changing rides. We have a beautiful original '89 S4, but I've got an itch for an NSX (or a Viper, ugh). I'm very familiar with the NSX; have never driven or even ridden in a Viper. Are they truly crude?? Just thinking about a fun car to blast around in on the weekends. Even thought about a late 80's Testarossa, but that's a little extreme for me (and the nearest dealer is about 4 hours away).

 

I like the NSX for reliability and handling, However, the interior is SO darn staunchy or reminicent of an late 80's prelude.

The viper is an impressive beast, for an american car and for straight line power (450 hp stock). I would checkout the S2000 for a fun around towner- also Audi TT if you desire to stay German. Great handling, ok power- but there are affordable mods readily available that can substantially increase this problem (1.8T engine).

As for the Testarossa... If you can afford it and the maintenance, That would be a fun one! I would hate the 4 hour drive to the dealer but LOVE the 2 hour drive home.

I have an 81 VW scirocco (old body style). Weighs 1800 lbs as it sits- and i spent 6000 on a custom built 200+hp 2.0L 16V engine with SDS digital fuel managment, adjustable cam gears, A unique 4 throttlebody induction system that dumps direcly to the head- anyway, this car is FUN to rip around in, handles like nothing else on the AutoX, and it looks unique.

What about a countach?

 

Ron, man, for the love of cars I will not try to talk you out of anything. The NSX is a nice car. The early year Testarossa's are crude though, you definately want to stay in the 92 and newer on those, 512's.

As for the Vipers, they are just beastly. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. From what I understand the early year ones are coveted but it is those early cars that have the worst build quality overall. The latter years are better but I don't think I have to tell you that you won't be getting a nice cruiser/racer as you would an NSX, or Testarossa. It'll be a beast that's good for short runs on the street. On the track you're going to have a tougher time with it than you think. At Devek days there were three Vipers that joined for the track event and their owners were constantly spinning them.

Anyway, I feel your pain, my urge has put me in a 2002 Audi S4 6pd and I like it more than I thought I would. I do miss the V8 rumble though.


K <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" />

P.S. Stay away from Countach's of any year, at all costs.

 

The NSX interior definitely screams "Civic", especially in black! The other interior colors might make it look better.

Concerning the Viper, I could probably live with the crude construction as long as the driving dynamics are completely enjoyable. BUT, if it rides extremely hard and the interior buzzes/rattles every time you hit a bump, forget it. Also, are the pedals offset quite a bit? That hurts my back after a while. Can you actually travel in one (assuming you can squeeze in enough luggage)??

 

By you list of Vehicle choices- Power seems to be the common denominator. Are you willing to compromise some power for handling? reliability?
I did a little comparing, some time ago, of these factors to get bang for the buck. The NSX was the leading choice. Today though- I would lean towards the S2000. Also for collectability as I hear the line will end soon. (short lived model)

You might checkout the old Motortrend issues for articles on these cars (inc. the longterm trips done in a Viper). The viper i've been privy to use, once, would never be more than localized race race car. Meaning, I may occasionally trip it to my folks in Oregon, through the mountain twisties, or ventures into the big city, but not if i had to take a passenger and luggage to spend the weekend.

<img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />

 

I have had similiar thoughts, though I seriously doubt I will ever get rid of the 928. If anything, I will get a GTS. But in the meantime, the cars of choice you had mentioned are all very nice. Given the comments by the other listers and what you will be using it for, the Viper or the Testorrosa, are nice choices. I love the NSX's...a very swift car all the way around.

I have (and would if I were you) checked out the Ferrari Mondial quatra valve. This is an 8 cylinder Ferrari without the headaches and maintenance of the 12 cylinders. The car is quite comparable to the 928 with a few different features. Rear engine of course, hydrolic tranny and the option of a convertable just to name a few. Certainly one of Ferrari's most reliable low end cars. BTW, I think they look rather awesome. They handle quite well and you feel as if you are "cab forward". A nice well maintained car (convertable) can be had for around $32K, half the cost of the cars previously noted. Thery can be modified some to perform some impressive neck snapping if you so desire. Check out some of the reviews on these cars, most all say they are extremely fun to drive and handle quite impressively. Like all Hi-po cars though, they must be driven, not sit as a piece of art work in the garage.

Certainly my next car. Hopefully this year.

Keith

 

Kaz &gt;&gt; Anyway, I feel your pain, my urge has put me in a 2002 Audi S4 6pd and I like it more than I thought I would. I do miss the V8 rumble though. &lt;&lt;

Ah, so that's what happened. No more 928! Ack!

San Diego Brian and I were wondering what had happened to you and Jeremy this past weekend at the San Diego 928 meet as you have both been quiet lately on the SOCAL928 board.

Who got your S4?

Dan
Pasadena, CA
'83S

 

I have had much time in 928's and plenty of time in a '97 Viper GTS. IMO the Viper is a great car. Hugh power and torque. Takes some getting used to because of the bulbous hood. Hard to tell where the front of the car is when driving. Other than that the pedal placement is not bad and at 6'1" 190lbs, I fit rather comfortably. Oh...did I mention, hugh power and torque. Also, everyone from 3 yrs to 90 yrs old stares and gives thumbs up.
The ride is very stiff and jarring, so it is not the best long distance cruiser. Very little storage as well.

