First drive in an NSX

Wel, true - I was just trying to point out how much horsepower the NSX had relative to what was available at the time.

I am not in the camp of comparing the NSX to the F40. One, the F40 is a turbocharged car (NSX is normally aspirated). It's direct competition is the 348 and 911, and in that regard - as a total package - it's the equal in terms of specs, performance, price, etc.

I also agree with your follow on post - that it had 270HP well into its limelight is sort of lame, but from 91 - 95 it was a hot car. The later Zanardi version (1999 - 2000), pulled high 12 / low 13 quarter-mile times - pretty much quicker than most anything but a 550 and Dodge Viper.

 

Just because a car subsequently gets surpassed in performance doesn't mean it is over-rated. Lots of people appreciate older Ferraris (250s to 3x8s) even though many many cars are faster today. The problem with the NSX is that it hasn't really been replaced. It is a bit like a BMW M1. Although, even that isn't quite right because BMW continued to build exceptional coupes and sedans while Acura / Honda doesn't go after exactly the same market.

Also, since it looks like you appreciate the McLaren F1, you should look for a thread around here that claims Gordon Murray used the NSX as a inspiration for the F1.

 

Thank you.

 

Actually, and I won't presume to speak for him what he would say, but I do guess that if he were to have heard my salient points as stated, he would tend to agree with me.

You're right, he was so impressed with the concept of a reliable exotic like the NSX that he based a lot of general rudimentary principles of the F1 design off the NSX so the car would not be finnicky as the Italians of that era were.

Today, he is so impressed by the current NSXs that he has precisely 0 of them. Yes, he sold his after 70k kms. Why? Lack of horsepower and advancing technology frustrated him. Gee, that sounds familiar.

Murray sought utilitarianism, dare I say pragmatism, which he admired in the NSX. Working AC, reasonable high dashboard, high-enough roofs, proper-set pedals.
He also thought the aluminum suspension was a good idea for the car and a great design.
But if you also listened to everything he had to say he seemed to suggest it utlimately did share an unfortunate fate (wasted opportunity, my words).
He thought it could've used more cylinders and more horsepower. Honda wanted to use the V-tec 6 and strictly, almost arbitrarily, limited the hp count to 270.
He ask Tochigi labs to build him a prototype V10 or V12 engine for the F1 because he knew they would be reliable. They declined. Their loss. Blessing in disguise if hindsight is 20/20.
BMW Motorsport obliged and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

stumbled across it on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-Acura-NSX-5-Speed-Black-w-Ivory-lthr-Nice_W0QQitemZ180393333846QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2a0047d456&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

 

Before you guys continue to slam Honda for never putting more horsepower in the NSX through out its whole life, get your hands on this Best Motoring DVD when they take a Murc, Gallardo, M3 CSL, 911 Turbo, 360 Modena and a NSX to the track for a 5 lap battle at the twin ring Motegi East Course. Anyone know what the outcome was? NSX was leading the whole race till the last lap when it over heated and the 2 Lambo's just passed it. I agree that i really wish Honda put a supercharger on the car in the late 90's but i guess they felt that they did not need to...


http://www.livesockets.com/shop/shop_showbook.php?id=best0011&client=bestmotoring

 

Other than his own F1, I wonder how many cars Gordon Murray owns that were conceived over 15 years ago? I wonder how many cars he owns in general.

I agree that the car could have used more power. Although, I believe up until about 5 years ago Japanese automakers still observed an unofficial agreement that their cars would have ~ 280 hp or less.

 

Even as an NSX owner, I agree with your points. When the NSX came out it forced the competition to go back to the drawing board on several things. But just like you said, everyone else evolved and made a 'better mousetrap' as the saying goes. I never really figured out why Honda / Acura just let the NSX go for SOOOOOO long without a significant update. Bumping the power up to 350 hp or so, and keeping the car light, while doing a styling refresh after the first 4-5 years, would have been great! I know that myself, and many other NSX owners, often asked officials from Honda to do something when we would speak to them at certain events, and they never really had a good reason why they let it just flounder without notable improvements.

 

Very reasonable to maintain the NSX. Out of respect for this being a Ferrari board, I would be more than happy to discuss it with you in detail if you want to PM me your contact information. That way we do not glog up this thread with non-Ferrari related talk.

 

Honda nsx's need more power
You could drive a turbo charger or super charged nsx they are way more fun.
Here is proper nsx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQCToTJtInU part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjRNW1Wj4lU part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQrqHvmUkvg part 3

 

Thanks for the kind offer; I'll follow-up with you when I'm able to take the plunge...hopefully before you get to 200,000 miles!