What is the best Used Sports Car buy around?

[sentra_dude]

Ok boys, lets get back on topic.

My pick is an early to mid 1990s NSX. I have always been a fan of the NSX, I think it looks great, it is a true sports-car with mid-engine rear-drive, it has a great chassis and engine, it is fairly practical and can be driven everyday, and they are reasonably priced now (~$25,000 to ~$35,000). I know many people have a dislike for the NSX, for any number of reasons, but I don't really give a shit...its an excellent sports-car and one of my personal favorites!

Originally Posted by RC45 SPORTS CAR If you wanted a single used sports car what would it be - and why? The criteria are rather simple: The car needs to be very fast, turn and stop very well - be reasonably conservative with fuel consumption (as this car is going to be your daily driver - to work and home and the shops.)

While the NSX may not be dragster fast it is quite quick, especially if there are turns and such. Fuel consumption (1992 is quoted as EPA 19/24) is very reasonable. I could easily see myself driving this car daily.

close to the magical 4s 0-60, 180mph topend potential, screaming 1/4 mile, 60-0 in 100ft, 1G+ lateral load ability... you are allowed to modify your used car to reach these levels of performance - but tell us the purchase price + mod amount (be realistc, offer and post actual examples )

I am really not all that concerned about going 0-60 in 4 seconds, but FactorX does have quite a nice twin-turbo kit (FX500) for the NSX which brings power up to around 500hp, and makes for a quick car! 8) Price is steep, ~$25,000 I believe, but if you only spend $25,000 on your NSX its not too bad.

The car needs to be able to hold it's own on drives through the countryside and when you take the car to a local race track, turn in decent lap times and even be able to withstand some drag racing abuse.

Many NSX owners track their cars regularly, and some even drag race them... I'm sure a well sorted NSX would have no trouble keeping up on the backroads or the track.

The car needs to be a survivor and be able to turn over 120,000 miles without a problem and reasonably affordable to repair and service There needs to be enough space inside to take you briefcase and laptop, and a bunch of shopping bags of groceries - but it's used so might not be your only car - bu tneeds to be more practical than a Super 7

Considering there are many NSXs with 100,000+ miles, and some with over 200,000 miles I think this area is covered!

Its a bit tight on trunk space, but I think I could manage if I had an NSX.

The car also needs to be a reasonably affordable to insure on a family budget and finally - be affordable to purchase at under $45,000 including mods.. It also must be usable rain or shine - in climates with snow fall, you may assume that you dont need to drive on unplowed roads. In short - what used sports car is the best bang for the buck - state your reasons and budget you worked with.

I really have no idea about insurance for NSXs, but insurance for young males driving sports-cars is never cheap anyways so what can you do? :bah:

You can certainly drive it in the rain, etc.

I am working with what I feel is a realistic budget, around $25,000. A 1991 or 1992 NSX in nice condition is easily achievable with that budget. Ideally I would like a 1994 or 1995, but too expensive, for now at least.

[RC45]

^^ Good choice.. with a couple engine mods the NSX can overcome its biggest weakness, lack of power - and already has great allround handling and stopping ability.

I have always been a little bit of a closet NSX fan, but the Honda badged one.. not the snobby Acura version

The one thing that left me wanting more when ever I have driven a stock NSX is it always feels like it is out of breath.

But as yousay - some money poured into the engine compartment would fix that lickety split.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by brembo Originally Posted by RC45 Originally Posted by tuffguy Except that at speed, an open window will create drag, which will slow the car down. So for everyday purposes, such as driving on the fwy and such, your rationale sucks. And seeing how you're in Michigan, it's pretty retarded for you to be talking about Angelsy. Like you go there everyday and drive. Try being stuck in traffic in real life instead of haulin ass in an article in a magazine, and you'll see how pointless your argument is. I commute with the windows down... your point? regarding you, there is no point in talking to as you are far away from being in touch with the real world.... :roll:

And you of course are a perfect shining example of humanity?

[nthfinity]

Quote: The car needs to be able to hold it's own on drives through the countryside and when you take the car to a local race track, turn in decent lap times and even be able to withstand some drag racing abuse. Many NSX owners track their cars regularly, and some even drag race them... I'm sure a well sorted NSX would have no trouble keeping up on the backroads or the track.

http://www.nthimage.com/video_dump/NSX_11-5-06_0003.wmv



slow on the highway, fast in the woods "out of breath" is a very accurate description of how the engine feels... like you are never full throttle...

[79TA]

Originally Posted by ViperASR its not? I love the outdoors, maybe i'm just a bit different to you... it's not like it gets over 100 F more then a couple days a year (literally) even in the hottest and most humid summer days, its not bad. Sorry man, but I gotta disagree with that... Living in Florida and having hot as hell summers with a black leather interior, it really sucks when the A/C dosnt work. Your back sweats, and your shirt gets all wet. And so does ur butt ops: . Its fun having the windows down as that is what I do most of the time, like 10 mins ago as I was driving back from lunch . But the weather was also quite nice and cool. But on a hott summer day, it really sucks to be stuck sitting in traffic sweating...

100 degrees in florida is miserable wheras 100 degrees in CA isn't really that bad. HUMIDITY. My 79 Trans Am has neither power windows or air conditioning (came without them) and I really don't mind a bit.

A note on the DeTomaso Pantera . . . it's a cool car and affordable too. However, the 351's they were equipped with were generally pretty week. An American V8 should be able to spin the wheels from a stand still. A Pantera with a reworked 351 is a different story.

