| Author |
Message |
Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Member
Username: Kennyh
Post Number: 271
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 8:43 pm: | |
How much for the NSX? |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 733
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 7:44 pm: | |
Also the length of the stroke effects the amount of torque an engine produces. Higher rpm engines have shorter strokes and the longer the stroke the more torque. |
Robert McNair (Rrm)
New member
Username: Rrm
Post Number: 20
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 7:42 pm: | |
Chris keep in mind when a car has a higher torque rating than hp rating such as 87 mustang gt which is 225 h.p. 300ftlbs of torque you will get much more lower end grunt.The power band in most european cars is over 3500 R.P.M. while most American muscle run off idle to 5500 or so. |
Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Junior Member
Username: Najib
Post Number: 149
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 2:37 pm: | |
They are not VERY fast cars at low revs and at times feel quite ordinary as far as pick up is concerned. Also dont forget that with the unassisted steering you do feel every bump and fault on the road surface and that could have caused you to feel the front was fighting back. I can feel that on uneven sufaces as well. At first I thought it was going to break away but they adhere to the road quite well and corner very flat.
They had sorted out most of the problems by 1993 so you should try to look for on of those unless this car has had all the recalls and the single clutch plat, Nippondenso alternator and larger Bosch 2.7 Motronic ignition system.
They are half the price of equivalent 355s which are an improvement but then you do pay much more. If you can, get the Spider or GTS/GTB - all with the extra bhp (320 v 300). Also remember the TS roof does leak even in a mild shower.
Other than that, very solid and reliable with a decent air-con and for sound you really need to be over 6000 rpm. I envy the prices you guys pay in HK - what is it about $35k there?!!
There have been detailed comparisons betwee 328 v 348 v 355 here before so I would do a search and read the earlier opinions. |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 314
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 1:14 pm: | |
The earlier 348's were problematic. Go for a later car, which means a spider or one of the limited # of "speciales" delivered late in the game.(At least in the US, not sure about HK)
I'm not surprised that the car doesn't have the punch you expect at under 4k revs. The engine is not that torquey. It needs high revs. Don't know what the front end problem is, but it doesn't sound good. My 348 was dead-on, and without power steering, it was point and shoot. If you want more noise, buy a tubi. |
Chris A. (Asianbond)
New member
Username: Asianbond
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 1:00 pm: | |
I just test drove a 91 348TS today. It will be my first Ferrari. My observations:
1) The exhaust sounded as expected when outside the car, but while driving with the windows up and AC on it sounded quite different. Sort of like a thrashing Ford Tempo or almost turbine like, kinda like a whirring electric motor sound, just hard to describe. Didn't get the seat of the pants deep rumble feel either. I suspect having the windows up block the chorus coming out of the rear tailpipes, but nevertheless it was not what I had expected. I read on the site about other owners hollowing out their precats/cats or removing them all together. I assume this would add a more throaty roar and feel. Not sure if I want to mess with emission components here in HK especially with their annual road cert. inspections mandatory. I guess the best route is to go with a Tubi but they are quite pricey.
2) Didn't feel much power on the lower end under 4k. I punched it at around 2000-2500 in second and third gear and the thrust wasn't there. In fact, I was quite disappointed with the lack of response. I would assume a torquey V8 should have more lower end grunt. My current 91 NSX pulls better from that rpm and so did my 80/84 911s. What happen to "no substitute for cubic inches"? The power did come on after 4k but it wasn't blinding fast.
3) The front end felt a little loose while the car was on power. It felt a little vague and quite busy like the front tires were trying to stay planted to the ground. Not sure if it's is something specific to this car or they're all inherently like that.
4) The shifting clutch action was very drivable for everyday duty (bear in mind that I had 72/80/84 911s). I was very impressed with the clutch feel.
Overall, I still like the car given the incredible value proposition it offers. I think the body style and interior still looks quite contemporary. If you add the 355 wheels, it is hard to distingush the two car aparts besides the obvious side slats and rear tailight treatment. At approxiamtely half the cost of a 355 and with your downside limited(the 355s are sure to come down more in price, I personally think they are currently overpriced) it is an extremely good value relative to the 355. I've driven the 355 before and acknowledge it is the better car. It felt more "alive", kinda like the 87 Mustang GTs which I remembered just leaps when you hit it. I'm personally past the stage in life where I judge cars on absolute performance figures and stats. Just planning to get into one without having to mortgage the house and be able to enjoy the F-car exprience. With the money saved I'm looking to get into a 96 Jaguar XJR which will satisfty the practicality quotient.
Anyone interested in a 91 NSX auto in HK? Had it for a week so far, it is excatly like how everyone raves about, but at the end of the day it is still not a F-car.
Cheers. |