Is the Acura NSX a Used Supercar Budget Buy?
Acura is an interesting bird. The Americanized brand’s flagship offering isn’t a corporate-class business sedan or a three-row SUV brimming with torque and opulence. Much like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and the smattering of other exotic brands, the Honda luxury marque’s crown jewel is a supercar. The Acura NSX never received the same pomp and circumstance as Italian thoroughbreds, but it’s hard to beat as a used supercar.
Acura’s second-generation NSX hybrid supercar
Acura’s reinstalment of the NSX debuted for the 2017 model year. Like the first-generation NSX made supercar ownership affordable, the current NSX does the same for the hybrid supercar. Teaming a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with a trio of electric motors—two in the front and one in the back—the all-wheel drive NSX will hit 60 mph from a standstill in roughly three seconds. Power output has varied over the years, with 573 horsepower in the earlier second-generation cars and 600 ponies in the newer ones.
It may have never rivaled competitors in straight-line speed—achieving just 191 mph—but it had plenty of track-happy cornering dynamics. Its adaptive suspension and crisp steering are perfect for aiming at an apex but also translate well to everyday driving. That, however, took the focus off the Acura parts-sharing for the interior. But even though the NSX may have more mass-market trimmings, it’s undoubtedly one of the most comfortable used supercars.
Does Acura still make the NSX?
Unfortunately, NSX production ended with the 2022 model year. In six years, Acura pumped out 1,810 NSXs for the U.S. market, CarSalesBase states. Given its unpopularity overseas as a Honda-badged supercar, there are not many more than 2,000 examples in existence.
The Acura NSX also didn’t change much over the years. Car and Driver says the 2019 NSX gained updated exterior styling, stiffer anti-roll bars, and revised suspension algorithms. Otherwise, color changes were the most widespread alterations. As well, the NSX never had trim levels and was only optioned by individual customer demand.
How much does an Acura NSX cost?
Considering the Acura NSX is a rare vehicle, and many technically belong to exclusive clusters based on options, one would think it’s an expensive used supercar. Luckily, it isn’t. Straight from the factory, the 2022 Acura NSX—which gained the Type S badge—has starting MSRP of $171,000 and change. Value on used supercars will fluctuate depending on options, but Edmunds indicates a market value of $140,000-$150,000 for those under 10,000 miles.
Prices also don’t change much in the used supercar market from 2017 to 2022. Most have few miles on them, with the highest odometer reading being a 2017 Acura NSX with 37,000 miles. Since they’ve been seldom driven, and given parent company Honda’s reputation, they’ll likely prove more reliable than competitors’ used supercars.
How does the Acura NSX stack up against other used supercars?
Taking the NSX’s reliability, cost, and daily drivability into account, it nestles up against the Porsche 911 and Audi R8 nicely. Newer used 911s are cheaper than the NSX but don’t have the Acura’s hybrid drivetrain. Early models of Audi’s Lamborghini-powered R8 can be anywhere in the sub-$100,000 range to twice that in the later versions.
But don’t think you’ll get away with the mass-market prices for maintenance. The NSX is a used supercar and therefore has supercar-priced bills. Mechanics will have to take off most of the back of the car and undo dozens of body clips before getting to the NSX’s seven oil drain plugs. Then, its dry sump system will take nearly two gallons of 0W30 oil, which is $10 a quart.
As the prices increase, potential buyers can take solace that the oil changes are cheaper than what would be had with a Ferrari. Even though they must be done twice as often, they don’t involve other service interval upkeep items like clutches with high four-figure sums. The NSX isn’t the most desirable of the flamboyant used supercars, but it’s rare. And if one is looking for a four-wheel investment, it will likely gain in value over time.