[sameerrao]

Good choice Sentra. The NSX is a superb, practical and yet fun sports car with perhaps the best gearbox in the world - the gears go thru so quickly.

For an "exotic", it is relatively cheap to maintain - the main expenses are the rear tires that last 8000 miles only due to excessive camber built into. There were some issues with the '90 and 91 but I am sure the problems have been fixed by now.

The no-power assist cars had a very precise steering.

The negatives are the lack of power in the lower rev band - more so than the Ferrari 348. Also the engine sounds too Honda-ish till the VTEC starts up - it really sounds F1ish in the 6-8K rpm range.

[pzgren]

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas I think that a 993 Carrera RS would do just fine

you'll never find a 993 RS in good conditions for $45k. i also had an eye on the 993 RS before buying my 996 but the prices of the RS are damn high and won't drop so far...

maybe you'll find a 964 RS for that price or a high mileage 993 Turbo but don't underestimate the runningcosts of a turbo... one of the reasons why i didn't took the turbo.

an M3 would also be an option in this price range, with SMG it's pure fun!

[sentra_dude]

Originally Posted by sameerrao Good choice Sentra. The NSX is a superb, practical and yet fun sports car with perhaps the best gearbox in the world - the gears go thru so quickly. For an "exotic", it is relatively cheap to maintain - the main expenses are the rear tires that last 8000 miles only due to excessive camber built into. There were some issues with the '90 and 91 but I am sure the problems have been fixed by now. The no-power assist cars had a very precise steering. The negatives are the lack of power in the lower rev band - more so than the Ferrari 348. Also the engine sounds too Honda-ish till the VTEC starts up - it really sounds F1ish in the 6-8K rpm range.

Thanks for the input sameer, do you have some experience driving NSXs?

[sameerrao]

I have driven my friend's 91 NSX a couple times. It was quite nice. A couple weeks back we drove both cars back to back.

Ferrari is better than the Acura in:
- Better engine sound across the rev band
- slightly better steering and brake feel
- More torque
- More interior room
- More aggressive design


The Acura is better than the Ferrari in:
- Nicer seats
- 10X better gearbox - it is a joy to shift
- Reliability and total ownership costs
- Easier to drive - can easily lend it to a friend without too much worry
- Can daily drive
- The roof makes it look like an F16 when seen from above 8)

From an experience standpoint the Ferrari was the more exotic of the too but from a performance standpoint they are very similar. The NSX suffers from dual personalities - it is a Honda Accord till the VTEC kicks in and then transforms into a full blooded sportscar The Ferrari is a sports car all thru. You dont mistake it with a Fiat or Camry by any means

[silentm]

my choice would be a Lancia Delta Integrale, you can get them quite cheaply from ebay though i can't post links yet there is one offer for 4.444euros

Originally Posted by RC45 SPORTS CAR If you wanted a single used sports car what would it be - and why? The criteria are rather simple: The car needs to be very fast, turn and stop very well - be reasonably conservative with fuel consumption (as this car is going to be your daily driver - to work and home and the shops.) close to the magical 4s 0-60, 180mph topend potential, screaming 1/4 mile, 60-0 in 100ft, 1G+ lateral load ability... you are allowed to modify your used car to reach these levels of performance - but tell us the purchase price + mod amount (be realistc, offer and post actual examples )

alright if i could get it tuned properly i think i could easily fir this criteria, i would have a lot of leftover money to spend on modifications

The car needs to be able to hold it's own on drives through the countryside and when you take the car to a local race track, turn in decent lap times and even be able to withstand some drag racing abuse. The car needs to be a survivor and be able to turn over 120,000 miles without a problem and reasonably affordable to repair and service

the one i saw already had 177k Km on the tach so i guess this can be done too.

There needs to be enough space inside to take you briefcase and laptop, and a bunch of shopping bags of groceries - but it's used so might not be your only car - bu tneeds to be more practical than a Super 7 The car also needs to be a reasonably affordable to insure on a family budget and finally - be affordable to purchase at under $45,000 including mods..

the space isn't a problem, it's a 4 door hatch and rather roomy.

insureance would probably be really tough for my 19 years of age here in germany and then such a powerful car... i hope that could be manageable

It also must be usable rain or shine - in climates with snow fall, you may assume that you dont need to drive on unplowed roads.

easy i think i would like to experience some rallying with this bucket

so if any1 could give some extra input here it would be greatly appreciated

[silentm]

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas [ironic mode on]And for 4,000€... and from eBay - this car promises to be good![/ironic mode off]

haha yeah i figure something MUST be wrong with that model

ok well too bad they aren't that reliable, they do look very nice imo 8)

[tuffguy]

Originally Posted by nthfinity So, what car do you drive? How about posting in "what you drive or ride" section?

Check the sig.

Originally Posted by nthfinity as i stated, my background is very phisics orientated

Mine's electrical engineering. We have a bit more common sense than you guys.

I see plenty of Lambos, Ferraris, Astons, SLRs, even a Carrera GT. Do you know how many drive with the windows down? NONE. How many of those have no radio? NONE.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by tuffguy I see plenty of Lambos, Ferraris, Astons, SLRs, even a Carrera GT. Do you know how many drive with the windows down? NONE. How many of those have no radio? NONE.

Hhmm.. if I ma not mistaken everytime I have been on the track, as an example - everyones windows have been rolled down.

[Mattk]

But if we're talking daily driver, here, things like stereo systems and air conditioning would make life a bit more comfortable.