Very good video ! I can relate a lot to it because I own an NSX with all the type R parts, 2800lbs made all the way to replicate an NSX-R and even better it and I also owned a 3.8RS 997.2. I have owned or drove most of the 90/00/10's sports car, some stocks some modified, very few car brought me more involvement than those two ( with E46m3 csl and Exige V6 too ). There are no replacement for cars like those and it is for me as a former race driver the ultimate duo. Have a good day !
Bro, you were really pushing it in this video, that was a joy to watch! It's pretty cool of the owners to trust you like that. Please, enjoy those opportunities you've created for yourself... lots of infinitely richer car guys out there that will NEVER get that kind of seat time in every bucket list car out there. I'd say you're lucky, but you got there all by yourself so I'll just say congrats.
Love both. While in the car, the NSX probably puts a smile on my face more often. The GT3 takes it for being out of the car (for the 911 shape, just) and when driven hard. Despite preferring Honda and the mid-engine feel, I ended up with a 7.1GT3 for the soundtrack and 'back seat' for the doggo. Passenger seat belt clinking on cage used to annoy me to no end on mine, but now that it's gone, hearing it in this video made me very nostalgic. Guy who bought mine is also a long term NA1 owner.
Jimmy has my absolute dream garage. Only the I wouldn't be sure of is whether to go 997.2 GT3 or 991.2 GT3. Everything else is amazing. Hopefully he has the shorter gears on the 981 too. I guess I'd add an R32 or R33 GTR for a daily and it would be truly perfect. What a legend! Great video as always Zy, thanks.
5 years ago, I considered buying a NSX, but decided the Porsche Cayman S was much better as a mid-engine option for the same money. Yes, Porsche maintenance costs more, but I didn't want to deal with part availability for a 20-30 year old NSX. He said it in the video and he's right. I'm already dealing with the same issue for my 19 year old RSX and it's very frustrating.
@@Zygrene I see your point. Compared to my modified RSX, I thought my stock Cayman was missing that "raw" feeling and sound I wanted. I'd love to drve the NSX one day and have that perspective. I do like my Cayman better since I've been modifying it, although I still have some suspension, cosmetic, and shifter mods left to perform. I'm trying to achieve that "raw" feeling, while maintaining reliability and little compromise.
Parts availability for critical parts isn't an issue at this point in time. Only thing I have really noticed is that some odd little plastic bits that break can be kind of a nuisance to get replacements for.
987 is the spiritual successor of the NSX in many ways. Don't listen to people telling you that the NSX is better, those are the rose tinted glasses talking. Back 10 to 15 years ago when the NSX was relatively inexpensive many had a chance to own one and didn't. Now people clamor over them. They are lovely cars but anything can be made an object of desire simply by making it exclusive.
Dude you channel probably single-handedly help increase the values of the NSX by at least 10% over the past 10 years. I wanna get one, but now I cant urghhh.......cheers to you though.
A bit of an apples and oranges comparison. If you were to add a set of adjustable coilovers to the GT3, it would have made a huge difference in ride and handling, just like the NSX. You could also dial in the front camber for a bit more bite. Would have changed your mind I think, because if the NSX were on stock suspension, you would have complained it was too soft.
I've owned an NA1 NSX for 25 years and back in 2010 I bought an R8 with the intention of replacing it. Problem is the NSX's driving experience cannot be duplicated let alone replaced. So, I kept the NSX and decided to do a built engine (3.45 liters, sleeved block and a Garrett turbo). Well, it turns out the NSX chassis (and transmission) has a lot of legs. The engine makes 761 whp and there are 14-inch Brembos all around with Advan RGIII wheels. The car is lethal fast. Can't imagine every selling it. I still have the R8, which is a very comfortable daily driver.
Wow,, bro you a "True Car lover",,, its super super rare to see that someone finally would pair up a comparison test like this. NSX VS GT3 ... This is truly amazing . Shout out from Taiwan. Are you Chinese??
Found your channel through the topher and tedward, and I instantly fell in love with your style. A no nonsense channel for proper car guys. Your channel enters the tiny list of channels for which I have the Notifications turned on. Keep it up, man!
C6 Z06, 997 GT3, Honda NSX and S2000, E36 M3 E46 M3, Lancer EVO, Noble M400, M15, and M600 FC/FD RX-7, TVR Sagaris, Typhon, Weisman, Ferrari 355/360, 3RD gen Toyota mr2, Porsche 928 manual, R32 GTR V spec ,Lotus Exige and Omega and Esprit,Pagani Zonda F and last but not least in general any porsche 911 especially with all the customization these days 😊 all wonderful cars...in my dreams 😅
Great to see the NSX, what an iconic car. It’s interesting seeing you drive on these much slower and twisty roads; provides a significant contrast to Smoking Tire where they always go on really straight high speed canyon roads. The roads you’re on are much closer to what most people have access to, so more useful for those of us considering getting one of these.
