Salvage Deal? The Cheapest Honda NSX - Here’s What Really Happened

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:20:03 +1200

The Honda NSX is an icon — a Japanese supercar that earned global respect for its performance, reliability, and the fact that Ayrton Senna helped tune its chassis. So, when I spotted the cheapest NSX listed on CarSensor Japan, I couldn’t resist.

The price? Less than half the market average.
The catch? It was marked “訳あり (wakeari)” — a Japanese term meaning “has issues.”

I took the risk. Here's what happened next...

🚘 The Listing: Too Good to Be True?
I scrolled through dozens of listings, then BAM — a 1992 Honda NSX, red, 5-speed manual, listed at an eye-watering ¥2.8 million (~$19,000 USD). Most NSXs on the site start at double that.

But something felt off:

Only two photos uploaded

Vague description: “Some wear due to age”

And of course… “訳あり車両 (problematic vehicle)”

Still, I had to see it for myself.

🧭 The Inspection: Reality Check
Upon visiting the dealership, things got real:

Exterior: Faded paint, mismatched rear panel, cracked tail light

Interior: Original leather — torn and sun-damaged

Odometer: 170,000 km (over 100k miles)

Underneath: Signs of previous accident repair — but not severe

The engine? Surprisingly healthy. It started instantly, idled smoothly, and VTEC still kicked in, yo.

🛠️ The Fix List
Here's what I had to deal with post-purchase:

Full respray: ¥500,000

Tail light replacement: ¥30,000

Suspension refresh: ¥200,000

New leather seat covers: ¥150,000

Basic fluids, timing belt, brakes: ¥300,000

Total spent: ~¥1.2 million
Grand total with car: ~¥4 million (still under the market rate!)

🏁 Final Verdict: Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. Yes, it wasn’t showroom-perfect, but it’s an NSX — a real, mid-engine, naturally aspirated legend. With some elbow grease and passion, I revived a forgotten hero. And the best part? I own my dream car at a fraction of the price.