2003 Honda NSX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Absolutely nothing.

Looks:

When I went to pick it up at the showroom, I could not wait to see my brand new yellow NSX. I pulled into the showroom car park and saw it, with 4 people around it, sparkling in the sun. The sleek, low to ground supercar appearance certainly attracts attention. I had 17" 6 spoke black Honda alloys put on it as a specification and it looks so mean, expecially with the revised front headlights.

Performance:

My NSX has the 280bhp 3.2 manual powerplant and my word it flies. Slap the thing in second gear at about 30mph and the engine produces an exquisite exhaust note as it powers its way through the VTEC powerband and all the way to 8,000rpm. 0-60 is booked at 5.5 seconds and it's about there or thereabouts. Torque is immense and there ain't nothing that will beat this on the motorway or off the lights.

Interior:

Reasonable amounts of space for a supercar, with gorgeous soft black leather and leather door trim. The small gearstick is perfectly postioned and has a short but swift, smooth change. Options include AC and electric windows and mirrors. 2 seater only I am afraid, but who cares about that.

Overall:

Had it now for 6 months and every time I open the garage, my stomach turns with excitement. Build quality is second to none and I give credit to the Honda dealership as the service has been to a very high standard. For £70k this is so much cheaper than your Ferraris and Lambos and can just about manage them when it comes to performance. If you have never driven a Honda, try it, and make that damn VTEC work its magic on you. It has on me, and I don't think I will ever change to a different manufacturer.

So, at 5.5 seconds 0-60, nothing beats it off the lights. Ever raced a bike?

I have raced a bike yes, but the rider stalled because he was in such awe of my car.

Regards racing a bike: aside from the fact that it's a flawed and school-boyish argument (the fastest car will always be quicker than the fastest bike, the bike's true advantage is its between-cars size), the NSX would be significantly swifter round corners. It also tops out at 175mph in virtual serenity.

You'd have a tough time keeping up down a twisty lane that wasn't bone dry and free of potholes. I think it's fair to say that most bikes couldn't match it over a distance without the rider tiring, falling off or simply reaching the bottom of the fuel tank.

I have a couple of doubts regarding the honesty of this review. Options include AC and electric windows and mirrors? They're standard. Additionally, the car is noticeably more expensive than the equivalent Porsche 996, so it's hardly the bargain motor he claims...

http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_25470.html reviewing an Acura NSX is worded in a very similar way to the above review.

If he happened to own both cars, do you think he would review one without mentioning the other?

Draw your own conclusions.

*Original Writer*

As regards to the person who said this was a bargain motor, it is my opinion. Fair play I did look at the competition and compared the differences etc, but because I have owned Hondas all my life (94 Civic VTI, H22 VTEC Prelude, Integra Type R and a Type V 2.3 Accord) the sheer build quality, reliability and day-to-day running of the NSX, it has no rivals. Arguably.

As regards to the person who thought this was similar to the Acura NSX, once again fair play, I used that review as a way to set mine out. As an NSX owner, I enjoy seeing how others get on with theirs.

The NSX is a nice car, but beating everything off the lights it doesn't... and a 70k it's a bit pricey. Now spend 15k on a 2nd hand twin turbo supra, and you will beat 99% of everything off the lights.

Indeed it won't beat everything off the lights, and I agree, the Supra Twin Turbo is a rapid car. But the NSX being MR (mid-engine, rear-wheel drive) makes it a "drivers car", which I tell you, is incredible fun around a track. It won't have as much "back-end" fun as the Supra, but it is the most composed, chuckable, USEABLE, reliable supercar available, brand new or second hand. And it makes THE most addictive noise at the 6,000rpm VTEC powerband, which I have not experience in any other car.

15k for a Supra is fair enough, but IMO they're ugly cars, must be a blast to drive though. The NSX for 70k is way over priced, but you can now pick up an early one with 40,000 miles for about £20,000 and for that money it makes much more sense. I'm looking at getting one, but I currently own an S2000 and the performance specs don't look that much better for the NSX, not sure if it's worth the extra cost anyway. If you do get one avoid the paddle shift gear box, 0-60 in 7.5 seconds is awful.

