Not to push the issue, but a monocoque is not a unibody. Understanding the build technique is important when relating information on the subject. If you remember the GT40's chassis was monocoque and was a big factor in helping win against Ferrari in the late 60's. Monocoque is stiffer than tube chassis cars and lighter in most cases. That is why the F-40 and Enzo tubs are both built in that fashion. So I would say its a little more than YeeHaw, its also the choice of almost every racecar manufacture for any prototype car built for serious racing over the past forty years. As for the NSX its a good sports car, but it does not carry with it the years of victories or the history of even Ford for that matter. Every company has had its share of milestone cars it depends on your perspective. Ferrari has had a lot more than just the F-40, the list is very long and it is my belief those models generated far more dreams than the NSX. Lets see . 512TR, 250LM, 330P4, 250GTO, 288GTO, ENZO, 333SP, 512BB this is just off the top of my head. --Mike
The Honda 2000 felt more like a sports car, hmmm, maybe that NSX was all screwed up. I have driven a friends 2000 in the track and that car is got no torque and felt heavy to me. The NSX stock form is a very capable car and feels like a real sports car. Step off a 328gts and get in a NSX and the japanese car will feel just at home.
Mike; clearly you have bought into the "Image", hook, line, and sinker. Plus one for Ferrari marketing. You say "monocoque" on a Ferrari is different from unibody on a Chevy or Ford. Killer. Please dont try to educate me on the differences. I worked and trained as an Aviation structural mechanic/inspector with my hands and mind on monocoque designs for over 20 years. I have forgotten more about structures than your entire accumulated knowledge. Trust me on this. The NSX is merely a "good sportscar" but it does not carry pedigree. When I hear people using "pedigree" as a crutch I know they are on soft ground and are using superlatives to support their argument.
That Honda factory has some funny-looking robots... Same goes for the assembly line conveyor belt... In other words, they were hand-built. It is my understanding that working in the factory was very prestigious within Honda and attracted their best technicians (applicants had to have so many years of experience, highly ranked, etc), the processes were good (i.e. a given engine built by a single person who could concentrate on such), and Honda was kicking butt in F1 at the time. The NSX lacks other types of soul or such that a Ferrari possesses, but being hand-built by great folks isn't one of them. I find them easy to work on, but my perspective (what other vehicles I have experience with) may be different than others'. Not many really get "used up" but they certainly do get "cracked up" at a pretty good rate...and almost never is it the driver's fault. Only superman would be capable of restraining himself to driving within the laws of physics or anticipating and recovering from oversteer when not. Mere mortals have no choice but to over-correct and snap-oversteer into a fixed object...obviously due to a design flaw (mid-engined). As an NSX owner, the ricer stuff is VERY painful to watch. Unfortunately the "butchering to death" isn't limited to the ricers. I've seen countless repaints for no good reason. A few I can think of include "I want (insert factory-available color here) but mine is (another color)," "the shop installing the body kit says a full repaint is necessary for the paint to match," and "the factory paint is not very good" (not the usual description for a 4-coat, 4-bake process with 27 steps...though the number of steps is kind of subjective, they include rinses but not wet sanding in the count). http://www.nsxprime.com/w/images/8/84/Tidh20.jpg Regardless of the reason, I think Tom is right in saying that despite a good quantity having been made, the quantity of desirable ones in the future may be fairly low. Even if the future isn't, the last decade was very kind. Inflation has eaten some value, but in US dollars my 1991 garage queen would fetch what was paid for it 12 years ago (getting a good deal way back then helps, but even without - it would only be down about 25%).
I sort of agree... A stock NSX looks to boring to me, and its too slow. I do like the early NSX better than the newer 'fixed headlamps' one (na2?). If I would get an NSX it would go straight to a tuning shop, insert a 6 speed gearbox, higher ratio differential, TODA stroker, ITB's and a taitec JGTC exhaust (and if I really had nothing better to do with my cash a set of inconel headers). as for looks...it needs the JGTC fenders (which look a bit like F40 fenders, for those who don't know), a lower front bumper with a large splitter, huge rear wing... It is such a good car but the looks are to understated and its too perfect, with the above added its a superb car. But then you're comparing modified to stock, can't do that! NSX versus a 3x8 and the NSX would win for me. But with all the above added it'll be of the same value as a 355. I know what I'd choose...
Some how I doubt this seeing you have a hard time with the differences that you posted earlier. As for experience, I've raced and built both tube and monocoque cars for the last twenty years and I am sure that I would have no problem showing you a thing or two about chassis design. I've even owned and worked on a GT40 with monocoque chassis. I have not tried to insult you since the beginning just pointed out your mistake. If you have a hard time with that too bad. If you are going to post "facts" do so, don't back peddle and show your ignorance. Call it as I see it. As for "Buying into the image" my cars get tracked, they don't sit around gathering dust. My Ferrari is being prepped for track duty this coming spring. Hows the 512? Would you dare drive it the way it was intended? --Mike
This will probably fall on deaf ears, but a stock '97 NSX is just about as fast to 60MPH as a stock '97 355. The 355 is a pretty great car - as far as Ferraris go, it's great value for money. I had one for a few years, and it was great fun. Having sad that, if I had to pick one to live with, I'd pick the NSX.
