348 or NSX which should i buy?

If u are even considering this question u should not buy a Ferrari. There is no comparison, like for Porsche, "There is no substitute" (well, actually there is, but that's beside the point).

NSX = completely reliable semi performance car with Italian aspirations but Japanese car owner experience. The ultimate poseur mobile (not necessarily a bad thing if this is what u want in a sports car).

Ferrari = the real deal.

Enough said.

 

Pipe down. The biggest problem with your argument, is that Honda ultimately makes everyday cars. Ferrari does not. Honda makes the NSX, a fine sports car, they also make Civics, CR-Vs, Pilots, Fits, Elements, on and on and on. Then they manage to make an S2000, a good car for it's market, and like I said just a moment ago, the NSX.

What does Ferrari make? F430, 599, and it's everyday car the 612. Hardly the line up the Honda offers. The fact is, most NSX fans have a Ferrari complex, that their beloved NSX has better build quality, better performance, yadda, yadda, yadda. IT IS NOT A FERRARI. It is not a 308, It is not a 328, 348, 355, 360, or F430. Is it a nice, cool, fast car? Yes. Is it a Ferrari? No. An NSX can be compared to a Vette, Viper, Supra, whatever. All these cars try to emulate what Ferrari brings to the table. I'm not talking 0-60 times, or lap times, I'm talking about the passion behind a company's product.

So quit crying like a little girl when someone mentions passion and Ferrari in the same sentence. Honda DOES NOT have the passion that Ferrari has. Not for cars, Bikes, ATVs, Plane engines, or boat engines. It's a company making mechanical products period.

 

...it's fine that you missed the point so i won't shoot off a long response, but i do hear what you're saying. the difference is NO ONE'S COMPARING the cr-v, civic, pilot, etc. to the ferrari. they're comparing the NSX to the ferrari. i get the company structure/business plan/etc. is different than ferrari's (obviously), but the PASSION behind building the cars is very similar. the NSX is a comprable car to many ferraris and the 'passion' put into that SPECIFIC car is NOT questionable. the NSX-R was so well developed that this "honda" had the exact same lap time around the nurburing as the 360 Challenge Stradalle. this coming from this 'passionless' honda with about half the horse power.. i realize it's a futile argument to argue the differences between these two cars, but i'm sick of all the ignorance that falls out of people's mouth specifically regarding this car (NSX). i love F-cars and the history/passion that's put into these vehicles, but at the same time i can respect and appreciate the passion that floats within Honda (passion that many people will never understand). nissan/subaru/mitsubishi aren't the same. i'm specifically talking about honda and more specifically the NSX. many people on both camps (ferrari and honda) have great respect for each other and it'd be nice to see more people here with that same respect..

it could almost be argued that honda made ferrari/lambo/etc. STEP UP their game in the early 90's when the NSX was introduced as it provided a car that could compete in terms of performance yet was of undeniably better quality than the 'kit-cars' that a lot of earlier F-cars were.

 

Yes, but he is comparing an NSX not a NSX R, Japan only market. And if one were available in the USA, it would not be in his price range? He is asking about spending his money wisely, not about lap times.

 

Forgot, PAGHMANI, get the NSX, I think you will be happier and wont have to worry too much about maintenance. Love the NSX, have driven them in the past, nice cars at the higher RPM Range, but not for me.

 

Wanting an F-car.....and there must be no question about it! If there is any hesitation in your mind, get the NSX. F-cars and reasoning are like water and oil, they do not mix .

 

Well said!

The thread starter also just wanted some suggestions in his decision between an NSX and 348. Reading through the thread i think it's obvious that the NSX would be the best choise if you don't have enough money left for unforseen services etc.

Four years ago (age 25) i had a similar decision to make, buy a cheap 328GTS / 348TS or buy an S2000 (a car i once tested and was hooked immediately) But i was affraid of the big costs the Ferrari could bring so i went for the S2000, never had any regrets!!
Meanwhile, i have/had lots of fun in the S2000 and still get a big grin on my face when i rev that engine up to 9.000 RPM
I can save up alot and sooner or later i will be able to buy the Ferrari that i really really wanted 4 years ago, a 360 spider
The NSX i only driven very short once, but to be honest it just didn't excite me as much as the S2000! A little dated cabin, no open top, the NSX would be a used one,... But i'm sure that it gives just as much (or more) fun if you don't care about all this.

It all just depends on what you want but even more: what you can afford (no offence)

All my best,

Guy

 

Calling an NSX a "Honda" is like calling a Ford GT, well, a "Ford". And hearing all of this "passion" about Ferraris sounds like the guy who was trying to defend the Z06 going around the track slower than the 430 by claiming it had inferior tires.
I could go on and on about how the Honda Corporation built a dedicated factory far from the Honda factory so they could hand build one NSX per day and how the NSX-R beat the 360 around the track, etc. but think it would be better to just speak from experience and give my opinion.
I've owned an NSX for five years.
I've owned a 360 for one year.
Get the NSX. Trust me.

