MotorWeek | Retro Review: '91 Acura NSX

[@squidmecanicus]

Funny thing, I find these Retro Review reviews a lot more informational and pleasant to watch compared to the stuff that comes out these days.

[@davidshebib4135]

check out petroliciuos or carfection both good channels and fortnine for bikes even if you dont like bike the video production quality is amazing

[@TreyMo69]

Savagegeese

[@bobbyblack1138]

I'm totally addicted to these retro reviews!

[@jessemess7598]

Bob Cold me too

[@jaybee2344]

Hell I have been watching Motor Week since about 1984.

[@johndrake2729]

Same here, man.

[@steveespinola7652]

Me three, I have been MOTOR WEEK since 1990 and I still like it.👍😀

[@thomaswoodworth7644]

Agreed.

[@LMacNeill]

The Acura NSX. The car that showed everyone that you *didn't* have to tolerate the unreliability of the Italians or the British to have a high-performance sports car.

[@tonkatoytruck]

Of course, they did not compare reliability to Mitsubishi or Toyota, who were their main competitors at the time.

[@hondamanvtec2894]

@@tonkatoytruck what car did mitsubishi have at this time that compared to this?

[@tonkatoytruck]

@@hondamanvtec2894 The 3000GT. It had active suspension, active steering, active aero, active exhaust, four wheel drive, four wheel steer, twin turbo DOHC 6G72 motor. The GTR of its day, and more. It spanked the NSX

[@mattyp6908]

No...you could have a well-built German Porsche before and after the NSX came and went.

[@ecchioni]

@@tonkatoytruck The GTR of its day was R-32.

[@dcjlove]

Judging by the gloves, the test driver just got back from strangling a jogger in Central Park.

[@orbit4072]

dcjlove 😂

[@mcopanzan]

OJ Style!

[@hondamanvtec2894]

O.J told him he could have them

[@JH-qy7zw]

I laughed when I saw the gloves.

[@AvaABC]

I read this comment before having seen the suspect, now I can't stop laughing.

[@creepinwhileyousleepin]

why did they not think the interior was tasteful? it looks great, tan and black is nice. those colors even hold up today.

[@jayprimo]

My feelings too.....I love tan leather interior but hate when it rolls into a tan or brown dash. 90s Honda solution with the black dash and trim always popped very well to my eyes

[@Ayeobe]

MotorTrend didnt like that color combo back then ...dunno why. They also got annoyed with it in the Accord Coupe, but its basically the classyest possible interior color combo...

[@basshead.]

red car + black/white interior = fugly.

[@isaakwelch3451]

I'm not a huge fan either. All black would look better IMO

[@FerrariCarr]

The black looks cheap for a car of that price point, is what he meant. The dash looks like it’s made from the same black plastic you’d find in a Honda family sedan. Cars like Ferrari had padded leather dashes that were the same color as the seats, and a lot of other cars had dashes that just had a more expensive look. But he is right about the build quality; that plastic is very durable and the Japanese cars have always been praised for their build quality.

[@PANTYEATR1]

this car just doesn't age!

[@johndrake2729]

True dat. Honda knew what they were doing.

[@OnTheRocks71]

Just like this post. :)

[@TheOzthewiz]

Looks like an F4 Phantom in motion!

[@stevejeffrey11]

the 90's NSX sell for almost as much as those from 20 years later!

[@harapaki3412]

JUNK!!!

[@dalecocking2907]

80's and 90's Japanese cars always have surprised me because of how modern they look and feel not to mention how well built they were even compared to their new counterparts

[@cadsux]

MotorWeek is like a dear old friend helping me to reminisce about the good old schoolgirl crushes that I use to have, now rekindled, like this one. Thanks!

[@Motorweek]

That makes us smile

[@patara1234]

Me too

[@icecreamalacarte]

Agree with cadsux: thanks so much for adding these, especially the Hondas.

