This one is your fault. When we bought our long-term Ferrari 308, you laughed at its unreliability and said we should've bought a 1991 Acura NSX. When we bought our used BMW M3, Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911, you once again pondered quite raucously why we didn't buy an NSX.
Finally, when Editor in Chief Scott Oldham asked on the long-term road test blog which used classic Inside Line should buy next, it was an overwhelming landslide: "Buy an Acura NSX!" you shouted.
Message received. For the next 12 months, a 1991 Acura NSX will reside in the Inside Line garage. If we don't like it, we'll let you know. If you don't like it, well, take to our comment boards and let your fellow readers have it for suggesting it in the first place.
What We Got
Our new/old Acura NSX reached us by passing through an interdimensional time portal directly from its original delivery date of November 30, 1990. Well, at least that's what its meticulous condition would lead us to believe. Our other used classics were in nice shape for their age, but nothing comes close to this NSX. Save for a small scuff on the center console and a pair of trunk struts that don't actually work (a common NSX problem, we hear), you'd swear this is a brand-new car.
When it was actually a brand-new car, it was the 743rd NSX to roll off the assembly line at the Takanezawa R&D plant where a select group of Honda's best employees meticulously hand built, inspected and perfected it. They even wore white gloves. There were no options, and in our car the 3.0-liter 270-horsepower V6 is hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission. That also means no power steering, as only the automatic-equipped cars (and most post-1995 NSXs) came with electric power steering. No thanks.
The NSX was also the first exotic sports car that put a priority on comfort, usability and reliability.
According to the car's service records, its previous owner sank about $6,000 in maintenance during his 15-year ownership of the car. This included a new water pump, belts (timing, alternator and A/C), right window regulator, a new clutch, retractable mast antenna and oil pan gasket. Considering we spent about $4,600 during one year with a 1984 Ferrari, that doesn't seem so bad.
In 2002, its previous owner also installed a subtle $1,000 stereo upgrade that included Kenwood speakers, a 10-inch trunk-mounted woofer and four-channel amplifier. The Acura head unit (including its tape deck) remains in place.
When it was new, our NSX sold for $60,600. Twenty-one years later we paid $33,000. And yes, we know that's a little high, but in this case we decided to pay a little extra for the fact that it was a pristine car with only 45,886 miles on it that also happened to be right in our backyard.
Why We Bought It
Aside from our readers clamoring for the car, we wanted an Acura NSX because it represents a significant turning point for Honda and the automotive world. The NSX was the first production car to feature all-aluminum construction, titanium connecting rods and yes, even electric power steering. It was also the first U.S. production car to offer VTEC variable valve timing and the first and only car that Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna had a hand in developing. Without him, the chassis would've been 50 percent less stiff and its suspension not as keenly tuned.
The NSX was also the first exotic sports car that put a priority on comfort, usability and reliability. Exotic cars of the time, like our old Ferrari, were all about passion and character. If the pedals were offset, the climate controls bizarre and it broke down on the road to Vegas, so what; that was just part of the charm.
Honda didn't follow that premise. It wanted its halo car to have the precision of a Ferrari, the comfort of a Corvette and the usability/reliability of a Miata. Senna certainly helped with the precision part, and its spacious accommodations were made possible by weight-reducing aluminum. Honda's men in the white gloves took care of the rest.
Perhaps what we most want to sample, however, is the purest example of a corporate philosophy that made so many enthusiasts fall in love with Honda. "As Honda sees it, driving isn't merely a method of achieving a destination," said the 1990 introductory press release for the NSX. "Cars, no matter their market niche, should be amply endowed with a large dose of driving fun."
No Honda or Acura has ever been so amply endowed as the NSX, and for 12 months you'll be able to experience it with us on the Long-Term Road Test blog.
Current Odometer: 46,451
Best Fuel Economy: 21.2
Worst Fuel Economy: 20.1
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.7
Edmunds purchased this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
granj says:
03:17 PM, 12/03/2011
Have to respond to the "keep it original" crowd. This is a 20 year old car. I agree it is a shame to ruin the car but there are many things that can improve the performance and handling without drastically changing the classic appearance of the car.
