No where did I ever say 61k is chump change. It was in fact a lot of money back in 1991. In all honesty, I don't understand why you're getting so upset about someone elses opinion. Do I think the NSX was ever a super car? No. I never asked you to agree with me. Andt that doesn't mean it's not one hell of a car regardless, and a car to still look up to, in terms of braking, handling and chassis. OMG I've only been on prime for 5 days! So? You've been around for 12 years. So? And no, I don't have an NSX. Hence the name. I am however looking for the right one, and yes, I do have the funds available. Because I didn't buy one in 1991 makes me what? .
First let's look at your supposition that a supercar needs good numbers plus a high price to qualify in your mind to be a supercar.
When we are talking about money, there's three elements to consider, cost, price and value.
A Ferrari 348 back in 91 was priced at about $115K, the NSX at $61K.
Now let's consider cost.
Do you think the 348 cost $50K more to build than the NSX?
I don't know the real costs of a 348 vs. or an NSX but I doubt there was $50 K more in cost in the Ferrari.
Now let's look at value
Do you think there was $50K more in value in a 348 over an NSX?
The world has told us and keeps telling us the NSX had superior value.
So if the NSX had better performance numbers and offered better value why wasn't it priced the same or higher than a 348.
If Honda had priced it at or over a 348 then by your definition it would have been a supercar.
They didn't price it at 348 levels because no one would have bought it at that price.
The reasons are manifold but Honda knew they couldn't command the premium for the Ferrari marque that was built into the 348 price.
So they offered a much lower price to ensure the NSX had a successful launch.
So the 1991 NSX had superior performance and value to the Ferrari but was priced much lower.
In 1991 the NSX was universally seen as and labelled in the world media a supercar.
You should read the article by Gordon Murray on the NSX to gain an appreciation of the car from 1991 eyes.
However by your definition, as long as the NSX price remained below that of a Ferrari/Lamborghini/etc. no matter how much the NSX outperformed and out valued the competition, it was not a supercar.
Consider the new NSX.
If the new NSX has performance levels comparable to a 458 (or better) but is priced at 100K less you will say it's not a supercar.
That means price will make your determination of the supercar label, ignoring the essence of a performance car, its superior numbers, and ignoring the endearing consumer point, its value.
Do you really think that makes sense?
Let's finish this part on what the original Honda launch strategy means to you.
Offering superior performance and value at launch assured Honda of a successful launch.
However Honda USA was optimistic in the extreme and placed a sales forecast with Honda Japan for far more NSX's than could be sold after the initial flurry.
This resulted in unsold NSX's sitting on the docks in Long Beach and discounting an already discounted price to move the inventory.
A great benefit to the buyers for sure, but the element of exclusivity so essential to this market segment was lost, sales volumes began to fall, and Honda slowed and finally stopped development of future NSX models.
The benefactors of all this, are future buyers like yourself. You can purchase a mid-engined hand made car with tremendous engineering and reliability (high value) for a faction of the price of a similar car from another marque. It doesn't have a aura of a Ferrari/Lamborghini but it's a better value by far.
Now as far as me taking umbrage at some of your comments, you implied I had paid say $30 K over list for my car and so I had overpaid and shown bad judgment.
Insulting really from a newbie non-owner who won't answer questions nicely asked.
I'll assume you were 5-10 years old when the NSX came out so perhaps some additional homework with some of your statements might be appropriate.
I've been on Prime for 12 years and owned my NSX for 23. There are two black NSX's in Qualicum Beach.