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 81 through 90 of 109.00

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  93 NSX review - 1993 Acura NSX
  By Dale Peterson - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought vehicle used with 112000 miles on it. Car was like new in every respect. Everything works perfectly. Driving is really fun and comfortable.This car gets lots of attention. Corvettes are too common.As a bonus it is very reliable and gets good gas milage. Dale

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  THE NSX IS TIGHTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Acura NSX
  By $$$cash$$$ - December 29 - 2:00 am

  You wont know what it is like until you drive it!!!!!!!

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  SPEED - 2002 Acura NSX
  By Moammed - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Extremely fast

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  Nothing But Fun!!! - 1992 Acura NSX
  By Kish - December 16 - 2:00 am

  The Car has incredible handling not to mention the sleekl aerodynamic design makes it an incredibly hot design and an awesome car to drive.

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  Killer Kaiser! - 1999 Acura NSX
  By k12dad - December 6 - 2:00 am

  The clutch is too difficult but otherwise, my Kaiser Silver NSX-T is just stunning! It is the same experience as a race car with the civility and dependability of a Honda!

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  Lets Get Real!!! - 2002 Acura NSX
  By jmlnsx - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1991 NSX.I drove a new NSX and other then some cosmetics, it is the same car. ACURA dropped the ball! There needs to be a serious motor under the hood and all the nice things included for a price that should be about $30,000. lower then where the present model is priced. ACURA has always been know for its great cars at reasonable prices. The NSX over the years has become way too expensive for what it has to offer. Bring on the new car at $60,000. like when it first came out 11 years ago and ACURA will sell them like Corvettes.

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  The ultimate Driving Machine !!! - 2002 Acura NSX
  By Bjorn - November 24 - 2:00 am

  What can I say, it my NSX has treated me very well. It is fun, reliable and stands out in the crowd. Move over BMW, the NSX is the ultimate driving machine !!!

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  This car had been underrated by so many! - 2002 Acura NSX
  By NSX Prototype - October 31 - 2:00 am

  For those who rate sports cars by its ability to "flex" its muscles (i.e., Raw Horsepower), then youll be surprised that this "merely 290HP" NSX can outrun most stock sports cars that has more much more HP on the drag strip as well as on the track. The engine has the 2nd best soundtrack of any sports car (I rank Ferraris on the top of my list). Words arent enough to describe the feeling this car gives to the driver or even the passenger. You MUST drive this car for yourself to realize its worth every penny.

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  Best car ever built!!! - 1991 Acura NSX
  By stunts7 - October 16 - 2:00 am

  As it IS rated one of the best 10 cars ever produced, I had to have one. It has lived up to its ratings 100%!!!!!

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  Couldnt be happier - 2002 Acura NSX
  By rjk - October 16 - 2:00 am

  The more I researched this car, the more I thought Id like it, but I hadnt even begun to understand how much Id have liked it. Driving this car is as fun as driving it for the first time every time I get in it. Truly spectacular. Worth the extra 30 thousand dollars over the Corvette -- this thing has *soul*.