Overview & Reviews

The Acura NSX was the first production car to feature aluminum construction for its body structure, body panels, suspension and engine. Its engine was the first to feature variable valve timing and a variable-volume intake manifold. It was the first Japanese sports car sold in America to truly go head-to-head with the world's best. And it came from an automotive brand that, at the time, had been in existence for just five years.

Despite being a car of innovative firsts, the Acura NSX never saw big sales numbers after its initial debut. After 15 years of production, Acura sold only about 8,900 NSXs; Chevrolet easily sells at least that many Corvettes in just one year.

Perhaps the NSX's fatal "flaw" was that it wasn't exotic enough. We'll see, as Acura will be trying again with an all-new NSX, slated to arrive for 2015. As a candidate for a used sports car, though, the first-generation NSX makes for a savvy choice. It's relatively rare, rewarding to drive and still looks every bit as exotic as it did in 1991. Plus, the lack of major revisions means that you can buy an earlier model and know that you're not missing out on much.

Upcoming Acura NSX
After many years of rumors and false starts, the Acura NSX is set to return by 2015. Shown at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in concept form, the next NSX, as expected, will be a midengine two-seater. It will be powered by a high-output V6 hybrid powertrain and sport Acura's latest version of its SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive) system as well as a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Acura claims that the future NSX will provide "supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency."

Most Recent Acura NSX Models
The original Acura NSX went on sale as a 1991 model and continued uninterrupted through the 2005 model year. Product highlights included a midmounted V6 engine, aluminum body construction, solid build quality and crisp handling.

For its debut, the NSX featured a 3.0-liter V6. The engine was equipped with VTEC (Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control) and a variable-volume intake manifold to increase power and tractability. Titanium connecting rods allowed a high redline. Developing 270 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, the engine sent its power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Acura also made a four-speed automatic available but with a reduced-output V6 (252 hp).

Acura used aluminum to build much of the car to keep curb weight at a minimum. Racecarlike double-wishbone suspension design was used at each corner. Standard equipment highlights included antilock brakes, automatic climate control and leather upholstery. In 1995, a targa-roof model (the NSX-T) became available.

Two years later the NSX finally received its first and only powertrain upgrade. The 1997 manual-equipped models featured a new six-speed transmission and a larger 3.2-liter engine producing 290 hp. Those with the automatic kept the previous 3.0-liter V6. A limited-production Alex Zanardi Edition was available for 1999; available only as a fixed roof coupe, it had special wheels and a more stiffly tuned suspension.

Acura performed its last NSX update in 2002. The coupe model was discontinued and out-of-fashion elements like flip-up headlights and monochromatic interior panels were axed in favor of fixed HID headlights and updated metallic-look trim. Functional changes included a firmer suspension (though it wasn't as stiff as the Zanardi's), larger wheels with wider tires, and a sequential-shift mode for the automatic transmission.

When it debuted, the NSX stood out more than just for its innovation. In the early '90s, most high-performance exotics suffered from poor visibility, awful ergonomics and very high running costs. The NSX demonstrated that high performance and a comfortable driving experience weren't mutually exclusive after all. Like it or not, the NSX was about as easy to drive as an Integra and just about as reliable.

Less defensible is that the car simply went on too long without a major redesign while the price crept up, the latter due more to exchange rates than any greed on Acura's part. By the time the new millennium hit, redesigned (and less expensive) competitors outclassed it in terms of performance and value by a significant margin.

Highlights of driving a used NSX include an easy-to-drive nature, excellent forward visibility, its sweet-sounding V6 and a very smooth shifter. The major downsides to the car are limited practicality and mediocre outright performance for an exotic. Finding an unmolested NSX might also be hard, as many cars have been modified with aftermarket parts over the years.

User Reviews:

Showing 61 through 70 of 109.00

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  Ummm...its not what I expected - 2003 Acura NSX
  By NSXowner - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Its a good car. Its not of the supercar standards I was expecting. Only 290hp. That is apparently the Lowest hp for dollar ratio. I think I was ripped off power wise. And its interior looks too blah. Not chep feeling exactly, but looks pulled from any acura, and if it Was a parts- bin car, it should have been cheaper.

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  everything - 2003 Acura NSX
  By aliaz - October 26 - 1:00 am

  everything is good. every the manual and the automatic. i love the nos and turbo.

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  Fits like a glove - 2003 Acura NSX
  By NSX man - September 18 - 2:00 am

  This care feels like it was custom built for me. It is the most comfortable,responsive, and powerful car I have ever owned. The ergonomics are excellent and the controls are intuitive and accessible. The 6-speed is a delight, the Bose stereo is excellent, and driving topless is the ultimate thrill. If you are between 5- 6" and 5-9" tall, there is no other better street legal race car available.

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  Thanks to Honda! - 1996 Acura NSX
  By ss5153 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The Acura NSX-T is without a doubt the most reliable exotic sports car you can buy. It is one thing to have the money to buy an exotic sports car, and another to fund the extraordinarily expensive maintenance and repairs to the vehicle. I just bought a low mileage 1996 Acura NSX T in Formula Red. I cant believe that it still looks brand new! The previous owner took really good care of it! I can still tell people that its a 2002 model! 2003 changed to new headlights and bumpers.

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  if only - 1998 Acura NSX
  By billibob - September 1 - 2:00 am

  once in a lifetime youre able to drive an exotic at merely a luxury price give the nsx a try. great driving thrill on curve or staight . Acceleration is truly exhilarant . Balance is amazing -I felt glued to the road on curves. While the cockpit is comfortible my bald spot atop my 6ft frame kisses the targa roof. This car seems to hold a good resale value. I picked up a 98 in flawless condition for 50k. Not a bargain but given the slight design and performance changes over the last 12 years I feel like im driving a new car selling in the $90s.

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  Excellence at a price - 2002 Acura NSX
  By RPM217 - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I came out of a 2000 C5 convertible, it was a great car, I wanted something different, this is clearly different. People ask me to compare the two, I tell them that the Vette was brute force, and the NSX is pure finesse. The torque advantage of the Vette is obvious, but the 0-60 times are not that different between the two. The NSX is so much more "tossable" and you dont feel close to the "limit" on the street. Its a blast, and people dont know what it is, even after 12+ years

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  Extremely well-balanced supercar - 2003 Acura NSX
  By Brian Connaway - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Most people give their negative opinions on the nsx without really giving full thought to the positives. It is true that the engine is outdated however the overall build of this car is unmatched. Extremely reliable and well-made. Handles like a dream and has the power where needed. Great weight balance, handling, and acceleration. Although the engine might be too "weak" for some, it still is quite capable of embarassing even current sports cars, despite its engine being 12+ yrs old.

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  super car love it - 2003 Acura NSX
  By mr nsx - June 11 - 2:00 am

  driving this car is like a dream everyone should be lucky enough to have the chance.

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  Best Buy - 1991 Acura NSX
  By JohnJohn - May 21 - 2:00 am

  This is a car for the muscle lover with out the muscle money... Great Ride, Great Fun, Great Buy.

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  Simply Awesome - 1996 Acura NSX
  By pr - April 27 - 2:00 am

  For anyone reading this, I will tell you that this is simply a car enthusiasts dream. This is simply the best sports car I have ever owned. Everything you read and hear about this car is true. It handles better than any car, it is unbelievably reliable, and exceptionally fast. It turns heads at every corner.