Best in the US? 1992 Acura NSX
Saying you own the best of anything that more than one example was made of is a lofty claim to make, but in an era where it’s hard to stand out for anything, big words are sometimes a necessity. The seller of this 1992 Acura NSX claims he has one of the best – check that, possibly *the* best – specimen in the United States, and with just 24,000 miles, it’s entirely possible. Did we mention the first owner was Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame? Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bids to $51,600.
I have to say, I wouldn’t have pictured Dave Thomas behind the wheel of an NSX. Mr. Wolf, from Pulp Fiction? Absolutely, I wasn’t surprised at all to see him driving that beautiful silver NSX. Kudos to the man from Wendy’s for shattering perceptions of what a fast food kingpin should drive, which I pictured as a Lincoln Town Car Jack Nicklaus edition. The NSX’s finish appears to be in excellent shape, along with the factory alloy wheels that denote it is as one of the earlier production models before the design changed.
Now, the good thing about a car owned by a celebrity or high-profile executive (or anyone of that persuasion) is that they’re typically bought as investments or otherwise static display pieces. So, by the time the third owner comes along, there’s still a near-mint car sitting in the garage. This NSX is clearly in that sort of condition, with a beige and black interior still presenting like new. My one gripe: the NSX-R floormats. This is not an R-spec example, and I find it hard to believe the original floor mats went missing. Interestingly, they were still in the photo the last time this NSX came up for grabs, along with some grubby bolster wear on the seats.
The good news is this is a very minor grievance against a car that otherwise appears to be in the sort of condition the seller is describing. I can’t say whether it’s one of the best ones left in existence, but that’s up to the bidders to decide. The listing notes that the must-do timing belt job was recently performed by a local Honda dealer (isn’t it wild you can pull up to the friendly Honda shop in your NSX for a timing belt job?), and the seller notes plenty of documentation and history showing the Dave Thomas connection comes with the car. What should the best NSX in the country sell for?
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Comments
The bad news, Jeff, is that this NSX has traveled less than 775 mile per year in its life. I can imagine lots of niggly little rubber pieces that have given up — or are about to — from simple lack of use. That would concern me.
Of course, the car is unlikely to be sold to a madman like me who would want to take it out and make it perform in the ways it was intended. Even though the styling wasn’t my favorite, a good, fast drive swiftly wiped that criticism away. There are few sounds as enticing as that of a NSX being wound out to its 8,000-rpm redline.
Personally, the Dave Thomas connection means nothing to me. It’s whose hindquarters are in the seat right now that are important. Wish it was me.
Great points, I bought a 2005 Bimmer that was unused and sat in a corporate lease dealership for 15 years. I had to re-silicone all the rubber. The convertible top had to lubed and rubber replaced. Plastic all needed refurbishment. Probably same here!
jv – smash palace
I always struggled when I would get into these cars and hear the Honda Civic door chime. They are cool cars for someone who wants a reliable performance car. Stupid me owns cars based on passion not reliability. It’s still a pretty Maytag appliance to me.
I was at a cars and coffee over the weekend and there was both a late model Ferrari and Lamborghini. I said nice cars as I walked over to see the old Chrysler letter car under the tree and the cool Mercury Cyclone with a K code 289 under the hood. Even the Lotus final edition V8 was a cool sight.
I don’t disagree. Would I rather have a Ferrari from the 80s or earlier or a Lamborghjini 400GT or Miura? You bet!
But even if I had the spondulix to go that route, I’d like to have a DD NSX. Like so many passions, I’d have some difficulty putting 100% trust in a Ferrari or Lambo, even though I’ve known a few people who did.
Oh, the NSX has passion in spades. It’s just a Japanese flavor of passion, which is exacting engineering. It’s not uncommon to hear of 200k mile NSX’s, which to me is incredible for a model meant to be driven hard. I guess it is the most precise driving automotive appliance ever made.
Well, I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, something for the millennials and new gens to get all warm and fuzzy over, not for me, not ever, I’ll stick with my good ole American stuff till the dying end.
