Musings On Owning A NSX 

"VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely" (vajazzlemcdildertits) 04/05/2015 at 14:03 • Filed to: None

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Full Disclosure: Acura didn't give a shit if I bought the car. I also posted this on Reddit, but I wanted Oppo to know what it was like. You can sort of see the STI I traded in in the background.

So, first thing I want to tell you is that I rushed the buy. I saw it at a dealer and I fell in love with it immediately. This is a bad sign for anyone who buys from a dealership. Keep in mind, despite being a 20+ year old car (I bought a 91) it more than held up under that mystical "driving feel" than my 2011 STI was.

I loved the STI, but I LUSTED after the NSX, and I traded in the Subaru after I pulled the trigger. I bought it for 26.6k, and I feel like I got a good price for the money, after the trade. There were a few cosmetic issues with it (some paint chips and aging leather) but everything seemed mechanically sound. The dealer ship showed me all the work they did on the car, and it meant a lot that they did the timing belt and water pump which were significant maintenance items for the mileage it had (88k.) 2 of the last 3 owners had babied it, but there was one guy in the middle who added some Dali Racing parts to it, so it was no longer OEM.

Now, when I say I rushed it, I pulled the trigger probably about a year too early. I put down 2.5 grand and financed the rest, when I really should have put in another 2.5 on the down. The rest I financed, and it was at 7.9% which I thought was fair for a car older than a college student.

I drove home immensely happy. Every day when I question the choice I made, I just go look at it in the garage I remember why I bought it. It's not as useful as the STI was, but it grips me when driving it more than the Subaru ever did. The trunk is pretty big and it supported a Costco run or two, and I've been updating the maintenance on it as I drove. So far, it's needed a new clutch, a new AC unit and relay (that was a pain, but I live in AZ and it had to be done,) and a new engine cover. I also replaced the awful intake cone filter, and I managed to get a new Pioneer head unit in there that's far superior to the 10 year old Alpine. I will say that parts are expensive for the car - I have spent more than 5 grand on parts and labor getting the car to where *I* want it. Also, working on mid engine cars is just plain weird. The engine bay is hard to move around in, and parts are sort of hard to reach. Even my tiny Asian hands can't get in there, really, so I have to offload a lot of work to Science of Speed. I plan on more upgrades when I get the money, and I'm paying significantly more than my monthly payment each month to pay it off without hitting by the interest too much.

So, advice on getting the car. If you're trading in a car, I had to haggle a huge amount to get the value I wanted. Sell the trade privately if you plan on really pulling the trigger. Make sure mechanically that it's what you want. Put down a decent amount of down. You will also want to take it to either a NSX specialist shop - they are out there - or pay to get that thing inspected by a dealer with a NSX certified tech. Also keep in mind some specific parts will no longer be available, thanks to Honda killing the car in '05. This is mostly car buying 101, except for the special things that you have to do, because NSX.

Another thing is that everyone who also owns a NSX is incredibly cool and friendly. They all have "made it" in life and they are just the chillest people I have ever met - NO DOUCHES AT ALL. That alone sells the car. The Subaru fans are hit and miss - a lot of trolls and assholes out there. The NSX guys - not a one.

Even after everything I've said and done, do I regret making the purchase? Never. Not one day. Every time I question my purchase, I drive it. And all my problems fade away. I could talk for ages about this car and I see people taking pictures and complimenting my car about once a month. The car is wonderful and makes me feel wonderful when I drive it. It's my little LeMans car, and I'm never giving it up.

I might get a Audi R8, though.

TopSirloin > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:16

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That interest rate doe

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:16

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What no SR20? Not that I don't believe you but I wanna see the shiny

jjhats > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:19

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why did you out such a measley down payment down? I'm honestly shocked they would finance the car at all considering how old it is. Does it drive good even compared to today? I almost bought a mint 1991 318is before I bought my focus and I was quite let down by steering feel brakes acceleration and cornering. Even a 1991 feels ages older than today's modern cars but none of that mattered to me because e30 I loved the looks the visibility the retro ness so it was easy to almost overlook the lackluster performance. Is the nsx like this? Does your love of it make up for the driving or is the driving still that good ? Enjoy the car I've eyed many of them and could see one in my dream garage someday

jsemerica > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:20

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Congrats, sounds like an awesome car, and like a good cheese the engine only gets better with age, hah. Where about are you at in AZ?

