The Best Driver’s Cars Ever Made: Honda NSX Type-R - BTS with DTS - Ep. 8

When it was introduced, the Honda NSX was the most expensive, exotic Japanese production car ever. More expensive and exotic still was the NSX Type-R, a Japan-only edition of 500 cars which received a full complement of all the tuning tricks that every driving enthusiast hopes for: less weight, upgraded suspension, a more responsive powertrain, grippier footwear, and the added bonus of shorter gearing. The changes appear to be relatively incremental, but together, they transform the driving experience. They give the car a hard edge that makes it a sensational driver’s car, in much the same way that a Porsche 911 Carrera RS or Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale exists on a different level from the standard production cars on which they’re based.
In this video, Derek Tam-Scott discusses the development of the NSX, giving context to a car that was so effective at changing the landscape that we tend to take its existence for granted. He also describes what makes the NSX Type-R so special, not just in terms of changes from the standard NSX, but the experience of driving it. Spoiler alert: it’s magic.
BTS (behind the scenes) with DTS:
Derek Tam-Scott’s spirit age is excess of 75 years old, and nowhere is that clearer than his taste in cars. At age 16, he went to work at one of the United States' foremost vintage car dealers, which cemented his elderly taste. Now with a decade and a half’s experience buying, selling, driving, and brokering classic and exotic cars, he’s experienced many of the world’s most iconic cars. And even liked some of them.
Most of the car enthusiasts of Derek’s generation (and well, let’s be honest, even a generation or two before him) don’t have much experience with the magic of vintage cars prior to the 1980s, and therefore lack the knowledge and exposure to get genuinely excited about them. The goal of BTS is to give an insider’s perspective on why these cars particularly are great...or at least interesting and noteworthy. Derek brings his encyclopedic knowledge and broad experience together to contextualize these cars to give the audience understanding of both why it matters, and what it’s actually like to experience the cars.
ISSIMI is an enthusiast-owned, full-service specialist offering sales, consignment, collection management, service, and consulting to discerning enthusiasts and collectors. Specializing in complex transactions that include international services for exceptional cars, ISSIMI’s San Francisco Bay Area and Europe-based teams of experts pride themselves on transparency and knowledge.
#ISSIMI #HONDA #ACURA #NSX #NSX-R
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[@mjolinir9]

3 years ago I drove a Ferrari 458 spider. A week after that drive I drove a manual 1990 NSX. I had the best time and couldn’t believe how incredible it was despite the memory of the 458 being fresh in my mind. Heck I reckon I probably had a little more fun in the NSX. So yeah… it’s that good. I can only imagine how great the NSX-R is.

[@truthseeker764]

I had the pleasure of driving the new NSX for a day followed by the 458 Italia for a day. Although my dream car has always been an NSX type R NA2, I fell in love with the new NSX. My god the thing was extraordinary to drive. 458 was amazing and fun but the new NSX stole my heart

[@_que]

awesome, the latest NSX missed the mark imho. remove hybrid bits to add lightness, add a manual, and sell. noticed two NSX in the clips, one with audio @ night, and in the day, radio delete. amazing footage with solid audio. you are make solid content!

[@GizmoMaxx]

EVERYTIME I SEE THIS CAR.. #AYRTONSENNA COMES TO MIND.

[@lifeatitsbest410]

Derek, this is a great video! Just curious, what are your thoughts on the Maserati Coupe GT, the manual car?

[@TheAleschu]

So preposterously overpriced that it's even sad. For this money I'd ratger get the legendary Audi Sport Quattro. Or a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo PLUS a Porsche Turbo RS.

[@LapoftheWorld]

The best part about the 1st gen NSX is that it will do all the stuff so eloquently described in the video...and it will do it basically forever. We have 300,000 miles on our 'vanilla' 92 NSX. Two weekends ago we drove it 9 hours to Daytona, flogged it for 3 days on the DIS road course, and then drove it 9hrs back home. The only things I did to the car: adjust tire pressures and check the oil a couple of times.