Only just seen this video. I had a 996 GT3 for many years but the suspension set up had been altered by the previous owner and was not on the stock dampers. From what I understand, the standard 996 GT3 set up has too much understeer built in but is transformed with just a little negative camber put in. Even so, any 911 needs a different driving style to get the best from it in order to manage the weight transfer which I think is why some drivers never get the best out of them.
But who would daily an NSX at this point unless you’re rockin 7-8 figure incomes…NSX is becoming a collectors car much like S2000s…that’s my biggest problem with Honda. Why daily an NSX or S2K when u can buy an integra or civic for tuning and daily for less…a 997 gt3 isn’t quite a collectors car yet so much as a weekend car still
Nice video, I like how you measure and compare the two cars. I have driven both and own an NA1 NSX. It’s like you say, it’s hard to find a car as rewarding to drive as the NSX. It wasn’t built for the numbers, it was built for the driver. People who think the NSX is boring to drive are ignorant philistines.
Legendary V6? Honda extracted the most from it? The main driver for the NSX has always been the chassis, the engine has always left something to be desired with its 290hp and getting any sort of extra power from it is often expensive and requires forced induction. Not to mention that if you go overboard and break it good look finding a replacement engine.
Two very different eras and schools of thought but both of the kind you grow old with if lucky enough to own. A boxster S or 984 cayman prob more apples to apples with the NSX. 997 GT3 is a drivers car on another level. The RS version of that gen is the unicorn to behold but I’d always pick MR first (or smaller platform FR) for canyon carving enjoyment. Dialed Evo X if you want eat up some corners. Back on the topic of touge and MR maybe find someone with an ugly duckling 914. Maybe more sketchy fun than a V10 viper at 1/8th of the power if put through it’s paces. Keep them coming :)
Yup both overpriced I'd take a z51 C8 over NSX and C8Z over that GT3. Even though with time the classics will be worth more I don't care I'd drive the vette everyday
It’s all about supply and demand. Mint condition jdm gems will continue to go up in value, it’s my generations muscle car. It’s about nostalgia not about performance.
@@JacesOwnWorld You have my interest peaked. What did you find more enjoyable with the Z32 over the other cars. At first it sort of made sense, over the NSX, I get it. The Z has more hp and torque and therefore "feels" faster. VR4 is fast, but feels like a boat so I get that too. The Supra tt is the one that really confuses me. What didn't you like? Also, RX7 FD?
@@JacesOwnWorld agreed, original NSX feels very "GT" ish, if we are talking about early 90s JDM the lower power cars are way more fun to drive - NA Miata, B13 Sentra SE-R, 2nd gen Prelude, etc. 300zxTT and the RX-7s are probably my favorite of that era. late 90s / early 2000s are the peak Honda era. later gen NSX are a gem, but again, looks like a ferrari slayer but feels more grand touring behind the wheel. the ITR and the S2K feels more like a pure breed sports car.
Nice comparison, but I feel the "better" comparison would be a 981 GT4 against the NSX.. I totally understand why the comparison took place, obviously due to the vehicles being available. BUT, Even a Cayman S (981 or 987) would be more of an apple to apple challenge. I have driven both, and the Acura, (just like a GT4, Cayman) does more with less. It does not need huge horsepower, or computer aids to drive for you. It, and the Caymans listed, relies on handling, lightweight, hydraulic steering, etc. Your video was great though and I would take the GT3, but I am biased...
You answered the question early on in the video when you said you can't or are having a hard time finding parts for the NSX, already. With Porsche's claim that 75% of the vehicles they've EVER made still on the road today, you won't be left high and dry wishing for a part while looking longingly at the car in the garage as it sits doing it's best imitation of an anvil. Both are icons, one just has more heritage and following than the other...
Only parts that are sometimes hard to come by for the NSX are some odd plastic bits. Critical components are all readily available. NSXs also never really break, so there's that.
I’m super interested in what you mean or how to compare different descriptions of steering. Like when you say things like “steering feel”, “quick steering”, “light steering”, etc. And what better steering feel is or means? Cool comparo vid of 2 awesome sports cars!
Great video but why are we constantly trying to justify these types of cars as daily drivers? That makes a car more boring and is why manufacturers are making them more daily with every generation. NO DAILY! WEEKEND DRAMA FTW!