Real race cars dont have doors. Why would I endanger a Boxer on a track when I can use my Formula Mazda. Simple and bulletproof.
Good thinking. My BB was a month old when I took it to Riverside raceway in 1981. Second or third lap at the end of the long straight (if anyone from CA is old enough to remember), brake pedal went to the floor. The car was extremely bent on snap oversteer and overheating in CA summers. mj_duell, BB's were definitely not built for the track.
you are correct. unfortunately, i have also seen too many Fcars modified with aftermarket accessories that make an elegant car look like a pimp and whore daily driver
+1 on this one, I have seen way to may blinged out Ferraris lately as well. Pininfarina did a nice job, they don't need a bunch of extra Ferrari shields and big chrome (or color coordinated for that matter) wheels to "improve" their design. Each their own, but imho almost all do not improve the looks of the Ferraris, but actually cheapen their appearance. ymmv.
Another true blasphemy and I am not making this up. In the very early 80's here in CA when most F owners were into gold chains and shiny silk shirts, many covered their 3x8 leather interiors with sheepskins imported from Iran straight to Beverly Hills.
The NSX is a car that I will always love, but I don't know if I'll ever have the pleasure of owning one. Had a couple of opportunities in the past, but always ended up w/ something else (this time, it's a 996 Turbo). I guess I just have it burned in my head that 290hp is not enough for me (f/i could correct that, but I'm thinking would detract from the 8000rpm experience). And why, oh why, did Acura have to "refresh" the exterior? The new front end and rear valence is just over the top for me. ///Michael
thought i was done with this thread, but i really enjoyed your post. i did not know much of how they were made. my comment was more ( incorrectly) directed as a general statement that pretty much ALL the modern cars have had to change too much : crumple zones, airbags, abs, traction control, stupid flappy paddle gearboxes i cannot work on at home. you get the idea i think. i am 38. not "too old" but not young anymore. i really dont like too many cars made after the early 90s. Diablo Roadster, Testarossa maybe one or two others will be in my possession eventually. 70s-80s cars are "it" for me. also, its not about the image. i dont like the 355, or the 348. i dont even give them a second look most of the time. they have had a crappy track record for stupid expensive failures Ferrari should have fixed when the car was a test mule. same goes for several other " famous" sports cars. it not about ... " THE SPEED ".... i buy my cars for fun, to drive on public roads filled with kids, families, and really pissed off cops. you cannot USE a "real sports car" on public roads anymore. period. plenty of dead bad boys in the graveyards and guys in jail for having too much car. i just want to drive, and have " some fun ". not kill some family. so i laugh at the posers who brag all big and bad on the interweb about 0-60 times on modern cars where 2 seconds " is alot " . i will continue to toot along in my 308GTB QV, my 78 4 speed Trans Am, my 911 Carrera , and whatever else i buy this year. anyway..... again, the NSX, dollar for dollar is not a car i will ever buy. same goes for Vipers, and Corvettes. i dont like them. dont care how fast they are. but i can , and do RESPECT them for what they represent to other gearheads. the MR2, Supra Turbo, and NSX were " new " cars when i was growing up. i was there when they were " announced " as new cars to the world per se. i like the MR2s (old ones) dont like Supra Turbos (had 2 of them, long story). just never cared for the NSX. to me these years ( early 90s) were the turning point when the affordable sports cars are now mass produced, way too good for average drivers, and way too advanced for our crowded, crappy public roads. this is just one gearheads opinion. i will continue to buy and drive, old, slow 308s, 911s, and certain ancient musclecars. while we still can. Michael
In the long run it will also save you a lot of money, chasing the new car thing is very expensive hobby and in reality we all want what we couldn't have as kids or so.
I drove an NSX around for a weekend once, nothing bad to say about it but it just didn't get under my skin. For good or for bad it felt like driving a Honda Say what you want about the 308 but it always feels exotic even if it's slow.
I bought an NSX in 1993 and sold it in 1998, biggest mistake I have ever made with a car. The one car, I wish I should have probably kept for life. I replaced it with a 355, which was prettier, a bit quicker, and more passionate. However, that NSX never broke down and had far superior fit and finish to the Ferrari. The sound once the V-Tec hit, was great and the shifting was amazing. The NSX was so ahead of its time that it took Porsche to come out with 993 and Ferrari with the 355 to compete. Those who complain about the interior of the NSX being Prelude like don't know what they are taking about, the NSX seats at the time were probably the most supportive seats in a car, this side of a racing bucket. The ergonomics were perfect, as was the controls for HVAC and all secondary controls. The handling and steering feel were excellent especially considering the size of the tires, this also enabled the car to ride very well. I remember taking the car to Willow Springs and being able to pass TR's under braking and not be to far off under acceleration on the straights. As others have mentioned on here, the car had input from Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and it was developed at a time when Honda ruled F1, and Honda/Acura was at the top of their game, unlike now. The fact that Gordon Murray used it as inspiration towards the development of the McLaren F1 speaks for itself.
I still remember that Senna wanted the car to have a V8. There's a metallic blue around my house and it gathers a crowd when out, I think the color is metropol blue, not sure abou the name, but stunning. I also think that the NSX is better looking than a 360.
