Has anybody here driven an automatic NSX?

First generation, not the current one. I'm not feeling that rich .

I'm trying to figure out what suddenly looks more and more like a complete fleet overhaul. I'm trying to go from four cars (RX8, Cooper S, E34, ND) to two - one for DD'ing and airport parking, the second one for "fun stuff".  I'll still keep the truck and the/a race car.

I've always liked NSXen and nearly bought one instead buying my first AC 911. For various reasons (wife doesn't drive manuals, plus they aggravate my still-not-fully-healed achilles tendon), the fun car probably will have to be an automatic or paddle shift equipped car.

Which brings me to the question in the title - has anybody driven an autobox NSX in the past, or ideally both an auto and a manual? The mention of an autobox in the NSX seems to mainly lead to a lot of wrinkled noses, but I'm not sure it's from people who have actual experience with these cars.

There's this little voice in the back of my head suggesting that someone with my kind of vehicular luck might be better off with a Honda product than, say, an Alfa 4C...

With the upswing of NSX prices, I've thought about buying an AT NSX and converting it.  They're almost 50% off the price of a manual car. 

As understressed as the NSX engine is already, I bet one that has lived behind an AT it's whole life will live forever.

Nothing to offer other than the automatic scenario is a buyers dream for all the sought after "it"cars.  From Porsche Turbos's to M3's the autoboxes drive significant cost reductions.    Don't mind the folks judging and go buy something fantastic that works for you on the cheap.  

For the money first gen NSX's now bring I wonder if you aren't into newer, faster, and better auto equipped options.  I mention this as my 01 IS300 manumatic/auto was great, until I drove my 06 335I auto.  The BMW was good until I drove the new DSG equipped VW's... 

The new autos leave very little on the table.   

Share what you pick up!  

I’ll start with saying that I haven’t driven an auto NSX, but that I do own an 05 with the 3.2/6 speed.   It is a brilliant car, totally exceeded my expectations.  It is the most engaging car I have ever driven, which included some pretty fantastic stuff.  The view out of the car and way you can place the car anywhere and the feedback you get are my favorite things about it.  I think you would lose some of that with the auto, but not a whole lot.  Sure, the manual is better and with only 4 speeds in the auto box and a high RPM motor it will be a bit sluggish off the line, but once moving I bet you’ll get about 80% of the magic.  This is an old school auto, not like the brilliant PDK and the like sadly, but I bet most of the inherent goodness of the NSX will still be able to shine past the auto as long as you use the sport shift to keep it in the power band.  For th fun roads around Tahoe it would be a ball. 

I have not, but I know somebody who has owned one for a long time, and I can put you in touch with them.  Let me know.

Why yes I have, but it was in 1994 or 1995 which seems like a long time ago.  I owned a 91 MR2 Turbo manual at the time and my friend's GF had the NSX slushbox.  I drove it around the town for a few miles.  I recall that it was not really impressive compared with what I had at the time, not very quick.  25 year old memories...

These days I think I would be looking for a 2 series M35i or M40i.

 How easily can it be swapped to a five or six speed manual or automatic I think that’s the big question. 

The OP is specifically looking for an auto for wifely and medical reasons.  

Auto to manual swaps are possible, but costly.  NSX parts are pretty available, but not cheap.  The Auto cars are also down on power from the manual ones 250 instead of 270 or 290, and have a lower redline.  By the time you get a trans, shift linkage, ecu, axles, gauges, etc, you eat up most of the price difference. 

In reply to Sonic :

What about an accord 5spd auto? Same c series engine right?

There was never a transverse 5 speed auto with any C series engine.  The last transverse C series auto was in the 1st gen Legend (until 1990) and then the 94-97 accord, both were 4 speeds. The Legend and RL that had C series were a strange longitudinal FWD setup.   

If one really really wanted it the best way would probably be something out of a late Acura TL-S, as the J series V6 is up to 300 hp and has 5 and 6 speed autos.  That’s a whole lot of work though.  

Sonic owns one now, so he can speak far better to it than I can.  The only thing I'll add is that I drove a bunch of them when they were new...I spent 3+ years as a valet at a fancy restaurant.  Without a doubt, they were one of my favorite cars I ever got to drive.  Better than the Viper (which I owned one), 'Vette, etc...  I never got them to highway speed obviously, but we did have to drive on public roads as it was in the heart of the city and the lot was several blocks away.  They were fast, fun and yet as simple to drive as an Accord.  Truly an everyday exotic, IMHO. 

I would LOVE to have one. 

