Observing the Honda NSX, I can't help but to see something that is not given much credit for what it had achieved before its termination in 2005. The mid engine NSX Type R has been proven on the tracks and winding roads of Japan while almost putting names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche to shame. Even though this machine will lap any circuit around the same time or even faster than the rest of these cars, it has been banished from the automotive world due to its low number of sales in the market. The big name European sports car manufacturers must have been shocked to tears when they heard that a Honda that was handcuffed to the 280hp Japanese regulation was running along side or in front of their 400-550hp monsters.
Despite its many wins on circuit over the more expensive high horsepower rivals, the car received little gratitude from the consumers. Maybe buyers really don't care about a pure sports car's actual capabilities, but something else that touches them. Why do people see such a car like the NSX to be mediocre? Why are they willing to spend three times the amount of money on something that can be technically considered inferior? Maybe people just don't want to show off a car to their buddies that has a six cylinder with under 300hp. I mean, would you rather roll up in something with a roaring twelve cylinder showing others how far you have come in life, or have to show people videos of the NSX R spanking the world's top super cars in order for them to believe it. Judging from the small amount of NSX sales and the answers to the question, "What's your dream car?" it seems that if the public does not respect a manufacturer for creating a super car, then they might as well not even waste their time and money doing so.
When companies like Honda, Toyota, or Nissan try to build something that will shock the world with overall driving performance going for over $60K, they have to realize how difficult or impossible it is for a non enthusiast to turn their head to even look. Cars like the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi EVO that can be comfortably financed for about $35K are big sellers because of those under the age of 30 that generally are not in the super car market. The difficulty to attract the mature, established, deep pocketed consumer goes for companies where around 80% of the vehicle lineup are in the under $30K category. Your masterpiece will surely not be praised by the people unless they can look at the font emblem and see something that touches them with its meaning and rarity. A Honda emblem is not going to reach the hearts of most people that can afford a super car, but a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche badge will be sure to do the trick.
So why does a company like Ferrari attract the heart of the buyer that can attain three NSX s for the price of his new F430 while still having some pocket change? I feel that since the majority of Ferrari's efforts go into racing, they are seen as an edgy and more focused car manufacturer. Honda and Toyota on the other hand seem to have their efforts working towards high quality everyday cars that you will be sure to see on your next outing to the mall or grocery store. For nearly a century now, most of Ferraris profits from their production cars go into their competition machines that continue to excite and stimulate the racing fans. Showing thanks to the consumer for their contribution to the continuation of their dominance in racing, Ferrari awards them with a glimpse into their personal legacy by adding technologies such as F1 paddle shifting, countless carbon components, and a bone chillingly responsive V12 power plant into the purchased production car. Honda on the other hand uses racing as a PR tool to sell more production cars. This means that if racing has no advertising effects in order to sell more cars, they will simply just stop racing. This opposite approach is more of a business tactic to deepen the pockets of the manufacturer instead of a fund for a true passion.
Now that the NSX is gone I believe that Honda is going to attempt to release something that will also give the buyer a feeling of what a race car is like. Even though the NSX R was without a doubt fast and racy, it lacked some modern competition car amenities like clutch less paddle shift, oversized wheels, electronically controlled engine and suspension settings, and idiot proof traction controls. The release of the Nissan R35 GTR into the United States next year should be the ultimate test to see if Americans can truly accept a Japanese super car. If no one bites on this highly engineered machine, with its near 500hp, electronically controlled differential and suspension settings, paddle shift, and unmatched performance, I can see Honda throwing in the towel for the super cars.
Even if the NSX is gone with its shoes empty, Honda still has sporty models like the S2000 and the high performance Civics to continue evolving. These cars should continue to provide sufficient excitement for the shallower pocketed car fanatics that seem to be a rising breed throughout the world. Such loving and hardcore enthusiasts will use their cars for all they're worth, giving the manufacturer the gratitude and compensation it deserves. With the tuning world also exploding, some of these fanatics may save up and tweak the affordable rockets to be as fast as the expensive super cars anyway while adding their own personal touch in the process. Companies like Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi should realize the amazing things that they have accomplished with their vehicles that attain very high performance/price ratios and try to keep the scene alive every year with new models keeping true car lovers coming back for more.
Aspiring Automotive Journalist: Nick Zema (22)
Senior at SUNY Farmingdale
Soon receiving a B.A. for Automotive Engineering/Automotive Management
Right now I am living in New Jersey and going to school in Long Island to attain my degree in order to get my foot in the door to the automotive industry, where I aspire to land something in publication. I have worked at a Bicycle Shop here in NJ as a service manager for 6 years. I have recently been attending track events, auto crosses, and Time Attack Competitions on the weekends driving my Nissan 240 SX sponsored by Motions Auto Works.
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