[@mrcactus245]

these retro reviews are better than most car reviews today imo

[@animal16365]

And the NSX turned out to be more reliable than the Ferrari

[@mcopanzan]

By a factor of 50X

[@bliglum]

50X would be being conservative.... And when the Acura actually does need work it will cost 1/50th as much as the Ferrari!

[@llavero5]

Exactly, i own a 91' with 100.000km for 15 years and 0 breakdowns (well... only A/C controller but is cheap), and maintenance... is a clearly more expensive than a civic but very reasonable, you dont need be rich for own a NSX.

[@stevethomas760]

Ilavero, I had to wait 24 years and felt like I got a fair deal at 32K. Pristine '91, 48K miles. Seems the prices might be creeping up. Driving in north Georgia a couple years ago I stopped for gas and there were some Porsche guys fueling up too. One of them came up "bet this thing doesn't break down like mine does"...

[@jayprimo]

As quoted by several car review journalists and publications.... "The NSX is the reason your Ferrari and Lamborghini start when you turn the key"

[@BKB0SS09]

I see all the comments about the test driver's gloves. It was the 90's gloves were all the rage even O-Jay had a pair. "Allegedly"

[@pod9363]

Take care. *floors gokart*

[@rustyshackleford7265]

But OJs did not fit!

[@jabbafo]

@@rustyshackleford7265 so acquit....but naw he did it

[@richardhowle4871]

Not allegedly, he tried them on in court.

[@TheOzthewiz]

They were too small.

[@artaylor8920]

Winston Wolf drove one in "Pulp Fiction". This makes it instantly cool,

[@DarthAnna]

"Its 30 minutes away, I'll be there in 10" LOL

[@DarthAnna]

One of my all time favorite movies!

[@kgisabeast]

Newman drove one on Seinfeld lol

[@erics6894]

it was a rental

[@ztwntyn8]

I remember, it was white... good call

[@GameOver321]

Wow! I didn't know the 1st gen had 270hp. That's a lot for a 3.0! Love these cars, timeless clean and not gaudy. Let's not forget, it's the most reliable super car ever...period. I have personally driven ones with over 300k miles. That's insane!

[@Joshua_N-A]

Coupled with its weight, it has one of the best power to weight ratio. 276 hp was the limit given to any high end Japanese cars during the 1989-2004 gentleman's agreement era, it's an on paper number of course in order for Japanese manufacturers to be able to sell their products in Japan.

[@CameronsCars]

VTEC

[@CameronsCars]

@@Joshua_N-A it’s true, but it’s sad. Japanese cars would have been even more impressive

[@Joshua_N-A]

@@CameronsCars Nissan reportedly removes the VTC (Nissan's VVT) from the VH45 when they dyno it. The output is said to be nearing 310HP with the VTC on. That's a NA V8. Don't know why they keep the pact for more than 10 years. High end performance cars like the NSX and Skyline GT-Rs shouldn't be limited in horsepower. Displacement tax, insurance, yearly inspections are already more than tough enough in Japan. People will still put performance mods their cars regardless.

[@robertfoster3384]

NSX...still among my very favorite automobiles

[@LegendaryBadass]

That NSX looks WAY nicer inside than a 348.

[@Clearanceman2]

Yeah but if you had bought the 348, it would have gained so much more value by now than the NSX.

[@LegendaryBadass]

Clearanceman2 just a few years ago a 348 was 1/3 of what it is now. That bubble will burst soon and the NSX will be the better long term buy. Hell, they already are the better to own since the repairs on the 348 can buy a NSX.

[@taylormordoch9802]

Clearanceman2 well today the NSX are really going up in-value if it's a very low mileage NSX they can go up to 70 to 80 thousand

[@Clearanceman2]

We shall see. Classic Ferrari cars are super hot right now.

[@AIRDRAC]

The question is if the 348 can truly be considered a classic Ferrari :) The NSX is much more unique, whereas the 348 mostly seems like the boxy placeholder for the 355 from todays point of view.