Great video! The NSX's timeless styling, refinement and performance are undeniable but the armstrong steering effort sucks, especially when driven in an urban setting.
I love the look of the NSX but if I want accessible and balance and fun to drive I would save another $50k and just get a clean S2k. Honestly the S2k is more exciting to drive than the original NSX. Doesn’t feel as “special” for sure, but a bone stock AP2 isn’t all that much slower than a bone stock 5spd NSX, has superb balance and more tossable. On the “feeling special” score, the GT3 wins hands down. Its nowhere near as nice to live and much harder to drive, but it is more rewarding when you push it and all the “heaviness” of the car all of a sudden makes a lot of sense and sort of just disappeared under you. I don’t have enough seat time in the old NSX to say how it compares on that front. But I have an AP2 S2k and a 997.2 GT3. Both are spiritually very similar - both sorta demand your attention and holds it, but the GT3 sort of do so at much higher speed :) and provides a more complete sensory experience than the S2k…
Have you driven the new supra!? I would like to hear your thoughts about its driving experience compared to some of the 90s 2000s performance stuff that you and we all Love. Especially a lightly moded one.
I’m sure Zygrene will respond but they are totally different experiences. The Supra is a street & GT car with an extremely capable chassis but not nearly as raw and exciting as the golden era 90s-00s stuff. Typical new car era fun when you’re going 10/10ths but boring at anything less than that.
Nice cars, nice vid. The 997 interior too plastic'ee for me, a step back for Porsche and they kept getting worse IMO. Today's 911 is like the Panamera Coupe, it's big. YMMV. Prefer the 996 interior. My 99 996 300hp sub 3000lb weight is perfect for fun around town and getting more beautiful with age. My 05 NSX speaks for itself. To top it off my 09 S2000 brings out the top down open wheel racer feel, the Fangio spirit. Life is good.
You'll probably graze the ceiling with your head. I've heard of owners removing the seat cushion, otherwise installing a rail and bucket seat should provide plenty of clearance.
Zygrene, like you I have a lot of experience in all sorts of sports cars. The GR86, an old Integra R and Evora 400 rank on top of the cars I've enjoyed the most, and a 997.2 911S was a memorable drive (got better the more I pushed it but the steering didn't feel great and I didn't love the shifter). Unlike you I don't enjoy the S2000. I must say though, your drive in this NSX just showed what an insane amazing car it is. It just seemed like art in motion, the fluidity, the sound, the visibility, the clean lines, the steering feedback and weighting on load (other than slow rack), the snick snick of the gears, the approachable nature of it. You did this car justice. Sadly, I don't think I'll ever get to experience this. The 911 in the video came off as too race car vs the NSX. I realize the C8 Corvette is the new NSX, aluminum, double wishbone, superb damping (GM magnaride is another level), power, however, the numb weird steering and lacks of manual kills it for me. Of course it lacks the NSXs delicacy as well but that was a different time. The rear design is busy but I can forgive that. They came so close though!!!
I guess such OEM trackcars like the GT3 or even the C6Z06 (only somewhat of a track car in comparison to the GT3) aren't as comfortable on the road. Totally agree with gearing way too long and you end up going waaaay too fast for the road. Went canyon driving in a Z06 with a bunch of canyon carving buds. Glad to not have ended up in jail or in a tree.
Give me a break.. the C6Z is every bit of a track car as the 997 GT3. And for the record Zygrene is a JDM/Honda fanboy, you have go into his reviews knowing that from the onset. I was in an NSX driving for a short time a loooong time ago, IDK whether it was modded or not, but it felt smooth. But mind you we were on a neighborhood street.. there's hardly any imperfections. Now, my boy's C6Z felt a good deal smoother riding than my 997 (which is hella stiff) and I drove that car extensively. I would totally take it over an NSX any day. In fact I want my next car to be a C6.
@@iluvcakes19 No breaks for you. I used to own a C6 Z06 with regular driving in the twisties, and I stand by what I said. Just because a car is very fast it doesn't make it a track car. Comparing to the GT3 is needs a good number of modifications to be reliably driven on track. It needs bigger brakes, it needs oil pan modification to avoid oil starvation, sump system modification on prefacelifted cars to avoid oil starvation, and depending on climate, cooling modifications. In terms of comfort, everyone also knows that a C6 Z06 wasn't known to be the most comfortable either, and my back agrees. It is fast but it's not a track car out of the box. Perhaps it being smoother for you though comparing to the GT3 would nevertheless indicate that its factory suspension is in fact also lesser than that of the GT3 suspension (FOR TRACK). Take care.
