1997 Acura NSX Review
1997 Acura NSX Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Exotic, mid-engined sports car for less than $100,000.
Cons
- Not any faster than the new Corvette.
What’s new
The six-speed 1997 Acura NSX comes to us this year with a larger 3.2-liter V6 engine that makes 290 ponies. Automatic NSXs continue with the 3.0-liter, 252-horse V6.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Acura NSX T 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for NSX T
NSX T
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
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 V6 engine, 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.
First, there is the issue of the NSX's ability to keep up with the best sports cars in the world. Sure, it handles well, but its acceleration figures barely matched that of American muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and the Pontiac Trans Am. To answer critics who claimed that the NSX lacks the gusto of a true supercar, Acura increased the NSX's displacement to 3.2-liters and added a six-speed manual transmission. (Models equipped with an automaitc transmission make due with the previous 3.0-liter engine.) The new engine cranks out 290-horsepower and moves the car to 60 mph in about five seconds.
The second issue has had to due with the Acura's prohibitive price. Retailing for $84,000, the NSX is not a bargain, and is dangerously close in price to the Dodge Viper and the Porsche 911 Carerra. Additionally, a redesigned Corvette, and new roadsters from BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, are available for roughly half of the price of the NSX.
While the future of the NSX is not certain, we think that it is a car worth considering. Its revitalized powerplant makes it more appealing for those desiring a supercar, while its livable interior and excellent ergonomics make it practical enough to live with on a day-to-day basis.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Acura NSX.
5 star(100%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
93 NSX review
Dale 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
5 out of 5 stars
92 NSX, truly remarkable exotic
Steve'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.
5 out of 5 stars
Best car I have ever owned.
enkrypt3d, 04/01/2009
1995 Acura NSX T 2dr Coupe
This is my second NSX. My first one was a black 1991 NSX coupe. I kind of miss having the coupe due to the better handling, but the NSX-T can be a lot of fun in the summer time! My current NSX is a 95 Midnight Pearl. This thing turns heads and no one really knows what it is. I have many performance mods - custom coilovers suspension, stiffer sway bars, intake, headers, hiflo cats, and … exhaust and this thing screams! It can out run just about anything on the road.
4.88 out of 5 stars
1993 NSX
MichaelJohnson, 05/03/2002
1993 Acura NSX 2dr Coupe
The only thing that I wish I had done
differently was purchase the NSX-T
(with he T tops)
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Acura NSX, so we've included reviews for other years of the NSX since its last redesign.
1997 NSX Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 6.5 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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