Why buy a 993 over an NSX?

[88porsche911]

If and when I upgrade to the 993, can anyone tell me why the 993 is a better buy then the NSX. Prices are about the same. Performance is very close, maybe even a nod to the NSX. Reliability has to nod to the NSX and looks could go either way. One thing that favors the NSX in my book is that you never see them and the 993's are all over in NY. Just curious as to what you all think. Thanks Go YANKS!!!!!!!!!!

[speeder]

And the last, best one in a lot of opinions. But then again, there are a few substitutes, I guess. I have seen some NSXs that I like around L.A., blacked-out Kinesis-looking wheels, big brakes, etc. I agree w/ your comment about them being uncommon, always a plus in my book. Better drive both cars. I only like 993s when they are hotrodded a little, (wheels, exhaust, etc.). Otherwise they are belly button cars around here.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Well the NSX is ass ugly! Is that enough reason?

I don't agree with you on reliability. The maintenance costs on the NSX will likely be higher. There aren't any timing belts and water pumps to replace every 60K on a 993. Just watch out for some '95 model 993's. Engine wiring harness issues.

The 993 will hold it's value better than the NSX for certain. The NSX body style never changed, and it looks rather dated. This same issue helped kill resale on 928's. The 993 is considered the pinnacle of the 911 development, and is the last of the air cooled, making it permanently desirable.

But drive both, and decide which blows your hair back the farthest. To me the 993 has a much more solid, quality feel to it. And a torque curve that has power everywhere. The NSX has the slight handling advantage. Pick your poison.

[cab83_750]

Heck,

I for one love the NSX. In my opinion, it looks exotic. I even got carried away one night and posted that I have been contemplating buying an NSX as an addition to my stable.

Too bad in live around canyon roads so, for now, I'll stick with Porsches.

[motion]

I have a buddy with a 2000 black, lowered, chipped, headers NSX. It is baaaaddddd. Looks great and goes like stink. 320hp. I think the engineering in these things is unbelievable. Too bad they're rice though.

[Victor]

Why buy an NSX over a WRX STi? If your'e going to buy Japanese on price vs. performance go the whole way. They probably perform better (than the 993 included), definately cost less and looks - that's in the eye of the beholder.

Something tells me this post is going to go platinum.

[smestas]

I think that NSX's look like new Camaros from the certain angles. 993's just look like a PORSCHE. Thats all I have to say about that.

[nostatic]

no back seat in the NSX. Game over.

Motion: Rice! You go BoY!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I walk out into my parking lot at work, and at any time there are at least 2 NSXs there. Every other day I pass one on the way to work as well. It's all black with a bright blue left rear quarterpanel.

He should really get around to painting that thing.

Nice looking cars, they perform well, and you can pick up early ones for less than a new Accord.

But the idea of owning one just doesn't appeal to me the way a 993 would.

[ljonespwc]

Rice? That's a little harsh, isn't it? I even find that somewhat offensive (i.e. racist). You meant to say "Japanese", right?

My brother has a 1992 NSX, so I have a few hours of seat time under my belt. We used to "trade for a day" when I was driving my '88 Club Sport. And we always discuss the merits of these two vehicles. Seeing as how everyone here is familar with the merits of the 993, let me offer my opinion on the NSX.

First of all, the NSX is a hand-built car. Porsche used to do this at one time too, right? It's also very exclusive, or rare. I believe there were 5,000 NSXs produced in 1991-1992, but after 1992 production dropped to between 300 units and 700 units per year. That's why you don't see many of them around. The only real "quirks" of the NSX are (1) expensive clutch (~$2000), (2) snap ring failure (but only on early models), (3) window regulator clip ($600 per door, but preventative maintenance costs $40 per side), and (4) short tire life (7,000-12,000 miles for rears). My bro' did a ton of research on the car, and they really are bulletproof (kinda like many 911s). Oil changes are cheap. The timing belt and water pump need replacing at 90K.

Almost every car he looked at had low kilometers, full service records, and no "stories". I'm sure there are crappy examples out there, but he didn't find any. He paid $49,000 CDN back in 1997, and he could definitely get $45,000 today on a reasonably quick sale. I think that $4,000 depreciation in 5 years is PHENOMENAL. I also think great resale is a function of rarity and a steadily increasing (new model) price over the years.

