I'm lookin' to the retire the 97 SC400 and get a new toy.

Right now, my choices are:

NSX...

really can't think of anything else that turns my head the same as either,... G35 coupe, but those are pretty damn common,... any other ideas?

 

Yo man. I really don't have to say it - but I will - the NSX rocks.

But if you're going to drop 90 grand on a new one - maybe think about a Boxster S (~60k) or even a 911 (80k).

If you're thinking used - I can't think of any better idea. What year?

In any case, good luck!

M.

 

*sigh* good luck!

I had a 93 SC400 that I got rid of in 2000 and although my requirements for a car have slightly changed am still looking for the perfect car to replace it...

Tried a 2000 Mercedes CLK320 (mistake)
Tried a 2003 Saab 9-3 (bigger mistake)

Now in my Infiniti FX35... the closest I've been to being happy in a DD since my SC.

 

i agree. nsx is not particularly photogetic but it looks breath-taking in person. i had a close encounter with one this weekend @ diamond's plaza. t-top, o my god.

 

excuse the lack of rest last night, what's a DD?

 

Daily driver.

I dunno what your price range is gonna be like but if it's a new NSX you could go a lot of places. Like Mike said, either of those Porsches, new Z06, Viper, all the way down to an SC430 if you like the looks. Honestly, I wouldn't feel right reccomending an MB, BMW, or Audi to you.

James

 

What are your basic needs......and wants.....in a car? How much can you afford to spend.....or lease? How much can you afford for insurance? How many people normally ride with you, and do you carry loads? What is more important....ride comfort or sharp handling? How important is reliability? Will you be driving in snow /ice? (probably not in Houston)
ALL of these questions....and more..... have to be looked at before we can seriously recommend something for you.

Also keep in mind that there are ominous signs that we will soon see gas prices higher than ANYTHING we've seen before....even last spring when gas was $2.50-$3.00 in some places. You would be wise to select a new vehicle with this in mind.

 

This car is to replace my SC400, which is my weekend, fun, pimp mobile,... as I do have a RX300 as a daily driver, ... so passenger stuff is not a concern, nor "functionality" of the car. I am looking at 95 - 97 NSX's,.. I did see a 93 twin turbo with a nice kit that caught my eye,.. $50K,... not sure how much I wanna do that ,... but you better believe I'm tossin' at that idea.

I took a glance at my ride today,...and I was lookin' like....dayum,...there's not a lot out there that I like more than my car... so it's a hard thing to swallow....

MB, Audio, and BMW ( broken most weeks ) are not even considerations....

to get a Supra is kinds going backwards in one regard, while gaining in another

same premise for a Z, considering I already had one of those

RX-7, not real big on those, plus maintanence nightmare

don't like any other Acura / Honda product

Infiniti G35 - too common.....but dope,....

350Z... like it less than the G35,... and even more common,....

Porsche,...don't think it's gonna be as reliable,... and a 911 is gonna cost more than what I think I wanna pay

Ferrari... not there yet.... ( droolin' though )

 

NSX - Japanese Ferrari Go test drive one and let us know.

 

Nazty...brotha to brotha.... pimp out a G35 and save your cash....

 

my vote goes for the.....
you can always get what you paid with an nsx
i'm not too sure about that with the g35

 

OK...a couple of things. Basically it sounds like you want a weekend sports car. You say you don't care for other Honda / Acura products. Have you looked at or test-drove a Honda S2000? That is a blast of a car for the money (although the engine is extremely peaky). It is reliable, fun, extremely well-built, and will be reasonable on gas if we hit $3 a gallon or more. (very likely). It also sells brand-new in the low-mid 30's.... a reasonable price.
The Turbo MazdaSpeed Miata also falls into these categories, and will sell for a little less than the S2000. The engine is not quite as strong as the S2000's but compensates somewhat by being less peaky.
The Toyota MR2 is also a fun little roadster, bargain-priced ( low-mid 20's) , well-built, economical, and offers mid-engine handling like Boxsters and the NSX, but the engine may be too weak for your tastes ( ? ). It is also being phased out...you have to move quick if you want one.

Those are my first recommendations for you. If none of these are your cup of tea...we'll take it from there and go on to something else. The upcoming Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters are promising but I have not formally looked at or test-driven one ...they are not yet in dealerships.

I am not recommending the Mazda RX-8 with the Genesis rotary engine because even though the half-rear door is convienent, that engine burns both gas AND oil like it is going out of style. The 350Z has sharp looks outside and a strong engine but is CHEAP inside...and the interior trim tends to loosen up and fall off. The G35 coupe is a little nicer than the Z inside but costs more. It also is not a true 2-seater...it is a 2+2 with a small back seat....so is the RX-8.

 

Go for the NSX. If you are looking for 95-97, skip the 95-96 and to straight for the 97. May I ask why you were thinking specifially 95-97? The reason why I ask is IMHO, while no NSX is a bad choice and they are all fast, the 95-96 is the heaviest of the 3.0L versions since 1995 was the first to introduce the T top and the extra bracing added weight. So, if you can live without the T, or if you rather have the Coupe, get the 91-94. Now, 1997 was when they came out with the 3.2L 290 HP and 6-Speed. This is a significant improvement and if you can swing a 97+ that would be the one to buy. Coupe versions of the 97+ years are available but they were special order and very rare. 99 Zanardi's are Coupes and are really JDM Type S NSX's. Hoestly, I personally feel if you replaced your SC400 with an NSX you wouldn't miss the SC much at all. My daily is a 93 SC400 and while it isn't fully modified I have been in friends modified SC's and there is simply no comparison. The SC in stock form feels and handles like a giant Caddilac compared to the NSX. Modded with suspension like Teins and rims the SC still feels like a smaller tighter Caddilac Seriously though, if you are looking for a sports car the NSX even in stock form shows how much the SC is not really anything close to being a sports car. It really is quite a feeling to be sitting practically 4" off the ground, and the steering response and feedback is really impressive. Think about changing lanes, turn the wheel slightly and you are already there

 

Ok,... it's not looking good for the NSX,....

drove a 91 yesterday that has a 96 JDM motor in it, intake, rings, etc... dope azz Mugen areo kit, lowered,...and Volk stagered wheels,.... the car looks nasty!!! just plain dope.... get inside,.. totatlly lack luster compared to the Lexus..... and I was tryin' to overlook it, ...but so, I drive it,... and yeah, that thing moves,... but still seemed like a car that was 100% PURE HONDA... not upper level like Infiniti or Lexus,...

After a 30 min ride,... I realized that car isn't very comfortable,.... just good looking and fast,... the interior looked very honda preludish.... so needless to say, I am going to have to look at another that's newer and see if Acura made some interior enhancements worth me leaving pretty damn comfortable to just ok. The other thing was that car was loud as ever,... I guess Lexus has spoiled me.

here''s a picture of the car....

Also, who would maintance a car like this??? It's a canadian model, so the speedo is in Km/hr and the mph are so small you'd easily be gettin' tickets,... plus the odo is in Km,... that'd be confusing I'd imagine. I get a bad vibe on this one,.... he's done a lot of work to it,...so it feels like it could be a money pit....

 

Looks like you might have to look at luxury sports cars like the M3 or M5. Maybe a E55 AMG, or C32 AMG. That way you'll get the speed, most of the handling, and the quieter luxury interior. If you don't like the interior no need to look at a newer version since they are the same. In 2000 the got perforated leather and the 99 Zanardi got suede leather, but that is about it. By the way, what exhaust did he have? The stock exhaust is actually very quiet and you really can't hear it at all. Aftermarket exhausts are fairly loud though. The engine is much louder than usual since it is right behind your head.