Battle of the sixes....

[MadCat360]

NSX. Ayrton Senna. Done.

Round here the M3 E46 would be about 5 grand cheaper for the budget buyer but an extra 5 grand for a supercar (even a baby one) is a good spend in my book.

 

[Zesty]

I love M3's and the E46 is definitely my favourite incarnation - but in the end for all its awesomeness...it's still a 'regular' car. The NSX is anything but, especially looks-wise. The wedge shape, the bar arrangement of the rear lights, mid-mounted engine, that side profile.....oh god. I usually prefer graceful curves to the 80's / early 90's straighter edges, but I make an exception with the NSX.

An earlier NSX with pop-up headlights in either white or red is my No.1 dream car. This is not just because I own a Honda and generally like them (stupid hybrid Civic aside). I've loved that car before I even knew what a Honda was. Screw rear seats! :lol:

I will relentlessly lust after one until I either get one or shuffle off this mortal coil. That is it.

 

[tone76]

If I had either the M3 or the NSX I would certainly not leave them stock

Heathen!

Both the E46 M3 and NSX are classics. There's nothing worse than seeing a classic that's been ruined by some idiot 'fixing' stuff that doesn't need fixing. Whether it's engine mods, non-standard wheels, crap body kit ... whatever. Whenever I see an NSX that some assclown has modified, a small part of me dies inside. It's not like the NSX is the most common car in the world, and to see so many of them get ruined is absolutely heartbreaking.

If you really want to fuck rice something up, buy a E46 318i or Civic and spend the difference on all that tuning shit.

Meanwhile, back on topic ... I'd take a nice stock NSX over an M3 any day of the week. The M3 is just a German taxi that fought its way up the ranks into the sports car heavyweight arena, whereas the NSX was a born supercar. That's not to say the M3 is a bad thing, as it's clearly a good car in its own right despite (or maybe because of) its relatively humble origins. It's just not quite as special as the NSX IMHO.

 

[thedguy]

Heathen!

Both the E46 M3 and NSX are classics. There's nothing worse than seeing a classic that's been ruined by some idiot 'fixing' stuff that doesn't need fixing. Whether it's engine mods, non-standard wheels, crap body kit ... whatever. Whenever I see an NSX that some assclown has modified, a small part of me dies inside. It's not like the NSX is the most common car in the world, and to see so many of them get ruined is absolutely heartbreaking.

If you really want to fuck rice something up, buy a E46 318i or Civic and spend the difference on all that tuning shit.

Problem is you first have to at least spend twice the price of the buy in cost of an e46 m3 just to make it capable of supporting the mods the M3 can. Then you gotta do an engine swap, etc... Oh and btw, US didn't get any 318's after 1997

If the e46 m3 was so perfect from the factory it wouldn't have been modified by BMW themselves making the CS(L) variants.

 

[tone76]

If the e46 m3 was so perfect from the factory it wouldn't have been modified by BMW themselves making the CS(L) variants.

For the purposes of my rant, any tweaks/revisions done at the factory don't count. I guess what disturbs me is when someone takes a highly desireable car and then spends an assload of money on it to make it less desireable. Things like huge aftermarket wheels and body kits have a bad habit of cheapening a vehicle's appearance. If you want to do that to a car, you might as well ruin a bog-standard taxi pack 3 Series instead of an M3.

 

[Redliner]

If the e46 m3 was so perfect from the factory it wouldn't have been modified by BMW themselves making the CS(L) variants.

The same can be said for the NSX and the S-tune, Zero, etc variations....

 

[Twerp128]

I don't think you can get a 993TT for the same price as an M3 or NSX, twerp. You can both of those under 25k.

Yeah, but I couldn't find a decent video of a Carrera.

 

[nist7]

I love the M3 but I'd take the NSX hands down, not even a contest. Perfectly balanced mid-engined supercar with timeless looks (I LOVE the interior, too), honda reliability, huge aftermarker, SCREAMING vtec engine, and a chassis tuned by you-know-who. F-ing dream car. As far as practicality is concerned, I'd SO rock the NSX as an only car... I'd carpool, take a bus or a taxi, and ride a bike in the winter and it would be worth it. First cars had pop-ups, too. If it wasn't for porn I'd j off to the NSX

Whoa...speaking of winter driving shouldn't the NSX actually be better than an M3? The M3 is RWD with engine up front whereas the NSX is mid-engined with relatively alot more weight sitting right over the rear drive wheels. Right?

Of course the NSX loses out on 2 extra seats and a large trunk but for me I would take the NSX hands down since I don't have a family and if I do need to do shopping there's plenty of space in the passenger side!

 

[VR6]

Heathen!

Both the E46 M3 and NSX are classics. There's nothing worse than seeing a classic that's been ruined by some idiot 'fixing' stuff that doesn't need fixing. Whether it's engine mods, non-standard wheels, crap body kit ... whatever. Whenever I see an NSX that some assclown has modified, a small part of me dies inside. It's not like the NSX is the most common car in the world, and to see so many of them get ruined is absolutely heartbreaking.

If you really want to fuck rice something up, buy a E46 318i or Civic and spend the difference on all that tuning shit.

Meanwhile, back on topic ... I'd take a nice stock NSX over an M3 any day of the week. The M3 is just a German taxi that fought its way up the ranks into the sports car heavyweight arena, whereas the NSX was a born supercar. That's not to say the M3 is a bad thing, as it's clearly a good car in its own right despite (or maybe because of) its relatively humble origins. It's just not quite as special as the NSX IMHO.