[@jithesh51423]

This says it all.

[@TML34]

Are you selling it??😀

[@SmallBlogV8]

Everything about that is awesome. Hats off!

[@TheDalitis8]

That is so absolutely true and what I have been telling ignorant euro-lovers for years now. I own a DC5 Integra Type-R (which Chris Harris described as a mini-NSX) and it's awesome. I can only imagine what an NSX-R is really like! One of the best cars ever made. If not THE BEST.

[@StoicaVladIoan]

@@TheDalitis8 Those ignorant people usually are JDM fanboys. Don't be one.

[@stevethomas760]

About seven years ago I was talking to my brother about the NSX. "Get some of your retirement money out and buy one". Found #0085 here in Atlanta, well cared for, 48K miles at a decent price. Getting on a entrance ramp for I85 I was into third gear fairly deep (85/90 mph) and looked behind me was the police. He followed me for a couple miles then pulled beside me and gave a thumbs up. A car guy

[@jamesj5565]

Fantastic! We need some more police officers like that on the road

[@hisheeelijah1482]

That made my day what a cool cop man

[@stevethomas760]

@@hisheeelijah1482 I went from "this is going to cost a LOT of money" to a wave back and a sigh of relief

[@hisheeelijah1482]

@@stevethomas760 what would be have pulled ya over for speeding?

[@stevethomas760]

@@hisheeelijah1482Doing 85/90 mph in a 55 mph zone, reckless driving and if he was pissed of, geezer at the wheel. I was 70. Like I said he was a car guy for sure

[@FeistyPineapple]

Welp, guess I’m watching it again 😎❤️. Congratulations to Mr. Hyphen for driving one of the raddest JDM goodies in existence and posting a video about it on behalf of Issimi! Keep them coming!

[@TheDalitis8]

One of the best car reviews I have ever seen on the internet. My respect has been thoroughly earned. Savegegeese has also produced some excellent reviews on the Honda S2000 & Honda Integra DC2 Type-R.

[@Xayuap]

this was like the LFA, a car for the future, umprecedent, timeless, thinked, artful

[@ToyotaAristo]

No. This was an "affordable" (in comparison with Ferrari) reliable SPORTSCAR that change the industry and the way those type of car were supposed to be made. The LFA is more of a Grand Tourer and was not cheap by any means. Also performance wasn't THAT good for the regular lfa, the Non stock automatic LFA Nurburgring E with roll cage, N Package and Bridgestone RE070 tires was only 14 seconds faster than a much older manual CGT and the CGT was already 10 seconds faster than the LFA with much older tires...

[@surrealtom]

@@ToyotaAristo the LFA is not a grand tourer....

[@brandonsever2576]

@@ToyotaAristo I would recommend watching DTS's video on the LFA as well. It is most definitely not not a grand touring car

[@ToyotaAristo]

@@brandonsever2576 The LFA Nurburgring was the track focused edition for the LFA, fixed wing, much stiffer and better suspension, better brakes, more power, lighter, etc.. less GT. The "regular" LFA was more of a Sportscar/GT other than a track focused car as the N.E and since you can "use it daily", travel and go to the track that is the definition of a GT since the 60s.

[@brandonsever2576]

@@ToyotaAristo GT just means a car designed for high speed driving in comfort for a long distance. The LFA was a fully ground-up dedicated sports car. Go listen to any professional's opinion of it, the general consensus is that they thought it was going to be soft and heavy, and instead it was a thrilling, sharp, and exciting sports car. Nothing like a modern LC500 or something similar.

[@seanomar3536]

Has very few gimmicks if any , clean, efficient and well proportions. A car that you drive with your brain and finger tips. Perfect. Bring back that honda

[@eichler721]

Man with you and Jason at Hagerty doing these kinds of videos my car addiction is always covered. Great job and amazing video

[@dgogara]

As a wise person said "Poor man's F1" (Not exactly cheap but less than 10% of F1)

[@Talynen]

The NSX was the benchmark car Murray used when developing the F1s road manners, so very much yes.

