Acura NSX DOA?

[madoka]

I was really interested in the NSX and it would have been great and a class leader if it was released five years ago, but now I have my doubts about its place in the market.

From what I've read, we can expect about 530 HP and a price around $130K. I believe the Z06 and the GTR will both outperform the NSX for a LOT less, especially in the case of the Z06.

In terms of style, the R8 is IMHO a much better looking car and has a better pedigree for a similar price.

So if the NSX can't compete in either performance or style, who's going to buy it?

 

[dawheat]

I would have agreed more before the reviews of the Porsche 918 - they seem to have a similar philosophy of twin electric motors combined with a petrol engine and AWD. Sure it won't be as light or have the outright speed, but it's the dynamics of the car that have blown drivers away.

If the new NSX can be a poor mans 918 dynamically, I think it'll be a fantastic car. Certainly better performing than an R8 V10 and IMO better looking - the R8 is understated elegant but getting a bit dull.

The Z06 will always be a performance bargain and the GTR a brute force machine, but I'm feeling pretty good that Honda will bring out a car that will be world class dynamically against its peers and do a surprising approximation of some supercars, albeit without the all out speed. I think it'll fare quite well against the 911 GT3, R8 V10, Vantage, and even the 458.

 

[jlee]

The people who want one and don't really care what it costs.

A 2014 Ferrari 458 costs over twice what a 2014 GTR Track Edition costs and is half a second slower to 60, which is a HUGE amount when you're talking the 3 second range. Somehow, the Ferrari still sells.

 

[smackababy]

The people who want one and don't really care what it costs.

A 2014 Ferrari 458 costs over twice what a 2014 GTR Track Edition costs and is half a second slower to 60, which is a HUGE amount when you're talking the 3 second range. Somehow, the Ferrari still sells.

Well, from what I've heard, after you drive that GTR off a track, it's still a Nissan. =) That Ferrari is a Ferrari no matter where it goes.

 

[jlee]

Well, from what I've heard, after you drive that GTR off a track, it's still a Nissan. =) That Ferrari is a Ferrari no matter where it goes.

Yup. And the NSX is an NSX. Kinda like the Lexus LFA, it stands apart from its brand.

 

[Zivic]

Well, from what I've heard, after you drive that GTR off a track, it's still a Nissan. =) That Ferrari is a Ferrari no matter where it goes.

it's a pretty freaking nice nissan off the track... just sayin' I was rollin in my nissan when one of those GTR nissans came up and passed me on the highway, made me feel I didn't have a nissan quite up to pair with that nissan.

joking aside, the nsx will do just fine. forget the numbers, there is more to a car than the numbers

 

[ponyo]

I'm more excited about the NSX now then couple of years ago. Sports car with electric motor and gas engine is still rare. The power numbers are fine. 530 hp is still highly respectable. $130k is still cheaper than 911 Turbo.

GTR is ugly to me and that sold pretty well.

 

[Railgun]

That Ferrari is a Ferrari no matter where it goes.

And my Mazda is a Mazda. And my Mini is a Mini...

And you must be this guy...

 

[KentState]

NSX, Ferrari, GT-R, 911 Turbo are all out of my price range that having one or banging a room full of super models is juts a fantasy. So the success or failure is something I really don't care about. I just appreciate the car when/if they review it on Top Gear or something like that.

 

[senseamp]

Bland car from a bland brand.

 

[SandEagle]

130k? lol, i'd pay no more than 80k for it...tops

 

[darkswordsman17]

Will have to wait and see, but the LFA was still pretty popular and I thought it looked pretty chintzy for the price they were asking for it, and its performance wasn't stellar. The engine was amazing, and supposedly its pretty great to drive, but its performance wasn't all that amazing, especially for the price.

Maybe this will be like the original NSX, where the car was excellent but the engine just wasn't enough to push it to the level it was really priced at.

You do raise a valid point though, performance metrics have shifted, but we'll see where it ends up.

A lot of rumors that Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are all focusing on hybrid powertrains for their performance cars (and the NSX is isn't it? I've forgotten). It actually reminds me a lot of the 90s, where the Japanese kinda did something different. A lot of people still remember those cars fondly even though they weren't pushing performance envelopes. Of course those also became tuner car gods, something I'm doubtful these new ones will.

But yeah, this car makes me think of the BMW i8, I don't really get why people would spend that kind of money for what it offers. But really its a way for the company to see what they can make and get a little return for the money they've pumped into R&D, plus it'll build some buzz for them.

 

[Zivic]

I thought it looked pretty chintzy for the price they were asking for it, .

you seen one in person?

those that have driven or had first hand experience seem to have nothing but positive things to say about it. say it is really something special

 

[smackababy]

And my Mazda is a Mazda. And my Mini is a Mini...

And you must be this guy...

I don't know who that guy is. My point was that for most people that can afford these types of cars, there is a lot more that thought focused away from "what can it do on the track!". And, the Nissan GTR is still a Nissan at the end of the day. It isn't particularly bad, interior and comfort wise, but there are plenty of slower cars that are much better.

 

[Dari]

Have you guys actually driven a Ferrari? They leak oil after like two laps on the tracks and are difficult to maneuver at high speed. Porsche is a better car. Ferraris only have the look, which is nice (especially in red).

 

[Herr Kutz]

Have you guys actually driven a Ferrari? They leak oil after like two laps on the tracks and are difficult to maneuver at high speed. Porsche is a better car. Ferraris only have the look, which is nice (especially in red).

Source?

I'm thinking about getting one as my dd.

 

[Dari]

Source?

I'm thinking about getting one as my dd.

I drove it along with some other exotics. Pushing it to 150 at a track (monticello in nj, iirc). It was difficult to control at the corners. After two laps it started to leak. I need something like that in my life but the annual fee at that track is over six figures and the CFO of the family would never allow that.

EDIT: I guess I wasn't paying attention. Lifetime membership is $125k. Much better than what I thought but I don't think she would allow it.

http://www.monticellomotorclub.com/membership/

EDIT2: I think cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini are meant just for show. Push them hard enough and they'll show their Italian origins. No point in having all that power if you can't toss it.

 

[Zodiark1593]

How bout we get a turbine motor coupled to a Hybrid system. Use the electric motor to give the car obscene off-the-line acceleration, and let the turbine motor go whee, whee, whee, all the way home.

 

[Fenixgoon]

How bout we get a turbine motor coupled to a Hybrid system. Use the electric motor to give the car obscene off-the-line acceleration, and let the turbine motor go whee, whee, whee, all the way home.

jaguar CX 75

 

[brainhulk]

How bout we get a turbine motor coupled to a Hybrid system. Use the electric motor to give the car obscene off-the-line acceleration, and let the turbine motor go whee, whee, whee, all the way home.

Volvo's triple turbo system until then
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volvo-reveals-450-hp-20-liter-triple-turbo-engine-concept.html

 

[JMapleton]

OP, no one is buying the NSX for the performance. I know I wouldn't. You buy cars in that class for the style.