nsxt2000
04-20-2011, 02:32 PM
While re-reading a feature article in the April 1997 issue of "Road & Track" I was reminded how flawed some automobile comparisons can be.
The title is "World's Best Sports Car", subtilted "The Ultimate Test Of Automotive Performance".
The article compares our beloved NSX to the Corvette, the Ferrari F355 and the Porsche 911 turbo. Various tests are performed, including skidpad, slalom and 0-100-0. In each test the NSX was close, but always came in last place. When totaled, the results were:
* First Place = Porsche
* Second = Ferrari
* Third = Corvette
* Fourth = NSX
However, there are so many other factors as part of the total over-all sports car experience. Among these is "build quality". My daughter and her husband owned a beautiful F355 several years ago. It had approximately 23,000 miles at the time, and I admit I enjoyed driving it. The car exhibited class, style and exemplified the "Ferrari mystique". However, although fairly new there were little things, like the intermittent window faliure, a few loose pieces, sticking gas pedal, etc. Virtually any NSX with only 23k miles will be as tight as the day it left Japan.
Another thing. They had a service performed - a major engine out one. It was time for that service and it happened to be engine out. The service was just under $15,000! Can you imagine any such service for the NSX?
Although none of we car owners like to think about it, depreciation is a large part of auto wonership. I will go out on a limb here and say that the NSX depreciated less than any of the other three - and far less than say the Ferrari.
So to me an outstanding sports car is much more than how fast it goes or stops or how many G's it pulls. And when you consider all aspects of auto enjoyment, the NSX is difficult if not impossible to beat.
Just my opinion...
-Mike S.
The title is "World's Best Sports Car", subtilted "The Ultimate Test Of Automotive Performance".
The article compares our beloved NSX to the Corvette, the Ferrari F355 and the Porsche 911 turbo. Various tests are performed, including skidpad, slalom and 0-100-0. In each test the NSX was close, but always came in last place. When totaled, the results were:
* First Place = Porsche
* Second = Ferrari
* Third = Corvette
* Fourth = NSX
However, there are so many other factors as part of the total over-all sports car experience. Among these is "build quality". My daughter and her husband owned a beautiful F355 several years ago. It had approximately 23,000 miles at the time, and I admit I enjoyed driving it. The car exhibited class, style and exemplified the "Ferrari mystique". However, although fairly new there were little things, like the intermittent window faliure, a few loose pieces, sticking gas pedal, etc. Virtually any NSX with only 23k miles will be as tight as the day it left Japan.
Another thing. They had a service performed - a major engine out one. It was time for that service and it happened to be engine out. The service was just under $15,000! Can you imagine any such service for the NSX?
Although none of we car owners like to think about it, depreciation is a large part of auto wonership. I will go out on a limb here and say that the NSX depreciated less than any of the other three - and far less than say the Ferrari.
So to me an outstanding sports car is much more than how fast it goes or stops or how many G's it pulls. And when you consider all aspects of auto enjoyment, the NSX is difficult if not impossible to beat.
Just my opinion...
-Mike S.