 

You would no longer be eligible to use this board. Instead you'd communicate with the "ricer" crowd... <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

 

I'll say...

Before I bought my shark, I actually test drove an early NSX that was in the used section of the Porsche Dealer here in Orlando.

It was fast and well sorted, but it had no "presence".

Yes, it was low, and if you looked at it for a few seconds, it set off bels in your mind.

After a few seconds, yes.

See, the problem was that it had no character whatsoever. It was vanilla, just like my washing machine. I'm sure it would have been a HELL of a lot less trouble than my S2 shark. And it would have bored me.

A lesson here...

Normy

 

At PCNA in Reno, early '90s, the company did model comparisons by purchasing market competitors and holding them up against the various Porsche models. Staffers were allowed to check out the various rides on weekends. Guess which car had the longest waitlist? It was the NSX, way out past the 928. Maybe because a 928 was 'always available' and there was only one NSX? I don't know for sure, but I saw the NSX in the friend's driveway a lot more than I ever saw a 928. His SO worked for the company, by the way.

At that time, the NSX was still pretty new, and in spite of the lack of low-end grunt that the 928 has in spades, it was still a fun car in the Sierra altitudes. Since then, the power has improved a lot, the handling has been refined, the stying revised somewhat, and the interior still looks kinda cheap. But-- look at comparable Italian exotics and find that same cheap look. There's an awful lot of Fiat lurking in the F-car interiors too.


Personally, I think the NSX and the Viper are way too gaudy to drive fast regularly. I like the fact that I can cruise in traffic with the faster groups and not get much unwanted attention. My car history includes Lotus and Ferrari, both of which cost a lot in fines, attorney fees, and appearance time. Maybe my tastes and driving style have mellowed with the years, finding me happy in more subtle performance cars like the 928.


My observation anyway: Cars are an expression of attitude and taste, and in California anyway they seem to be a bottom-line statement as well. The 928 says "arrived," while the NSX is more of a "climber's" car. The Viper has got to be the closest thing to a mechanical codpiece available. More suited to the owner who lacks an established identity??


<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

-

 

Interesting that you say that Dr.B. I have always looked at the viper as a modern day muscle car, but the price puts it into the "mid life crisis", possibly "small member" range.

Now when ever I see them, I think of the 2 previous "s.

Still a nice looking car though.

Keith

 

Hey Dan, I still have my 928 S4, it's up for sale but I am in no rush if you know what I mean. This past Sunday I actually went blasting around various canyons up in Malibu that I'm familiar with in both the 928 and the Audi. I honestly can't say driving wise that one was more fun than the other, but I was certainly much faster in the Audi than the 928. All wheel drive makes you a hero and besides that I didn't have to throw a whole lot of weight around.

Ron, the early year Vipers are going to buzz and rattle, there's no way around that. The peddles are offset as well and there's no dead pedal either. I drove a 40,000 mile Ferrari Testarossa around and truth be told, it buzzed and rattled too. I distinctly remember looking into the rearview mirror and seing the rear engine hatch moving around. I remember thinking the build quality on a Fiat Panda I drove in Norway was about the same. But, but, in this case I was powering a V12 engine down the street and it was making all the right noises.

So, personally, I'd go with the Testarossa before I went with the old Viper. If the choice were a new model Viper then I'd take that. The NSX, well 99.9% of the time, it's a Honda Accord, but there are tuners out there who can make a beast out of it, and I've seen some evil ones, making evil noises around here in Los Angeles.

K

P.S. Take a look at the Ferrari 348's, are those in your range? <img src="graemlins/r.gif" border="0" alt="[king]" />

 

Ron,

Personally, all three cars do not equal the 928 in varying ways.

The Viper is very rough, and screams:
1. I am having a midlife crisis.
2. My member is to small so I am overcompensating.
3. This is my dream car because (see #2 above)

The NSX is probably an excellent car, Honda makes it. However it lacks an overall finish that certain Euro cars have, that makes you say Wow, probably because Honda makes it.

The Testarossa had it's day but I preffer the Tom Seleck Magnum PI Ferrari, to the Don Jonson, Miami vice Ferrari.

Oh and my wife a former Ferrari service shop (part) owner says the Major Sevice is about $5,700 and the Minor Service is about $2,000.
Ouch!!!

Other cars that I feel meet most of the Power, grace, sopistication, and "exclusivity" would be:
Lotus Esprit S-4, 87' and above. (How tall are you?)
Ferrari 328 GTS or 355, (or 360 yikes!!!)

 

Following up on what Chris said, if you're gonna go Ferrari you will face some major service bills to be sure and you absolutely cannot miss them. It needs to be done when it needs to be done.

The 308 in all it's various models though a lovely car, is a slow car. Best to at least go for the 328 and later. Matter of fact, the wife of a friend, a three Ferrari owner suggests staying with the 348 and newer since it represents the new Ferrari. Everything 328 on down represents the eighties.

K <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />