Open-top NSX before '95 model?

[tmauro]

Here's my situation - I desperately want an NSX, and I am prepared to pay $31-35K for a nice early model - but I NEED an open top, and I will NOT pay $50K for any car, which seems to be what a nice '95 targa goes for... (I stop in my tracks at least twice a day, throw my hands in the air, and shout out, "Why didnt Acura make targas back in '91-92"? )

So my question is, what do you guys think about the covertible conversions of the NSX that you see out there once in a while - i think Newport made one? Do you ever see any for sale, and are they safe/well-executed? Do they fetch any premium over a stock hardtop car? Finally, were there any targa conversions of the early cars?

Many TIA, -tm

 

[SigEpUCI]

Tmauro,
This is what i've heard (not saying its correct) - The conversion runs 10G+, and comprimises the integrity of the vehicle (possibly). If thats true, you might as well wait and find someone whos desperate to sell a T for around 40G.

Jeff

 

[DocL]

Originally posted by tmauro:
Here's my situation - I desperately want an NSX, and I am prepared to pay $31-35K for a nice early model - but I NEED an open top, and I will NOT pay $50K for any car, which seems to be what a nice '95 targa goes for...

I think that you need to do some more research.

If you cannot afford a newer NSX-T why don't you buy an early, high mileage NSX and have a sunroof installed, although I could not condone doing that to an NSX. Also, you will not find a custom convertible for less than a coupe or targa.

You need to set more realisitc goals, or come up with more $$ and buy a newer NSX-T.

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

Your only option here is to buy a coupe in that price range, or a 95 targa with some problem (ie salvage title, super high miles, automatic, previous damage).

Consider buying a $7000 Mazda Miata as well?

-- Chris

------------------
Chris Willson
www.ScienceofSpeed.com
www.NSXClassifieds.com

 

[tmauro]

Wow.. as you can see, that was my 1st post to this group. I thought NSX owners would be helpful and good-spirited, unlike those of some other auto marques I have owned.

SigEpUCI - thanks for the input - no complaints there, and I agree - I have heard similar things. Just wanted to run it by the group, see if anyone knew for sure.

Dr.Lane - I *am* doing some more research. I am doing it here. I know everything I need to know about NSX's except for convertible/targa conversions of early cars - thats why I am asking here. Have I come to the wrong place? And why do you assume that I "cannot afford" a NSX-T? I assure you I can. As I said, I simply choose not to spend $50K on a car. You say I will not find a custom cab for less than a targa/coupe.. well without any years listed for the coupe, that doesn't help at all, does it? The question is whether I can get an early cab conversion for about the same as an early coupe. Right? Oh, I "need to set more realistic goals"! Thank you, good doctor! And to think that you gave me that advice for FREE! I hope you don't condescend to your patients as obnoxiously as you have to me.

Science - yeah, a $7000 miata. I could also get a Geo Metro cab, couldn't I? Hey, better yet, remember the Yugo convertible? Your response is one I would expect from the snobbiest Bugatti/Rolls Royce driver. Oh and by the way, you are wrong - that is NOT my only option. Another option is to get a '91-92 convertible conversion. That was the original question. Thank you for not helping at all, and for the insult.

Wow.. I am missing my Porsche lists already.

 

[Number9]

SigEpUCI makes a particularly good point about structural integrity. When Honda did the T, they reinforced the chassis near the rocker panels to make the chassis stiff enough w/o the roof (and even then, it's less stiff than an early coupe). Chopping the top off an early coupe gives rise to the same problem, only worse because of the lack of reinforcement that came with the later cars. So if you really want a convertible conversion, it makes much more sense to start with a T, but that doesn't address the pricing issue. Overconstrained problem, I think...

--twc

 

[NSX4U2]

tmauro:

I do not believe the above posts were intended to be negative. Information here is always helpful.

It's all in style!

Cheer-up!

97-T @ 14K

 

[DocL]

Aren't open forums great. You yelled that you were "NOT" going to pay $50k for a car, but that is price range that meets your requirements. Everyone here wants to see you own an NSX, it's great that they are affordable and relaiable. But you must remember, you came in here with unrealistic goals. Go to the Porsche forum and ask the same question. I think that we have given you appropriate responses.

Furthermore, to assume that I am obnoxious and condenscending towards my patients is uncalled for. Have you ever been a patient of mine?? Have you ever meet me personally?? I don't think so! So, if you are going to flame someone, do it by private e-mail.

Cheers.

