Honda NSX Coupe 1990 - 2005

WHEN the Honda NSX was first launched in 1991, motoring journalists were convinced they were witnessing an historic event: the first convincing rival to a Ferrari launched outside of Italy, and it wasn't a Porsche or an Aston Martin.
 
Honda's supercar was a breathtaking masterpiece, superb handling, pin-point accurate steering, sleek, low lines and an engine that made one of those noises that makes you want to press harder and harder on the accelerator until your foot goes through the floor.

It was going to rule the world, they thought, because while it looked as good as a Ferrari, it was easier to drive, with a light clutch and smooth gearbox. It wasn't as exhausting in traffic. You could see yourself commuting in it, no problem. 
But no matter how fantastic the car was, or how much critical acclaim it received, the paying public couldn't be convinced. Anybody who had the £70,000 you needed to buy one would rather spend it on a Porsche or an Aston. Honda just wasn't a brand you associated with supercars and so it flopped, on commercial terms. But this car holds a special place in my heart.

In the late 1990s I drove on from London to Cornwall in what remains one of the great drives of my life. And I don't think I've received so many comments about a car since, except perhaps in the Aston Martin Vanquish. And of those two cars I would much rather own the Honda.

The seating position is so low you feel like your backside is skimming the road, and your view out of the windscreen is framed by the beautiful wheel arch humps which are reminiscent of a Le Mans racer. They help the driver gauge the width, too, which is another reason it is so easy to drive around town. 

But three years after Honda apparantly gave up and stopped manufacturing the old NSX, it seems we are to be given a second chance. Honda is preparing to launch its latest version, and my mouth is watering at the prospect.  The heavily disguised version we've seen in the spy photos gives little away about its appearance except that it's sleek and low, but if it looks as good and drives as well as the original, it must surely have a chance of success. 

But until then you can still enjoy Honda's supercar from the second-hand market. £25,000 will get you a good late 1990s 3179cc model, and I can't think of any better ways to spend that kind of money.  Remember, this is a car that was developed with the help of the late Ayrton Senna, and more recent fans include Jenson Button and Rowan Atkinson. But this is no Mr Bean mobile.

The mid-mounted naturally aspirated V6 24-valve engine will pull you to nearly 170mph but still do more than 20mpg in normal conditions.
Until February 1998 all cars were fitted with the 2977cc unit, producing around 265bhp. Then Honda introduced a new 3179cc engine with 277bhp, which it married with a slick six-speed manual gearbox. The latter model will get you to 62mph in 5.7secs. Then in 2002 it received a facelift which ditched the pop-up headlamps and replaced them with faired units.

If you're buying today, look for a manual version instead of the semi-automatic F-matic and make sure it has a full service history. The low rear suspension is easily knocked so check it out carefully, but otherwise this is a reliable supercar and no model was ever recalled for any fault, so as long as you get the model checked out by an expert before parting with your cash, you can be sure it will perform much like any other Honda, and go forever.

Just make sure you upgrade the ancient alarm and fit a tracker. You'll be gutted if you lose it.

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