Need Advice On Used NSX Please

[Supercar]

Hello all. I am new to this supercar world namely the marvelous lookin NSX. I got this deal on a used NSX. 2408Km. Auto transmission. Price- around US$24674. Is that a good deal? And can I change the autobox to a manual gear box with 6spd transmission? Thanks in advanced...

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by Supercar:
I got this deal on a used NSX. 2408Km. Auto transmission. Price- around US$24674.

Wait a minute - you're saying this car has only 2400 Km? = ~ 1500 miles? for $25K??

Sounds too good to be true, even if it is an auto. What year?

Yes, it's possible to replace with 6-speed -obviously anything's possible, but all the shifter, linkage, interior parts etc will be required as well as transmission of course: Parts & labour etc will still put this in the low to mid $30K's cost & would be an excellent relative value vs. comparables (if indeed miles as stated). However, you must realize you will have a vehicle that will not reflect the original equipment per the VIN & raise suspicion, diminished value if you re-sell. If you don't care about this, then go for it!

 

[Supercar]

Yes. Typed it right. 2408 Km. But it is the 1990 production car, Is it still good value?

 

[D'Ecosse]

Absolutely!
Although auto not everyone's cup of tea, if it is pristine, ultra-low miles I would keep it stock.

 

[Supercar]

Thanks Ecosse. Gonna buy it. Just needed that extra bit of confidence booster from NSX veterans. The car looks great. Only minor hiccups. Spotlight and cd changer not working. Test drove the car last week. And it is superb!!!! NSX club... Here I come.... Yahoooooo!!!!! Just soooo excited right now.... Future plan.. How to extract more power from the 3 liter engine. Too ba dit ain't the 3.2 liter version eh?

 

[Supercar]

Definitely gonna change it to manual trans though. anybody had done this? Any problems?

 

[D'Ecosse]

Check this for comparison - same price at 82K miles! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1876348899&category=5337

Originally posted by Supercar:
How to extract more power from the 3 liter engine.
Too bad it ain't the 3.2 liter version eh?

Not much power difference between the engines & what there is can be made up with a good header. There are better/easier options available for the 3.0L since that is the majority out there, plus w/o the complexity of OBDII.

If you want more power, then the manual transmission is a must - the auto apparently won't handle much more.

For more power, first consideration is usually header/exhaust, good for maybe 20HP. Other than FI, (turbo or SC) there's not much else that gives any significant increase. Check here for all you want to know about that

The search function turned up these threads on auto/manual conversion - general concensus is don't do it!

There is some info on there you may find helpful however.

http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000374.html http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/003110.html



[This message has been edited by D'Ecosse (edited 03 January 2003).]

 

[PHOEN$X]

Welcome to the forum. That price sounds ridiculous/suspiciously low for such a low mileage vehicle--even if it is an early model with auto trans. Before you plonk down the cash, I would definitely get a thorough inspection by a local NSX owner, and then an Acura or NSX master tech. Good luck!

 

[PAULINNEWJERSEY]

I DO NOT AGREE THAT THIS IS A SUPER DEAL!
THERE ARE SEVERAL 94 1 OWNERS AROUND AT THE
30K PRICE LEVEL
FUTHEREMORE; I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED WITH
PITS ON THE PISTONS/CYLINDER WALLS AND EVERY
SEAL ON THE ENGINE

HERE IS ANOTHER POINT: YOU WILL EXPECT THIS
CAR TO BE 100 PER CENT PERFECT AND TROULE
FREE-WHEN IT ISN'T -YOUR EXPECTATIONS HAVE
EXCEEDED YOUR ACTUAL EXPERIENCE AND YOU WILL
NOT BE HAPPY

IF YOU BUY A HIGH MILER -YOU EXPECT SOME PROBLEMS--IF THE PROBLEMS DO NOT OCCUR THEN
YOUR EXPERIENCE WILL EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS
AND YOU WILL BE A HAPPY OWNER.

I WOULD RATHER PAY MORE -GET A 5 SPEED AND
A FAIRLY LOW MILER.

MY ABSOLUTE HIGHEST SATISFACTIONS HAVE COME
FROM A 170,000 MI ALFA AND A FEW 100K MILE
BMW'S.

 

[PHOEN$X]

Paul, first of all welcome to the forum. I see that you're relatively new here.

Secondly--and this is only meant as constructive criticism, I rarely am nitpicky about these things--please do not type in all caps. Below is your post reformatted in proper case; as you can see it is much easier to read:

I do not agree that this is a super deal! There are several 94 1 owners around at the 30k price level. Furthermore, I would be more concerned with pits on the pistons/cylinder walls and every seal on the engine.

Here is another point: you will expect this car to be 100 per cent perfect and trouble free-when it isn't -your expectations have exceeded your actual experience and you will not be happy.

If you buy a high miler -you expect some problems--if the problems do not occur then your experience will exceed your expectations and you will be a happy owner.

I would rather pay more -get a 5 speed and a fairly low miler.

My absolute highest satisfactions have come from a 170,000 mi Alfa and a few 100k mile BMW's.