[@endlesstwisties]

There are many cars like that not just Nsx

[@footballtv10672]

Honda made a legendary car,but I don't think the new one deserves the name of NSX.

[@pepeman69_24]

"honda did not have a dedicated sports car before the NSX" *Angry Prelude noises*

[@endlesstwisties]

These new jdm fanboys getting hysterical these days only by some very popular cars never heard of Prelude.

[@coffeelover1535]

I guess the initial version, which was uploaded few days prior to this one, was deleted because it was showing the license plates.

[@joshroberts-letaw3281]

Oh. You forgot to blur out the magical sales tax avoiding Montana license plate in the original release. Tisk-tisk

[@Broyale26]

LOL was that why?

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

The interior is kind of perfect for a drivers car

[@noobasdfjkl]

You took the video down because the owner was embarrassed they registered this thing in Philipsburg, MT.

[@Mustafa.00]

When the Japanese didn't just make boring hybrid SUVs...

[@ddmegadoodoo892]

s2000 next please :)

[@993mike]

Shame they didn’t bring the R to the states. A mid-engined N/A manual transmission lightweight sports car - awesome. It’s the reason I love my 981 GT4 so much.

[@shaboiisaiah]

I assume this vid was already on the channel. First time watching for me and great to see the NSX in this light!

[@rhatala27]

Was wondering what happened to this.

[@Petrospect]

Was wondering what happened to this vid, almost felt like a fever dream That steering wheel is just beautiful. Maybe one of the prettiest. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="773">12:53</a> still love the Senna penny loafer reference...he double clutched and nursed the throttle a lot too round Suzuka "you wanna come with me?" *wheelspin/smoke*

[@rameshjain17]

I didn't get that reference, can you explain

[@gauravjeer1291]

momo sells that steering wheel, I have it for my em1

[@Petrospect]

@@rameshjain17 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIa5nIl4aLiInJY

[@brittonwritespoetry]

@@rameshjain17 Senna drove the NSX Type R in Japan on the Sukuza circuit wearing a pair of loafers hence the reference.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

Its the fact that even this is still a Honda some rich 16 year old probably ran one of these for 30k with no oil in it

[@rych7852]

Blocks out licence plate with graphics. Completely readable at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="190">3:10</a> 😂 Also, did you use 2 Type Rs for this film? 1 with a radio and 1 without?

[@robertamoyaw8812]

Heck ! Even my 90's Honda Civic was the best driver's car I have ever driven ! Nothing on the road will ever match this NSX-R!!! 🤓

[@TheJMedia]

Such a well put together video! The na1 nsx is on the list of dream cars to own one day. Such a driver's car and I love how it sounds, looks and handle!

[@JuanLopez-kw9of]

Great video of a true automotive icon! love the complex simplicity of its development and the end product. The purity of intent in its design is truly staggering by today's standards. My only quibble was the long overhangs.

[@maplefreak64]

Several riches does the request into which a golf bag is loaded. Nsx increased a rear overhang to store 2 golf bags.

[@victorlgcarvalho]

Ayton Senna actually helped developing the car, from tunning suspension, to engine and more. He was not just a publicity stunt, he was a real car developer, both on F1 and on the NSX.

[@SmallBlogV8]

If the account given in _The Road Rat_ (whose articles are generally very well researched) is to be believed, then Senna drove a prototype around Suzuka once, during a break in an F1 private test day with McLaren-Honda. He told Uehara-san the structure felt fragile and the suspension needed sharpening up, then hopped back in his new MP4/5 for the rest of the day. Then, Honda went to the Nürburging with their own F1 driver, Satoru Nakajima, and spent months doing laps and strategically welding aluminium bracing onto parts of the chassis they thought would improve it, with Nakajima's feedback as guidance and further analysis on their Cray supercomputer. The result of this work was a 50% gain in structural rigidity and better suspension behaviour. So, Senna gave feedback and that feedback truly helped shape the final product, yes... but it would be disingenuous for anyone to suggest he was involved on a deep level or on a regular basis throughout development. Nakajima (in the late stages at least) and Honda's own engineers did most of the heavy lifting. But explaining all of that accurately doesn't sound snappy enough to help sell cars.

