There are a whole lot of options. You could get a carrera 4 or sl500.
what would you get?
M5 is another possibility.


[Modified by 98TypeR, 1:45 PM 11/22/2002]

 

..we go. again.

 

Let me make sure I understand your question. You are asking whether I would pay $85K for a new 2002 NSX, even though there are some dealers that are selling them for $75K. Is that correct?

Are there other choices here? For example, a nice, well-maintained, low-mileage '97 NSX for ~$50-55K, or a nice, well-maintained, low-mileage '91-92 NSX for ~$30-35K? Or are we only limiting ourselves to a $85K price tag and paying more than market for an NSX at that price?



[Modified by nsxtasy, 4:39 PM 11/22/2002]

 

If I had 85K, I'd get a early model NSX. Gut it, put in a supercharger, Penske shocks, big brakes, light and wide wheels, and maybe a front and rear diffusor. . .then. . .I'd get a second NSX in Monaco Blue and use it as my daily driver.

Hey, that was a good way to get around this "bomb" of a question.

 

Has this topic been addressed before. If so please post a link.

I woudln't want to buy a used Sports car.

I just don't know how ragged the motor was. I am looking for a new car.

If it were your only option to buy new and you had 85k to spend would you get this car or another.

I would want the new headlights. I wouldn't like the fact that i would buy something that looks pretty much the same as they did in 91.


[Modified by 98TypeR, 3:06 PM 11/22/2002]

 

Okay... and what do you want to do with it?

If you want to take it to the drag strip, you'd be better off with a Viper.

If you want to drive cross-country with your wife and kids, you'd be better off with an M5.

If you want to go to the golf course and look sharp to the older generation, you'd be better off with an SL500.

If you want to drive it in rain and even light snow, you'd be better off with the 996.

If you want to drive around a racetrack, you could get an NSX and put $10K in the bank. Or, you could get a Z06 and put $35K in the bank. Or, you could get a 350Z and put $50K in the bank.

If you want to pull up in front of a trendy restaurant and have the valets park your car up front, you could get the NSX and put $10K in the bank.

Your money, your choice.

 

No, he only wants to talk about new cars.

BTW, you can get a 2002 911 Turbo used for $80-85K. At least, there are two such listings in Autotrader right now...

 

Thanks for the honest answer.
TO tell you the truth, I just want something sporty to drive. Take it to the track only for fun. Not for competitiveness. I also like the attention a nice car gets, especially from peers.

Well, quiet a few of my friends have rather exotic cars and go cruising. I just would like to join the fun. I felt like the baby when i went cruising with them with my Type R with 6 NSX's, a porsche turbo, a 355 ferrari and a S4.

It seems quite materialistic and contrary to my parent's beliefs but i want to drive something fun while i haven't settled down. I think i will be purchasing early next year.

I had my heart set on a 966. I love the new turbo body style. I am just weighing my options. It will be mostly going to golf courses, fine dining and cruising. I had my race track fun, and maybe i will get back into it. I dont' think i would want to abuse an 85k car. If i do pick it up i would get an ae86 or a civic. Just can't afford to maintain an expensive track car.

I am not made of money

 

An NSX is a lot of fun. There's a tremendous spirit of camaraderie among the owners. Check out the website for NSXPO 2002 here, as well as the NSXprime forums.

And the NSX is a terrific car, whether you track it or not.

Comparing with the NA 996:

Cost: Depends on 996 options
Reliability: NSX
Looks: NSX (admittedly subjective)
Exclusivity: NSX
Prestige: 996
Acceleration: Toss-up
Brakes: Toss-up
Handling: NSX

It sounds like you have a bunch of friends with NSXs. Try driving one for a day, and try driving a 996 for a day - then decide.

 

no, id buy a E55

 

no, M3 with cash left over

 

You'll need that cash to pay for a new engine if BMW NA doesn't cover it under warranty when it blows up, like in many of these examples.

 

Yikes!!! 112 engine failures just on that website. I almost bought one of these.

 

3 things,

First, not all those guys got their motors replaced by BMW, do a search on http://www.roadfly.com and see how BMW treats their paying customers with a blown motor.

