non-car people don't understand original NSX
Posted by ruturaj001@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 86 comments
Back in 2019, I was walking through the parking lot with some coworkers. Another guy from our office, Craig, happened to own two cars: a Mercedes C-Class for daily driving, and an absolute beauty of an Acura/Honda NSX. He was one of the people to pre-order it when it came out.
His NSX happened to be parked in the lot that day. Being a massive car fan, I pointed it out and said, "Look, that's Craig's cool car."
My coworkers looked at it, looked back at me, and completely dismissed it. "Craig drives a Mercedes," they said. "He doesn't drive that old car."
I just stood there laughing on the inside. To them, a standard C-Class was the ultimate status symbol, and Ayrton Senna's legendary mid-engine masterpiece was just some outdated beater. Sometimes it's just not even worth trying to explain it to non-car people!
TheAsianTroll@reddit
Non car people don't give a fuck about cars, who would have guessed.
Ngl bro you sound smug as hell.
OmericanAutlaw@reddit
not sure why everyone’s being so sarcastic with the okays, lol. it’s a good point.
aprtur@reddit
More than anything else, I think it's because this topic is beat to death on this sub - that of non-car-people not understanding car-people things.
Short-Display-1659@reddit
It is what it is. Not everyone has the same hobbies or passions. I’m sure your co worker may have some that you would not understand or appreciate as well.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
I understand that part and wasn't making fun of them. The irony was that, at that point c class was cheaper than that NSX was valued and now it's a fraction.
aprtur@reddit
Pretty commonly talked about on this sub about brand perception to the average person, though - this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. It's a reason why a Lexus could cost less than a Ford F-150 and someone who's not a car person would think the person in the Lexus is the hotshot with money (I thought about exactly this in 2021, when I bought my $47,000 IS350, and my coworker bought a $95,000 (!) F-150).
DGJett@reddit
try explaining to someone why a 30 year old honda is worth 6 figures lol
Old_Let6608@reddit
Car people see it completely differently though. The NSX isn’t just another car its a piece of engineering history especially with input from Ayrton Senna. Its one of those cars that quietly holds way more meaning than something newer and more obvious.
PretendLength1710@reddit
nsx was literally built to compete with ferraris and it actually delivered. people see pop up headlights and an old honda badge and just scroll past lol
Popular_Broccoli133@reddit
You must be young. The NSX isn’t that special outside of 16 year old redditors.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
I am not, I am 37. I have driven all American muscle cars, some Porsches, most of performance sedans on market. I do about 5-7 track day events a year and other motorsports. Just sharing that it's not based on the hype, I like older smaller purpose built cars. I probably would pick s2k over NSX myself because it's a convertible, I generally don't hate any car either.
Dry_Postulate@reddit
I mean… a lot of non car people are like NPCs. What did ya expect?
Popular_Broccoli133@reddit
Liking an NSX blindly is the most NPC take imaginable.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
The guy had a manual Mazda 3, so I thought maybe he is a car guy too. But later found out, he bought it because no one else was and he got really good deal.
AnonymousEngineer_@reddit
Most people buy cars, even manual ones, solely as transport. They don't have a deep interest in the topic.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Sure. I was specifically answering to 'what did you expect', I assume OP was asking why I told my coworker in first place. It was just small talk in parking lot after lunch, only reason I mentioned it to him because I thought we shared interest, that wasn't the case.
03Void@reddit
And there's nothing wrong with that.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Didn't say there was. I was just explaining why I told him about NSX in first place. I don't know why everyone is taking it wrong way. I found different perspective interesting, he perception of value was different, again nothing wrong with it, just found it interesting.
Dry_Postulate@reddit
I guess the manual didn’t make him a convert 😕
strongmanass@reddit
That's harsh. Anyone could say the same about you from their ingest on a hobby that you don't share. The more general point is people don't care about or care to know about things they have no interest in.
Dry_Postulate@reddit
I think I’ll be fine. You’re over analyzing a very general and light statement
BicycleMage@reddit
Is it general and light to say “other people aren’t actual human beings”?
pisspeeleak@reddit
You’re being too uptight about it
BicycleMage@reddit
Nah, I’m being normal about it. Calling other people dehumanizing things is stupid. Deal with it.
turb0_encapsulator@reddit
I would think people would look at the proportions alone and not dismiss it as some "old car."