How's it go? Well, with exhaust and headers the car is probably running about 275HP at the wheels. Torque feels similar to a 964 (sorry, I've never driven a 993), with a very broad curve and decent gearing to boot. It sounds fantastic, especially above 6000RPMs. Better than anything I've heard except for some of Maranello's finest! Of course, it looks nothing like a 993 or any other Porsche, but I believe the cars have a lot in common. I would feel just as good with my brother's car in my garage as any 993. Hope this helps.

[Chuck Moreland]

I once considered buying an NSX. My decision was between NSX or '84-'86 Carrera. I couldn't really decide, both are great cars.

Then I had a very fortunate experience; I found in a parking lot a black NSX and a black 911 parked right next to each other. Needless to say I took the opportunity for a back to back visual comparison.

For me there was no comparison - The 911 won hands down. The NSX is flashy, the 911 is classic. The lines of the hood and the way it meets the steeply inclined windshield... there is no substitute.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by ljonespwc
[B]Rice? That's a little harsh, isn't it? I even find that somewhat offensive (i.e. racist). You meant to say "Japanese", right?

Nope...meant to say "rice". I have seen plenty of Euro cars I'd call rice. Jettas and Golfs are really popular now as candidates for a gluten fest. I'm also equal opportunity...I consider Testarrosas, DeLoreans, maybe Bricklin, and slant nose mods rice. Notice that I didn't say what color rice though...that would be racist.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Rice? That's a little harsh, isn't it? I even find that somewhat offensive (i.e. racist). You meant to say "Japanese", right?

Considering that my wife is 1/2 Japanese--was born and raised in Japan--and calls the cars "rice" and the drivers "riceboys", I feel quite comfortable using the terms myself.

Hell, she even directed me to www.riceboypage.com for lunchtime diversions at work...

[Victor]

Actually, critisizing someone or something for being "Japanese" would be racist as this generally implies a nationality of fellow human beings.

Not sure if members of the plant world are ready to enjoy the same rights.

[ljonespwc]

Allow me to clarify. Motion clearly holds the car in high regard. He makes only positive comments about the NSX until his final sentence--"Too bad they're rice...". The word "rice" is typically associated with "all show and no go" type mods being applied to a car. How could that term possibly be applied to a stock NSX?? That's what we're talking about here, isn't it? I interpreted Motion's term as a derogatory slur for "Japanese", and that bothers me. Maybe I don't fully understand hs point.

[Matt Holcomb]

88porsche911,

An instructor at a performance driving school here in Melbourne once did a few laps in a mid-90s NSX and said it was harder to drive at the limit that anything else he had ever driven.

I thought that was interesting, but then it's Japanese and mid-engined, usually a recipe for disaster. Just ask anyone who's owned or driven a Toyota MR2.


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[poorb0yw]

Hi,
For the money I think you would be hard pressed to find a good condition NSX with the better engine for 993 money. They are nice and rare. But this also makes a good one pretty hard to find. My friend has been looking for one for more than a year now with no luck.
If you get the early ones (which seem to be going for around 32k right now) you would only have 250 hp. So 20-32 less hp than a similarly priced 993 from 95 or 96.
Don't get me wrong though. I love the NSX and it has been the only Japanese car I have considered. However with the current market for these I couldn't justify the cost to performance and the incredible hassle I would have to go through to find one.
Reliability wise I believe the 993 was rated better than the Nsx in some magazine. Also from the maintenance values I've seen, the NSx is ever so slightly higher (but almost to a point where it wouldnt make a difference).
Good luck with your decision. Both are wonderful cars indeed. I went the 993 route.
Princeton

[Dana_Drury]

I love the NSX, I think its probably the ultimate super-car the Japanese have produced. And for that reason it has been compared with the Porsche time and time again. Very few reviews I have seen (and the last review I read was a shoot out between the 996 Carrera and the NSX-S) have said the NSX is a better car.

Reliability is about the same (Porsches are well known for their reliability), the Porsche apparently handles better in the right set of hands, despite the mid-engined configuration of the NSX and the biggest thing that all the reviews I have read said - The NSX lacks the true sports car feel that the Porsche has...

[speeder]

I think that a Honda vs. Porsche is a fair fight, even from a racing heritage standpoint. Didn't Honda dominate F1 for several seasons not so long ago? Porsche can't say that, I am sorry to say. This fact is lost in all of the "rice" discussions, Honda is a company founded by an engineer, (a mechanic actually), more in common w/ Porsche than different.

I've never driven an NSX, so can't say from the feel of the car, but every Porsche has so much racing technology in it, I feel it in every fast lane change and passing situation. Like I said before, drive 'em both if possible, you will then not need to ask anyone.

[Bill Douglas]

You are trying to be funny, arn't you?