I’m no Millennial and am pushing 60 and these rock. I also like many North American Muscle cars. It’s not an either or for me. Cool is cool. Why automatically discount something because of it origin.
I hear this comment all the time, and I’m puzzled, but perhaps you are talking about cars built back in the 70s, maybe early 80s. My first Honda (1979) was built in Japan, but since that time I purchased several Hondas over the years (all were assembled in Marysville Ohio). I purchased 2 Acura TL models (2000 and 2010) also assembled in Marysville. I still own a 96 Hatchback (yep, assembled in Ohio). Since the early 80s, Honda has assembled over 30 million cars in the US. Now, as I recall, a lot of the “American name plate” cars were actually assembled in Canada, then Mexico, then other points south and even now overseas)… to me, the cars assembled in the US are “American” cars since it was Americans who assembled them. I had a couple of “crap” Mercury vehicles back in the 70s (my wife drove them) and they spent as much time at the dealership as they did at my house. Say what you will, and you are certainly entitled, but when I consider all the American families who were able to buy a house and put food on the table due to those “overseas” countries who had their cars assembled in the US,
compared to the “American” cars that were assembled outside the US…. those that kept American workers in a job are more American. I’m a proud American, also part Native (Apache, Comanche, Iroquois) and I say thank you to the companies that kept the jobs available here, not in another country.
Couldn’t have said it better my friend. If my fellow countrymen are gainfully employed, who cares what the name plate says? I think many here should think a little deeper on this subject. Besides, parts for even American brands, come from all over the world. It isn’t 1955 anymore, we all need to look at the big picture. If my neighbor can feed his kids, who cares what rich people make the most money from his labors? In my opinion, foreign manufacturers have often been more loyal to the American worker than the American ones have.
Well written,in my case i am not loyal to a brand ,i love driving and the vehicle i drive must be to my satisfaction.so i have had asian , americans , german , i stay clear of the oddballs as i don’t like to overpay for parts …if it handles well , i dont care who engineered it , i drive and smile …
Right now , honda civic, ford f150 , hyundai santa fe awd , corvette c4 and bmwz3 , they ALL serve a purpose…
Turned heads when the debut. Honda has done many things right over the years. Motorcycle included.
Among my many travels, I used to do some business in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. For those that do not know, that is the home of Menards founder, John Menard. Mr. Menard apparently, is besides into making money on home goods, really is into cars. He sponsors race cars and he also likes to drive. I was told he bought one of the first Dodge Vipers, but also around this time he bought one of these as well. It is said, he drove this one much more than the silly V10 car. People used to see him around town in this car almost daily, but rarely the Viper. Honda makes great stuff. I am told Mr M is hard to please, but this car must have done that.
A car is mostly the sum of its parts. Made in Mexico, China…
Yeah, machines mostly build the things out of parts, but machines don’t really care who is pressing the buttons.
I lived in Fort Lauderdale and I knew Dave. He was arrogant, demanding and generally not a nice man. So that it was his car is simply a turn off.
That’s why he’s dead! The car didn’t do anything it was Dave.
Maybe he wasn’t “hot and juicy” enough. If nothing else, I think all of us old enough to remember, can agree that his company was much better when he ran it.
@Matthew, I knew Dave Thomas as well, and I was not involved with him in business, but I certainly knew him well enough in other aspects of his life, with his various assists to charities and even some of his own. He was adopted at an early age, which is a tough road at times. I grew up in an orphanage, so I know I felt I was 3 steps behind most other kids. Dave was top notch to me, a strong Christian, but he did demand of others what he expected of himself and that was to do the best you can each day and to help others. Over the years, I kept in touch (not closely at times) but I do know he was intent on helping others. I don’t know what your situation was, but in my case, Dave Thomas was a good man who tried to do his best to improve each day. The NSX is a great car as well.
Does the free lifetime Wendy’s burgers letter get passed along with the sale from the present owner?
Beautiful looking car. I remember first seeing one around the time it was first intro’d. It’s too bad it was only offered for a few years before being discontinued. I’d prefer to buy something that’s been driven more often and carefully maintained and carefully driven.