Acura NSX-R vs. 2 Lamborghinis vs. Porsche 911 Turbo vs. BMW M3 vs. & Ferrari Modena

aaharvel

"for most of the guy looking at 'Vettes/Vipers, money isn't that big a deal;"

that's possible but i'm not so sure AudioBliss. if this were true- then the ratio of viper vs. corvette on the road would not be so one-sided right? I mean afterall- the viper is like a $90k auto whereas the vette is around $50k.

As far as liveability- you hit the nail right on the head audiobliss. The viper gets far worse gas mileage- is much harder on the driver- and in fact it's hard plastic cabin (worse quality than even a c4) heats up from that 8.0 liter (based on the old viper) very quickly due to lack of any sound proofing or heat insulation- yet despite the large gap in price, the characteristics of both the Vette and Viper are essentially the same as they cater towards their own demographic- what American buyers define as sport. Big Engine, Big Torque, Big Horsepower. If the Vette was a baseball player- then the Viper would be that same baseball player on Juice.

(warning- RANT)
Four years ago- my cousins ex-girlfriend's (Edit- FATHER) had a '96 viper rt and traded it in for a 2001 c5. He bought both at Foreign Cars Italia down here in Greensboro- an exotic Sportscar and authorized Ferrari dealership- and in fact only kept the Viper for 4months. He said he liked the c5 much better- comparative (not better) performance, but much more of an everyday drivers car.

I myself have never driven a c6 corvette but I have driven this guy's c5 and his old viper and in my opinion I honestly disliked the vette and hated the viper. The viper was a terrible car to drive, and according to Charles- a worse car to own- (as opposed to my 93 rx-7- a great car to drive, and- LOL -a terrible car to own) Sure the acceleration was wicked but there's more to reality than "life in the fastlane" so to speak. There's stop and go traffic, ergonomics, driver feedback, intelligent use of the technology at hand- and most of all everyday livability- reliability. I wasn't crazy over the c5- it's boat-like handling, nor it's Chevy Cavalier interior- but imo it was worlds better than the viper where it counts the most- real world performance topped with a real world price.

I have said it before to my friends and they all think i'm crazy but i honestly don't care. If I had $90 grand to spend- i wouldn't look at a viper, or two vettes. I would buy an NSX. I've driven a 1997 model- the first with the 3.2 ltr and 6 speed and to be honest with you- it was an infinitely better driving experience than either the c5 or viper combined. I was so happy to see that video to confirm what i have preached to my mustang, camaro and corvette friends all along- Horsepower and torque aren't everything. In fact hp is a relatively small factor in the overall scheme of things.

Sure the NSX had the best driver of the course- and i'm sure this helped the NSX to a point- but only to a point. What matters is that car absolutely raped (RAPED) a Ferrari Modena, 911 TURBO and BMW m-3- all with much higher horsepower and all with trained professional drivers in their own right. And I think a corvette and even a Viper would fare even worse than that- especially when it comes to a track of that design- (Not straight track). If the NSX can not only run neck and neck with 2 450plus hp lambos but even lead most of the way- it would absolutely chew a vette and (old) viper to pieces.

And assuming that what Audiobliss says is true about the issue of "Cost", i think an NSX is just a good of a bargain as a Vette regardless if it costs 40grand more. Considering craftsmanship, status, re-sale, reliability, creature comforts, liveability, and to a point of over-all performance. Compared to the 90k Viper- in my opinion the 90k NSX offers no comparision- and doesn't have to.

Again this is just my opinion. Thanks to my grandfather, I've been raised around the car business most of my life and have had the opportunity to drive a few nice sports cars that I know in reality I will never have the pleasure of owning- but it still pleases me to know that i always had the chance to do something that many people only wonder about when they flip those pages of Motor Trend. I have a passion for sports cars- as it's very obvious that many on these posts feel the same- whether its for Corvettes, Vipers, NSX's, Mustangs, Camaros, Hyundai Tiburons or whatever they define as sporty. That's what it all comes down to, right?

Sami

Originally posted by audiobliss
sami - I hate to hear that; I hadn't heard it before. You mean it just feels like a slouch in the turns? Like, too much body roll?

My biggest disappointment with the C5 was its lack of driver feedback. The car felt numb, you don't feel the road surface underneath you and that is a big no-no for a performance car.

