I have narrowed my purchase down to 2 cars- nsx and vette. I test drove 911 turbo, M5, M3. The vette/nsx are so far ahead of those for pure sports car fun its not even funny. The nsx guys say the vette is awesome but they get the edge in reliability/refinement/rarity but lose in torque/track speed and noise.Some folks have said the nsx is sterile while the vette is a visceral punch in the gut. I have been a musclehead guy (vettes, saleen) but currently own TT supra and supercharged mustang (two incredible cars). Would I be dissapointed in a naV6 no matter how fast? I am leaning toward the nsx- please stop me before I have buyers remorse.
Note- the nsx is used at about the same price as a new z06. Thanks :D :D :chevy :chevy :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

Welcome to the Forum! A 2002 Z06 with gut-wrenching performance vs a used NSX... IMHO no contest, I would buy the Z06. But as a Corvette owner, I doubt that I am objective. Of course, you could buy the NSX & watch the Z06's pass you by. ;)





[Modified by Sully C5, 7:31 AM 11/2/2001]

 

So what you are actually saying is that your choice is betwwen a new Z06 (possibly with 0% finance) and a used NSX. Wouldn't be a very hard decision for me. Performance wise, the Z06 is definitely a step above. I promise you that you will not have as much fun with the NSX as you would with the Vette. Also, the NSX has hardly changed at all over it's 10 year life span. A new NSX is supposed to be released soon and then yours would really appear to be very outdated. Obviously, in my opinion the Vette is the way to go. You've already made the 2nd step by joining the forum so go ahead and complete the process by taking the 1st step and buy yourself a CORVETTE!!!!

When you do, don't forget the Corvette tradition and save the wave! :seeya

:cheers:

 

The NSX is an awesome machine, but it is a bit dated... This interiour has not changed in quite a while and had not been updated to todays current standards. The new v8 NSX is supposed to rock...so i'd wait for that one if you want an nsx (rumored to be over $100k). The Z06 is just awesome with power, speed and handling that is close to that of the nsx.

 

I have a '96 nsx-t with the following mods:
short gears, comptech IEM, headers, exhaust, airbox - in short everything comptech has to offer except the supercharger.

When my FRC was stock the NSX was faster. Since I've done a bunch of work to the FRC it is way faster. I think for most people the nsx is easier to drive close to the limit than the C5. It is very easy to drive fast. It isn't a drag racer but it is a good car.

The build quality of NSX is better but not by much. The NSX is very reliable. The nsx will cost more to repair if you ding it. Performance parts for the NSX will cost more.

I think it all boils down to what your preference is. What year and model is the NSX you are considering?

 

This past weekend Car and Driver TV did a spot on "super cars." They did include the NSX and it's numbers (speed, etc.) were just slightly better than the standard C5...but not enough to surpass the Z06. Of course, the NSX for this year is $88K and they are tweaking it for a possible V-8 in the future which they say will carry the cost to over $100K.

 

I've raced one down at the track in Gainesville several times. When my Z06 was stock, I would generally beat him by about eight or ten car lengths (I think that works out to about half a second).

 

The corvette is the best sports car for the buck if not the best overall, it's very well supported, its engineered, built and assembled in america. The proffits stay in america. Buy american!

 

Last week at the track I saw an NSX but for some reason he didn't want to run my bone stock C5 after I made a few passes(12.8 at 114), he never said why, just declined.

 

I think the NSX certainly has it's appeal if you want a Japan/American sort-of
exotic i.e. Mid-engine design. That is definitely unique. But it's hard comparing a 'used' NSX against a NEW Z06. The financing, warranty, cost/repair ratio will
be much favorable with the Z06. It's also cheaper to make the Z go faster with mods than the NSX.

Good Luck with YOUR decision :cheers:

 

I agree the NSX is dated...............Buy the Z06! :yesnod:

 

I would not get the NSX for the simple reason that a new Refined NSX is due very shortly and in fact will be out before the C7. Then you will shortly be disappointed in that you have a less performing/refined NSX and also do not have the Z06. I would either wait for the new NSX (if you can afford it) or grab the 2002 405 HP Z06 now.

 

I don't think you should buy a sports car just because its American or assembled in America but rather because its a great car. The corvette is indeed a great car. If there were no vettes and only mustangs, I would not have an American sports car today. Buy for what makes you happy, not because your country makes it.