[@Tuberuser187]

@@SmallBlogV8 Its often hard to separate the truth from the mix of marketing, myth and disinformation that surrounds legendary cars like the NSX and especially when you combine it with legends like Senna. I did see a somewhat reliable account of Ayrton Senna expressing reluctance towards the involvement with the NSX, that he told Honda he wasn't suited towards development of road cars. With that in mind it does reinforce the story of him doing the bare minimum with some test drives and comments out of obligations towards Honda, I believe those accounts. He had his own goals in mind, he was committed to winning F1 races and wanted to work with his team and his car rather than be involved and distracted with road car development.

[@Broyale26]

I appreciate the tastefulness of DThS's presentation! Fine work as usual, ISSIMI!

[@Smegmeister]

My dream car was a clean UK DC2 till I saw this. not a chance but I will dream well.

[@brianmessemer2973]

There are many video essay love letters to the NSX, and rightly so. This is undoubtedly among the finest of them all. Immediately added to my "Honda NSX" playlist which I've been collating for years. Other than absurdly unreachable cars like the MacLaren F1 or the T50, this exact car - the NSX-R - is the dream car.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

Its not the same car with out the Pop Ups

[@JuanDiegoUlate]

Excellent, well done video photography and documentary 👏!!! Beautiful NSX-R as well. Looking forward to more videos, maybe one on the Integra and GSR, Type R.

[@JBaek24]

Great video, review and proper music. NSX-R is a dream car and I'll watch this over and over again.

[@tiredoworking9350]

I envy Derek. He has access to too many premium cars. Derek, pal, you have a blessed life. Keep up the great work. 👍👍👍

[@bulkmailbullseye70]

Great job Great cinematography and I don’t find my stock NA1 dull at all :)

[@naisbest3020]

Stock NA1 are pretty bland, lacks power for its weight, and the USDM gearing is terrible. The handling is pretty soft yet not comfortable

[@perrosdemaiz]

How ‘bout a little profane crude emphasis every now and then? A saucy metaphor?

[@kseries1981]

Is that GMR that he's driving on?

[@snakerb]

When someone who’s driven a whole host of super cars (to include the McClaren F1) can smile this much driving this car, that says A LOT!

[@pdcichosz]

Unfortunately he didn't drive the F1, it was someone else in the video.

[@emoryzakin2576]

God I miss the 90's. Well done, I got to relive that Honda passion for a moment!

[@QXZ9027MKII]

Top notch Sir, glad that you enjoyed the car.

[@AtypicalDriver]

Well, Derek still drives the NSX with biceps.

[@apolloandratti7922]

Groundhog Day with this NSX is a good thing.

[@naisbest3020]

Watched this 3 times already…. #nsxislife

[@dbvida]

Much respect for your insights, opinions, and honest delivery of info. I miss your collaboration with Cammisa on The Carmudgeon Show but that show has made me a fan! Your opinion: Alfa Romeo Spider/Graduate....I love this classic and it is used in any travel show filmed in Tuscany, Milan, Rome, etc. Sorry, I don't want a Miata, am I crazy or just an Italian romantic? Any chance of doing a classic review, as a viable under $8-15k entry level sports car?

[@fastlapper_456]

Here goes Derek again driving one of my dream cars 😭

[@scottcavill4807]

Step one: win the lottery..

[@enigmatwist6548]

Awesome car, really love the pop up headlights. I’d have this for fun on my favourite roads and the more relaxed normal version for longer journeys. And then I’d have the NA2 R for special occasions.