Originally posted by audiobliss
At least the C6 is awesome!

I'll have to test drive one but I'm not getting my hopes up.

rnp614

The Viper has never been that far ahead of the Corvette performance wise, has traditionally been a lot harder on the driver (both forgiveness-wise and with comforts)[/B]

I would definitely agree with that statement. I have a 99 R/T 10 and if you start slacking off and not paying attention you WILL spin out. That aside if you're on a clean road this thing corners so tight you have to make sure you dont nail the median. The ride is definitely a bit rough, but seeing as how this car is being used as a daily driver its hardly noticeable. Every time I'm behind the wheel and I step on the gas my stomach drops, the power seems limitless (without any modification) and the roar of the engine really does scare you. There are some quality control issues (the hard top rattles but is fixed tightly) but I'm sure the newer models have fixed that sort of thing. I just wish they hadn't made the new Vipers so edgy, I like the model like that I have so much more.

Sami

Originally posted by aaharvel

Sure the NSX had the best driver of the course- and i'm sure this helped the NSX to a point/ i'm not going to argue that- but the bottom line is that car absolutely raped (RAPED) a Ferrari Modena, 911 TURBO and BMW m-3- all with much higher horsepower.

Honda NSX-R, 4.4 kg/hp
Ferrari Modena, 3.4 kg/hp
911 Turbo, 3.2 kg/hp
BMW M3, 3.8 kg/hp

Gallardo, 3.2 kg/hp
Murcielago, 2.9 kg/hp

Extra weight is a bad thing on a track and power to weight doesn't tell the whole tale. Extra weight on cornering, extra weight on braking, they all add up so the NSX has a big advantage in being the lightest of them.

rnp614

shouldnt power to weight be hp/kg? Just somewhat confused with those stats. Having the highest KG/HP ratio should be bad shouldnt it? maybe its just my dyslexia kicking in again?

Sami

Originally posted by rnp614
shouldnt power to weight be hp/kg? Just somewhat confused with those stats. Having the highest KG/HP ratio should be bad shouldnt it? maybe its just my dyslexia kicking in again?

The higher the number the more weight that one hp needs to move so yes, the lower the better. But you're right, hp / kg is the ratio more commonly used. Just 1/x those numbers.

1 / 4.4 = 0.23 hp/kg for the NSX-R
1 / 2.9 = 0.34 hp/kg for the Murcielago

audiobliss

aaharvel - I'll have to back down and say I was wrong. If somebody's looking at a Viper, money probably isn't much of an issue. However, if they're looking at a 'Vette, it probably is. I wouldn't be so sure that the NSX would chew up a 2005 'Vette Z06. I'll admit I've read hype about it and I've grabbed it hook, line, and sinker, but I'm still being optimistic, LOL. I have great hopes for the new Z06. Time will tell.

rnp614 - :eek: You have a Viper?! Awesome!! Though they are hard to drive/ride in and are hot/loud, etc., they are still awesome cars! Have you taken yours to a track or a drag strip? I also much prefer the old styling to the new style. I have a poster of a late 90's Viper GTS Coupe on my wall, and I think it looks much better than the new one. Though, I think they've made the new one more comfortable and easier to drive. Not sure, though.

Sami - Hurry up and drive one! I wanna hear the verdict!

rnp614

Bliss I'd definitely agree with you on the fact that the new Vipers are much more user friendly. They added in a nicer interior and a few other bells and whistles but I dont think I'll be trading this in for a new one any time soon. I'm hoping to get a test drive of at least the new C6 sometime this summer--if I remember I'll post my opinion in this thread.

Oh, and no, I havent had a chance to take the car to a drag strip or a track. Not so many of those racing clubs in Nebraska (which is where I keep the car). Hopefully if I move next year it'll be to a place with a track club . Wouldnt that be amazing! I'm also thinking of taking a weekend and trying the skip barber racing school to learn on a variety of dodges (including the Viper of course).

audiobliss

Originally posted by rnp614
I'm also thinking of taking a weekend and trying the skip barber racing school to learn on a variety of dodges (including the Viper of course).

That would truly be awesome! Why do you keep your Viper in Nebraska? And if you do test drive a C6, POST YOUR THOUGHTS!!