3.2 litres 6 cylinders, power: 201kw & torque: 298nm. 0-60: 5.5 seconds. Interior quality is pretty much like Honda Civic. Simply a typical torqueless underpowered over-revving piece of junk from Honda considering its price and Honda Civic build quality. Why on earth would someone spend that sort of money for evolutionally challenged Hondas. In Japan, Honda is considered a 'second-class' car manufacturer. I may consider Honda for domestic electric power generators or water pumps, but that's about it.

First of all, the m3 evo same engine size as your nsx 3.2 litre (even 6 cylinder, albeight in a straight configuration) has more power 321 hp against 280 or 290 bhp of the nsx. secondly it does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, done nsx beaten. then comes the E46 M3 343 bhp from the same 3.2 litre displacement. officially tested at 0-60 in 4.8 seconds!

Still think nothing will beat you nsx of the lights? wake up!

You're history.

Why do you care about beating other cars away from the traffic lights. How pathetic is that. What are you trying to prove. Where's the thrill in that. Surely its more fun to take your cars and insecurities to a track and get it out of your systems there.

Do you run home to your partners and tell them how you beat another car at the traffic light dash. Impressive!

I agree that traffic grand prix that some sad maggot's do is lame! when you overtake someone it should be reasonably safe and with authority, not a few seconds blast, which is gone before you can blink.

To the original writer of this review: fair play to you.

For all those critics about the performance of the NSX - it is true for a £70k car it may well be underpowered compared to rivals of this price range. However it is not the sheer power and torque that shines from this car, it is without a doubt the MR transmission, the suspension set up, the entire perfected combination of power band and handling capability that makes this car unique to any other on the market.

For the writer who owns the S2000 surely you'd noticed that your car, yet another genius production by honda, debatably out-performances any car of its class. Reviews usually compare the S2k with cars with larger capabilities such as the Z4 and Boxster both with larger engines. And without comprising all kind of practicality like the Lotus Elise it is without a doubt the perfect balance for a car of that class.

I see the NSX in the same light as the S2000 except at the class of a supercar. Yes there are terrible things about it - the interior of a far more basic car, the price - enough said; but performance-wise I am sure without a doubt it would be a winner against an E46 M3 around a track; and on the road - how many do you see?! For £70k it is a lot, it must be said, but this car is for those who can afford to stick with their specific taste.

It costs to be unique. It costs to have a supercar with the reliability of Honda (and outperform a lot of cars!)

This discussion does not make any sense because there is not any serious buyer and true driver outside who will consider numbers on a paper for buying a super-sports car.

People who buy a NSX usually have tried many other cars before expending his money on a car all over the world called "overpriced", after driving it every buyer will notice that there is only a few NSX on the road because just a few can afford it and even less have spend the time needed for a test.

It is far away easier to test any M3, M5, S4, S6 even a Ferrari is easier to find for testing!!! (I have just three dealers closer than a mile from my home waiting for buyer for their Modenas, Lambos and Bentleys) but I have NEVER watch a NSX on my local Honda dealers.

So people who spend a few minutes thinking about why an independent auto company like Honda still building NSXs are the ones who start guessing that a big secret hides behind the wheel of the NSX. On a twisty road you won't notice a big difference with many other super-cars: Gallardo with its 4WD, huge engine and more than 120hp won't be significant faster on twisty road, but it will drink three times more fuel (that means than it will need three pit-stops more than NSX), expensive and more frequent maintenance service...

People who can afford a Lambo are never worried about money?

May be, but even if I can buy any of this cars I know that I will feel more comfortable driving a smart concept car than driving an rocket over wheels built just for market reasons.

Lambos and Ferraris are great art-work,

NSX are just the best sport car ever made.

Do you want to beat the lights?

-> Buy a dragster.

M3 and family can never be in the same league since I stopped seeing any front-engine car running on F1.

M3 it's a wonderful car, but it could never be a trully sport car since it is not designed from a blank paper, M3 its and evolution from a market compromised design.

One thing is evolution cars like S4s, Type Rs, STs, RCs, GTs, AMGs, Ms, Brabus AND other thing is original sport car designs.

Hard, but true.

Alejandro Santacreu Alfonso

sirkanda (theStrange"a") gmail (dot) com.

I know many vehicles the NSX won't beat:

An XKR

A Suzuki Hiabusa bike

A Kawasaki Ninja

A Lamborghini

A Ferrari Enzo

A Ferrari Modena

All Italian and German super cars

And finally, a rocket (hits top speed of 150000km's per hour)