WANKEL-ROCKET

After browsing this forum for around a year, I was all set to buy an RX-8. Then the possibility of owning a used NSX for around the same price surfaced. I decided to register at NSXPrime, and see what I could find about the situation. I wasnt completely straight with them at first, and it led to me not getting the answers I was looking for. So I spelled the situation out for them. The following is a link to the flame war that has erupted due to the elitist mindset of some of the boards members. Please do not go to this forum and troll it up, the RX-8 community is above that. This post is meant purely for your entertainment and discussion.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showt...783#post340783

shelleys_man_06

That kind of stuff happens on all forums, except for maybe this one. It's loyalty, and we shouldn't worry about it. What year NSX are you looking for?

WANKEL-ROCKET

I was considering buying a 93-94, however it isnt seeming to be such a good idea anymore. It would be awesome to own an NSX though.

shelleys_man_06

True, but there are much better, not to mention cheaper sports cars you can own, like an FD or a 4th gen. Supra Turbo.

WANKEL-ROCKET

true, but most arent sold under the blue book value like the NSX. The general price for that year that I have found seems to be under 30 grand...which is real close to BB. Most banks wont loan on that old of a car unless it is close to BB value. Not to mention I would never buy a used 7 without having enough cash on hand to rebuild the engine. I dont trust previous owners when it comes to turbo rotaries.

downshift

The NSX is a car of a totally different level and often underestimated and ridiculed for it's "high price". The members there must have been tired of hearing those same "justification for the price" questions and responded to your post in a hostile manner. Some members here will react the same way to comments on the RX8's quarter mile times, fuel consumption, torque, and flooding. Most of the members there have a good, although flawed, advice though: drive both cars and decide. Too bad it's not that simple with an NSX. Although I can't afford one now, I wished I was presented with an opportunity to consider a used NSX and muse and daydream of almost owning one.

WANKEL-ROCKET

that is true, but have you driven it to really tell? I haven't, and thats the problem; as you stated.

WANKEL-ROCKET

doh, I just put my foot in my mouth in that thread. I dont think I am going to reply anymore. It is pointless.

Ike

I think you got what you deserved. Going to a NSX site and saying "From my research, the RX8 matches almost all performance aspects of the NSX, and with proper care will likely match the longevity; though certainly not the resale." is bordering on moronic. What kind of response did you expect? The NSX is on a totally different level and you looking at just the numbers like you are when comparing the two cars makes me wonder why the hell you would want an RX-8. In the same price category as the RX-8 there are cars that will rip the RX-8 a new one if you just look at the numbers on paper. In fact just change the NSX part to RX-8 in your first post and it looks like the kind of post that shows up on here quite often when the RX-8 is compared to faster cars that are cheaper, the responses that follow also look very similar to responses that would have been given on this forum. It's also clear that you really didn't do your reseach like others on that forum pointed out.

gansan

I've driven two NSX's at the racetrack. A '94 and a '97. Both at Buttonwillow Raceway in CA. I have ridden as a passenger in others at other tracks. So I feel at least a little qualified to talk about the car:

The NSX is very expensive because it is built by hand, on dollies, wheeled from station to station. The result is everything on it exudes quality and attention to detail. The seats are not multi-adjustable, but somehow feel extremely supportive and "right," probably because the basic shape is spot-on. The handling is very refined and very neutral. The shifter has a very mechanical feel similar to the S2000 but maybe more "machine-like." Your sitting position is very low, and you have a sweeping view of the road that feels like a shifter kart with the road rushing at you between the two front fenders. You can feel the width of the car. The engine is reasonably torquey and flexible, and pulls harder as you rev higher like most Hondas, right to the redline. The brakes on the pre-97 models are a little undersized, and will fade at the racetrack stock. However, the actual pedal feel is super firm and linear. The pedals are the easiest to heel and toe that I have ever experienced.

I have also driven the RX-8, and I don't see how you can compare them fairly, other than in price. There are basic differences in purpose and execution. The RX-8 feels much smaller and more agile. The engine makes that rotary whine which is interesting. The shifter is good, but much more numb than the NSX. The steering is quicker in ratio, but has less feedback than the NSX's. The interior of the RX-8 is very "fancy," with lots of details that are the trend nowadays. You can hold 4 people. The NSX is much more basic and simple, but executed with very high quality materials and feel so that it feels more luxurious.

