you want, so be patient.
I bought my NSX from Colorado. I had the seller take it to the local Acura dealer to get the service up to date and perform a complete inspection. I then had it shipped in enclosed transport. Things worked out great.
I am in SL, so if you want to have a look, let me know.

 

[AZNSX001]

^^^Thanks for the tips. Good thinking on the Pre-Purchase Inspection, that looks like that is a necessity when buying one. How much does a good PPI typically cost for the NSX? Or it just depends on the state/dealer?

First things first. The cost varies from dealer to dealer, or independent if you happen to be located close to one of the solid indy's that folks talk about here on Prime. It also varies based on what you want done, so if you're looking for compression/leakdown numbers that will add to the bill. I figure about 90/hr for whatever needs to be done and you'll be out maybe 3-500.00 or so. Definitely cheaper than buying a lemon.

I've been searching NSX's and searching the VIN's posted up. I've noticed some that have been sold around a couple times the past few years and the price has increased significantly now even though mileage has gone up. Has the NSX appreciated that much since say 2009-2011?

Keeping in mind that my answer is based solely on my experience and opinion, I can say with certainty that the car I bought was 10K more than it would've been 3 years earlier based on market dynamics I was seeing during my process. I purchased my car after noticing that the good one's were becoming harder to find and were increasing in price when they did come up, so I figured I should jump while their was still an opportunity to own a clean, no stories, well maintained and unmolested example.

 

[onilink]

I found a 92' GPW NSX with 32,000 miles. The owner says he has all service records too, im still waiting on him to tell me when timing belt service was done. It has very few mods, just headers exhaust intake, and looks like its a clean condition. I got the VIN # and did a google search as well as a search on these forums and nothing came up.

He is asking $40k for it, located in FL. What do you guys think on the price?

 

[NSXonwheels]

Not to pressure you, but if GPW is what you want and the car looks good, buy it fast or be prepared to wait for the next one.

 

[AZNSX001]

I found a 92' GPW NSX with 32,000 miles. The owner says he has all service records too, im still waiting on him to tell me when timing belt service was done. It has very few mods, just headers exhaust intake, and looks like its a clean condition. I got the VIN # and did a google search as well as a search on these forums and nothing came up.

He is asking $40k for it, located in FL. What do you guys think on the price?

Sounds like a good one at first "glance". So gather more facts, view documents, get PPI and write the check!

 

[mcrider]

Searched for a year. Found two that I targeted and had PPIs on both. Both turned out good, so flew out to look first hand and drive both. Ended up buying the one in Washington state from a Primer and had it shipped to Houston. Still very happy. I am glad I went and saw both personally. Both were good examples, but you notice little things that make a difference. If you are after GPW, you will have fewer choices good luck.

 

[onilink]

So I talked to the owner on the phone, the timing belt service has not been done yet, I guess that would be my biggest concern. But he told me his mechanic and I was searching the forums and it seems the mechanic (Dwight) has a good reputation. I saw from here http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/179146-Experienced-NSX-Techs-in-Miami and asked my question there as well.

But yeah, I am really considering this one now, the guy is firm at 40k. He said the mechanic Dwight knows the car inside and out, so I am wondering if I should go ahead with the PPI anyway. Im leaning towards getting it done.

 

[mcrider]

Yes you should

 

[Big_D]

Limiting yourself to local cars especially wanting a GPW isn't practical. You could wait 2 years to find one.
Definitely get a PPI unless you know the owner personally.

I bought my 91 Berlina in Denver and the owner took it to a local Acura dealer with a reputable NSX tech for a PPI.
I had a compression test done also. After all the results came back positive I had them put in new spark plugs since they were out and due soon. They also replaced the air filter since it was due. The owner was nice enough to pay for that. Thanks Scott!

I bought one way tickets for my wife and I and we took a cab from the airport to a nearby hotel and we absolutely fell in love when we pulled into the parking lot and saw the car for the first time. I did a test drive and thorough walk around with my handy dandy NSX Prime buyers checklist. I produced a Cashiers Check for the Sales Price and the owner called the bank to verify its validity. We wrote out a Bill of Sale and I inspected the title and he signed it off. He provided a smog cert also. Within an hour the deal was done and we had a beer on me to show my appreciation. The owner wanted to keep his license plates but I didn't want to drive without any so we agreed that I could UPS them to him once we got home. We drove off while the previous owner followed us in their S2000 for several miles till he made the turnoff to Golden.

We had an amazing 1100 mile journey home stopping at Glen Helen Rec Area, Arches National Park, Las Vegas and having several photo opportunities along the way. We stretched the cars legs in Utah to see how it does at high speed...wow I was impressed how smooth it rode, not much wind noise and it was rock solid at speed. You can definitely get in trouble with these cars!

Once we got home I went and got the car smog tested again and registered it at the DMV and paid my sales tax.
The PO shipped the original exhaust back to me as part of the deal. There were a few other goodies he gave me which was appreciated.

Good Luck on your search! I hope you make many good memories like I did.