@@big-R my buddy tracks his without issue. However I cannot vouch for whether the suspension is stock or not. I was actually shocked at how low it is. He's not the first owner and he said it was like that at the time of purchase.. anyways, maybe you had a lemon. Or perhaps just a different experience. Hence the saying YMMV. And for the record, I have no desire for a Z. Simply it was never the apple of my eye when I was younger and couldnc't afford even a lowly Honda Fit. Back then I only wanted a C6 GS. So to be loyal to my dreams, that's what I'll get, and I'll track it. Afterwards I'll report back here.
@@iluvcakes19 I didn't have a lemon, my car was almost new (10K miles). I had no issues with the car and I loved it. You don't have to assume things. I'm simply speaking in general terms from what the cars needs to be tracked reliably and quickly. Do you know what all mods your buddy's got? If not, then that's a moot point. Is your buddy a very quick driver on semis or slicks? Is he a regular? There's a lot of hearsay in your comment. The reliability and trackability issues of the C6Z are very well documented online. The C6Z may be as fast but it is not as ready and as a track focused car out of the box as the GT3 is. My comment stands, and I'm not the only one thinking that.. Obviously a C6 GS is a different car completely and that is a different topic than your original "give me a break" response.
@@big-R fair enough. You have your experiences and I have mine. That being said, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your C6Z but dismayed that it wasn't the track performer many, including myself, think it to be. When I get my C6 GS (the Porsche has become a little too valuable to track... I can't afford another in the event of a wreck), I plan on doing basic mods, mainly coilovers and POTENTIALLY brakes and of course new seats but that's about it. When I do that and get some track time in I'll come back here and report my experiences. As it stands my friend's C6Z is quite smooth riding, smoother than my car but we're in completely different cities and he stays in the county which tends to have nicer, paved rounds. I'm in a metropolis so the streets can be a little rougher at times.
@@Zygrene i just saw your 2021 video 997.1 with stock suspension, you said that was soft. i guess just different road, different day and different comparison so opinion changes
Damn, another rant video roasting the Porschas... Man, japanese cars of the 90s, 2000s, were made thinking about the driver. German cars are made thinking about the engineering around it. It's up to the driver to learn how to use it. You are mistaking characteristics of a rear engine car with your lack of intimacy around it. Porsches are unique in several aspects and require an unique approach on driving it. It's the kind of car the indoctrinates drivers into better skills, so it can go faster. Something that the NSX doesn't. The latter is too friendly, too easy to drive. Proof of it, is that the same Japanese pilots that drive NSXs, Supras and GTRs, regard Porsches as the highest standard and the go to on mountain driving and ultimate circuit machine. Don't get me wrong, I love the NSX as well. It's an awesome machine and timeless, in several aspects of it. It's just that would be nice to be honest that you can't handle the Porsche (or didn't had enough seat time on it) to express an honest opinion about the car. Once you know how it behaves, the Porsche would be faster then the NSX in any situation.
The comparison should be between a Base 987.2 Cayman or at best any Cayman S that will see off the NSX in real life driving, comparing the NSX with any Porsche GT product is ridiculously shocking, the NSX is a good car but not better than a Cayman.
I love Porsches and driven a lot of Porsches but NSX is special. As far as 911s go, I think 991 is leaps and bounds better than 996/997 Gen reliability and drive wise. Also we have to remember that the people driving these cars are not pro drivers so safety is paramount.
Also not exactly fair to compare a tuned NSX with high end suspension mods to a GT3 that needs a suspension adjustment in a bad way. The gulf between Porsche's GT cars vs. their non-GT product back then are HUGE, drive a 997 GT3 and and S or even a Turbo back to back and you wouldn't believe they share the same chassis. It took me a good solid month and a couple hundred miles of spirited driving to just get used to the basic dynamics of my 997.2 GT3. If you don't have regular seat time in one you can get almost overloaded with sensory stimulation. The is not a chance in hell I can safely explore the limits of my 997.2 GT3 on the public road... so frankly I am not sure how the driver in this video can even make a determination about the GT3's understeer / oversteer characteristics at those speed unless the suspension is really screwed up, which I suspect it is.
C7 Grand sport is my next car. It is the performance bargain of the decade. A lot of people mentioned that Corvettes are hard to drive at the limit. No clue why
RU-viders have really hyped up the GT3. This causes a lot of inexperienced guys to go out and buy them. But the GT3 is one of the roughest riding sports cars in the world. So a lot of guys who buy them sell them pretty quick.