2nd, BMW has attributed the majority of these cases to owner's error. Their main claim is that the owner overdrove the 333hp "Driving Machine," or did not maintaned it properly.

Lastly, those who did get their motors replaced, some are now finding their second motor may be failing...

 

If I had 85k. Id buy an M5.

 

Well, having driven an M3, an M5 and an NSX... (can't speak for the 996) I would be hard pressed to make a decision. I love them all and would take any of them. If I had to choose one right now, it would probably be the M3 and put the rest away and start saving for one of the other two.

 

...well, if we are talking brand new, lets see whats to choose from:

carrera 4
M5
NSX
M3
S2000
boxster s

Now, you have a few questions you need to answer; 1. do you want a 4 door? No? There goes the M5. Would you like a roadster/drop top? No? There goes the NSX, boxster, and s2000. Do you want room for more than yourself +1? Then you're left w/ only the BMW's to pick from ( I'm purposefully excluding the e55; it's an auto, and any enthusiast admitting to buying and auto, well..you know, anyway).

Frankly, you need to know WHAT you need, before anyone can aptly help you in picking the correct car. Now e46 M3's have had engine failures, documented above, that would warrant some pause, at least it would for me. M5, well, its a 400 hp, sedan. And, as phenomenal as it is, it will be, forever, a sedan; not a detriment, but a possible hindrance.

The NSX? AWESOME car, but to some it's a bit dated, doesn't weigh out on paper against the competition, and everyone and their mother will ask you one of two things 1. why didn't you get a z06, and 2. is it a camaro., also considering the powerplant hasn't changed since '97, buying a new one would really only be for the sake of the 'facelift', a bit ostentatious in my book. Get a zanardi, if you can.

Now, the NSX may be a targa, in it's latest itterations, but nothing compares to a true open top roadster. B/W the two s2000 and boxster S, I would get the boxster S. Reason being, I had never REALLY driven both (until recently), and been given the time to consider both, but the fit, finish, apoointments, etc. on the boxster are head and shoulders above the s2000, not that the s2000 is ill equipped or 'cheap', but there is an entirely different feel to the porsche, and for bigger people (6'2" and 200 lbs.) its 100% more spacious, I felt extremely closed in w/ the top up in the s2000, not so in the boxster. Engine sound, etc. its a toss up b/w what you like, but layout; hearing the motor sing behind you, the induction, etc. is awesome a la NSX as well. For your money, albeit an added 20k, you're getting an entirely different league of car. Some will say overpriced, etc., but once you drive the two, you'll see; both the boxster and S have the same build quality, but for 8k more, and when you're talking about 50k+ cars whats another 8k?, only the S has the performance that I would want, the driving feel b/w the two is night and day, honestly.

The 996's, I've never driven, so I can't comment.

Good luck.




[Modified by bb6h22a, 8:03 PM 11/23/2002]

 

Primarily to auto magazine writers, for whom if it's not new, it's not news.

Pull up to a fancy restaurant in one and see where the valets park the "dated" car.

The only people who will ask that, are (a) people who have never driven one, and (b) you-know-who on this board.



[Modified by nsxtasy, 10:14 PM 11/23/2002]

 

I've got 85k and a NSX, do your homework at http://www.nsxprime.com
GOOD LUCK




[Modified by Wadasan, 6:16 AM 11/24/2002]

 

Its not about how much money we have here. Its about buying a car for around 85k.

Its not about having money sit in the bank. I am ready to buy a car in this price range. I was even thinking about a db7, used none though. I wouldnt' want to keep money in the bank. I have invested very wisely these past few years.

I am very fortunate that i have the ability to afford a car of such caliber as the ones we speak of above, but i haven't let that get to my head. I drive a corolla right now. and have been for almost a year.

I probably won't buy till after first fiscal quarter but we'll see.

I would rule out anything cheaper, like a used nsx, or boxter, m3 or anything in this range. It wouldn't mind driving one of these but i want something i dont' want to drive on the weekdays.

