Two-year report with 2024 ITS

[neuronbob]

Throwback picture to two years ago today, when I drove my daily driver 2024 ITS home with 1 mile on it. Yes, that is a NSX Type S in the showroom with my car. I’ve since purchased a NC1 non-S NSX ?.

—Mileage check: 13,908 miles as of today
—Overall fuel economy: 21.1 mpg over 13,908 miles.
—Best fuel economy 29.9, worst 17.3
—Oil changes: 2
—Road trip: 1
—Unexpected mechanical issues: 0
—Unexpected cosmetic issues: 2 (prematurely worn CF spoiler, star on windshield, not Acura issue, repaired but still present, planning for windshield replacement)
—I still have my original coolant tank. No leaks as yet, and I asked the dealer to look when I’ve had it in for service.
—still stock, no plans for mods outside of the PPF and tint I’ve already done.

This car essentially replaces my S2000 (sold to procure NSX earlier this year) as my lightweight, manual, fun-to-drive car. I can carry my 6’ son and cart a full set of wheels and tires to the storage bin, which I can’t do in a S2000. If I need a spirited drive to relieve stress from work, I can point this car to one of the few twisty roads in my area and flog it. It’s the best FWD car I’ve ever owned with a close follow by my 3G TL I bought 21 years ago.

Ordinarily, I’m getting tired of my daily driver about now, but it’s staying for a while longer. Not sure what I’d replace it with, to be honest.

Worth the money, and I still don’t care that it doesn’t have a sunroof.

Sponsored

 

[whtciv2k]

How do you like the nsx? I’m debating between that and an amg gt63 to add to the stable.

 

[neuronbob]

How do you like the nsx? I’m debating between that and an amg gt63 to add to the stable.

I have both an old and a new NSX. The newer NSX is incredibly fast, very smooth, and despite the weight, handles well. The eSH-AWD can make you drive well above your experience level, very easily. You can’t toss it around like a S2000 or the ITS, but it’s fun in its own way. Mine came with aftermarket downpipes and a non-valved exhaust, so it’s loud…my kind of loud. It is a completely different car from the first gen NSX, which I also have.

What I have been telling others is that the old NSX is the one you drive, since you are more connected to the car, and the new one is the “Cars and Coffee” car because mine makes all the noises and is modern exotic/supercar fast. In Quiet or Sport mode, it is easily daily driver material. In Sport+ or Track mode, it is an absolute BEAST. Not sorry I bought it.

 

[SilverRocket]

I have both an old and a new NSX. The newer NSX is incredibly fast, very smooth, and despite the weight, handles well for a car. The eSH-AWD can make you drive well above your experience level, very easily. You can’t toss it around like a S2000 or the ITS, but it’s fun in its own way. Mine came with aftermarket downpipes and a non-valved exhaust, so it’s loud…my kind of loud. It is a completely different car from the first gen NSX, which I also have.

What I have been telling others is that the old NSX is the one you drive, since you are more connected to the car, and the new one is the “Cars and Coffee” car because mine makes all the noises and is modern exotic/supercar fast. In Quiet or Sport mode, it is easily daily driver material. In Sport+ or Track mode, it is an absolute BEAST. Not sorry I bought it.

I'm not sure if it still is but Jay Leno, a man that could have any car he wants, had the Gen 2 NSX as his daily driver. Speaks volumes about the usability of it.

 

[whtciv2k]

I have both an old and a new NSX. The newer NSX is incredibly fast, very smooth, and despite the weight, handles well for a car. The eSH-AWD can make you drive well above your experience level, very easily. You can’t toss it around like a S2000 or the ITS, but it’s fun in its own way. Mine came with aftermarket downpipes and a non-valved exhaust, so it’s loud…my kind of loud. It is a completely different car from the first gen NSX, which I also have.

What I have been telling others is that the old NSX is the one you drive, since you are more connected to the car, and the new one is the “Cars and Coffee” car because mine makes all the noises and is modern exotic/supercar fast. In Quiet or Sport mode, it is easily daily driver material. In Sport+ or Track mode, it is an absolute BEAST. Not sorry I bought it.

