My RX-7 is toast, thinking of an NSX

[F1RX7]

Well, my beloved 3rd Gen RX-7's engine caught fire on 2/11 and it looks like it may climb into the 5 figures to fix. Leading me to believe that the insurance company may just total it.

I've always loved the NSX and so now may be the time to step up.

MY RX-7 was modified to a degree (0-60 in 4.6 according to a couple G-tech PRO runs). I'm not at all into drag racing, in fact, I'm more of a road racer (have 2 race karts I race in Denton).

I tend to drive cars very hard and am just looking for some advice before committing to another monthly payment.

Can the NSX take daily, aggressive driving? Am I going to be satisfied with performance and handling? Is the reliability sound on these cars? Should I look for one that is already modified?

I've read the purchase process among other things, in this forum just to get up to speed on checking one of these things out. My budget should be able to handle a '92 model or so.

I just don't want to get into a car that I have to keep putting money into.

Any NSX owners in Dallas willing to discuss this whole thing over a beer (on me)?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[nsxtasy]

There are a lot of opinions already in these forums, so these responses will be brief. Feel free to look through lots of earlier posts for more information. In a nutshell...

Can the NSX take daily, aggressive driving?

Yes, absolutely. I've got well over 50 track events on mine. However, the more aggressively you drive, the quicker you will use "consumables" like tires and brake pads.

Am I going to be satisfied with performance and handling?

Handling, absolutely; even the stock car (with struts in good condition) handles extraordinarily well while still providing a measure of comfort. There are aftermarket suspension mods if you want to drive the handling/comfort balance more towards the former characteristic.

Performance - the stock NSX is a quick car; even the early ones are in the high thirteens in the quarter mile. Is that good enough for you? If not, again there are available aftermarket mods (like the BaschBoost supercharger).

Is the reliability sound on these cars?

Absolutely. They are as reliable as any car on the road. That said, they are not perfect, and repairs can be expensive (notably the clutch replacement at $2K).

Should I look for one that is already modified?

If you think you want certain mods, you can save money by looking for one that has those mods. However, if you're not sure what you would want to modify, you might be better off starting with an unmodified car so you can choose the mods that matter most to you.

My budget should be able to handle a '92 model or so.

Make sure you're familiar with the snap ring situation before buying a '92, since most of the cars that year fall into the range. Best write-up on this is in the FAQ and Mark Basch's info here.

I just don't want to get into a car that I have to keep putting money into.

You won't have to do that because of reliability. If you can be satisfied with the car without making mods, you won't have to keep putting money into it. I think most folks who keep spending money on mods do so because they want to, not because they have to.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 19 March 2002).]

 

[NetViper]

I agree with everything Ken says, but I would just mention that modding an NSX is NOT cheap to do. I am not sure what it is on the RX7, but aftermarket things for NSX's are expensive. Comptech Headers are like 1700 bucks alone!

I have never driven the RX7, but I have heard a lot of great things about them. My favorite quote on an RX7 was from SEC magazine. "The RX7 is the best sports car in the world, and then it breaks"

Good luck with your NSX hunting. There are a lot of great cars around the Dallas Area. I know of one you might like, but it has very high mileage (120). If you are interested, send me an email.

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NetViper -= 100% Stock EBP 2000 Civic Si =- Still looking to get an NSX, but at least I can live life at 8,000 RPM!

 

[mlambert890]

Don't have much to add to what Netviper and nsxtasy have said other than the NSX does go through tires a bit more quickly than normal, so count that as an extra cost of ownership.

Damn though, sorry to hear about the fire

The RX7 is one of my favorites. Truly a great track car.

 

[grippgoat]

My '91 NSX with DC headers and Comptech exhaust dynoed 268 to the rear wheels. I'm pretty sure 0-60 is in the low 5's, and quarter mile in the low mid 13's. I can't even imagine what it would do with +100 rwhp from a basch boost kit.