WANKEL-ROCKET, I think I agree with IkeWRX in that you could have reworded your responses a more tactfully when your original intent was misunderstood. But what many of them say is correct, you cannot understand cars by reading about them--you have to DRIVE them. Comparing little statistics like Cd or weight distribution doesn't mean anything because there are too many variables factoring into performance. For example, I have an Integra race car that has horrible weight distribution (about 64:36) but will easily outcorner both cars because of it's light total weight and suspension tuning. There is a lot you have to see for yourself to understand a car under it's performance numbers.

zoom44

have to agree with the above 2 posters. some of your commetns on the other board didn't win you any freinds. you seems to be making thinly veiled flames at their car. you also resorted to name calling when you faced some immature posts that you could have simply ignored. for the most part they were telling you the same things we have told people ad nauseum- the only way to truly know is to drive the car. thats the bottom line. one question that also seems important is the cost of ownership of a used nsx as far as maitenance. one of the posters there brought it up and you ignored. i think you are on a better track there now as you and they seem to have calmed. perhaps you should get some more of that kind of info out of them before you make your decision. also you might have wanted to start posting here with questions like that instead of trying to show us what arguement you got into somewhere else. are you sure you didn't pick "devilish" as your handle there as a freudian slip? seems like you were looking for trouble there and here.

Hornet

Wankel-Rocket, none of those guys mentioned it over there but considering you said you plan on financing the NSX (or RX-8) you would more than likely need to have full coverage insurance. I thought I saw you mention that you are 21 and enlisted, I'm 30 and enlisted. I will say I don't know your entire situation (big reenlistment bonuses, rank, etc.) but I'm sure it will be a few more years before insurance companies treat you right. I may be wrong but I'm under the impression that the RX8 might be nicer to you with full coverage.

BTW, I think you showed some class by being able to apologize for stepping on toes as well as being able to open yourself up to learn. I hope you find the car that you want!

Haris

RX8 vs. NSX? Definetely NSX. NSX is an exotic. Rx8 is a gt I guess. Totally uncomparable. But then again you could get a brand new rx8 instead of a 10 year old nsx. Tough choice. I'd get an RX8 because it's newer, and it has warranty, etc. But since I would probably look into autos, then RX8 wouldnt be an option. Definetely nsx in this case. It has 10x better auto transmission than rx8. Good luck.

DOMINION

NSX is a good car but there is no way in hell I would pay that much for that car. You cant do a RX-8 vs. NSX. Its like Dog and Cat.

shelleys_man_06

I finally read through the thread from the NSX forum. Did you have any clue you were going to get flamed? They'll consider you a troll, but at least you cleaned yourself up.

KC_Prelude

I was considering the NSX vs the RX-8 myself a while back and even made a thread about it. I still love the NSX but I just don't think I can own an exotic as my daily driver. I could live with some paint chips on an RX-8 but I would be so **** about owning an NSX that it would be more stressful than fun. I couldn't imagine driving an NSX to the grocery store and parking it next to SUV's and pickups. One door ding and I would literally crap my pants, aluminum bodywork is NOT cheap. Not to mention I could handle myself in an RX-8 on the street but the NSX could EASILY get me killed, especially in the rain. The NSX is only really usable as a track car becuase it attracts too much attention (cops and otherwise) and it's abilities are mostly unusable on regular roads. There are much cheaper alternatives if you are just looking for a toy i.e. an old MR-2 or the new lotus. Of course it's all a matter of scales and if you are rich then things like cost and impracticality don't really matter.

IZoomZoomI

I too was considering a nsx too but I was looking for a potential daily driver and the nsx should be more of a weekend type of car given its stature. My friend owns one and gets egged almost once every other month and is constantly paranoid now. He's looking to get a benz instead. Proves there's no substitute for a peace of mind. Don't buy a nsx unless you can back it up financially (maintenance). Any car is faster than a car thats only gets parked in the garage year round. No offense to whoevere owns an nsx, personally if I had one it would be in my garage most of the week too .

DOMINION

There's a dvd out from Gripvideo.com and it has this NSX car crew from Japan. They all have daily drivers and go play with them on the weekend.