Appreciate the insight! Beautiful home and cars!

 

[optronix]

I understand about the "exotic/cars and coffee" car vs the "practical but fun in the twisties" dichotomy, and prioritizing they both be capable of being daily drivers. The DE5 has become entrenched in my possession, and has entered firmly into the "cold dead hands" category. I don't even think I'd be interested in the "HRC" variant if they ever get around to bringing it to market; cost vs worth considering the expected markup places it firmly in the "do not buy" list compared to how I've got my DE5 set up currently. I absolutely adore this car.

Interesting that you picked up an NC1, and great color. I love those cars and have considered picking one up myself.

The only thing that held me back was the lack of a manual. This is true for several other cars as well (Audi RS3, Alfa Giulia Q4 to name a couple major ones).

I thought I landed on an Emira for that "exotic" car responsibility, but the mystery surrounding Lotus' future right now is giving me a strong reason to pause.

Probably back to a Boxster or 911 again... but here's to hoping the next iteration of the NSX is where Honda finally figures out how to deliver a manual experience with a hybrid/electric vehicle.

There is at least hope:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/honda-might-build-a-300-hp-prelude-type-r-with-simulated-gears/

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I understand about the "exotic/cars and coffee" car vs the "practical but fun in the twisties" dichotomy, and prioritizing they both be capable of being daily drivers. The DE5 has become entrenched in my possession, and has entered firmly into the "cold dead hands" category. I don't even think I'd be interested in the "HRC" variant if they ever get around to bringing it to market; cost vs worth considering the expected markup places it firmly in the "do not buy" list compared to how I've got my DE5 set up currently. I absolutely adore this car.

Interesting that you picked up an NC1, and great color. I love those cars and have considered picking one up myself.

The only thing that held me back was the lack of a manual. This is true for several other cars as well (Audi RS3, Alfa Giulia Q4 to name a couple major ones).

I thought I landed on an Emira for that "exotic" car responsibility, but the mystery surrounding Lotus' future right now is giving me a strong reason to pause.

Probably back to a Boxster or 911 again... but here's to hoping the next iteration of the NSX is where Honda finally figures out how to deliver a manual experience with a hybrid/electric vehicle.

There is at least hope:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/07/honda-might-build-a-300-hp-prelude-type-r-with-simulated-gears/

I drove a manual emira recently. Nothing about this car or lotus should give you pause. It's as close to a "production kit car" as it gets. Toyota camry engine is nothing short of excellent and the rest of everything is parts bin stuff from existing manufacturers. Even with zero factory support you could keep it running indefinitely, and there will never be a shortage of enthusiasm for it, just like the earlier exige and Elise out there.

I love Porsche and got to drive a Gt4rs recently. It's a quicker car than the type S, but if I'm being totally honest it lacks the steering feel and brake modulation is tight and narrow. It took me 3 laps to find confidence in it, while my friend got confident in my Integra in just a few corners. I know I'm a harsh critic, and I have been a very harsh critic of the its in the "luxury" areas, but it really does drive and feedback way above its class.

The emira turns it up more. All the feel way above and beyond the Integra, but with the reliability, sound, and lap to lap consistency of a Porsche. This car (in a manual) is a serious gem and one I believe will be strong future classic. The fact it's so good looking will also be huge compared to the evora long term. The evora was always a weirder man's cayman that your friend who wears British flag shirts and hats but speaks with a thick northern accent drives. The emira is not.

If I wasn't looking to source a chassis for my current racecar rebuild, I'd buy an emira today.

 

[optronix]

I drove a manual emira recently. Nothing about this car or lotus should give you pause. It's as close to a "production kit car" as it gets. Toyota camry engine is nothing short of excellent and the rest of everything is parts bin stuff from existing manufacturers. Even with zero factory support you could keep it running indefinitely, and there will never be a shortage of enthusiasm for it, just like the earlier exige and Elise out there.