Handling on the car is great. You will not be disappointed.

Biggest mod candidates: headers, exhaust, supercharger (might want to skip headers with the supercharger if you're tight on cash), wheels/tires, swaybars, new shocks (unless the stockers are still good), lowering springs, brakes (at least pads, if not a bigger kit).

As for reliability, you should be plenty happy. My motor has been bullet-proof. But I have gone through two O2 sensors (one front and one rear), which are about $140 each. Plus tires (but they, honestly, wear fine if you just get rid of some of the rear toe-in). I also had a coolant hose blow up on me, and I also did the clutch master and slave cylinders, plus t-belt and water pump. Some of it was unexpected, some of it was planned. But all of it was perfectly reasonable for a 10-year-old car. I would say that if you get a 91 or 92 with 50k+ miles, you should plan to spend at least $2-3000 in the first couple of years catching up on "old car issues", at least if the previous owner didn't drive much (my previous owner had the car for like 2 years, and only put on a couple thousand miles). If you get a car from someone who drove it regularly and stayed on top of maintenance, then you should have no problems at all.

-Mike

 

[Macster]

The NSX is exactly what you are looking for. I previously had two 3gen RX7's (1 modded). They are seriously fun cars that are quicker (mod for mod) and more tossable than the NSX. But when it comes to reliabilty, durability, refinement, and build qulality, the NSX is clearly the winner. My RX7 had the same fuel leak problem, twice, that could have caused a fire. No worries with the NSX.

 

[5inchfatlip]

f1Rx7- I dont think you will be dissapointed with the NSX- I should have mine within the next month, once I get rid of my Rx7. I have driven the NSX on tracks, and on the street and they are a blast. For me- driving with the confidence that the car(NSX) can handle it is more than enough for a little more straight line power. The acceleration is much different due to the fact of turbos for the RX7, but there is still very much power.

Through twisties, for some reason I felt the NSX handled better, again just a little more confidence right out the box, the Rx7 you have to know the car to push it. Mine had an 18" setup, with coilovers and until then I felt confident, luckily for me the NSX I will get is already hooked up with suspension.

If you can afford it go for it, and find one with some mods can save you alot of $$$...

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93RX7TT-(4sale for NSX!)
95 Legend LS Coupe
89 Mazda MPV-Daily Beater

 

[F1RX7]

Thanks for all of the great posts. You guys have been a tremendous help in my decision making process.

The jury is still out on my RX-7 and I'm waiting on the insurance adjuster to call me. Rotary Performance is having a heck of a time getting every little part number and price for everything that was damaged.

Hell, I even had a fire extinguisher in the car and put the fire out rather quickly. From the outside, you can't even tell anything went wrong.

If they do total it, my ultimate decision to move back into another RX-7 or step-up to the NSX will be largely determined by how much they give me. My RX-7 was a show winning car and I miss it greatly.

I can't even race my karts because I broke my wrist snowboarding!

Anyway, thanks again and I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[NSX&RX7]