[@tuowl0564]

Such an iconic 90's car! I love how they used Pocono Raceway for part of the review!

[@MrCarGuy]

What a great road test! I don't know how they thought the Ferrari had more interior style than the Acura. Ferrari interiors from that era are far from stylish or modern. But looking back on all the negatives of the NSX, they weren't really a problem with its popularity at all. It was just a vehicle way ahead of its time.

[@koopatroopa187]

Cause gated shifter.

[@Motorweek]

It's Thursday somewhere!

[@MrGunzngirlz]

Audiwan Kenobi whooooooop! Hell yeah!!! Brought some popcorn!!!!!!

[@kernoleary1394]

+MotorWeek hey why did you guys never compare the 91 NSX to the 300zx twin turbo?

[@acemacgruber6593]

The Acura NSX is one of the greatest automotive designs in history.

[@harapaki3412]

lol..... pffft.. JUNK!!!

[@TheOzthewiz]

It may not have the blistering performance of the Supra, but the styling of the NSX is GORGEOUS!

[@k3V2181]

A stock Supra runs 13.3.. hardly “blistering.” Lol

[@BrasspineappleProductions]

Back on the late 90's I drove one for a week. Absolutely fantastic ! Very smooth on the highway.

[@pacrat90]

Look at those jeans and nikes! True 90's ;-)

[@rars0n]

"...but not truly distinctive aluminum skin..." Ha ha, yeah, at the time it didn't seem that distinctive, but I defy anyone who sees a pristine NSX in person today not to drool all over it.

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

Well, you're at least half right. In fact, most people don't exactly drool over it......rather their jaws drop in shock when they notice how heinously ugly it is in person.

[@tientrinh943]

Are you an atheist?

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

@@tientrinh943 WTF kind of question is THAT???

[@LrulestheworldM8]

I wont drool all over it. Im not a fan of this car. In any racing game ive used it, its far more tail happy in corners than normal rwd cars. And nobody that ive seen can push it to its full potential. Not a fan.

[@joshrava4635]

LRulesTheWorld so you know how it drives because you’ve played video games with it? Are you serious?

[@jnada1610]

I have a 1991 NSX and it is by far the best car I have ever owned. The only down side is that this car gets an enormous amount of attention from everyone, half of the time people whip out their phone when I drive by, so I definitely do not daily drive it, but it is a joy to drive. .

[@trashpanda314]

This car was way ahead of its time.

[@harapaki3412]

junk!!!

[@mackcummy4976]

@@harapaki3412 what?

[@velocityacoustics]

They forgot to mention the best feature. Pop up headlights! 🚘

[@matthewb9241]

The 91 NSX is perfect. I love it and would daily drive one today.

[@doverlabs]

Awesome! NSX still kicks butt.

[@demetricklouis5710]

The orginal NSX is virtually every Honda fanboy's dream car. I know the price is a bit steep these days, but for a car that put the world on notice it's almost worth any price.

[@koopatroopa187]

As a Honda fanboy, I'd rather have a Ferrari 348.

[@demetricklouis5710]

+koopatroopa187 then you're not a Honda fan boy.

[@koopatroopa187]

Demetrick Louis I've owned - 1990 CR-X Si, 1992 Civic SiR II, 1991 Civic SiR (EG6), 1995 Civic EX, 1997 Civic Type R, and a 2001 Integra Type R (DC5). I think I qualify as a Honda fanboy, or at the very least, an enthusiast.

[@demetricklouis5710]

Enthusiast I'll grant you. But, like with professional sports if you choose any team over your own you're not a fan. I currently own a 2002 Civic HX(Supercharged K20),2002 S2000 (Turbocharging later this year ), 2006 Ridgeline (Cosmetic Upgrades), and a 2006 CBR 600rr (Cosmetic Upgrades).

[@shangtsung1362]

@@demetricklouis5710 Damn you rich bruh

[@2dfx]

A vehicle so effortless and timeless it was virtually unchanged throughout its run!