[@radekpasecny4538]

Stunning video... Thank you ❤️🙏

[@Yan7001978]

Awesome vid! Thank you.

[@mchristr]

Honda is an engine design company so you'd think they would have cooked up a small displacement V8 for this car (with help from Yamaha a la Ford Taurus?). It wasn't long before NSX owners were thinking the same thing as evidenced by the supercharged example I saw at Laguna Seca in the early 90's.

[@davidbush8894]

Wonderful. I love Honda so much. Thanks for the video.

[@Cavush]

Despite all the love this car gets, I still think it’s underrated. In my opinion, this car is more iconic and more important than an F40.

[@davidpeters4914]

A truly magnificent vehicle. Thanks for the well researched video!

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

I'd love nothing more than an NA1 in Sebring silver with a black roof. Someday hopefully.....

[@gheckolock81]

My pet peeve is watching people in fantastic "drivers" cars cut corners on open roads. If the car is so fantastic, why are you struggling to keep it between the lines? If you like turns, why are you cutting lines that straighten out the road? If you have pride in your car, it should be a matter of pride while driving spirited that you keep it dead on balls down the middle of your lane. A. It is more challenging than cutting the yellow line. B. The challenge is fun. C. It is harder to kill someone accidentally. Sure there are always going to be stupid people giving spirited driving on open roads a bad name - please don't normalize and make it look cool on Utubeversity.

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Honda NSX Type R

[@jimiverson3085]

Derek giggling while he drives the car says a lot. But it would be interesting to see Derek and Jason Cammisa break down Derek's enjoyment of this car with Jason's lack of enthusiasm for the NSX experience.

[@unforeseen9267]

Still hands down the best car Honda has ever made. I just can't believe they dropped the ball so hard with new one.

[@naisbest3020]

Most owners of gen1 ignored gen2. That’s why sales were miserable

[@stillsearching1284]

I heard the S2000 was also great.

[@jonasarche]

This is so well written... Holy shit. What a video. What a car. Thank you so much guys!

[@nooch86]

Always great witing, and props to the gimbal operator too.

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

forgot about it tbh.. thanks for the reupload.. always a joy to see Derek do a piece..

[@CanonicalBomb]

I think honda didn’t want to make Mclaren’s engine for the F1 to make this, technically you could call them sisters in philosophy

[@waynemillis4418]

Really enjoyed this great video with a few facts I was not aware of. Street driving is only one area of fun with the NSX. The car was really design with race tracks in mind where it's limits can be appreciated but only on fast circuits with fast 3rd and 4th gear corners. Short circuits of 1 min lap times are not the tracks for the NSX gearing and engine happiness.

[@josephwiemert348]

Honda McLaren 88 89 and 91 icing on the cake and tragedy soon to follow, mechanical coupling and true usability will be soon only for the extremely rich, it's nice to see what people could have had and now they have to pay for five times as much to have it now I laugh at them

[@TheBlaert]

I'm not the biggest fan of Japanese cars, but the original NSX was just simply a masterpiece

[@henryross4343]

Just curious - when you were driving in the mountains, was that highway 18?? in the San Berdo Mountains?

[@Aristocrafied]

Dude do something about your narration. You sound bored, uninterested. About THIS car!!

[@A2Z11tree]

My next door neighbour just moved in from Japan and has this car. My buddy who is an extreme car guy lost his mind when I showed it to him lol

[@ekscalybur]

The only thing the NSX Type R did wrong was make it impossible for Honda to release a new NSX.

[@adbt20]

This vid is even more entertaining than Hagerty's latest Super sedan Icons episode

[@SuperSupertube123]

Honda should take out the old blueprints and continue building the car. improve it a bit if necessary, but basically you could build it exactly the same again

[@qtrfoil]

You're loping, dude. Peak power ate something like 8,000?