The worst thing about an early auto NSX probably isn't that it's an auto, it's that it's a FOUR SPEED auto.  If it was a 5 or 6 speed i'd be totally on board. But, I have driven a lot of naturally aspirated 3.0L/4spd/3000 lb cars in my life and they all have basically the same problem, which is that the first gear and fourth gears are too tall.  First is too tall to launch strongly with 3.0L of n/a torque limited to a <3000 rpm converter stall, and 4th is too tall for anything but a very fast racetrack. Sure, it'll be decent in the middle parts where most 'sporty driving' is done, and maybe that's enough for you!

Not really relevant but a Honda j swap with auto into a fiat x1/9 is calling me sweetly. 

I don't know why either.

Sonic said:

There was never a transverse 5 speed auto with any C series engine.  The last transverse C series auto was in the 1st gen Legend (until 1990) and then the 94-97 accord, both were 4 speeds. The Legend and RL that had C series were a strange longitudinal FWD setup.   

 

If one really really wanted it the best way would probably be something out of a late Acura TL-S, as the J series V6 is up to 300 hp and has 5 and 6 speed autos.  That’s a whole lot of work though.  

What? It’s not. Look... 

Man, I'm too selfish. I broke my left ankle last year and still did the clutch thing in DC traffic. My wife is also unwilling to do manual. I say unwilling as she is able. Maybe drop only 1 of the 4 cars?? Although, I can't argue on the NSX.I'd love one too.

In reply to Trackmouse :

Legend and RL are longitudinal. Notice there’s no output shaft openings on the back of that transmission. Power goes out the sides of the oil pan I think. Bizarre setup. 

Nothing to add, just came here to say keep the E34 and the ND. Perfect combination for DD/weekend. 

c0rbin9 said:

Nothing to add, just came here to say keep the E34 and the ND. Perfect combination for DD/weekend. 

Well, other than the ND being a manual and the E34 being in the shop for weeks now while they try to figure an issue either with the airbags or the control module. After my accident last year I kinda like having working airbags.

markwemple said:

Man, I'm too selfish. I broke my left ankle last year and still did the clutch thing in DC traffic. My wife is also unwilling to do manual. I say unwilling as she is able.

There is a slight difference between an broken ankle that (hopefully) healed OK and an injury that looks more like one that will take over a year to heal if it ever fully heals, and is aggravated by driving something with a manual transmission. Either that, or I'm just not as tough as you are .

We don't currently have a backup vehicle for my wife when her beloved Range Rover is broken/in the shop/otherwise out of action. As the guy who has backup vehicles for his backup vehicles, that's not a situation I'm comfortable with.

 

Maybe drop only 1 of the 4 cars?? Although, I can't argue on the NSX.I'd love one too.

I've got to drop at least two cars - I'm likely to be away from home a lot again this year and it just doesn't make sense to have even more vehicles I don't drive.

Sonic said:

Auto to manual swaps are possible, but costly.  NSX parts are pretty available, but not cheap.  The Auto cars are also down on power from the manual ones 250 instead of 270 or 290, and have a lower redline.  By the time you get a trans, shift linkage, ecu, axles, gauges, etc, you eat up most of the price difference. 

This - plus given the way NSX prices are going, I'd be in to the swap for a ton on money that I'd likely never get back. I don't mind dropping a few grand into a car that I won't get back, but this is going to cost more than a few grand...

84FSP said:

For the money first gen NSX's now bring I wonder if you aren't into newer, faster, and better auto equipped options.  I mention this as my 01 IS300 manumatic/auto was great, until I drove my 06 335I auto.  The BMW was good until I drove the new DSG equipped VW's... 

The main thinking here is that if I spent the money on an NSX and kept that for a few years, I'm probably not going to lose a lot of money on the car. Well, not unless the economy falls off a cliff again, in which case I'll have a different set of problems anyway.

If I buy anything relatively new, then I'm dealing with deprecation again...

Do what i didn't do: Let the economy tank, and  then buy an NSX.  Or really anything else that's tripled in value since 2009. 

I've driven an auto NSX but only on a track (students car) they are just as nice as any other NSX. Yes the auto box is not as nice as the latest 27 speed PDK but you already new that.

A word of caution if you're looking to use it for occasion track duty; my experience may only anecdotal but I've know two auto NSXs used for track days and both had issues (one  completely failed) the other started acting up and the owner parked it for the day. The NSX forums would  know if it is an actual issue.

I do know someone who bought an automatic for the exact reasons you are considering it and they've never had any issue with the car in 15 years of ownership.

In reply to Tom1200 :

Thanks for the heads up on this. I'm not planning to take the car on the track - I still have to figure out what I want to do for that, right now I'm hoping the race car would suffice but I'm not sure that's a workable long term plan.