I just want a weekend fun car. I would just drive my corolla on the weekdays. I dont' want to show that i drive a nicer car than my boss.

Flame away.

 

Keeping it simple, (98typeR) IF U HAD 85k, would u buy an NSX???
I'm confused, maybe u should of said (if u had 85k, what would u buy???)
Sounds like your excited about getting a 85k type of car(cool!!!), but at the same time your creating the D word (DRAMA). I could nit pick your post more but bottom line get what you want and enjoy it....
Later TADASHI

 

its a hard choice because cars worth 85k are ALL GOOD CARS - at that price range you start leaning towards certain cars because of preference and emotion, not cuz of facts and ratings and write ups.....

GET A NEW DINAN M5

thats the equivalent of a 4 door Z06.

like 490 hp (all motor) and ALL under bmw warranty- cuz the work is all done by BMW - has upgraded ecu, headers, and wheels/suspension.

you could also get a Convertible M3 SMG w/ optional 19's- thats a pimp *** car

or a Z06 + HRE or FISKE 19's (drool) = 2 door Dinan M5 lol

or a New NSX - yellow with yellow leather (droooollll) awesome car - but knowing that its gonna get a complete re-design kinda sucks.

its really up to you, its YOUR money, and if you are really serious about spending 85k on a car, you should go out and DRIVE all of them. Dealers dont have a problem with letting SERIOUS buyers test drive their cars.....you will know what you want the minute u test drive all of the candidates.

 

The M5 is an awesome car - but there's no getting around the fact that it weighs over 4000 pounds. Yes, it's got tons of power to overcome the weight, and it's got great handling and brakes for a car that size. It's a great car if you want a big heavy car with tons of power - perfect for driving cross-country with the family, perfect if you want to have only one car and it has to be big enough to hold the family but you also want it to be a performance car. But if you want something that's nimble, that's a fun car just for the weekends, there are other cars that are more appropriate.

I don't think that's true for a car that is a great car as is. Do you think owners of the Ferrari F355 were really upset when the 360 Modena came out? Do you think they worry about "dated design" or lack of prestige because something new and better is available? Or, do you think they still enjoy the F355 knowing that it is a fine automobile regardless of what else might have come out since then?



[Modified by nsxtasy, 12:36 PM 11/24/2002]

 

to me, anytime u buy the last year of production for a model just plain ol SUCKS. no matter how good the car is.
dont you think they wish they had a 360 now, knowing that its the successor to a great automobile and is simply better in many ways?? dont u think the people that bought the last year of the 355 are mad they didnt wait for the 360?

im not saying "dated" cars are bad

you mis understood- i meant that buying any current car while knowing their is gonna be a redesign in the very immediate future sucks cuz IMAGINE HOW GOOD THE NEXT CAR SHOULD BE!

like with the z06- first year was 385hp, then the immediate next year was 405hp and that model the 405hp model was the one that they said is the best sports car america has to offer, not the 385hp model.

like with early '02 M3's- BMW did not offer the 19'' wheel option till midyear and now many early M3 owners are pissed cuz they didnt get the 19''s cuz they make the car soooo much more beautiful. (this isnt the exact same thing but still its similar)

 

No, I don't - especially since the 360 is ~$50K more than the F355.

No, I don't. I think they're probably happy they got the F355. Even if they bought it in the last year of production, knowing full well that the 360 was coming.

I doubt that very many buyers of a 385 hp Z06 are disappointed because the new one has 405 hp, or that the buyer of an M3 is disappointed because the new one has a 19" wheel option. The M3 buyers might be disappointed because the newer ones are less likely to have the engines blow up, but that's another issue entirely.

The fact is, whenever you buy any car, you always know that something better is going to be coming along in the next few years. An extra 20 hp here, a glass rear window there, or a new wheel option. If you hold off on buying because something better is going to come along soon, you'll NEVER buy a new car. At some point, you'll say to yourself that you'll buy what's available NOW, and you'll be enjoying it for the year or two or three until something better comes along, enjoyment that you wouldn't be getting during that time if you kept waiting for the next model.

And, of course, when that something better comes along, you always have the option of trading for the new one.