What other similar sports cars did you consider?

[TigerNSX]

I am sure this has been discussed in many different ways in the past, but would love to hear what your purchasing decision journey was like.

• What other similar cars did you consider before deciding on the NSX? Audi R8? McLaren 570S? Porsche GT cars?
• What was your ultimate deciding factor? Performance? Exterior? Interior? Usability? Price?

 

[DJ Iceman]

I only ever really wanted an NSX. I've been an Acura fan for a very long time. So when we got serious about buying an NSX, I did my research to see what other cars were out there in the same general price range. There was simply nothing compelling. The R8 doesn't impress me (and I'll never own any Volkswagen/Audi product after their horrific emission scandal revealed that lying and cheating are core corporate values), McLaren reliability and customer care makes it a non-starter, Porsches just never grabbed me on an emotional level... Probably the closest thing was a Mercedes SL63 or AMG-GT, but they just seemed inferior.

The NSX just perfectly suits us. Great performance, great-looking (attention-getting but not desperate-for-attention), comfortable and usable interior, whiz-bang technology in the design and engineering, and the legendary Honda/Acura reliability.

 

[NSXPich]

I am sure this has been discussed in many different ways in the past, but would love to hear what your purchasing decision journey was like.

• What other similar cars did you consider before deciding on the NSX? Audi R8? McLaren 570S? Porsche GT cars?
• What was your ultimate deciding factor? Performance? Exterior? Interior? Usability? Price?

1. Porsche 911 Turbo (Used 2017)
2. Audi R8 Performance (Used 2018)
3. McLaren GT (Used 2016)

Ended up with New 2020 NSX.

Only negative after getting was lack of sound. Just got the SOS downpipes and that is fixed.

Look and performance were most important to me.

 

[RYU]

Great question. I'm not an owner (yet) but there are a few items I'm still trying to come to grips with (i.e. settle on) and I may have found some solutions. Instead of going into my own personal reasons, I'd also love to hear about the areas you knowingly compromised on, yet still bought the NC1 anyway? Let's be honest, no car is perfect and I'd love to hear the points of compromise for current owners.

 

[Heavymetals]

I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a BMW I8.

I decided I was all set for a "super hybrid" and I thought the I8 was neat (and affordable!) until the NSX was released.

Blew me away as any other super hybrid (used Porsche or McLaren) available was more then $500k.

 

[Z06nsxcts]

McLaren 570s. Ferrari 458. Didn’t want headaches from either.

MC

 

[DJ Iceman]

Let's be honest, no car is perfect and I'd love to hear the points of compromise for current owners.

I'm amazed every time someone here lists all the performance mods they put on their NSX. To me, the car performs like a dream and I don't want or need to spend thousands of dollars for an extra tenth of a second in 0-60 time. And I also don't get the complaints that the exhaust isn't loud enough--I love the way it rumbles now and don't need to sit at a stoplight revving my engine just to try to get people to look at me.

Where I think Acura made compromises was on the interior. Unlike some reviewers, I actually see it as a positive that the NSX "borrowed from the Honda Civic parts bin"--I am comfortable with how Acura lays out their interiors and like the ergonomics. The aesthetic design of the interior, though, leaves a bit to be desired. Acura brags at length about how there are no exterior flourishes on the car that don't serve an engineering/performance purpose. It's all about weight reduction, airflow, etc. On the interior I see lots of bumps and swooshes that serve no purpose. The layout overall is fine, and it's very comfortable with all the switches and gauges just where I want them, but it's not as elegant as the exterior design. I would have liked a few more buttons and knobs rather than having to use the fingerprint-collecting touchscreen for so many things. And the infotainment system is, as nearly everyone agrees, substandard and weak.