 

I've seen many used NSX's go for around 30 - 35K at an exotic dealership here in NC. When asking why they were marked down so much the salesman said it was because people couldn't tell the difference in years. A new one next to a 10 YO model look almost identical. And is supossed to be an exclusive exotic :rolleyes:

Go american! Vettes are definately superior to the NSX! :flag

 

I've always been a fan of the NSX and I even rented one for an evening, it was a '93 red/black 5 speed. It was a fun car. I've driven a friend's '93 as well for an extended period of time and he drove my C5. His NSX was fun to drive, it had intake, headers, exhaust, and modified suspension, wheels, and tires. Amazingly, his car wasn't that much slower than mine, I mean, mine was a fair bit quicker, I'd have about 5 lengths on him from launch until about 100mph. The sensation of speed is much more noticeable in my C5 due to the torque and music of the V8. His car has a very nice sound too with that V6 shrieking to 8000rpm behind my ear.

When I graduated from school two years, I was torn between a used NSX in the $40-50k range or a new C5. I love the NSX's, but I wanted a new car with a warranty and a lot of torque. I've been EXTREMELY happy with the reliability of my C5, so I have no regrets and I feel that I made the right decision. If you're torn between a '02 Z06 and a used 3.0L NSX or even a '97 3.2L NSX with six-speed, the performance is no comparison, the '02 Z06 handles better and is much faster in a straight line. I'd go '02 Z06. Also, like several others have said, the NSX is going to be redesigned, but then again, so is the Corvette in '04. That makes the redesign issue really of a moot point, the only difference is the C5 came out in '97 and the NSX in it's current iteration came out in '91. Good luck with your decision, you really won't go wrong either way.

 

I drove a friend's NSX and although it did not have the torque of the C5, after the VTEC opens up it really does pull. And it handles like it is on rails. Turn in is so quick and response is immediate. However, you feel as though you are on top of the front wheels, laying down nonetheless.

 

I recently drove a NSX..Always liked the exotic look..My opinion of the car is :U Buy a Z and smile all the time :cheers:

 

The Z06!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well .... That's a good question. Here is one for you:

What is the most important thing you are looking for in your car? The second most? Third? That will answer your question. :)

Also note, there are FAR less NSX's on the road than Vipers.

 

I understand your dilemma, I had the same problem and today I have one of each. I agree with Quikag’s post completely.

Vette pro’s
Ø New (it’s nice being the first owner)
Ø Factory warrantee (although you can warrantee the NSX, and dealing with most chevy dealers (not the ones on this forum) is not pleasant.)
Ø The sound and torque of an American V8
Ø Active Handling (competition mode J)
Vette cons
Ø Everybody has one
Ø Predictable and guaranteed depreciation (mostly because of how many are made, at only 200 NSX’s made a year, they do hold their value better, of course this comment will probably start a flame fest on the forum.)
Ø Dealing with (most, not all) Chevy dealers.

NSX pro’s
Ø Rare, it turns more heads, the general public see it as an exotic
Ø Amazing handling difference, now I’m not suggesting that the vette is not awesome, it definitely is, but there’s something about the feel of entering a corner in the front of a mid engine car at very high speed. It’s tough to explain the difference, the only way I can say it is that the vette “feels” heavier and not quite as planted (even though the numbers may tell a different story.)
Ø Japanese reliability, I mean really, anybody that can produce a production engine that can turn 8000rpm all day every day for years and hundreds of thousands of miles (and still not burn an ounce of oil) must be doing something right?
NSX con’s
Ø Everyday durability. By this I mean that because the entire car (body, frame, engine, suspension, …) is mostly aluminum it is easier to get the annoying door ding. The vette is much better at dealing with the everyday annoyances of driving on public roads and parking lots.
Ø When something does break or need service it is much more expensive to fix. It’s also more difficult to find someone that is qualified to work on it.
Ø If you want to get the most out of it, you need to keep the engine turning over 4800 (where the VTEC comes in.) The vette’s power band is easier to use.

You will not go wrong with either, you are deciding between two of the best sports cars in the world. And with each there is a very strong following of dependable people (friends) to help you, as you have found with this forum.

By the way, if you were to post the exact question on the http://www.nsxprime.com forum, you would see opinions from the other side of the coin.

Best of luck, and let us know what you ultimately decide.