I love Porsche and got to drive a Gt4rs recently. It's a quicker car than the type S, but if I'm being totally honest it lacks the steering feel and brake modulation is tight and narrow. It took me 3 laps to find confidence in it, while my friend got confident in my Integra in just a few corners. I know I'm a harsh critic, and I have been a very harsh critic of the its in the "luxury" areas, but it really does drive and feedback way above its class.

The emira turns it up more. All the feel way above and beyond the Integra, but with the reliability, sound, and lap to lap consistency of a Porsche. This car (in a manual) is a serious gem and one I believe will be strong future classic. The fact it's so good looking will also be huge compared to the evora long term. The evora was always a weirder man's cayman that your friend who wears British flag shirts and hats but speaks with a thick northern accent drives. The emira is not.

If I wasn't looking to source a chassis for my current racecar rebuild, I'd buy an emira today.

Well damn. I mean, everything you describe here is pretty much what had me convinced a few weeks ago that I need to find a way to get one ASAP... but I saw a couple YouTube videos that insist that the lack of dealer network and possibility the Hethel factory they just beefed up for Emira production will be shutting down unless the government intervenes made me second guess everything.

To your point though, the idea would be to keep it forever, and probably not put many miles on it by habit rather than by design. I only have about 13k on my DE5 and I've driven it exclusively for almost exactly 2 years now. As long as nothing catastrophic happens it could continue in that role in perpetuity.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Well damn. I mean, everything you describe here is pretty much what had me convinced a few weeks ago that I need to find a way to get one ASAP... but I saw a couple YouTube videos that insist that the lack of dealer network and possibility the Hethel factory they just beefed up for Emira production will be shutting down unless the government intervenes made me second guess everything.

To your point though, the idea would be to keep it forever, and probably not put many miles on it by habit rather than by design. I only have about 13k on my DE5 and I've driven it exclusively for almost exactly 2 years now. As long as nothing catastrophic happens it could continue in that role in perpetuity.

My cousin runs the service department at a lotus dealership. They tend to deal with a lot more cars than just lotus, and primarily exotics. Their network isn't huge, but that's part of the allure of the car. We would all own mustangs, corvette, and caymans if the requirements were strictly "fast and well dealer supported".

Think of the emira as a modified camry... In general that engine has insanely good reliability. When you press on it, it stays reliable too. Manual trans is super simple and it was always robust in the evora. Brakes are still ap racing from what I recall. Nothing else is complicated.

 

[whtciv2k]

I considered the Emira for a bit, but delays in release and a few other things had me turn away. The first time I laid eyes on an AMG GT, I was smitten. If I let my LC go, I'll likely snag that (or if my wife lets me indluge in my greed, perhaps she'll simply let me add the AMG GT, LOL)

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I considered the Emira for a bit, but delays in release and a few other things had me turn away. The first time I laid eyes on an AMG GT, I was smitten. If I let my LC go, I'll likely snag that (or if my wife lets me indluge in my greed, perhaps she'll simply let me add the AMG GT, LOL)

I love the amg gt. Very cool car, and it feels so special looking a mile down the hood to see the road.

 

[whtciv2k]

I love the amg gt. Very cool car, and it feels so special looking a mile down the hood to see the road.

I have a thing for long hoods

 

[optronix]

I have a thing for long hoods

That's what a psychologist would call a fixation.

Doesn't come in manual, pass on all AMGs. Also I think it's pretty hideous except for the one angle it looks like a fake 911.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

That's what a psychologist would call a fixation.

Doesn't come in manual, pass on all AMGs. Also I think it's pretty hideous except for the one angle it looks like a fake 911.

Yeah just look at how ugly this thing is

I'll take it off your hands @whtciv2k ...no need to pay me either, I'll hold onto it for free .

I heard an emira fly down the road earlier today... Man what a good sounding car. Worth it for that noise alone. Sounded better than the ferrari I crossed paths with yesterday morning. The ferrari was in the wrong color (yellow), so that immediately detracted from it anyway.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I wouldn't kick it out of bed, LOL. Not a huge Mercedes fan either, but that thing is beefy.

Sponsored