Musing on The New NSX

"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy) 10/27/2015 at 08:38 • Filed to: 2016 Honda NSX, 2016 Acura NSX, Opinion post

4

24

At this point the only real competition of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is herself. A lot of us here have basically said “Fuck you!” to the thing, all clamoring for Hellcats and Corvettes and most probably the New Ford GT (oy, that GT you’re drooling on is as good as sold out!), that I’m hurting for the car.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I’m not hurt for the marque from which the car comes from, this much I want to make clear. Acura and Honda are the ones who did this. They were the ones who weren’t sure, who weren’t ready, who can’t take the plunge despite having, on paper and in vision, the ideal environmentally-sane neo-classic supercar: beast torque, AWD, top tech, but still lithe and nimble, giving calculated thrills while reminding you of what the older car stands for in your mind. They’re in the dark, as if they forgot the recipe for one sports car, even if the end result is certainly making the rounds. The result is a car that knows it can take on the world, but is nervous.

Maybe I have too much torque. Maybe I’m too sure-footed.

Maybe I can’t do it, after all.

And the parent marque seems unable to even reassure the poor thing, much less bolster her confidence.

This is the tragedy of the New NSX. Five years ago, the tier would have been taken aback by a car that’s got electric motors giving it gobs of power and efficiency, and an AWD system that can edge the R35. Today, competition became fierce enough that supercars deliver even more things to the table and do it presentably. The variety is killer, too. Track aces, low-priced beasts, pugilistic gymnasts. Each car in the tier has raised the bar so high that these days, even a car that gives 75% capability for 50% the price is considered a miracle. And you know what? The New NSX would have—or should have—raised that bar to 2015’s level five years ago . And now it can’t, and now it’s being lampooned, now it’s being balked at, now it’s being forgotten. All because Honda can’t seem to stomach it.

I guess that, instead of touting the New NSX as the future, Honda must refine the car so it becomes the summary of how far the supercar has come. It doesn’t need to tell the story of the 23rd century, it should simply chronicle the journey of the modern super-sports tier. It’s in the exterior, already. To quote one commenter on the C&D article:

From the front and sides looks inspired by the Audi R8 and from rear, Aston Martin. Contemporary without being generic or plagiarist- harkening just enough back to the original NSX. Unlike the i8, it doesn’t look like a spaceship....a car that was supposed to be “ sold out “ yet my local dealer has three available for immediate sale.

Wasn’t the Old NSX the same? Taking the best silhouettes from the most lusted-over exotics of its time, joined together in a sleek, if muted, package that’s both exotic and vanilla. Same with the new one. Combining the best bits of exterior design in a sleek, if muted, look.

C&D is right about its assessment of the New NSX, and falls right in my perception of the car as a Padawan. The car itself has proven that it’s worthy, but there’s still room to be greater. The Force is strong, but needs something else to truly become a revelation. And no, it’s not software.

To me, it needn’t emulate the old one for now, or out of the gate. That’s too much to ask and in the end you’ll pan it anyway (oh, yes, you would, don’t lie to me). It will come on its own, naturally. The New NSX will most likely fall in to place the longer one drives it day by day.

Also, it damn needs a different badge. It can’t be called an Acura. I refuse to. Look at the tags.

Tripper > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 08:59

0

Ok I thought this would have at least 30 comments on it by now. Where the fuck is everyone this morning?

Wheelerguy > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 09:02

0

So do I.

asindhidude > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 09:08

0

The perfect NSX for me would be something similar and size and shape to an Evora, with a DI NA 4ish liter V8 ( I’m good with 2 k24s bolted together) with 450 hp, sub 3000lbs, a six speed, for about 100k. It should be fun.

LongbowMkII > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 09:18

1

this has been overlooked, but the new NSX weighs over 3800 lbs. hybrid or not, oink oink.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 09:25

1

It’s early. I just ate a bagel.

TheHondaBro > LongbowMkII 10/27/2015 at 09:26

0

Yeah, heavy cars don’t perform well.

TheHondaBro > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 09:28

1

I disagree. It’s better as an Acura than a Honda. You’d never ever cross shop a HONDA with any of its conpetitors, but at least Acura has a little more prestige in its name.

Tripper > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 09:30

1

I asked a guy at work yesterday about the NSX. Hes not really a car guy, but he loves Defenders so we have found common ground there. I said “Do you remember the Acura NSX?” he didn’t right off the bat, but after I reminded him of the shape and price, he did remember.

I said “Well they’re making another one and from what I’m reading it’s not going to match all of the hype, as hyped up things often don’t.” Then I explained the numbers and what it (kind of) competes against. Then he said something similar to the FP article about the NSX (which I dare not comment on). “Who is Acura going to sell this car to? It’s 3 times as expensive as anything else they’ve got.”

Fantastic question I think. Not that the NSX isn’t a great car, I’m sure it will be. However if I’ve got $150k (give or take) to spend on a sports car, I’m in a Porsche 10 times out of 10. If not a Porsche then the R8 etc... I think that there are just too many better options.

I just see the new NSX following the same path as the old one. Reveled and remembered only by car enthusiasts.

TheHondaBro > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 09:30

1

I just woke up. Jeez.

Wheelerguy > LongbowMkII 10/27/2015 at 09:37

0

If it can hide the heft and dance like it’s lighter than it is, however (probably), eat ‘em.