Dr. Robnoxious Lane

 

[altman]

Getting a Miata to keep your NSX company isn't a bad idea - I have both a '90 BBR Turbo Miata (actually, a MX5 - the UK name for the Miata) and a '98 NSX-T.

I find the T-off experience ok, but it's nowhere near as good as hood-down in a convertible if you're looking to be blown about a bit and feel weathered after a 4 hour drive

The good thing about going out in the miata is that it's old enough for me not to be overly worried about where it's parked, and it's fast enough with the turbo to have lots of fun. Doesn't quite make the same *noise* though, and overtaking is a bit more of a challenge too

Hugo

 

[Lud]

There are only a handful of convertible conversions out there. Several have been heavily modified (twin turbo, etc.) in addition to being chop-tops. I believe those fully modified ones are typically going for low $40k range these days when one happens to change hands. One with just the convertible conversion might go for mid to upper 30s... the problem will be finding one for sale.

There are also some targa conversions, but very few. I do not think they sell for much over what a stock coupe would bring but they are pretty rare so it is hard to find one for sale.

As for whether they are safe I guess it's a matter of degrees. None were ever crash tested and I do not happen to know of any that have been wrecked by the owners so there isn't really any actual data on how the hold up. Certainly they are not as strong as a coupe or a factory -T. I would not want to be in a roll-over (esp. in a convertible) or a hard front impact in one.

The two targa conversions I have seen looked pretty bad. The convertibles I have seen look great from about 20 feet away with the top down, but start get that "I made it myself" look as you get closer. When you get right up to them the fit and finish is not very good. I think they look bad with the top up as well, but I doubt many people who own them drive them with the tops up very often.

Also, I have seen some pretty nice '95s going for upper $40s. Since you said $50k is your ceiling maybe that is something to consider. I saw a nice '95 Red/Black -T with minor paint work at a dealer for $42k last fall in Texas which I think was a really good deal. Too many people let things like a repainted panel scare them away from a good deal.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 24 February 2001).]

 

[CHOICE]

Tmauro,
As stated, you're not going to find a good "targa" for what you want to spend ($35K). If you want it, pay for it. Also, your response to Dr. Lane was uncalled for. He and others gave you an honest answer to your question.
Now, for your question on the Newport convertible, let me save you some trouble. Back in 1992, I purchased a custom Porsche 928 convertible from Newport. It looked awesome. After three months of driving, it was so horrible I had to get rid of it (quality, confidence, workmanship,etc). Despite the welded, reinforced structural integrity. each bump, driveway, other cars, made my mother fear for my safety in that car. It sold after more than one year of heavy advertising and > $10,000 loss. Additionally, many lies were told to me by Newport (warranty... I found out later it was non-existent). Maybe they improved recently. Regardless, avoid the future head aches and buy an NSX made from the factory. I've had thirty-seven cars now and in my opinion, none of them come close to the overall package of the NSX. If my wife would thake her BMW instead of my NSX, I would be driving the NSX full time. Good luck in your search, but I can't reiterate enough about avoiding aftermaket structure conversions; avoid them!

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

I purchased my 1995 Red/Black targa with ~30k miles in 1999 for several thousand below $50,000. Keep your eyes open.

BTW, don't diss the Miata! You don't see my tearing on P-cars ;-)

-- Chris

------------------
Chris Willson
www.ScienceofSpeed.com
www.NSXClassifieds.com

 

[hejo]

Originally posted by tmauro:
I desperately want an NSX, and I am prepared to pay $31-35K for a nice early model - but I NEED an open top, and I will NOT pay $50K for any car...

When you figure out how to pay $31k-$35k for a NSX-T.... can you help me get my F355 spider for $85k because I desparately want a F355 spider but like you refuse to pay $105k for any car.

I not trying to flame you but help you understand the reaction to your post as the tone of you post is unreasonable - desparately. On one hand you're stating what you're willing to pay but the market is valuing the car higher. We're living in a free market so standard business practices prevail - supply and demand.

And then you state you refuse to pay more than $50k for "any" car. This is confusing. Why? How does that relate to what a car's value might be? Do you have this rule for houses, boats, planes, dinners, clothes, etc?

So here's the deal... you get what you pay for. However every now and then you might find a deal like Chris W. where someone is in trouble and has to unload the car quickly. I know some folks who've had margin calls lately. You might be paying less than $50k but only because the seller is eating the difference to move the car. Better have cold cash in hand. The other option is go find a salvaged one. I found a F355 that way ($69k) and after computing the cost to get it back to where I wanted it I was better off just paying for a clean one.

