NSX – Dan Crouch Blog

Looks like the NSX market isn’t immune to the recession either. A scan of NSX Prime Marketplace (the place to surf NSX anything online) a year ago and you would’ve been hard pressed to find any NSX for less than $28-30k. There are at least 3 right now for less than that and with decent mileage. Both of these stood out to me because of the color combination’s, decent mileage, and the somehow reasonable looking $25k price tags.

First up is this Black on Ivory NSX For Sale in San Diego:

quote from seller’s NSXPrime listing:

Black/Ivory

5 speed
72,044 miles

Only mod is Flowmaster Exhaust, but it still looks stock with the original tips.
A/C Head Unit was replaced a few months ago.
Clean Title. Runs strong. Selling because it doesn’t get driven enough.
Extra set of Stock 1991 Wheels+Tires Included.

Next is a Silver on Black NSX For Sale in Florida (I presume):

quote from seller’s NSXPrime Listing:

1991 Acura NSX
5 Speed Manual transmission
Not in snap ring range
68,000 miles
Only 467 sebring silver cars ever produced!
Car has only ONE OWNER before me. It has never been in an accident.
I trailered the car to PA at the end of 2007.

All original with the exception of
-new koni adjustable struts (originals ones included)
-custom exhaust
-8000k philips HID (self installed)
-window film
-upgraded chrome wheels from 00 model (original ones included)

No issues except
-climate currently only blowing on high, needs hvac rebuilt
-super tiny ding on lowest part of front right fender
-front spoiler is scratched, I will include a new one, but you install.

Service Records
-When I was reviewing the records I left it outside overnight during a rain storm, all of them blew away and I had to go hunting for them. I believe I lost about 20 pages.
-engine serviced, timing belt and water pump around 55,000 miles
-clutch and transmission rebuilt around 45,000 miles
-lots of other work, 90% of work done at Acura of Pompano Beach / Rick Case Acura.

Buyer will have one choice of
1. chrome wheels currently on the car.
2. solaris silver wheels nearly perfect

I would soooo love to have an NSX in the garage. Even though a collision would bankrupt me, the rest of the package is so well balanced and reliable. As prices come down, it’s even easier to justify the thought. I’d go with the black one for the great color combo, but that’s getting a bit nit-picky as both are beautiful. I wouldn’t kick either one out of bed for that price!

As you may know, I am huge fan of the Honda/Acura NSX. As a product of the 80’s, it’s styling still excites me today. It still stops me in my tracks when I see one in person. And there’s always one pictured in my next job promotion fantasy.

Check out this fantastic article from the creator of the McLaren F1, Gordon Murray. He goes into great detail with his own love affair with the Honda NSX and it’s influences on the F1 (linked from VWVortex, hosted on Google Documents which includes original Japanese content and illustrations.):

Of course as you know, the engine has only six cylinders; however, the NSX’s very rigid chassis is excellent and would easily be capable of handling more power. Although it’s true I had thought it would have been better to put a larger engine, the moment I drove the “little” NSX, all the benchmark cars–Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini–I had been using as references in the development of my car vanished from my mind. Of course the car we would create, the McLaren F1, needed to be faster than the NSX, but the NSX’s ride quality and handling would become our new design target.

Considering my high praise of the e46 m3 recently, I hopped on over to NSXPrime, the authority forum on all things NSX in North America, to shop NSX classifieds for cars in the same price category:

1992 Acura NSX on NSXPrime (SC, $35.5k):
1992 Acura NSX For Sale Red

Beautiful stock car with only 26,107 miles that is in near showroom condition. I am the second owner and the car has always been garage kept and well maintained. The clutch, water pump and timing belt were recently replaced. Car was in the snap ring range and this was corrected during clutch replacement. Interior and exterior in excellent condition. Chrome wheels are on car but I have the stock rims also.

1993 Acura NSX on NSXPrime ($30k, VA):
1993 Acura NSX For Sale White Comptech

Unfortunately I have to sell this, as I am being transferred to Japan for two years, and I would truly hate to see it sit. Currently stationed in Norfolk, VA. Engine/Body is in great condition, all the maintenance is up to date (including water pump, plugs, oil, and belts), and only has 49k Miles.

[…]

I am going to be honest and say right off the bat that there are a few problems, like the right speaker-amp (An easy fix that costs about $80 dollars), the drivers side window motor-drive assembly needs replaced (about $300 dollars for a replacement, depending on where you go), and the right front coilover needs rebuilt.

1994 Acura NSX on NSXPrime ($34k, VA):
1994 Acura NSX 6 Speed Black

[…]Modifications:
-Comptech Header
-Comptech CF Air Intake W/ Uni Filter
-Taitec JGTC Center Exit Exhaust
-Taitec diffuser
-NA2 brakes
-Volk SE37k wheels(14lbs front 16lbs rear) 17″/18″ combo with Falken RT-615 tires good tread.
-Brand New 6 speed with OS-giken LSD & 4.4 final !!!
-RPS clutch with lightened flywheel
-NSX-R lower brace and front sway bar
-Tein-RA coilovers
-02+ Side Skirt
-CF side duct
-Dali Harness Bar with Video camera mount + 5 pt harness.
-Smart Shift

[…]As far as the body and paint, it is in good condition, although I did have a minor front end damage which required driver side fender to be replaced and was repainted by reputable shop in VA(Wagon Works). No frame damage.

The main reason for considering of selling is because I rarely drive the car now. The car drives amazing with the 6 speed.

I am not in a hurry so no low ballers.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the ‘affordable’ end of NSX examples for several years, and it sure seems like $30k has been the benchmark for a starting point with a good one. These examples all appear to be worth a look.