[@ErikFvonHausen]

Great job Hyphen!

[@claudiodeascentiis5871]

Great content as usual on this channel but I wish this car was reviewed by Jason 😅

[@jamesbishop6873]

Sweet - I love it when Issimi has Montana plates. Taxes are for suckers, amirite? /s

[@jonathan102]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="379">6:19</a> "X for the unknown" What? X stands for eXperimental

[@VictorSchofield]

Another gem video, nice one Derek!

[@johannventer3150]

Great video. Senna was hauled in as part of the development of the NSX.

[@davidsherley2652]

Well done! Great video Derek! Thank you for your work.

[@JETZcorp]

Someday, I hope my daughter finds herself someone like DTS.

[@omairsh8]

It’s more than a car, it’s a work of art

[@atmartens]

Such a beautiful car. I love driving my TL Type S, so I couldn't even imagine getting to drive this.

[@joefunsmith]

Fellow (former) TL owner here. Favorite car I've owned. I think at the very least, I'll rent an NSX on Turo someday.

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

Totally different car nothing really related or in common besides it have a 6 cylinder engine with sort of similar variable valve timing. Good car though

[@atmartens]

@@joefunsmith I owned a 2006 TL, and loved it. But traded it in for an '11 RDX with SH-AWD and love it. But missed a car, so I came across a one owner accident free TL Type S in Kinetic Blue and had to get it. Such a fun car to cruise or road trip in.

[@atmartens]

@@e46m54nissansr20937 I never said it was. Just said that if that's fun, couldn't imagine what this would be like.

[@joefunsmith]

@@atmartens The 2006 was the next generation, and as much as I loved my 2003, It seems most people preferred the 2004+ gen (3rd gen IIRC) overall. I also think the TL specifically and Acura in general, is underrated by the car-buying public.

[@yawnyle]

I just now noticed that the interior goes from having a radio at the start (night shots) to having a radio delete in the day.

[@littlejohn-pi7kk]

Honda at it’s peak. They have slowly decline since. I can only hope they get that fire back again.

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Honestly what i love about Honda is how they "sleep" things from the factory. On the onset it's nothing worth considering, but if you dig a little bit you find gold whether its a low horsepower (but fun) engine, or a 'seemingly' abysmal audio system.

[@christopherrempel8168]

Keep producing this great content DTS!

[@gregmize01]

Is this the same vid from the other day?

[@coffeelover1535]

That appears to be the case, except for blurred out license plates.

[@tobywonkinoby8916]

Mother of God. I love it!

[@lzxrz]

Japanese holy trinity : nsx,gtr,lfa

[@pinkace]

I listen to this guy's voice when I can't sleep, knocks me right out.

[@Potatoleague-ux2zc]

My dream car first time seeing it my dad owe an white civic I felt on love

[@brandonmckibben1164]

PLEASE talk about this car on the next Carmudgeon podcast.

[@rg0]

they actually did in episode 44 (second to last)

[@farhan7393]

@@rg0 Didn't Jason shit on the car as NOT-A-DRIVER'S car?

[@rg0]

@@farhan7393 he's apparently not a fan of the standard NSX, but hasn't driven an R

[@motfalcon]

You missed a licence/number plate blur at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="189">3:09</a>

[@PaddyMcQueen]

Still Can t understand why this guy continue to "reviewing" Legends... doesn t even know how to grab a steeringwheel... <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1050">17:30</a> 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@peterlandbo2726]

Do you still have your drivers license?

[@ashneel]

Manual..like the gods wanted it. Elite

[@paulstabin6233]

Wow, what a treat. Too bad Honda didn't make a few left- hand-drive R's for the US market. Of course, no a/c would be rough here in the AZ desert. The other deletes I wouldn't miss. I see that my Civic Type R owes a lot to this icon. I love my FK8 as it is arguably the best all around daily driver/ enthusiast choice but the NSX is very pure, and the NSX-R even purer. Ageless rolling art.