So if you really serious, desparate and have to have a open-top then change your limit to accomodate the market value of NSX-T.

Also a turbo mita is one hell of a lot of fun to drive.

------------------
Hal Jones
Lake Oswego, Oregon
95T Blk\Blk SportShift

 

[tmauro]

OK, thank you all for the responses, I am very impressed w/ the followup posts, and most appreciative. I simply found those 2 initial responses to be a pretty rude intro to this group - everyone since then has been extremely helpful. Really, I dont mean to spread any ill will, and I just re-read my post, and apologize that it sounded more nasty than it should have.

Sounds like the cab/targa conversions are not the way to go. Truth be known, and armed w/ this knowledge, I will probably go w/ another P this time around, probably a '91-92 targa, for my objective price of low $30s. Till next time, I will keep dreaming of the '95 NSX-T, and maybe in a few years...

 

[tmauro]

Awww, now I feel bad...

Science - you own a Miata yourself!? If so, then that changes everything, and I totally retract my pissy-ness. I hope you can see that since I didnt know that, it could come off as sounding like a putdown? Miatas are great little cars - happy motoring.

Dr.L - First, I will maintian that I never "assumed" anything negative about you personally, I just said I "hope" the opposite. I didn't even really think you were a doctor, I thought it was like Dr. Dre, Dr. K (Dwight Gooden), that sort of thing ;-) From my viewpoint, hearing "you need to do more research", "you can't afford" the T, "you need to set more realistic goals" - maybe I was having a bad day, but it sounded a bit too much like a life's lecture from a school principal. I just wanted to know about '91-92 conversions, thats all - a simple "No, there is no high quality, affordable '91 conversion" would have sufficed. But I'll take your word for it, and apologize for the erroneous interpretation. As for personal email - really? I'd think that would be too much like "stalking"..

Safe motoring all, you are the envy of all truly knowledgeable auto enthusiasts, and I hope to join you someday.

 

[DocL]

Thank you Tmauro, you have been very noble and it is appreciated. Many of us looked hard and long for our NSX and set limits on how much we wanted to spend. I got a great deal on my '94, and if you hang around the NSX arena you will find a good deal too. I think someone posted an NSX-T for sale somewhere for under 50k. Keep looking, because the NSX has exceed my expectations and it's a great car coupe or targa.

Also, my past experiences with aftermarket conversions have been terrible, and if someone else can learn from my expensive lessons, then all the better for them.

 

[rquintero]

Tmauro, thanks for reedeming yourself on that second post. For whatever reason you came across as a really belicose fellow, particularly when our regular friends are "attacked".

In this forum you'll find for the most part a bunch of regulars that own and love the NSX, some more knowledgeable than others.

From a 4x P-car owner, and PCA member since 1984, I'd say that this is by far the friendliest forum I've encountered.

As far as the NSX, in my personal opinion I would never buy an aftermarket convertible job.

Regardless of why you set a limit of $50k for yourself (finances or personal philosophy) if you truly want a non-coupe NSX in a good condition, you may want to reconsider that limit or consider other vehicles.

Good luck in your search,

Ralph

 

[MICHAEL M]

Okay, Now Group Hug !

 

[ANYTIME]

Have you tried
autotrader.com
cars.com
carfax.com
classified2000.com
nada.com
nsxchangeclassified.com
nsxclassified.com
These links sure helped me find a car and also made me relize that if you want a top notch car (not salvaged, wrecked etc.) you'll be paying top dollar. I'll give you an example of my search if you don't mind. I started out looking for a Viper, 993 or Supra TT. Viper's I found were too crude for real world driving. Not too practical other than tracking the car. 993's were too expensive when it came to maintenance IMO. Supra's, couldn't find one fairly stock. NSX's offered me the reliability and decent performance (not the fastest out there) and offered the exoticness (is that a word?) like a Ferarri without the hassles.

 

[hejo]

Hey man don't give up so easy. True story of picking up my NSX. I had a 99 BMW 328i convertable and didn't like it. I wanted to pick up a low mileage 91 NSX and heavily mod it. So when I went to get the NSX my wife said only if I got the targa. There went my mods and then some.

Now my wife has a MB SLK320 and nevers takes my NSX because it scares her. I should have bought a 91 and a miata!

So like Chris said buy a 91 in the low $30s and pick up a Miata for $7k. That's still below the $50k mark.

------------------
Hal Jones
Lake Oswego, Oregon
95T Blk\Blk SportShift