Acura NSX Buyer's Guide--Watch Before Buying!

This video is intended as an Acura NSX buyer's guide. I go point-by-point through common, but little-known, issues with the NSX. I gathered this information by researching and purchasing the car and dealing with these concerns firsthand.

Time Markers
0:32 – Bumper
1:50 – Windshield
2:29 – Side mirror
3:10 – NSX websites
3:44 – Antenna
4:07 – Window
4:59 – Air conditioning
5:56 – Radio
6:52 – Owner’s manual
7:53 – ABS
8:45 – Spare tire and took kit
9:15 – Radiator
9:35 – Refrigerant
10:14 – Clutch
11:33 – Timing belt
13:33 – Snap ring

Here is a list from an awesome 20-year NSX owner. Thank you Steven Glover!!!

1) Sun Visors. 90% chance they will be split along a seam. You can get new, but that is one of those "way down on my list" things (I do have a new set in case I ever sell or have a gross failure, but I know they will split as well, given time, so I haven't put them in)

2) Defroster panel (plastic piece between the windshield and dash). If it isn't cracked by the sunlight sensor in the middle now, just wait. It will be eventually. You have to pull the entire interior out to change that piece of plastic, and given the expansion/contraction and how it is mounted, the new one will crack in the same spot. It cracks by the sunlight sensor because that it the thinnest/weakest point

3) Driver's seat bolster wear. Expect wear (and maybe even tear) on the driver's seat bolster on any car that is regularly driven and hasn't had new leather or a repair completed

4) Trim piece fitment. With the cars 15-30 years old, there is a good chance many of the interior trim pieces have been removed and reinstalled. They either have plastic tabs that slip into a clip to hold them in place, a plastic tab where a screw goes to hold them in place, or have a plastic "push pin" type of attachment. The "push pin" is the cheapest and easiest to "refresh" as you replace just the pin. The tabs are harder. The plastic is 15-30 years old if original, and there are only so many cycles to pulling off a piece of trim and putting it back on before the plastic starts to break. On the doors, peel back the weather strip that goes along the edge of the door panel and inspect the plastic tabs where the door panel screws to the door...do it very gently, that weatherstrip is $$$, but you'll probably find a few broken tabs there. The other pieces I look at are the flat rectangle pieces that finish off the door trim (where the gas door mechanism is), the triangle thingees at the front and back of the door just above the door liner/panel, and the a-pillar covers. Make sure they are all tight.

5) The center console/door switch/vent bezel. Unless you have the European market panels (a flat black), there is a good chance you will see some "bubbling" of the finish. It isn't a paint...it is a foil that is a pain to take off (but can be done) and have the trim pieces painted. Also, there is no Honda paint code (as it is a metallic foil and not paint), so you it is a pain to color match

6) The steering column. Make sure it doesn't wobble side-to-side. Often, people use the steering wheel to help egress (fancy word for get out of) the car. As they grab and push off of the wheel, they force it to the side and eventually damage the locking collars in the column allowing movement. (Grab the "A" pillar on the outside and pull yourself up if need be...all you have to do is wipe off some fingerprints/smudges(

I'll look for the Kaz Ukai discussion on this on the NSXCB blog he runs (a treasure trove of pictures and tips...)

One other "motor" thing that I think Richard Graves mentioned is the VVIS butterfly valve set screws...if you search Prime, you'll see plenty of discussions about these screws...
Finally, NSXPrime website has some great "buyer's resources" including a checklist. You can only imagine the moment, after I had my checklist in hand, that I realized the NSX I was looking at (and bought) was the NSXPrime website owner's and he was pretty darn familiar with "the list" so it made easy going as we were able to get through the list and he didn't think what I was doing was "crazy"...

[OneSpaceWisher]

Your videos are very helpful thank you!

[LapoftheWorld]

Love the enthusiasm man. A couple of NSX-specific things to add to the PPI list: Throttle butterfly screws, Harmonic Damper "donut" delamination (or just buy a shield from CFR/SOS and call it a day), age of the tires (rubber has a shelf life and those "original yokohamas" the collector is bragging about are time bombs), Coolant hoses also should be replaced every decade or so, particularly the three in the front of the engine bay and a few around the oil filter/cooler.... and it's been recently brought to light in the club magazine that you should maybe spare a thought for any weird lights on or odd behavior with the gauge cluster as capacitors may have failed and could harm other electronics. The same "mysterious Brian guy" can fix that too. Beyond that just drive and enjoy because these cars will last forever if maintained properly.

[andrewfranco]

I like the excitement and honesty haha, funny my dude. Great points very informative! Thanks

[scottkim]

very detailed guide and was helpful in my decision to buy a 1991 NSX. thanks!

[JennaTols]

The clutch master cylinder is a common issue on these as well. Since most people keep their nsx’s parked for decades, the fluid eats away at the gaskets and the fluid starts to spill into the cabin.

Also the trunk tends to have bad gaskets and condensation begins to get trapped in the carpet. It will smell like an unused refrigerator when it happens.

The newer nsx-t also tend to leak from the targa. I was unlucky and had to deal with almost all of these super common (and annoying) issues.

[toanduong]

Thanks man! Great video describing all the unique things to look for. Superb car, and I'm not in a position to buy one (probably never, lol) but really enjoyed watching

[gregoriomares]

Hey brother got to meet you today beautiful car hope to see you around again!!!

[andrewmcintosh]

Looks like you did you homework. Enjoy that beauty!

[nsxfever]

Science of Speed are long time NSX and S2000 people. They sell superb NSX parts.

[stevedekorte]

Good advice. Btw, some aftermarket clutches are noisy (like Giken) but others aren’t (like Comptech or SOS).

[esChiChi]

My dream car right here will own this one day, prices increasing

[EscargotGaming]

Fantastic video! And absolutely gorgeous NSX; congrats

[stevechung]

i can't afford one at this moment but I just finished the video loll

[ericseven]

ahaahah thanks for the 6 years timing belt replacement info.
on of the last seller I've called told me he didn't changed his timing belt since +20 years, because he thought it wasn't necessary ^^

[michaellui]

Great video. I want a great condition one where do i start

[kokica]

Maybe I'll buy 1991 Acura NSX. Owner told me timing belt have to be changed. That's nice from him, but how much approximate cost? Also he told me that AC is weak doesn't work 100%. He told that he doesn't know how to start playing CDs. Hm...
1. Turn signals -sometimes the handle pop out on its own, something I have never experienced in cars, looking like it is very sensitive. Is it ok? While he was driving, he didn't use turn signals.
Rear windshield - window was all the time in fog, and he didn't used defoger, so I'm not sure does it work.

Clutch is pretty hard to push, he told me that is normal. But is it?
I think I have to check once again NSX, so I will take 6 CDs and check radio and changer. Ask about defoger and try to use it.

But what about: 1. turn signal hand, 2. timing belt, 3. AC, 4.clutch?
Thanks

[nathanmilton]

Come back to new castle so I can see this beast as well

[awakenedsoul]

Hey bub! Can you give me a helping hand? Where can I buy a 2001 NSX Type S Zero LEFT HAND DRIVE?

[masamn]

Hey man nice car! How much did you buy the car for?

[eludethis]

New game. Take a shot every time he’s says “guys” lol!!!