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Yes, me too, my point was about perspective, what we think is not how everyone sees the world.
No-Stick8191@reddit
Have you driven one?
They're not a "drivers" car.
They are slow and from in the cabin it feels just like you're driving an Accord of the same generation.
Just not an engaging car to drive.
imacompnerd@reddit
I’d heard about how amazing they were, but was never that interested myself.
A few months ago, someone I know brought one to an event and asked if I wanted to drive it. Absolutely! I was curious to experience what all the hype was about!
It was the most underwhelming car I’d driven in quite some time. Loose steering, body roll, underpowered, etc….
I’m sure in its heyday, it was amazing. But it’s a terrible driving car when comparing to almost anything modern.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Never meet your heros then 😅
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
My coworker who owned it did offer but never got a chance. I think I would have liked it. I have BRZ, with less hp and enjoy driving it. What car do you think is more engaging.
No-Stick8191@reddit
If we're talking about same generation, 355, 928 and Z06 from the same era are all lway more fun to drive.
The 355 and 928 also feel special. The NSX does not.
I will agree that the NSX does look special from the outside. After that it's just another Honda.
I've owned dozens upon dozens of cars. This is just my opinion based on ownership experience.
The NSX is one of a very few car I don't miss and would never buy again.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
I have lived in US for about 13 years and didn't have car for first few, I missed on experiencing many cars. It's hard to find older car to experience them, dealers are exhausting to work with and I usually don't want to waste time of private seller. I do look around on turo but I hardly find older cars.
Potential-Ant-6320@reddit
A Ferarri feels more special than an acura? bold claim.
YetiBoney@reddit
🧊
Potential-Ant-6320@reddit
I am going to admit this post isn't that great but the rude comments this is attracting really shows how much this community has changed.
I got a ND miata when they were relatively new. for a while I met so many peopel who had claiemd to ahev never seen one. everyone wants to know the fastest I've ever gone. I intend to keep the car until I can't buy gas anymore and I can't wait for it to stop looking aggressive and new and just be some old boring car like the NSX is to your coworker.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Miata one of the best cars today, I am very happy with recent rumors/news on NE as well.
I just shared a story what I found fascinating, I didn't degrade anyone or was offensive. All I wanted share how different perspectives can be, to a group of people, who I thought shared my perspective.
NotoriousCFR@reddit
/r/carscirclejerk is leaking again
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
That seems like you.
Kaylee-X@reddit
Non car people only care about how new a car is, how large it is, or how expensive it looks. If a car is small and old looking no one really cares unless it is very odd like a kei car.
You also have to realize as great as the NSX is, it was not always as desirable as it these days. When the C6 Corvette was still in production, even the base model corvette was considered a better buy for around the same price as a used NSX because most people are spec sheet nerds and only value numbers.... A C6 also looks newer than an NSX so non car people will be more impressed by one even though they are everywhere. I'd argue even a C5 corvette or 3000gt will garner equal interest from non car people.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Yes. How things have turned is interesting and that was my point. That car is now valued much more than C class.
juwyro@reddit
I believe you want r/carscirclejerk
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Didn't mean it as offensive to anyone, him included. I found it funny and interesting, since at that point NSX was valued more than C class.
MasterofPeridots@reddit
cool story
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Saw a NSX T selling for 336k on bat or carsandbids, that made me remember.
MasterofPeridots@reddit
Okay, that's fucking ridiculous and defeats the whole point of the NSX.
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
I know. I am not the one selling or buying it for that price or like it either. I don't understand why people would down vote me for that. It's what I saw in someone's feed.
alpha417@reddit
kewl
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
Am car guy. Have driven NSX. Gimme the C Class
strongmanass@reddit
Of course non-car people don't understand a 35 year-old car with outdated styling that can be beaten both in a straight line and around a track by a modern family SUV with a full family while the toddler throws Cheerios at the driver.
The original NSX has to be contextualized to be understood. And just like you probably don't care enough about modern and post-modern art to understand why work by people like Kandinsky and Rothko was important, non-enthusiasts aren't going to care about an old sports car that, in hindsight, looks like any other old sports car from that era.
pisspeeleak@reddit
Beat around the track by an SUV full of kids? Which SUV?
withsexyresults@reddit
X3M could probably do it
TheR1ckster@reddit
They probably think it's an old Corvette at this point.