 

"Calling an NSX a "Honda" is like calling a Ford GT, well, a "Ford".
Well put, this coming from a 348 owner!

 

thank you. the NSX is a far different car than most "hondas". that's a great point that i forgot as well in terms of illustrating their passion for that car (building a COMPLETELY SEPERATE FACTORY for the NSX).. anyone that say's this car is 'soulless' is crazy.

 

agree completely. the s2000 is an incredible car in it's own right as well, but for the original poster, i think in this situation, the NSX is the right car as well.

 

An NSX is a "Honda", a Ford GT is a "Ford", a Viper is a "Dodge", and Z06 is a "Chevy". No matter how brilliant these cars perform, even if they best a Ferrari, the bottom line is they do not carry the heritage/passion that a Ferrari does.

The point of my post was to state that Ferrari has a heritage unequaled by any car manufacturer. That is a fact.

To say an NSX is not a "Honda" proves my point exactly.

This is not an argument about performance, it's simply defending those who say the NSX does not have the passion that Ferrari does. It may want it, but it does not have it.

 

An NSX is a "Honda", a Ford GT is a "Ford", a Viper is a "Dodge", and Z06 is a "Chevy".

Uh, isn't a Ferrari a Fiat? They all are great cars let's not get too high and mighty about who really owns the company that makes the great car. Enzo sold the company to Fiat a long time ago, and he did not have an especially high regard for those who bought his cars, it was more a necessary evil to fund his racing team. They both have great racing histories and heritage in Formula 1 and other types as well, they both were started by a single man with incredible drive and vision and they both were hand built cars. As I said before I loved my NSX and currenly love my F355, they are different, both were great performance and pinnacle cars of their time, but there is a lot higher performance availble for a lot less money today. The styling of the NSX, 348 and to some extent the F355 can all be called dated, but I prefer them to a lot of the current designs by either manufacturer. All certainly look miles better that the 612. Buy the car that makes you smile the most, but do not in any case buy a salvage title of either, your dream will end only in a nightmare. Whichever you buy, please do drive the car, it will run better than leaving it sit all the time in the garage and they really are a ton of fun to drive!

 

Honda did not buy a company called NSX. It has nothing to do with being high and mighty. I know the history of Ferrari thanks.

 

we all know the history and no ones debating that they don't have an incredible heritage, but point blank:

soichiro honda and enzo had unequivocally the same vision/passion for their cars. how the companies ended up in the present is of no consequence to the 'passion and heritage' of either of these people. the only difference between them is that one is italian and the other japanese. period.

the NSX was the realization of this 'passion' and a great realization it was and is. in fact, the NSX almost belittles the F-cars considering that it's really the first "exotic" sports car (road going, excluding F1, etc.) that the company has built and in their first attempt they bested even cars like the 360 which, according to you, should be leaps and bounds above an NSX because they have years of 'history and heritage' behind them.. just a thought.

again, no one is slamming Ferrari in any way. they are some of the greatest road going cars every built, period. but the initial poster has every right to compare a 348 to an NSX. they are extremely close weather you or anyone else grasps that realization or not.. all it sounds like is people are a bit too high and mighty to realize that there are other cars besides ferrari that deserve the same respect and adoration..

 

Oil and any number of other fluids mix on my garage floor once in a while. It's my Ferrari "proof of purchase" puddle.

I'd agree Honda has been very innovative and up'd the ante for the Italian marques. At its core though, I think traimpz348 made the point that Ferrari is focused on racing and this comes through as soon as you turn the key. Honda does very fine engineering, and also makes great economy cars, mulching mowers and chain saws. I probably couldn't afford the major service on a Ferrari chain saw, so I appreciate Honda/Acura. But there's a very real difference behind the wheel of an NSX and any Ferrari. The founders took their passion in very different directions. Rational versus raw, refined versus fiery, etc.

But to the original post, I think he's received very good advice about avoiding "bargain" 348s. We all have/had the same fantasy about owning a Ferrari, and ultimately he shouldn't settle for anything different when the time is right.

 

You know, I love Ferrari’s. Make no mistake on this issue. But I personally feel a comparison between an NSX and a 348, is a valid comparison. Comparing a 348 to a Viper or Vett, well on a track the 348 will spank them every time, (lets just understand that the Vett owners are in a state of denial, I really don’t want to debate this issue further). I’m not certain the 348, or the 355, would necessarily spank a healthy NSX.
The cars handle great, attention to detail is outstanding. Yea a few civic parts will fit on the NSX, but oh wait, did we forget how many Fiat parts will fit on our 348’s.

My point is, were having this whole passion discussion thing, and honestly I went thru my fair share of Vetts, Z’s, Porsches, and Honda’s on my way up to my first Ferrari. So if you have to spend a little time in another car when your working your way up, I personally think an NSX is a wonderful choice.

