Vehicle Description
With the new Acura NSX knocking on the $200,000 threshold,
collectors and fans of exotics are catching on to the fact that the
First Generation NSX is a pretty darned spectacular. Their values
have risen meteorically in the last five years and we see no end in
sight, as the NSX's unique combination of style, performance,
pedigree, and scarcity means this ageless import has solidified
itself on pretty much everyone's list of all-time sports cars. Of
course, they were all bulletproof in typical Honda fashion, so many
of them were used hard and put away wet, raced and abused, modified
beyond recognition, and loaded with high miles. This particular
1996 Acura NSX-T is one of the finest examples on the market right
now, with a scant 31,237 actual miles on the odometer, a stock
presentation, and a huge stack of maintenance records. If you're
looking for an uber-clean, unmolested NSX that's only going to
become more and more valuable, this may be your last chance.
A lot of folks think of the NSX as a Japanese Ferrari, but I think
that does the NSX a grave disservice. If you look at it, it's
really like nothing else before it (or since), with a radical
cab-forward design that was expressly made to resemble an F-16
fighter jet's cockpit. The low nose and neatly integrated rear
spoiler are finished with noteworthy ease and the whole thing
doesn't seem to be trying too hard to be racy. It just is. The
First Generation NSX just looks like THE archetypical race car,
pretty much what anyone from 5-to-50 years old would draw if given
the imagination and skills to manifest a streamlined supercar. And
with the world's first mass-produced all-aluminum body and
all-aluminum 3.0L VTEC V6 engine, this targa top Acura has the
light weight and strong performance to match its aerodynamic looks.
Of course, Code R77 Formula Red is the number one color of choice -
as proper as red lipstick on a supermodel - and thanks to low miles
and conscientious care, it's about as close to "like new" as you'll
find in a 32-year-old car. Of course, bright red paint with that
blacked-out cockpit pretty much eliminates any chance of going
unnoticed, but that's the price of stardom so get used to envious
gawks as you go cruising by. If you have any doubts about Honda's
ability to deliver a product worth more than $85,000 (in 1996
dollars), you need only look at the ripple-free panels on this NSX.
Thanks to uber-smart Japanese design, it isn't prone to scraping
its chin on driveway aprons, either, so all the nose pieces are
nicely preserved and the rockers haven't been sandblasted by road
debris. Obviously, someone cherished this car like a member of the
family, as you can count the minor imperfections on one hand. And
for future security, the front nose was ceramic-coated to maintain
the car's gorgeous depth and shine.
Despite the mid-engined layout, Honda managed to make the NSX as
comfortable and user-friendly as an Accord. No longer could an
exotic car claim that being cramped, hot, uncomfortable, and using
balky switch gear was a sign of character, and it wasn't too long
after this that the big names got serious about improving quality
and user-friendliness. Acura really went the extra mile with the
interior, and while you'd expect some shared components, there
aren't many. The deeply bolstered black leather seats are very
nicely preserved with only minor comfort marks, notably on the
driver's side bolster left over from entering and exiting the
vehicle. The sculpted 2-seater grabs and holds you like your
favorite aunt at a family reunion, and with such a
ergonomically-designed seating positions, it's easy to climb in
despite the car's low-slung stance. Ever tried the coordinated
"Lambo fall"? Well, the Japanese ensured you'll look far more
graceful attempting it here. The rest of the interior is equally
nice and as a Honda that's been regularly serviced, everything
works as you'd expect (including the famous pop-up headlights). The
A/C is effective, the AM/FM/Cassette stereo sounds great thanks to
plenty of sound-dampening materials and great aerodynamics, and
everything was standard so you don't have to worry about owning a
stripped NSX. Heck, there's even usable trunk space both up front
and in back, and the original tool kit is still in tow as well.
You know Honda was serious about the NSX when they filled the
3.0-liter 24-valve VTEC V6 with titanium connecting rods and
ultra-light aluminum pistons. The result is an engine that loves to
rev and shrieks to its 8000 RPM redline like an F1 racer, and
remember, this was almost 30 years ago! Keep it boiling and the
engine was devastating on the street and thanks to a slick-shifting
5-speed manual transmission (a companion that let's this NSX really
come to life), it's easy to point and shoot your way all around
town. Combined with the flyweight chassis, it's exuberant on the
road and sings to redline without strain. Honda's legendary A-arm
suspension delivers superlative handling (as well as that low cowl)
and it's fitted with power 4-wheel disc brakes whose specifications
might seem modest on paper, but thanks to an intensive
weight-control program, are more than adequate for the feathery
NSX. Staggered ZR alloys are the perfect endcaps, wrapped in grippy
205/40/17 front and 265/35/18 performance radials that keep it
planted to the road.
Complete with a host of maintenance receipts and its original tool
kit, this 1996 NSX is amazingly preserved, incredibly powerful, and
boasts a sure-fire pedigree that will only continue to enhance its
value. This might be your last chance to get one before they get
out of reach for good. Call today!