Tripper > LongbowMkII 10/27/2015 at 09:44

1

LongbowMkII > TheHondaBro 10/27/2015 at 09:59

0

you’re talking about the car that is fast but constantly derided as digital and lacking much true driver involvement. that’s exactly what an nsx should be /s

DogonCrook > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 10:18

1

“I just see the new NSX following the same path as the old one. Reveled and remembered only by car enthusiasts.”

Isn’t that what the old one was built for though? I have no idea who this was built for. It sure as shit isn’t enthusiasts. Whoever decided to call it a nsx should be given one as their severence package and shown the door.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 10:30

0

I feel like what Honda did with the NSX is similar to the CR-Z; so much potential but flawed execution. To be clear, this is not regarding the cars capabilities or anything like that but I think for Acura to be cross-shopped against 911 Turbos and R8 V10s it needed to be much more competitive in price. If the NSX is coming it at the estimated $170k, it is perilously close to the McLaren 570S and already way over many capable cars already.

Like the CR-Z, I think the NSX would look better if it was ICE only, no hybrid system and therefore ditching the weight/complexity and the associated price. However, as it stands, the NSX doesn’t seem to offer anything (on paper) beyond what the established supercars are able to.

I think it’s a fine looking car (I like the CR-Z, too) but the numbers just don’t add up for me. I’d probably be saying something different if it came with something really unique like the 1LR-GUE that Lexus built for the LF-A. Maybe there’s something we’re all missing - the LF-A has something beyond numbers that you only get once you drive it (so I’ve heard). If the NSX has this, then great - but otherwise it’s really stiff competition. Like this write-up says, had this been released in 2010/2011 it really would have been something else - it may be too little, too late.

I base all this on pretty much nothing except my feelings and what I've read regarding specs/price. I really hope the NSX is something special.

Tripper > DogonCrook 10/27/2015 at 10:30

0

I don’t know who Honda/Acura intends to sell the car to either. At the 150k price point, I think that you are going to need more than the enthusiast market to make it a successful car though. I’m an enthusiast and I can’t afford a $150k car, but if I could the NSX would not be my first or even 5th choice for that kind of money.

That is however my personal opinion. So it could sell like hotcakes, but I just don’t see that happening. It’s cool and will definitely have the rare factor, but if you’re not heavy car enthusiast I don’t see how the NSX even appears on your radar.

DogonCrook > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 10:39

0

It would basically have to be the most liveable dd sports car, more so than the I8 and the R8. But to set your sights on beating an r8 at a higher price point with zero expeirience building cars of that caliber should have been shutdown the second it was suggested. I suppose it’ll get cross shopped with the I8 and some will pick it because it looks more traditional. That type of buyer is just going to further stain this cars reputation. Every time you see one it’ll be an old man in a light grey sweater.

Tripper > DogonCrook 10/27/2015 at 10:45

0

Yup! The i8 is the only car where I would say, “Which do I want, i8 or NSX?” It’s going to be tough to get more “liveable” than an R8/911.

DogonCrook > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 10:57

0

I’d like to see how many previous nsx owners put a down payment on one. Kinda wonder if a high amount of go fuck yourself replies is what stalled this. I would think the typical nsx owner was looking for a boxster Cayman alternative.

Tripper > DogonCrook 10/27/2015 at 11:06

0

I only know one NSX owner, and we’re not tight enough for me to be comfortable calling him up and asking if hes getting a new one, or I would. Hes got a bunch of rare cars including a lotus esprit, and a Morgan Aero 8. Hes one of those people that makes you sick, garage full of some of the most beautiful sports cars, rarely drives any of them. DD’s an Escolade :( (to his defense I have seen him rolling the Morgan a bunch of times, it’s the only one I have ever seen)

DogonCrook > Tripper 10/27/2015 at 11:16

0

Why get the new nsx when you could have a lotus, Morgan, escalade, and the original for less!

What’s funny is the only two owners I’ve known had 911’s.

Funktheduck > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 11:40

1

The more I see of this car, the less I like it. Not that I have the money for such a car, but if I did I’m not even sure it would crack the top 10 candidates. At some angles it reminds me of the last gen eclipse and others a civic.

I joke all the time about how this car will never come out but at this rate they might as well scrap it because it'll be so far behind the competition.

Wheelerguy > Funktheduck 10/27/2015 at 11:42

0

Pretty defeatist, but fair point.

Funktheduck > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 12:52

0

It should be a good car. It should’ve been a great car from the get go considering the hype and redesign.

When you have a car that costs as much as a small house it shouldn’t evoke a feeling of meh and remind you of a commuter car. It doesn’t have to be audacious like a Lamborghini, take the 911 Turbo, but it should be unique. This thing looks like it could be lost on an average Acura dealer lot. Hopefully it’s better in person. Hopefully it’s better to drive than the numbers suggest like the old one.

Let's look at the price. Unless it turns out to be the most reliable, comfortable daily driver it doesn't stack up to the competition. When you get to those priced cars it's the only time it's apples to apples. It's not like a tavarish post comparing a new Camry to an AMG Mercedes. They're totally different cars that happen to cost the same. Here, these cars serve the same purpose but in slightly different ways and I don't see anything that makes the NSX stand out to justify its price

wiffleballtony > Wheelerguy 10/27/2015 at 13:42

0

This car is underwhelming to me in every sense. At least the original while being understated was a drivers car, this isnt. I’m not even sure what it is supposed to be.