 

[jaybird]

Having owned 3 prior NSX's I had always been intrigued by the new NSX. I also owned a Boxster S, which I actually really enjoyed. I was pondering the R8 with the V10; or maybe a Cayman GT; but then at a local car cruise a guy showed up with the new NSX --- we chatted and we went for a spin. I was hooked. So I found my current 2017 that only had 5k miles on it. I love the car -- looks, handling, performance ---- and what I really like is the "multiple personality" available. If I'm on a long drive, or cruising to work i can easily cruise comfortably - but then can go "Sport+" for a much more spirited drive. I actually love the interior -- and, yes, the infotainment center is likely its weak spot -- but I can certainly live with it. I actually think it is the most under appreciated sports car out there currently. Jay

 

[docjohn]

I am waiting patiently for the type S.......for me in the relative boonies I have a limited number of dealers to easily service whatever. Acura and Porsche are about 20 minutes so for me I would only cross shop the upcoming cayman GT4 RS..

 

[skafia]

Opposite story. Being a huge Acura/Honda fanboy I was dead-set on an NC1 but after test driving a couple of them, it just wasn't for me. I ended up ordering a 718 GT4 instead, yes it's much slower but tons more engaging.

 

[lucky]

the minute I took my gently used 17 for a test drive it was like home. after the Ferrari debacle... I had an original and felt back at ease with the build and that meant a lot- I knew i wanted one after the 2012 car show but never thought it was a reality. the info is the compromise for sure but apple car play addresses that.. love it every day

 

[Silver F16]

Opposite story. Being a huge Acura/Honda fanboy I was dead-set on an NC1 but after test driving a couple of them, it just wasn't for me. I ended up ordering a 718 GT4 instead, yes it's much slower but tons more engaging.

Looking at your ownership experience , the GT4 is consistent with formula you like. Have you consider a 991 GT3? The engine is glorious.

 

[drmanny3]

When I sold my modified 2001 NSX-T in 2016, I pretty much figured that was the end of my sports car days. Prior to getting my current car I often looked at the Porsche 911 Turbo S in the 2015-2017 year range. I also looked at the 2015 and later Audi R8 and liked the V10. However, neither met our Hybrid/Electric expectation. We were committed to electric vehicles and or plugins. It was only by chance that the NSX came back into my life.

What turned me off from the Porsche 911 Turbo S was the interior of the car. It was just so much the same over many years. I realize that to Porsche folks 'it ain't broken so don't screw it up'. But I found it just so uninspiring. I liked that Porsche offered a leather interior beyond the seats-something that the previous NSX did not have. I never liked the back seat in a Porsche 911. I always thought they should have made that a better covered compartment for storage. As for performance, I think the Porsche 911 Turbo S is great. I was concerned about the long term maintenance and repair. Heard a lot of positive stories of improved build quality. In the end the sameness of the 911 kind of turned me off.

The Audi R8 had some issues with respect to the early cars and front suspension. I saw a couple of cars being repaired on YouTube where the front suspension had cracked. The maintenance on the R8 and Audi in general was expensive in my mind. I did not like the absence of the middle screen. People say they get use to the Audi center display showing everything. I did not like the layout of the switch gear on the R8. I did not like the higher end seat treatment. The overall design while nice was not extraordinary and supercar like.

The NSX thus far has not disappointed. I like the interior as it is. I have a Volvo XC90 T8 (their flagship car). I love their minimalist take on high end quality. I see the NSX in a similar way. The NSX is very functional. The materials used are high quality. I would have liked a volume button near the screen. I have the Bowers and Wilkins upgraded stereo in my Volvo which was a $3200 upcharge. Probably the best auto stereo I have ever had in a car. The NSX obviously does not have the spatial capacity for subwoofers and multiple speakers beyond what we currently have. I am not a rap person so I don't miss the punch that some seem to desire. I want sophisticated sound that is balanced. I find depending on the source of the music that the current NSX (Top System) is enjoyable at the right volume. With respect to performance, thus far the NSX meets my expectations.

At times I wish I had a stick shift. However if memory serves me, driving in traffic is a downer. My NSX has all the carbon fiber offered and I actually like it that way. I also really like the seats in all leather rather than the darker alcantara in the center section. I still like the current 911 Turbo S but feel the NSX is a bit more special looking. While I think the 911 GT3 is a looker, I never saw it as a daily driver. My current NSX is the most expensive car I have ever owned. But it is built by Honda, Runs like a Honda, Performs like a Honda, and I suspect will last like a Honda. The NSX does not have the stigma "I am rich and you are not" If I drive by some homeless folks in Santa Barbara, I get a thumbs up rather than a middle finger. Honda is for the people. Porsche, Audi, and Ferrari don't have that kind of vibe.