Hell when I bought my rsx back in 2010 people thought it was like a big deal luxury car lol. Like it was a Mercedes or something.
Beneficial-Key508@reddit
I have encountered the same thing with my mom lol. I drive a 2006 CLS55AMG which is nowhere near an NSX in cool factor, but is still a fun car. But in her eyes, it is no different than any 20 year old mercedes
infinitumz@reddit
I guess bro
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
Non-car people don’t understand any car tbh.
AnonymousEngineer_@reddit
To be fair, even car people can't agree on why a car is cool. It's why the "Cool Wall" on the old BBC Top Gear was so hilarious.
Successful_Ad_9707@reddit
Non car people don't understand most cars. What's your point?
jvan03@reddit
Ok
revvolutions@reddit
Okay.
phoenix823@reddit
Yes people who don’t know a lot about a subject don’t know much about it.
trashking11@reddit
Non-car people not particularly interested in cars. More breaking news at 11
EaringaidBandit@reddit
Make sure and blow out ALL the candles on your 15th birthday cake. Otherwise, your wish won’t come true
polarfang21@reddit
Thanks ChatGPT
A_Literal_6_Year_Old@reddit
Being around non car people when you see a really cool/rare car is so painful. You could point out a Bugatti EB110 and you might as well be saying “woah look at that 1991 Samsung M6146 microwave!”
RiftHunter4@reddit
I feel like enthusiasts take this for granted but there's so many cool cars that get zero fanfare because of the badge or age.
Non-enthusiasts will recognize luxury brands like Porsche or obviously special cars like Pagani or Bugatti (even if they don't know the brand, they see it looks cool).
Stuff like a stock Nissan GTR, Mustang GT350, or AMG SLK 55 are invisible to non-enthusiasts and even some people who are enthusiasts.
"Its just a Nissan" "Its just a Mustang"
swfs0@reddit
I feel there's also a bias at work with many non-car people about a car's nationality, and that somehow anything & everything German / Italian / British is sought after, meanwhile nothing from Japanese brands can be desirable.
The NSX is Honda's absolute halo car. For Toyota, probably a tie between the 2000GT, LFA, and Century
is_it_iced_tea@reddit
Wow
MUnitedGT@reddit
Tbf. Even a lot of car people don’t understand it or it’s impact.
topTopqualitea@reddit
Turn this into a movie
Shmokesshweed@reddit
This might be a better movie than the average original movie that Netflix puts out.
kneedoorman@reddit
That’s the problem they’ve turned into collectors items now..
ruturaj001@reddit (OP)
In 2019, I believe they were selling for much less. My coworkers said he would let me drive someday but I switched jobs shortly. Biggest regret I have is not taking that offer. I don't think I will ever get a chance to drive one now.
kneedoorman@reddit
No lie there was a point in history when 2004-2006 Ford GTs were under 100k. At that price it’s something I could bought as a stretch purchase.. They’re now going anywhere from 300-500k.
I am solidly in the upper middle class, with no student debt, I will never even be allowed to entertain the thought of one.
palehayes@reddit
Sometimes at night, I find myself humping the floor. I don't know why. It feels good though.
kimi_rules@reddit
Truthfully, the NSX isn't really that popular back then and even now. Non-car people might at least know a Lambo is a Lambo and a GTR is a GTR.
Nintendercules02@reddit
I’m sorry everybody in this comment section is being a dickhead, I see your point though. My girlfriend cares way more about car color than anything else. If a Kia with a cool paint drove by next to a Supra she wouldn’t even see the Toyota lol
Minimum_Persimmon281@reddit
German superior engineering™️ got everyone wrapped around their finger ya know
Makeitquick666@reddit
ok
ManufacturerBest2758@reddit
That co-worker’s name? Albert Einstein
Minimum_Persimmon281@reddit
German superior engineering™️ got every poser wrapped around their finger ya know
Vegetable-Concern830@reddit
Okay
alpha417@reddit
tl:dr
yeexuz@reddit
Okay
ActionQuinn@reddit
I saw a nice NSX and pointed it out to my buddy and he said "oh a RSX, i remember those". I corrected him and he didn't really care. It's sad.
devastationz@reddit
okay
PabloIceCreamBar@reddit
Ok