1996 Acura NSX Review
Price Estimate: Not Available
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The hardtop is reintroduced to the 1996 Acura NSX lineup.
For sale near Kyle, TX
Vehicle overview
Since its 1991 introduction, the Acura NSX has been heralded by much of the motoring press as the best sports car ever produced. Certainly, with its 24-valve, 3.0-liter V6, all-aluminum body, mid-engine layout and traditionally Honda-correct ergonomics, the NSX is a heckuva car. But the best sports car ever made? We're not too sure about that.
For 1995, the slow-selling NSX got a targa roof and a slick new transmission called SportShift that operates much like Porsche's Tiptronic. The targa option increased sales of the NSX by 100 percent in 1995 so the concept is being carried over to 1996. The hardtop has been reintroduced this year in the hopes that it will broaden the NSX's appeal. While we don't doubt that this is an alluring car, it seems that there are a limited number of Americans who are in the market for $80,000 Japanese two-seaters, especially since the LT4 Corvette offers equal peformance for half the asking price and Dodge's Viper offers nostalgic styling, a throaty V10, and is a guaranteed babe magnet. Witness the difficulty that other excellent Japanese sports cars have been experienceing over that past few years. The Nissan 300 ZX is getting axed, the Mazda RX-7 is not having a 1996 model shipped to the US because of all of the 1995s sitting in showrooms and the Toyota Supra lost its six-speedmanual transmission on turbo models due to ever increasing emissions requirements.
Still, the exotic looks and excellent engineering of the NSX should prove to be attractive and we would be saddened by its departure. If the more financially able motoring public in this country doesn't quit spending all of their luxury-vehicle dollars on SUVs, the Acura NSX may go the way of the Corvette ZR1.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$185/mo for NSX T
NSX T
vs
$145/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Acura NSX Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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93 NSX review
4.88 out of 5 starsDale Peterson, 01/04/2003
1993 Acura NSX 2dr Coupe
Bought vehicle used with 112000 miles
on it. Car was like new in every
respect. Everything works perfectly.
Driving is really fun and
comfortable.This car gets lots of
attention. Corvettes are too common.As
a bonus it is very reliable and gets
good gas milage. Dale
Best Car Period
4.88 out of 5 starsNSX2NSX, 09/20/2004
1991 Acura NSX 2dr Coupe
I sell highline cars for a living and
have driven almost EVERY car out there
(except for the Lamborghini Murcialago,
spelling might be off). This NSX is the
best all around car you can buy. Unlike
JohnJohn's post of all the girls that
look at him, most of my admirers have
been men. They have been in the 4yrs-
48yr. range.
92 NSX, truly remarkable exotic
5 out of 5 starsSteve's NSX, 12/30/2006
1992 Acura NSX 2dr Coupe
Design & production of the NSX is truly remarkable. Probably one of the most thought out designs of any exotic sports car ever built. The NSX was hand-built, making it a rare & special high performance car. An all aluminum/magnesium body coupled with 270 hp produces a potent pound/hp ratio. The NSX had the 1st VTEC engine in a mass produced car. Handling is excellent. Interior & exterior … design is like nothing else. I don't plan on changing any features, performance nor visual.
NSX = Fun For Driving Enthusiasts
4.88 out of 5 starsPat, 07/18/2010
1991 Acura NSX 2dr Coupe
I have owned this car for 2 years and never cease to have fun while driving it. It always pleases and never disappoints. Although it was 18 years old when purchased, after only a few maintenance items (suspension, brakes and dealer recommended engine maintenance) and a little TLC, the car runs and drives like new. It is now 20 years old and starts and drives like it came off the showroom … floor. The engine has 119,000 miles and never skips a beat, even at the 8000 RPM red line. Incredible!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Acura NSX, so we've included reviews for other years of the NSX since its last redesign.
1996 NSX Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $185/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 5.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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