Supercars

Sacrilege? Here are six things WRONG with the original Honda NSX

Yes, it's a legend, but doesn't mean it was perfect. Hold your shouting until you've read this...

Published: 29 Jun 2026

The Honda NSX has returned as an expensive restomod. Can Japan's greatest ever supercar carry off the (expensive) restomod treatment? And just how good was the original?

Here are six things it got wrong - possibly fixed by that JAS Tensei remaster.

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And start your shouting in three... two... one...

1. Slip and slide 

Handling was wonderful until it wasn’t, with the rear-end prone to a sudden breakaway. Don’t kill the traction control, which also operated off-throttle.

2. Soft spot

Early ones had very soft tyres, possibly because of number one above. Rear tyres lasted 2,000 miles.

3. Snug fit

Short supply of headroom ruled out taller folk. There are advantages to being small, see.

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4. Wrong turn

Electronic power steering, fitted to autos and the later cars, was a bit numb.

5. Cabin fever

Interior was let down by fat airbag and ugly steering wheel.

6. Missed trick

The Type R, one of the greatest cars I ever drove, never made it to the UK. Values now exceed $1m.

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