 

[NbyNW]

Back in 2017 into 2018... Looked at 911s, but they never have spoken to me. I’ve been trying to like them for 25 years and always come away after a look disappointed. Looked at the GT3 but same feeling and I didn’t want something too harsh with a big wing on the back. The Turbo’s... same thing. Interior too similar to the base 911s. And the Boxter wasn’t special enough.

McLaren 12C was really cool, but gremlins. Same with the 570... I was really close with a 570 but reading about electrical gremlins with the dealer 2 hours away didn’t give me good feeling. I was reading about cars in for repairs for weeks before they were returned. Plus the yearly service cost at the dealer (no independent shops), and the “required” yearly warranty cost. Read it was foolish to own one without the extended warranty. No way for extended road trips.

No interest in Audi and never looked at an R8. Don’t like the look.

The C8 was a poorly kept rumor back then but no interest either. Spy shots and concept drawings... it looked terrible. Plus not special enough.

Ferrari... Had a 360 and a 360C so didn’t want another. 430 was long in the tooth so not right. 458 had (has?) brake issues back then so too much risk, plus they were pricey. A 430 Scud would have been great but no good for road trips we were planning, plus pricey.

Lambo... Hurican was relatively new, small inside, and pricey. Gallardo too small inside, plus long in the tooth.

Looked at the Gen2 NSX... pretty cool, good seats, great stance, and beautiful lines. Excellent potential as a back road carver or a long distance cruiser. The $30k cash (no loan required) and huge dealer discount made it an easy choice. Plus I had a 92 Gen1 so I liked coming back to an NSX. With an extended warranty now available it’s a long term keeper if that’s what we decide.

The NSX has been fantastic. Lots of back roads and two road trips out west to South Dakota and Wyoming. The Tetons, Yellowstone, Big Horns, Black Hills, The Badlands. Missed Montana because of snow on mountain passes in June.

No second thoughts getting it... it feels special every time we go for a drive.

 

[Hothonda]

Just wondering....How many Acura dealers nationally now?

How many have the equipment and the tech to service the new NSX?

Thought I read in the beginning there were a lot more v today?

THX!

BTW, on my 3rd 911 after giving up waiting forever for the next gen to arrive.

5 gen 1 NSX previously- that said 991 Porsches have been quality cars.

FWIW My Wife recently updated her '17 MDX to a 2020 - we've had many in the past
and keep coming back - solid appliances.

 

[drmanny3]

Just wondering....How many Acura dealers nationally now?

How many have the equipment and the tech to service the new NSX?

Thought I read in the beginning there were a lot more v today?

THX!

BTW, on my 3rd 911 after giving up waiting forever for the next gen to arrive.

5 gen 1 NSX previously- that said 991 Porsches have been quality cars.

FWIW My Wife recently updated her '17 MDX to a 2020 - we've had many in the past
and keep coming back - solid appliances.

Probably not surprising, but in Southern California where I guess there are a few cars on the road, almost every Acura Dealer has a least one tech trained on the new NSX. I was really surprised that in Santa Barbara where the Acura Dealer is part of Jag, and Range Rover they have one trained tech in the new NSX. However they do not work on previous generation NSXs as their tech is not trained on those.

Having been driving 911s for as long as you have would make it hard to change car brands. As I have noted before, I am impressed with the 911 overall. I was lusting over a 911 Turbo S for years. The 911 is a well engineered vehicle and has a great history in racing. I spent many years in Germany as I had an office and lab in Sindelfingen when the Berlin Wall was still a thing. The Germans know how to build things. They are a bit zealous when it comes to rules and regulations. They are committed to excellence. Having said that they are also very different philosophically from the Japanese. The Germans see maintenance and repair as a necessary evil that is part of the ownership experience. Things are built to perform over and above their longevity or reparability. Or at least that was the focus. Now that VW has control, I suspect that Corporate demands a more balanced approach. The Germans often make things too complex as they strive for perfection of singular purpose.