-replace the 20 year old shocks
-lower the car a bit
-put on beefier sway bars to reduce body roll
-get rid of the OEM manifold and add some headers-huge performance gain
-ditto for the heavy restrictive oem exhaust
-put on slightly bigger wheels
-put on bigger front rotors and calipers, the oems are weak by todays standards
Doing these items you are just giving this car the base equipment that the more modern cars already have. It is worthwhile too, because the engine in this car is phenomenal and has a lot of the Honda F1 heritage within it. I have had other cars but this one is special. It has a visceral feel you don't get in many of the newer cars plus it can hold its own with many of the comparable cars at the track.
raylo993 says:
06:30 PM, 11/08/2011
I live in Cupertino, CA.
I thought you were from another country.
nukem96 says:
05:02 AM, 11/08/2011
I live in AtlantanGeorgia in the US. You?
raylo993 says:
07:49 PM, 11/07/2011
@nukem96,
That's cool...they are both great sports cars. In the '90s, they were the best from Japan and Germany.
Choosing one over the other is just a matter of personal preference.
Do you live in USA or elsewhere, @nukem96? Just curious....
nukem96 says:
03:25 AM, 11/07/2011
@Raylo993 If I had to make a complaint about the NSX it would be the lack of torque. I never owned a 993 but have driven one. I loved it, but not as much as I do my NSX. To me the NSX just felt more special. The only thing(in my opinion) that looked dated was the interior. At least you found a car that stirs your soul...as have I, even though they are different cars.
raylo993 says:
05:40 PM, 11/04/2011
@nukem96
I didn't really hate my NSX. I just found it to be a bit too clinical. It's too refined for my taste and it didn't feel as fast as it could be.
I bought a brand new silver 1991 NSX with the manual tranny just like this one in the spring of '91. It was a great handling car and very reliable. However, it lacked that extra "something"...maybe you can call it passion, whatever that is.
The excitement and novelty began to wane after a couple of years. It didn't produce real meaningful torque until the engine was being revved to over 4500+ rpm. It was not a drag racer for sure. Its handling balance was quite good. Then I began to find its looks dated....but I didn't want to "mod" the car.
So in early 1997, I sold it and bought a '97 Porsche 993 Carrera.
It might not have the handling balance of the NSX, but the Porsche stirs and stimulates my soul. And after I lowered its suspension with upgraded springs and shocks and installed a set of 18" wheels and Michelin PS2 tires, it could really corner like it's on rail. I feel like I'm driving something special and unique with its air cooled six revving behind. I find that extra "something" missing from the NSX now within my Porsche 993. Call it passion or whatever you may. The 993 has that extra slice of raw mechanical element which the NSX lacks. It thrills and excites me whether I'm driving it at 3/10 or 9/10... The Porsche 993 still reminds me that I'm alive after all these years.
nukem96 says:
02:03 AM, 11/04/2011
@Raylo993
Guess I overlooked the quotes from another poster. My question is did you just have problems with the NSX or were you not happy with the way it drove. You are intitled to your opinions and if you didn't like the car you didn't like it. I am just curious as to what you really hated about the car.
raylo993 says:
05:37 PM, 11/03/2011
@nukem96,
Go back and read again!!
I quoted someone's previous post, it wasn't my actual comments.
I just said that I could relate to and agree with some of his comments, that's all.
I did own a '91 NSX for 7 years too and also had a few issues with the car. You can read my comments here from 2 weeks ago.
nukem96 says:
06:45 AM, 11/03/2011
@Raylo993. Are you sure you drove an NSX? The NSX is said to have one of the best sounding V6 engines. The veiw is said to be amazing(I agree). As for the steering it makes you more conncted to the road. Sure at parking speed you might have to use a little grunt, but its not that bad. I understand if you don't like it, but the best parts of the NSX you hate. Maybe you need a car that drives its self.
adbtrue says:
09:54 PM, 11/02/2011
Oh I get it alright raylo993 Lmao, are you getting it yet?
NSX 0-60, 5.2 topspeed, 168 (993 stats about the same)
M3 E36 0-60, 5.6 topspeed, 132
Boxster S 0-60, 5.7 topspeed, 160ish