[@TheOzthewiz]

It was SO FAR ahead of it's time, it didn't NEED changing!

[@mega-hb4re]

Timeless machine , even by today’s standards.

[@Acc0rd79]

When Honda still made cars that made you think, hmm I want one of those! Now a days its nothing but eco snooze boxes that come out of their factories. This is when Honda was in its stride putting out all sorts of fun cars from cheap Civic Si's to the Integra and Prelude all the way up to this beauty! I used to say I would own only Hondas, I still own 2 but they were from the 90s and I went Nissan for my sporty fun. Great video Motor Trend, by far the best upload for throwback Thursday so far!

[@ayeapprove]

When they killed off the S2000 they stopped dreaming, the new Civic TypeR is going to be crazy fast but I'd love to see another RWD platform

[@TheRealPaul527]

Herrdesrings it's sad man, very sad.

[@hammerhome7879]

My first Honda was a 88 Prelude Si and with that car I never looked back at the big 3. Sad but I use to say the same thing , Honda only for me, times have changed and the only Honda I would own is a old one. Now I'm starting to sound like my dad .. "They don't build them like they use to"

[@ayeapprove]

Hammer Home they still build them like they used to but with no itend for them to be sporty.

[@hammerhome7879]

No..... Pop can thin metal, flexible door panels, flexible front fenders and CVT transmissions . WTF HONDA? I know they build good motors and trannies , but I would rather have a less reliable BMW now..and pay more for it. Sad because I would still rather be a proud Honda owner....

[@randomvids9507]

Currently own one of these in black with an automatic tranny has 39k miles on it. Awesome car to have put a sports exhaust on mine and it sounds awesome only downside is I can't work on it myself I have to take it to a dealer

[@RoadCone411]

What a great car! Still sleek and quick, the NSX was a hit from day one. It may not have had a prancing horse badge, but it will start every morning!!

[@kawasabi1]

The interior with its simple design still looks fresh today. The less is more style.

[@AWDfreak]

I love the clean look of the NA1 Honda NSX... Thanks for uploading!

[@OnTheRocks71]

I mean, damn. They just nailed it right out of the gate. Love this car.

[@jeffreyloskoskill4901]

91 was a great vintage. You got this nice ride and you got the all time greatest song ever written, recorded and produced......Doo Doo Brown by 2 Hyped Brothers and a dog. A true global masterpiece.

[@shmeenix8672]

30 years later the 2021 accord sport 2.0t has the same 0 to 60 and quarter mile time. Pretty cool. I just bought one. That's what brought me to this review.

[@jjthefed]

My Mom's 2018 $35k Mailbu runs the 1/4 stock in 14.1 at 99. Right behind this NSX. Car tech getting better and better every generation.

[@vangt858]

Great video. Best Honda ever. The next nsx will have nothing on this.

[@D3adKruzer]

love these Retro Review vids. Keep 'em coming, MotorWeek!

[@surry99]

I have a red 91 and it is hands down the best vehicle I have ever driven.

[@theCycleReport]

The gloves! The enormous antenna! I love watching these old reviews

[@Opium64]

Crazy it was as fast as a zr-1 corvette at the time with a 3 liter 6

[@johndrake2729]

The groundbreaking NSX! Awesome car.

[@eurosonly]

You're right about the prices intending on staying in the high ranges. This car is only increasing in price. I remember back in 2005 this car cost about 25k. Now, it costs as much as 100k depending on condition and dealer. Especially if it's a targa top.

[@TomaszSkwarek83]

1. Great video , thanks for upload 2. Acura was on the roll, to bad they stopped making cars like that

[@dumbcat]

around 1991 i was working at the front counter of a gym pretty much doing nothing bored out of my mind, when one of the gym members who worked for a car dealership popped in and said, "hey dude. you want to go for a ride?" we went outside and jumped in a brand new NSX and went screaming around a new industrial park that had smooth, freshly paved streets. it was like a little race track. the experience was incredible. the thing i remember the most was how smooth the ride was, and the sweep of the nose was so low that looking out the window it seemed like you could almost not even see the nose. it was like we were looking right at the pavement

[@goldbeachsurfer]

2020 and It looks really good on the corners for an old legend....I want one...