Hi from New York City.
As you can tell by my username, I too own a
3rd gen. RX7. The car ran great for the 4 yrs. I owned it. I loved its speed and looks. I replaced an engine, transmission, put on back-cat, and much more. It treated me well until June 2001. One day I was driving and it began chugging and backfiring.
I took the car to a Mazda dealer and believe it or not he wanted to replace the transmission for another $4,500 after only 14 months. I tried a private transmission specialist. He had the car for 2 months, but could not find the problem. From October to present, the car is in the hands of a New Jersey Mazda specialist who keeps replacing computers and having them burn out after a few days. In late October, I sat down and thought, "What car could even come to close to replacing my RX7, but with the minimal of hastles that a car like a Porsche might encounter. Despite all this, I almost purchased a '91 Carrera 2 Targa for $22k. Then I thought, there is only one car I have admired and wanted since '92 and that was an NSX. More money, more risk. But, this was the only car around I thought that would not make me yearn for my RX7. So, in October I began a search, read up on the NSX and started hunting on autotrader, e-bay, the NY Times, and I even called local Acura dealers. Finally, in mid November, I found a '91 black/black with only 46,000 miles. It needed a few cosmetic details and a suspension part. I eventually negotiated a price and bought the car. If you think the RX7 is fun to drive, wait until you get behind the wheel of the NSX. If you over 6'2" find one to sit in first. You may not be too comfortable. I'm just make it. Once inside, the view rivals any GTP or old Can Am car in terms of view out the cockpit. Except for the two wheel wells, the view is pure road. The engine has a distinct rumble-growl. This a car that can be driven as tamely as any Acura around town, but once I the road above 6,000 rpms, the beast emerges. The seats are great- you can drive all day in comfort. Handling is out of this world-- understated pure control. Sometimes I have to look at the speedometer to realize just how fast I've entered a turn to believe it. With the Traction Control System off, the car seems even quicker. I could go on, but I think you get my point. Some guy once wrote, when he finally got his NSX, he would come out of work or a store walk towards the car and say, "Wow, who's car is that?" Then he'd realize it was his and his heart raced with anticipation and pride. Don't get me wrong, I do miss my RX7, but then I walk toward my NSX and hop inside and the memories quickly fade. Good luck.

 

[Vytas]

I know you'll enjoy the NSX very much should you decide to get one. I had mine for nearly five years now and enjoy the car very much. My only expendatures were for a leaky shock tower ($230) and replacement truck struts ($120). Everything else spent on the car (other than accessories) has been strictly maintenace. This IS the most reliable, dependable and comfortable exotic you can buy.

I track my NSX at Laguna Seca quite often. At one track event two years ago, I had an BMW M3 owner who was parked next to me for the day. He came over and inquired about the car telling me how gorgeous the car looked that he's only heard about the car but never rode in one, let alone drove one. Since my session was coming up so I offered him a ride. We got under way and as the engine revved up and we started picking up speed, "WOW!!!" was coming from his mouth. He said the sound of the engine was truly addictive. Then came a few laps around Laguna Seca. He asked me if my car had any suspension mods. I told him it was bone stock (now I have Dali sway bars) and he was literally BLOWN AWAY by the handling of the car. He said his M3 doesn't handle anywhere close to my NSX. He also said that I was very fortunate to learn how to drive a car on the racetrack with a car like the NSX. After the session, he was telling me that he may seriously consider selling the M3 and picking up an NSX. Looked like a true convert to me.

Vytas

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91 Silver/Black NSX (F16 JR)
01 Silver/Black GSR (NSX JR)
"The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred." - Soichiro Honda

[This message has been edited by Vytas (edited 24 March 2002).]

 

[F1RX7]

The jury is in: it's totaled

I may actually come out a few grand ahead if I decide to buy it back and fix it. But then I'll have a rebuilt or salvage title, still got to check on that.

I'll be driving a '92 red/black NSX tomorrow. My preference is black or silver, though.

Thanks for all of the help, especially from you 3rd Gen owners.

If anybody knows of a clean NSX in the North Texas area. Please let me know. I'm starting to get serious about stepping up and joining you guys.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NSX&RX7:
I replaced an engine, transmission, put on back-cat, and much more. It treated me well until June 2001.

I guess RX-7 owners have a different definition of "treated me well" from NSX owners.

 

[painlus]

My budget should be able to handle a '92 model or so.

Make sure you're familiar with the snap ring situation before buying a '92, since most of the cars that year fall into the range. Best write-up on this is in the FAQ and Mark Basch's info here.

Hey Ken,
Does this apply to automatics as well?

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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself

 

[nsxtasy]

The snap ring problem does not apply to automatics.

 

[painlus]

Thanks Ken. Always appreciate your expertise...

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no-thanks-i'll-park-it-myself