Service Cars

Used car Review Honda NSX Review

When you were young and the question What kind of cars would you like to drive when you grow up? was asked, the response may well have been An E Type or Porsche Turbo. If youre currently under 30 the answer may well have been a WRX but is highly unlikely to have been a Honda NSX.

The big Hondas inability to enthuse was illustrated some years back in the carpark of a high-profile Gold Coast resort. Through the gloom, a pair of teenagers spied a sinuous, red-painted snout and with cries of "Look dad, a Ferrari!", they dashed 50 metres towards what was obviously expected to be some tactile contact with a Testarossa.




Two metres from the quarry they stopped and the excitement gave way to abject and audible disappointment.

"Its not a Ferrari, its a (expletive deleted) Honda!" And they walked away without a backward glance.

Prices

The earliest and cheapest examples of the NSX start from around £12,500, but that will get you only a worn example, so youre better off spending more. To pick up something really good, you will need to splash out closer to £20,000, while the last of the desirable pop-up-headlamp models fetch up to £35,000 at dealers. To secure one of the most recent machines - which will be virtually brand new - you will have to pay as much as £55,000.

Behind The Wheel

Steering wheel only adjusts for reach but otherwise the driving position is spot on and its easy to see out of whether youre kissing apexes or negotiating a multi-story carpark. The dashboard wraps around the driver: it looks a little dated, but all the buttons and switches are within easy reach.

SUSPENSION & BRAKES

The brakes fitted to pre-1994 cars are relatively small for their task and overheating can cause disc rotors to crack. Topping the brake system with other than the recommended Honda fluid is said to cause aluminium component corrosion. Wheel alignment is crucial, so check tyres for erratic wear patterns.

ELECTRICS & INTERIOR

Much of the NSXs interior and electrics may appear well but listening is more important than looking. Popping and screeching from the stereo speakers indicate imminent amplifer failure. Each speaker has its own amplifier and replacements cost $1100 each. Noise or shuddering from the electric windows is also expensive to fix, while replacing a broken interior door handle can cost $600. Uneven cooling or a non-functioning air-conditioning can cost $3000 to rectify.

ENGINE

Finding a car with fully-documented service history is an absolute must. Early engines suffered coolant leaks from poorly designed and positioned hoses that should have been replaced by now. Avoid cars with any trace of oil smoke from the exhaust as they may have been overheated. Oil leaks around the VTEC spool valve housings can drip onto the exhaust. Replacement camshaft drive belts are required at 100,000kms but belts that are more than seven years old should also be replaced as they deteriorate with age.

Performance

If you choose the manual gearbox (which you should) then youll get 3.2-litres of V6 heaven. Sounds glorious, pulls from 1500rpm in sixth gear and delivers all the way to its 8000rpm redline. Auto users get a lower torque 3.0 unit.

Safety

Youll get a couple of airbags and theres also a traction control system to stop you getting into big trouble. Security is taken care of by an alarm and immobiliser system.

FAST FACTS

HONDA NSX

PRODUCTION: 6838 (all models 1991-97)

BODY: unitary steel and aluminium body, two-door fixed roof and targa-top coupe

ENGINE: quad-cam 24 valve 3.0 or 3.2-litre V6 with multi-point fuel injection and VTEC variable valve timing

POWER & TORQUE: 188kW @ 6800rpm or 201kW @ 7100rpm; 284Nm @ 5300rpm

PERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h - 7.1 seconds; 0-400 metres -15.0 seconds (3.0-litre, five-speed)

TRANSMISSION: five or six-speed manual, four-speed automatic

SUSPENSION: Front: independent with upper and lower wishbones, coil springs and anti-roll bar.

Rear: independent with upper and lower wishbones, coil springs and anti-roll bar

BRAKES: four-wheel ventilated disc with power assistance and ABS

WHEELS/TYRES: 15 x 6.5 & 16 x 8.0 alloy with 205/50ZR15 & 225/50ZR16 tyres (1991-94 models)

Owner comment

parker

Had it now for 6 months and everytime I open the garage, my stomach turns with excitement. Build quality is second to none and I give credit to the Honda dealership as the service has been to a very high standard. For £70k this is so much cheaper than your Ferraris and Lambos and can just about manage them when it comes to performance. If you have never driven a Honda, try it, and make that damn VTEC work its magic on you. It has on me, and I dont think I will ever change to a different manufacturer.