[@eldo59]

The Wolf's car from Pulp Fiction.

[@TheMdpalmer]

This car is one of the best to come out of japan or anywhere 👏

[@stough77]

Nice Robert Plant tape being put in the glove box at 2:42. Now and Zen is an awesome album!

[@opticracer3927]

Heaven Knows!

[@johndrake2729]

I was wondering what that was.

[@jamsbong]

Sad to see Japanese automotive companies are in a shadow of their former self. Golden era for them is truly gone.

[@jamsbong]

GTR is still King. but that is under the Renault's leadership.

[@jamesbaker1392]

GTR still destroys in the track, the new NSX (although not as sought after as the first generation) is a beast, and actually is superior to the old NSX in every way. Mazda Miata is amazing still, and the civic type R is now a force to be respected. Nissan 370Z is about to be redesigned to the 400z (all new styling as well). And the new Toyota Supra, although smaller than the A80 Supra, is going to be more powerful, and more nimble than its predecessor. I'd say the Japanese have it handled. And it's only going to get better in the next few years.

[@cargueone1971]

James B / that's because they've become real American in taste.

[@_baller]

They sold out

[@Zsword92]

You can thank the Asian financial crisis in the late 90s and the GFC for that. Also tastes have changed. Everyone is buying SUVs and economy cars nowadays..

[@adrianomelloe36]

I can't believe he didn't mention Ayrton Senna

[@McCannon21]

Agree, he tested this car to give feedback and improve it's performance.

[@taylormordoch8131]

My favorite Japanese car, NSX for life.

[@pc5505]

“Smooth, but not truly distinctive aluminum skin”, you guys were nuts.

[@iSpyCars]

Man I watched this show every saturday morning on PBS. I wanted this and the 300ZX sooo bad.

[@mikeyerke3920]

I think I’ll throw on some acid wash jeans and take my NSX for a spin. The ladies will go crazy.

[@johndrake2729]

Oh, yeah!

[@rollotomassi8251]

Timeless beauty

[@Desertduleler_88]

Such a under rated car, would buy one tomorrow if I had the money....

[@jerryryan36]

I love my 1990 300zx twin turbo also, it's super quick pushing 500hp! They will never make them like they used to

[@TheOzthewiz]

You hit the nail on the head with Nissan. As of late, absolute CRAP!!

[@MrGuano11]

Those brake lights are beautiful

[@MyMfDominoes]

"Offers all the information you need in a format that's easy to read even at triple digit speeds" John Davis bars 🔥

[@akrocuba]

Gorgeous car! I love the interior

[@CuursLight]

Beautiful

[@jtafoya88]

So this is it huh, the legendary NSX easily the most usable supercar ever made, 😍😍😍

[@macdee6040]

Awesome video, one of my favorite cars of all time :)

[@patara1234]

my dream car timeless design

[@InvestBetter.]

These days, a quality used '91 are listed for six-figures For this level of power and performance, that's ambitious pricing

[@MixingGBP]

That’s still a good looking car in 2021.

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

one of my favorite models ;)

[@jordane19969]

If I had unlimited money, I would buy one immediately

[@JonR_1138]

This was the best looking NSX. I think Motor week missed the mark on prestige. I think more people want this NSX over a Ferrari 348.

[@SamiUddin13]

This car wad ahead of it's time during the 90s

[@BrewBlaster]

Seeing these things later on gives it proof!!

[@mrgitarman]

My favorite looking car ever. I want to drive one someday... hope it lives up to what I hope for. Wonder how it handles compared to the Supra I had. BTW... why are folks talking about crap like the guy's gloves this is about the car LOL

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

Coors' "With a Friend of yours" ad campaign on the radio and Robert Plant's 1988 "Now and Zen" tape in the glove compartment of the most Ferrari looking of Japanese supercars. CRAZY!!!!!