KatzManDu > TopSirloin 04/05/2015 at 14:21

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True, but ancient car. Anything older than 3-5 years you get nailed with rates.

whatisthatsound > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:22

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No pictures? What in the world is going on.

TopSirloin > KatzManDu 04/05/2015 at 14:26

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That makes no sense to me, considering the life and terms of the note are not impacted in anyway by the age of the car, or it's condition for that matter. I can see insurance being a b****, but whether it's an NSX or a 2015 Accord, you're borrowing $24,000 and the interest % should reflect your credit worthiness, not what car you buy.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 14:27

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If I didn't have my 240Z or just really want to get a more modern feel, I would go for an NSX hands down. If I ever have cash to burn I would get one, its not like having a Ferrari in several ways. Cheaper to own than a 911? Perhaps. I know my 1994 Accord commuter car will not die, I kind of want it to so I can move on to something else but I told my wife I would keep it until it pooted out (have to justify the 240Z purchase and subsequent restoration/enhancements to it...) I would love to try an NSX, I love the typical Honda low dash feel. Alcantara race seats and wheel baby! I saw an NSX RR in Japan, oh mama...

Oh and the Scottish Korean ad is one of my favs, I work with an Filipino guy named Makenzie and I always say, hello Mackenzie of clan Mackenzie, and he replies, that don't make a lick of sense lad.

KatzManDu > TopSirloin 04/05/2015 at 14:40

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That's the game the banks play, not us.

I think they see it as a higher risk because the car is older; it can break and you cannot afford to repair it. Or alternately it will depreciate more/faster. Parts may be difficult to come by. So to them it's a bigger risk loaning money on that asset than on a brand new Toyota.

TopSirloin > KatzManDu 04/05/2015 at 14:57

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Eh, your points make sense, but I maintain that your interest rate has 95% to do with your age, your income, your credit history, your credit rating, your outstanding debt, whether or not you have a co-signer, you know - your pertinents. Hell, they make more money off the people who don't pay, or have issues paying than they do off the people who never miss a payment. They want you to take that risk!

XSeriesWalkingDead > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 15:48

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$38,500 http://greenville.craigslist.org/search/cta?aut…

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > whatisthatsound 04/05/2015 at 18:04

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I should really add some pictures. I'll do that in a bit, I have some weekend work.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > jsemerica 04/05/2015 at 18:05

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Chandler suburb in the Phoenix area.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > XSeriesWalkingDead 04/05/2015 at 18:05

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My paint, due to some trucks hauling rocks, isn't pristine. A wrap and then repaint is in my future.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > KatzManDu 04/05/2015 at 18:06

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This. I have nearly perfect credit, and a decent amount of equity. It's just one of the side effects of financing a 25 year old car. I went in with stars in my eyes.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > KatzManDu 04/05/2015 at 18:13

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You know what's funny? Same insurance policy as the STI, but it cost about 80 bucks less per 6 months for the Acura. No idea why.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/05/2015 at 18:23

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I work at an Acura dealership and a few months prior to my starting there we had an unmolested, low miles, early 2000's NSX traded in. Apparently it sold in under a week to a gentleman from FL (I'm in Boston) for the asking price of $76,000. So for $26,000 you didn't do too bad at all.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Twinpowermeansoneturbo 04/05/2015 at 19:25

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Early 2000's is what the people want. Solid OEM, bigger wheels than the NA1s, 6 speed, 3.2L C32B engine, and power steering and better toe-in angle so your tires last more than 10k miles. It's the best compromise between hardcore NSX and comfortable late model NSX. And you still get the popup headlights! Also, unmolested ones are super rare and are cherished. Still, 76k... whoo. That's some serious kit.

jsemerica > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 04/06/2015 at 01:28

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Awesome, I'm in Glendale, I'll keep an eye out. There's a black one around here with a transformers logo....

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > whatisthatsound 04/07/2015 at 01:24

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So, I got one picture up there. I have a friend who photographs a lot better but I have to meet up with him the daytime. The rest of the pics were from my garage, and they look terrible even though my cellphone's camera isn't great - I can supply those, however.

ravichandran > KatzManDu 05/11/2016 at 16:17

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I just saw this. I bought my NSX around the same time as you and was able to get 2.99% with barely any credit history through penfed. Most of the guys & gals on NSXprime go through Penfed !