And just a reminder, I still had plenty of passion for Ferrari’s, when I was driving all those other cars. As a matter of fact, driving those other cars, actually made my reality of ownership, just that much sweeter.

 

i agree with this. and both USED their respective directions to ultimately fund what was truly important to them: racing.

this not so much. soichiro was very similar to enzo, people know what their core is. they took different routes with their companies due to circumstances, but ultimately i think they are both closer than most realize.

 

You are right, they just built a special plant solely for the hand production of the car and had Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost do the development work on the car (counts as racing heritage in my book, though I dislike Prost). They did feel compelled to market it as an Acura for us badged snob Americans which never really made sense to me as all of their racing acomplishments were under the Honda name. The badge engineering the manufacturers go through is almost as entertaining to watch as is the enthusiasts reaction to who is owning them at the time. My favorite are the Lambo fans who long for their salad days when the Diablo was created by the Lamborghini they loved (Chrysler) versus what has become the the Lamborghini that they feel betrayed by (Audi) in the Audization of the Murci and Gallardo. I agree with you a Ferrari is special, I love mine and spend way too much time on this site. But the "it is great simply because it is a Ferrari" attitude of many I cannot buy into. We as tifosi give our Ferraris a lot more tolerance for "personality" than we do of other makes. We have a running joke in our family with the Ferrari that covers up for all of its personality (faults) when the clock does not work, the check engine light is on for 30 seconds, the suspension light is on and then off, some one touches one of the sticky interior parts and says yuck. We just respond "It's Italian!" and laugh. As long as the sound it makes at 8,000 RPMs puts a big grin on my face and I still love looking at its styling we will continue to laugh at the "It's Italian!" joke in our house. I can say that without having one of the best independent Ferrari mechanics within 50 miles of my house (the Great Dr. Dave Helms), there is no way the Ferrari would have replaced the NSX, nor would the "its Italian"joke be funny anymore.

 

agreed.

 

You need to keep in mind that shelling out the $$ for the 348 will be at least $55-$60K, otherwise youre buying a headache. Also, just the purchasing of one is just the beginning, you really need to know that just the upkeep on a Ferrari is NOT cheap. I just bought a 348 and after a month in the shop and $10K later, its finally up to par.

 

Some people will never get it.
You can very easily compare the NSX and the 348. They're both rear mid-engine cars, with similar power outputs. The NSX was/is Hondas supercar, it is their Ferrari, it's competition and ultimately made Ferrari better. This is a comparison of one rear mid-engined exotic to another.

 

On paper, you're completely right.

Problem is, just like Lexus has made a string of excellent cars but hasn't figured out how to make a BMW 3 series, even after buying a ton of them to dissect and research, no one else has made a Ferrari. Every magazine review you read comes out saying the Lexus is the better value, great fit and finish, keeps up with the BMW in performance, yada yada, and then at end says something about how the balance, teutonic solidity, smooth power and engine sound make the BMW the one they would buy, cost no object. I've owned a BMW, my mother and stepfather have Lexuses, and I can vouch for the motoring press' conclusions.

I hate to use marketing expressions like "automotive DNA", but there's something to it more than snobbery. You can get into any of these cars blindfolded, engine idling, and know where you're sitting.

Similarly, Honda has never figured out how to make a Ferrari, although they made a very liveable mid-engined two-seater in the NSX. On a spreadsheet, it looks damned impressive. When your butt's in the seat, it's not equivalent at all.

(Hell, Jaguar can no longer figure out how to make a Jaguar, so this isn't new...)

 

I have never gotten used to the long tail of the NSX but ten minutes after sitting behind the wheel it will be a non-issue. The chassis is solid and the greatest cost you are likely to encounter is for tires.

It is a great car that loves the twisties. The motor is perfect for the car but it would have gotten much more respect had Honda added two extra cylinders.

Go drive both before you decide. If you can get an NSX in a dark color it looks fine.

ken

 

I shopped a 348 against an NSX for only one reason in my case: I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing the boat on not considering the NSX. They are nice looking, extremely well built cars with exceptional handling. They also don't cost much to get into and maintain. Lastly, they hot rod pretty well even up to some pretty staggering power output numbers with super or turbo chargers.

If it was purely money, the NSX has good bang for the buck, but so does the Corvette and it is American built with much better parts availability and support. And u can really wring extra perfromance out of them.

The NSX lacked something in terms of providing an experience. I'm not sure I get the passion thing, but maybe "the experience" in this case is the same. It drove and handled well. It did not make the same noises, nor can u get it to resemble the Ferrari sound. It has an antiseptic or sterile package. On the surface in terms of going, turning and stopping, it reproduces the Ferrari experience without replicating it. In this way it is very Japanese. I like Bullfighter's comments on the Lexus and BMW. Close, but no cigar.

However, I would own one in a hearbeat if I was looking for the tightest $35K package I could find and I wasn't turned off by Japanese sterility in their design and execution.