[@Asiansxsymbol]

Wow! I was a kid back then, now 32 years later, am becoming a middle age. :(

[@priedthirdeye]

2:41 Ten bucks says the driver’s name is Brad and that was a Kenny Loggins mixtape.

[@martybadboy]

I'm going with 'Mike' and Motley Crue.

[@jackthorton10]

Good bet

[@mikewest712]

a perforated black leather glove popping in a tape. Kids will never know how good things were back then.

[@jmfs2k273]

Mike West so true

[@723lion]

True Honda legend!

[@peter455sd]

The best thing about this car is that it was made out of aluminum,so when you are at the scale you get a lot more money for it

[@JohanSalvattore]

+peter455sd Well....tbh only an idiot would put this on that type of scale.

[@pianofry1138]

I highly doubt that with a car like this you'd scrap it. The parts are probably worth more because of low production numbers and desirability.

[@marvinmurakami8828]

Still remarkable even to this day.

[@Fluoride556]

I love these retro reviews

[@williamschirmacher6526]

Better looking than the new nsx

[@erics6894]

this car aged well, much better than the 348 with it's early 90's/late 80's styling. That ferrari lost a lot of it's value (near 50%) while early decent NSX's worth about 70%+ of what they cost new.

[@imsoohoo]

look at this guy's fucking sweater. Vintage Family Sitcom Sweater- $60.

[@zacharydevan4107]

Who plops into an Acura NSX seat like that? It's like Rick James grinding his muddy boots into Eddie Murphy's couch.

[@dmanatan]

5.5s is pretty good seeing as the 1-ft rollout adjustment wasn’t being used back then.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Red makes it look like that "super car" bed you had as a kid lol. Seriously though this car forced Ferrari to up its game in all terms, from chassis, suspension, to build quality and service costs. The 2000 360 Modena featured all aluminum construction like the NSX. And if you read in the forums, the 360 is a lot less temperamental than the 355 and 348, the timing belt service in a 360 can be done without removing the engine, unlike the 355/348.

[@robertperillo8738]

I love how the ‘91 Legend (a retro review which I just watched) brakes in the same 116 ft from 60mph

[@vacuumunit]

the early 91's sigh.. where did the time go

[@mikepino4954]

I hear yah I'll be 39 years old in a couple of days I miss this ara of cars

[@ztwntyn8]

Turbos and larger wheel/tire combo and she’d competitive today.... maybe carbon ceramic brakes too. About 25k in updates is all.

[@rockoutkids]

I actually like that tan and black interior combo quite a bit.

[@rturner4205]

no wonder the NSX is going up especially the first gen. It's that good.

[@texan176]

Hard to believe these were selling for around $40-45K in excellent condition around 2003. A high mileage example with some issues was in the $32Kish area. Timing is everything with cars like these.

[@frankm7707]

Tan and black two tone interior was new for all 1991 Acura line of vehicles. 1991 Integra GS 2dr MSRP was $14,000

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

My dream car.

[@MaestroTJS]

"...And intend to stay there." Sadly, that's not how it worked out. Acura gave up on introducing any interesting new products after only a few years and most of their product line has been a relative disappointment ever since. Yeah, the TL is a good car but the Legend, Integra, and NSX just had a buzz about them that the later cars never achieved.

[@MrBurdUsername]

+Maestro_T Luckily there will be a new one

[@genericdenizen1]

Agreed

[@genericdenizen1]

Fred Yeah but the new automatic-only NSX is so boring that I kept my old NSX and added a new manual transmission Corvette C7 instead. Buy a Corvette, they’re fantastic.

[@MaestroTJS]

@@genericdenizen1 I'm sad to see that, five years after my previous comment, nothing has changed at Acura. The new NSX LOOKS great but...ehh. Automatic-only is a deal-killer and overall the car doesn't thrill me.