this is for nsx owners out there. i currently own a 2001 lexus is300 and a fully built turbo 93 del sol. i am seriously considering selling both and buying a 93 or 94 nsx. my major concern is with how reliable an 8 year old exotic will be. any feedback regarding servicing and wear would be greatly appreciated.

 

Scheduled maintenance is not particularly expensive; check the FAQ section on maintenance for typical prices.

As far as unexpected repairs go, the NSX is extremely reliable. The '94, in particular, does not suffer from a couple of problems (snap ring transmission and window regulators) that turned up on some of the cars the first couple of years.

However, there is no guarantee that nothing will go wrong - and if it does, it can be expensive. A few owners have had problems with the air conditioning system that can cost several thousand dollars to repair. And clutch life varies from 30K to 100K, and a clutch replacement costs $2K. Of course, the '94 won't be covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

My advice: Assuming you are buying one that's been well maintained, you can expect it to be as reliable as any other Honda automobile with the same number of miles. Just make sure you have a few grand set aside in case an unexpected repair crops up.

 

I'd never sell TWO cars to get an NSX. Just not worth it. Your del Sol (if it's a VTEC) is probably faster than the NSX would be, and would handle better with good suspension. The IS300 is way more practical (and probably faster if you turboed it). Of course, neither one is an exotic. And it's not impossible to drive only an NSX (I do), but it means borrowing someone else's car to do some things you could do with your IS300.

-Mike

 

Well, it's ok as a daily driver for a single young male. But you'd have trouble going grocery shopping for a 5-person family, and there's plenty of things you simply can't fit into it, like a chair or a coffee table, etc, that you could probably fit into a 4-door sedan, or definitely into a station wagon <homer>mmmm, WRX wagon </homer>.

I can fit my computer in my NSX no problem. Case, keyboard, mouse, etc, in the trunk (I think.... well, maybe not, I haven't actually tried, but I could if I had a mid tower instead of a full tower), and monitor (19") in the passenger seat. Of course, if it were all in a box as if I was on the way home from CompUSA, then no. I couldn't even fit my monitor in my integra (4-door, I was wishin' I had a hatchback) when it was in the box. Heh. It just wouldn't fit through the door.

-Mike

 

I bought my 94 with 42.5k early this year and so far no problem. The only thing i've paid for is my oil change and alignment. You just have to look for the right one which has been taken care of well. Here are somethings you can look for though, to minimize initial expense after purchase.

1. Timing Belt/Water pump done? - costs $1200(due for 7-8 year old car)
2. Clutch done? - It all depends on how abused the car is but... costs $2000 Mine is original and still good.
3. AC? - I've heard of earlier model with failed ACs. costs around $2000 I think. Mine still works fine.
4. Snap Ring - for selected 91-92 cars Should avoid if not fixed

More info is available at http://www.nsxprime.com

Good luck

 

No no no, Mike. The del Sol VTEC had 160 hp in a ~2500 pound car, and did 0-60 in the mid sevens and the 1/4 mile in the high 15's. Compare vs the 270 hp '91-94 NSX which weighed 3000 pounds and did 0-60 in the low fives and the 1/4 mile in the high 13's.

 

well... actually the del sol has a fully built turbo b16a engine and it IS faster than an nsx..... but all the horsepower in the world won't make up for the fact that is ISN'T AN NSX. get what im sayin? the only thing that's keepin me from doing it right now is the fact that i put about 30,000 miles a year on my IS300 and the front end looks like hell from drivin on the los angeles freeways. i'd hate to have to put an nsx through the same routine. hmmmm... it's a tough choice.

 

Well, really, how much cash can you get for the del Sol? Maybe you should keep the del Sol and just sell the IS300 and get an NSX? You could even buy a 92 Civic HB roller and swap in all the trick stuff from your del Sol so that you still have a reasonably practical car to go next to the NSX? Plus, I'm sure with the amount of work you must have put into the del Sol, it'd be a shame to part with it.

-Mike