Faults:

Air conditioning needed recharging (warranty)

Blown brake light bulb.

General Comments:

After owning a BMW 328i which I really enjoyed, I wanted something a bit different. Wandering round various car dealers, I saw the NSX and fell in love. One test drive was enough to finish the sale.

It's older than the BMW and has done more miles, but boy is it more entertaining. It cost £3,000 less than the BMW cost as a 3 month old ex-demo car three years ago. Yet it looks, goes, handles and stops like a true supercar, but is as docile and easy to live with as the BMW was.

The engine is a masterpiece. The growl as the revs build, and the race car like howl as you scream towards 9,000 RPM makes my neck hair stand up. Performance is blistering. I don't know the exact figures, but 60 must come up in the mid 5's and it charges past 140 (on private roads) like the BMW charged past 80.

Handling is mindblowing, although a recent track day at Brands Hatch proved it needs to be treated with some respect. My only criticism is that the transition between undramatic, on-rails cornering and suddenly exiting the track backwards is very fine indeed - as I found out to my cost, thankfully without hitting anything. On the road however, it is just phenomenal. The cornering limits are defined by balls and reaction times rather than the car itself.

It's early days, but reliability and build quality are typical Honda. It starts first time, everything works and it can be ambled around town under 3,000 RPM as easily as any Civic or Accord. The clutch and steering are light, the gearbox is rifle bolt precise, and when it needs servicing, the dealers are absolutely first class. The car comes back looking and feeling like new.

The other beauty about the NSX is its rarity. I've seen one other on the road since I bought mine (accompanied by a cheery flash of lights and a wave from the driver). If I could afford a new supercar, I'd do what everyone else does and pick a Porsche or a Ferrari, but at current secondhand prices, the Honda really does offer supercar motoring for German saloon money.

Running costs are a little steep, mostly thanks to insurance which is truly horrendous (group 20). Fuel economy is actually not bad - I average about 26 mpg with a mixture of motorway and fast A-road use. On a relatively steady trip to Leeds recently, I got 34 mpg, and using all the revs regularly, a worrying 17 mpg. 26 isn't hard to achieve though.

My only problem is what do I replace it with? Now I've experienced something like this, I can't go back to a "normal" car.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

General Comments:

Looks:

When I went to pick it up at the showroom, I could not wait to see my brand new yellow NSX. I pulled into the showroom car park and saw it, with 4 people around it, sparkling in the sun. The sleek, low to ground super car appearance certainly attracts attention. I had 17" 6 spoke black Honda alloys put on it as a specification, and it looks so mean, especially with the revised front headlights.

Performance:

My NSX has the 280bhp 3.2 manual powerplant, and my word it flies. Slap the thing in second gear at about 30mph, and the engine produces an exquisite exhaust note as it powers its way through the VTEC power band, and all the way to 8,000 RPM. 0-60 is booked at 5.5 seconds, and it's about there or thereabouts. Torque is immense, and there ain't nothing that will beat this on the motorway or off the lights.

Interior:

Reasonable amounts of space for a super car, with gorgeous soft black leather and leather door trim. The small gearstick is perfectly positioned, and has a short but swift, smooth change. Options include AC and electric windows and mirrors. 2 seater only I am afraid, but who cares about that.

Overall:

Had it now for 6 months, and every time I open the garage, my stomach turns with excitement. Build quality is second to none, and I give credit to the Honda dealership as the service has been to a very high standard. For £70k this is so much cheaper than your Ferraris and Lambos, and can just about manage them when it comes to performance. If you have never driven a Honda, try it, and make that damn VTEC work its magic on you. It has on me, and I don't think I will ever change to a different manufacturer.