There are many things that can be done to make the M3 a better car an not "ruin it" Some things is added at the factory would add too much cost but could have made a better car for example throw on some ITB's, very costly to add but will improve upon an already epic throttle response.

 

[pepitko]

M3, if I've bought the NSX and I would have met an M3 on the road, I'd be wishing I had bought the M3.

 

[nist7]

M3, if I've bought the NSX and I would have met an M3 on the road, I'd be wishing I had bought the M3.

WTF?

It would be the exact opposite for me. If I encountered an M3 on the road while driving my NSX I would be so glad that I got the NSX.

 

[LeVeL]

Heathen!

Both the E46 M3 and NSX are classics. There's nothing worse than seeing a classic that's been ruined by some idiot 'fixing' stuff that doesn't need fixing. Whether it's engine mods, non-standard wheels, crap body kit ... whatever. Whenever I see an NSX that some assclown has modified, a small part of me dies inside. It's not like the NSX is the most common car in the world, and to see so many of them get ruined is absolutely heartbreaking.

If you really want to fuck rice something up, buy a E46 318i or Civic and spend the difference on all that tuning shit.

For the purposes of my rant, any tweaks/revisions done at the factory don't count. I guess what disturbs me is when someone takes a highly desireable car and then spends an assload of money on it to make it less desireable. Things like huge aftermarket wheels and body kits have a bad habit of cheapening a vehicle's appearance. If you want to do that to a car, you might as well ruin a bog-standard taxi pack 3 Series instead of an M3.

wtf, when did I ever say anything about big wheels or bodykits? Thanks for calling me an idiot and an assclown but its MY money, MY car, and I would slap a supercharger and suspension on the NSX within a week of ownership. They are just cars, we're not talking about the Mona Lisa here. Besides, "desirable" is a relative term - to me a faster car is more desirable than a stock one.

 

[justvisiting]

I totally agree with the comptech sc!!! 290 is just too little. But would a Supercharger ruin the NA characteristics which this thread is based on?

But the suspension... If its for a daily drive, I would stick with the Senna setup, it handles awesome out of the box, with enough stroke to be comfortable on the road as well. If you just took any ol manufacturers suspension, you may end up with a kit which just drops the height, reduces the stroke, and makes it harder. Then normally people throw in swaybars to tighten it up even more. Sure its nice on the track, but with all the undulation of daily driving, Id venture to say you would lose grip! No more modding for my future cars...

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

There are many things that can be done to make the M3 a better car an not "ruin it" Some things is added at the factory would add too much cost but could have made a better car for example throw on some ITB's, very costly to add but will improve upon an already epic throttle response.

M3 has ITB's stock:

The NSX stands to benefit from them though

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Z7ZlAQs5o[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Brian]

NSX. It weighs < 3000lbs.

...and to fuel the fire I've lightly modified my M3.

 

[devil500]

M3 that straight six is godly

 

[Mark355]

NSX all day. Mid-engined + those looks + Honda reliability = can't lose.

 

[Arctor]

The NSX first of all is the better driver's car, it has some of the best handling characteristics of any car I've driven, and while the E46 M3 is a good car, it doesn't really compare. Yes the NSX was overpriced when new, but because of that they are fairly rare cars and most of them have been well taken care of. People didn't just buy an NSX to have a sports car, you had to want an NSX.

Then we get onto engine note. Now the M3 has a decent sound to it but it's not exactly spectacular. The NSX however, especially with a modified exhaust system, is spine-tingling. Although I don't like to factor these things into deciding which car is best, some people may appreciate it. The M3's motor is essentially maxxed out, you aren't going to gain much more without insanely expensive modifications. On the other hand the NSX has tons of room to grow and you can actually get as much as you feel the car deserves and the car still be reliable.

And for the boring part, long-term ownership: the M3 falls down hard. It's not a particularly special car like the E30 M3 and that will hurt future resale value quite a bit. With the procession of ever-improving M3 models this just forces the price down even further. That's why the NSX, a car which will NEVER be replaced by Honda/Acura in the lineup, will maintain it's value much better in years to come. Add into that impeccable reliability and reasonable part/repair prices and you have a supercar that is pleasant to own.

 

[LeVeL]

^ Very well put. +rep

 

[thedguy]

The NSX first of all is the better driver's car, it has some of the best handling characteristics of any car I've driven, and while the E46 M3 is a good car, it doesn't really compare. Yes the NSX was overpriced when new, but because of that they are fairly rare cars and most of them have been well taken care of. People didn't just buy an NSX to have a sports car, you had to want an NSX.

Then we get onto engine note. Now the M3 has a decent sound to it but it's not exactly spectacular. The NSX however, especially with a modified exhaust system, is spine-tingling. Although I don't like to factor these things into deciding which car is best, some people may appreciate it. The M3's motor is essentially maxxed out, you aren't going to gain much more without insanely expensive modifications. On the other hand the NSX has tons of room to grow and you can actually get as much as you feel the car deserves and the car still be reliable.

And for the boring part, long-term ownership: the M3 falls down hard. It's not a particularly special car like the E30 M3 and that will hurt future resale value quite a bit. With the procession of ever-improving M3 models this just forces the price down even further. That's why the NSX, a car which will NEVER be replaced by Honda/Acura in the lineup, will maintain it's value much better in years to come. Add into that impeccable reliability and reasonable part/repair prices and you have a supercar that is pleasant to own.

The NSX motor itself may not be maxed out, but the rest of the driveline is. If you want a reliable NSX that makes more than stock power it's gonna cost buku bucks for a stronger transaxle and axles.