A lot of it is based in history. The Germans were/have been masters of manufacturing for centuries. I can recall meetings with Bosch where everyone at the table had a PhD. We would discuss materials and processes and what was wanted and needed. When questions came up the "Misters" were called in to help clarify what could and could not be done in manufacturing. They were the true "reality experts". So for the Germans even after WWII, they just rebuilt and picked up from where they left off.

The Japanese knew what quality was, but had a very difficult time initially getting their arms around their processes. American experts like Feigenbaum, and Deming helped the Japanese refocus and develop a holistic approach to manufacturing. Having literally no raw materials, everything had to be imported to Japan. So they had a waste not want not attitude. That translated into design and manufacturing expertise. It took the Japanese 20 years to overcome their quality and manufacturing issues. The Japanese would focus their efforts in producing a "perfect" holistic product over one that excelled in specific capabilities. I can recall visiting many Japanese auto factories and being surprised as to how ancient the factory was versus the product that was being manufactured. In contrast if you visit a German factory the facility is as modern as the product being built.

Of course a lot is changing and we will see fewer differences in the future. Having said all this, I see the current NSX as an philosophical embodiment of Honda and the Japanese legacy of design and manufacturing. What is important is that you find what speaks to you and embrace it.

 

[Heavymetals]

I suggest you read this book:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machine_That_Changed_the_World_(book)

A no nonsense study of worldwide auto manufacturing.

The section on "craftsmen" just knocked me over.

 

[sled driver]

I had just sold my '05 Ford GT (first car I made money on) and was hopeful I'd be one of the few selected for the new FGT model. Despite the hype that they would select from previous owners and true enthusiasts Jay Leno and Ford executives wound up with the first batch. I still had a '17 AMG GTS that I'd set up for street/track duty and was a very very good car.

Went down my list:
Nissan GT-R Nismo- lot of go fast stuff available, but it was ugly and not very refined. My wife said she wouldn't ride in because it was...ugly!
McLaren 720S, very fast best ride and handling of any supercar, dealer network impossible, too many issues, short warranty, friend who owned one said don't buy it.
Porsche 991 Turbo S , I've had two turbo's and other variants and it seems Porsche is selling the same kool aid for a lot more money now $220K. Ya I know your uncles cousin got one for $150K.
AMG-GTR/Pro you need a kidney belt to drive these track focused cars on the street. GTS better street/track.
AudiR8- Rode with friend who had a track set up, horrible modified. Had experience with Audi's in the past all bad. Found out that the front chassis were failing and they are going to be discontinuing.
Lambo Huracan Lower, faster and more edgy than an R8.
Ferrari- Had a 360 sold it. Didn't like the gold chain experience.
Pagani Zonda R- Just kidding, I did sit in one. Love this car. $1.2mm don't love it.
Jag F Type- "oil leak" It's suppose to leak oil. A traditional Jaguar feature. We now have a five year warranty that covers everything but oil leaks.
Austin Martin DB9- Lovely, if leather matters more than performance then this ones for you. But not for me.

I saw the NSX at the Phoenix auto show and couldn't get my mind off it. Started asking guys that owned them. Drove it and loved the instantaneous throttle response, beautiful ride, refined and based upon talking to three different owners reliable and bullet proof. Negotiating on a new '19 a year ago when local dealer said I'm getting a '20 Casino White Pearl in but it's lightly optioned. Drove it loved it, bought it.
Three weeks later I get an email from Ford! We've got you're video you submitted and we're going to build another 500 Ford GT's and they will be delivered in late 2020 if you want one email us. New pricing $600K!
A friend who happens to work at Ford got a GT and I got to ride/drive it. With a JB4 NSX is as faster from a dig.
I'm more than happy with my NSX.

 

[drmanny3]

I suggest you read this book:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machine_That_Changed_the_World_(book)

A no nonsense study of worldwide auto manufacturing.

The section on "craftsmen" just knocked me over.

Yes excellent book! Very familiar with Womack, as he is the founder of Lean Manufacturing as we know it outside of Japan. I taught his take on the Toyota Production System for around 25 years. Right after WWII the Japanese sent their experts to observe how Ford built cars in their River Rouge Facility which as the time was the Worlds largest manufacturing operation. They saw that Ford had large inventories to deal with the unbalanced nature (Push) of manufacturing the whole car. Quality issues sometimes impacted the entire inventory of parts creating all sorts of problems. Out of this effort came many new programs one of which was SMED or Single Minute Exchange of Die.

What often took days to setup required building large inventories to justify the costs. In fact there was an equation that I used early in my career before Lean that was called the EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) It included the cost of setup which guaranteed large lots were manufactured. The root cause was the setup which is why SMED became the name of the game. If you can reduce most setups to under 5 or 10 minutes then you can make quantities of one which is the goal of Lean Manufacturing (Pull). No one is there yet, but they are getting close. Back when I was more active Toyota would keep no more than 2 hours of inventory on hand. It meant vendor shipments were coming in often.

I spent a bit of time at the Freemont Plant which at the time was known as the NUMMI Plant (New United Motor Manufacturing-a joint effort by Toyota and GM. The employees who were empowered by management would stop the line some 1000 times a day for quality issues. If they could not assemble their particular component and provide the next in line cell with 100% quality they were required to pull the cord (alarm) and leadership had approximately the time associated with the TAKT Time (~cell cycle time) to intervene with a solution. If they could not solve the problem then the entire serpentine line would come to a halt. It was something watching this in action. I am a great believer in Lean and have been teaching a combination Lean Six Sigma for Cal State Fullerton over the last 10 years.

 

[TomCat]

I had just sold my '05 Ford GT (first car I made money on) and was hopeful I'd be one of the few selected for the new FGT model.

I was waiting on the new NSX (during the years of pre-production delays) when a 2006 Ford GT became available...I got that instead and kept my 1991 NSX.

 

[Heavymetals]

I worked at RAYTHEON and I went through all the Deming /six sigma/CMI classes.

You would not believe the load of crap they gave me when I pointed out the same metrics could be applied to management.

 

[nsx878]

In 2016, I was thinking about downsizing, and was going to sell ALL the cars I owned and buy one "good" car that might have a chance to appreciate. I was looking at the 05 Ford GT..... My plan never really developed due to the logistics of selling a bunch of cars, and the GT's started to take off in price. In Nov of 17" at the local cars and coffee, I saw my first NSX. I was immediately drawn to it. I knew very little about the car, but, after 2 weeks of intensive research, I bought one..... No regrets!
It's an amazing car and ticks all of the boxes for me. An experience that I never ever dreamed I would have in my life. I went on to sell 3 cars to pay for my highly discounted NSX. I did briefly look at a GTR, but it did nothing for me aesthetically, but a lot of car for the money. It all worked out for me. Love the Porsche GT3, but too costly for me at this time. No interest in the Mclaren, Ferrari, Lambos and Corvettes......

 

[hpbyhermann]

There were only 2 Supercars I would actually want to own.

I have been fascinated by the NC1's since viewing the first prototypes. I am also a fan of the 911 GT3 and GT3-RS. That being said my wife and I decided we loved the NSX after spending some actual driving time in my Father in law's NSX. Absolutely was everything I wanted in a performance street car. A literal Swiss Army knife, can adapt to any task. Wonderful Honda/Acura reliability and ease of maintenance. I daily drive a FK8 Honda Civic Type R that is very simular in many respects and made this an easy choice to make. Someday a GT3 of some type will join it in my crowded garage! The NSX was a choice I'd make again in a second!

 

[skafia]

Looking at your ownership experience , the GT4 is consistent with formula you like. Have you consider a 991 GT3? The engine is glorious.

I think you're right, manual shifting is my thing. I test drove a 991.1 GT3 RS and although that engine is glorious and the shifts appear to be faster, the experience was similar to the NC1. You sorta just hang onto the wheel, play with the paddles and the car does the rest. This said, used NC1 prices are getting to the point where it's stupid if you don't buy, so maybe soon! .

 

[DocL]

For me I was loyal to the Acura brand and having had a 1994 NSX for 15 years, it was obvious that the NC1 was to be my next car. I had a 911TT along side my NSX, the 911 only lasted two years in my ownership. The NC1 obviously didn't last as long as the 911 in my possession.

I'll leave it there.