 

[nsxtasy]

If you want a manual transmission, get a car with a manual. If you don't want an automatic, getting one anyway (either to "try to live with it" or to try to retrofit a manual tranny into it) is unwise.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
If you want a manual transmission, get a car with a manual. If you don't want an automatic, getting one anyway (either to "try to live with it" or to try to retrofit a manual tranny into it) is unwise.

I agree - even though an auto with those miles at that price is hard to pass up - perhaps you should refer it to someone who really wants an auto.

On reflection from my earlier post, I may have inferred that you should consider this car & make the appropriate changes - it is all theoretically possible, but your ultimate goals are so far removed from the starting material it probably doesn't make sense.
That does not dilute however that this car appears to be a fabulous bargain in its own right, as a low-milage auto.
Good luck, however you choose to go forward.




[This message has been edited by D'Ecosse (edited 04 January 2003).]

 

[Markbert]

Originally posted by PAULINNEWJERSEY:
I DO NOT AGREE THAT THIS IS A SUPER DEAL!
THERE ARE SEVERAL 94 1 OWNERS AROUND AT THE
30K PRICE LEVEL...

I bought a 94 about a year ago, and shopped for several years before that and since(for curiousity). I have not found your statement to be true at any a comperable mileage, or at any milage in near flawless condition.

Perhaps others have been more fortunate in their search than me, but this is my experience.


Just my $.02

 

[PAULINNEWJERSEY]

I Have recently passed on a 95 with 31k miles
one owner--price 36k

I am negotiating currently on a 94 green
one owner-clean car fax-35k miles. He is
asking 35,0000. I can probably buy it for
30,ooo. The car is green,which is not my
favorite

Another point: i do not believe that a car
with 2,000 miles is actually any better than
an nsx with 30,000 mi. 30,000 miles on a
great car like an nsx is barely broken in.
leave the super low milers to the Ferrari
guys -the majority of them are garage queens.

Lastly, the per mileage cost of owning these
vehicles is greatly decreased-the more they are used.I can a lot more enjoyment out of
driving a neat car than looking at them in
the garage

Your point about pricing is correct-there are
not a lot of great deals on 94nsx for 30k
but all a buyer needs is one! I do not keep
any of my toys for long-so i make sure that I
buy them right.

 

[gerald]

PAULINNEWJERSEY,

"I do not keep
any of my toys for long-so i make sure that I
buy them right."


Could you please tell us what toys you had in the past?

Seem like you spend your whole life just searching for the CHEAPEST toy only to sell it again in a few months or so?

Please show us your garage with your toys, pleaseeeeee.
I have met only 2 multi millionaires who own 15 exotic (Murcielago, XJ220, Ferrari F355, NSX, etc.) + classics + track cars toys worth millions in their hangars.



[This message has been edited by gerald (edited 04 January 2003).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Markbert:
I bought a 94 about a year ago, and shopped for several years before that and since(for curiousity). I have not found your statement to be true at any a comperable mileage, or at any milage in near flawless condition.

My experience is consistent with Markbert's.

 

[Supercar]

Hi Guys,
Yes I would be suspicious as well of the ultra low 'unpassable' price if not for the fact that the seller is an ultra rich guy who owns a lot of exotic cars. Ferraris, TVRs,Testarossas included, etc. That in mind, we can understand why... the low mileage and the low price right? The guy has so many exotic cars to drive in....

 

[PAULINNEWJERSEY]

Gerald

Sorry you missed my point-on buying cars
with super low miles

As for my toys-my toys-I Have owned numerous
Porsche-Bmw-Alfas-Lotus

boats have ranged from 17 foot whalers to
a 48 Viking.

Yesterday I bought a 2000 500sl AMG package
11,400 miles-for $44,500. more than likely
it will be gone at the end of next summer.
I fully expect that it will not go down
too much in value.

Lastly,check recent ebay closings and see
what sale prices are versus asking prices.

 

[Supercar]

Thx for all ur comments guys. Gonna buy the car today. Am so excited. Will post a pic soon.

Once again, thank you all

 

[Spencer]

If LEGITIMATE, this is obviously a super price. In response to those that think this is not a great price...I would've liked to have known where all of the 1,500 mile NSXs for $25K were when I was looking. Heck, for curiousity sake, I'd like to know how many are left with that little mileage on them in the first place! Sure the cylinder walls could be pitted and the seals could be shot...but then they could be on any car. Get a competent specialist to go over it with a fine tooth comb. On the automatic question. Don't believe the constant "Real Men Drive Manuals" talk. HOWEVER, if it's a big compromise in your mind already don't do it...but if it's 'iffy' you probably won't be sorry. To change it to manual though, is probably way more involved than you'd want (and then you end up with a bastardized car). Recognize, however, there ARE several things you will miss if you keep it automatic. Namely: expensive clutch jobs, dreading start and stop urban traffic, and having to time your shifts optimally to approach those published acceleration times... Just an alternate viewpoint for your consideration

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Spencer:
I would've liked to have known where all of the 1,500 mile NSXs for $25K were when I was looking.

I forget the price, but Manuel and I checked out a '91 automatic with 1500 miles on it a couple of years ago. Turns out it had been in a major accident...