Acura Legend Forum banner

Have you driven the NSX and the Legend?

3.9K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  GoldenCoupe  
#1 ·
So I'm wondering what the ride is like in the NSX as compared to the Legend. So who here has driven both these cars? Any difference between the different generation NSXs?

When I mean Legend I mean the Second Generation Legend. I never drove a First Generation Legend, so I wouldn't understand the comparison.
 
#2 ·
Haha. What exactly are you trying to determine? Are both the G2 legend and an NSX on the table of consideration for your purchasing? Thats one hell of a difference. Are you asking literally how hard or soft the struts and coils are? What difference are you looking for that a legend might have over an NSX or visa versa?
 
#3 ·
They don't compare. Practically a night and day difference. The Legend was setup as a luxury car with a hint of sport. The NSX was setup as a sports car with a hint of luxury. Steering on the NSX is sharp and responsive, and the car feels very "planted" to the ground. I can't describe it specifically very well, but can say that I have driven a lot of cars and have not yet driven anything that has given me the experience that the NSX offers.

Generally speaking, there isn't much of a difference between the different years of NSX. Primary difference is the feel of acceleration when comparing the pre- and post-'97 (NA1 vs. NA2) due to the shift from the C30A to the C32B but most importantly from the change from the 5-speed to the 6-speed transmission (better gearing).
 
#5 ·
The nsx I drove was not stock but they are completely different, nothing to compare.
 
#6 ·
So what do Legend owners upgrade to after they leave their Legends behind. I've seen one guy on here who kept this '95 Legend Sedan, but also has a BMW M3. I have to say that the Legend Coupe that I own is just so enjoyable to drive in. I knew it when I first test drove one. Can't imagine another comparable car...
 
#20 ·
Who me? I wrote a write up on my opinion of my M3 vs. my dad's Legend Coupe: http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=108018

On the question of what people upgrade to? If you're considering BMWs, I'd say look toward the e46 BMWs: my E36 M3 is pretty much the polar opposite of my Legend. At least in the e46, they tried to build a decent interior (and didn't do half bad).

I've driven the G35 Coupe and frankly liked the BMW coupes much more but the G35 is a nice car. The G35 felt a little larger and a little more plush but the BMW manual transmission was far superior.

I totally agree with B+O though: the Legend was an enigma, especially the coupe and even moreso the 6-speeds. No car on the road hits the balance Acura hit with these cars. The only reason it was easy for me to move on is because my M3 feels so different from my Legend in all the areas my Legend bothered me: it has plenty more power, it handles worlds better, and it's a manual. If it hadn't been so hard for me the find what I wanted in a Legend Coupe 6MT, I probably wouldn't have the M3.
 
#7 ·
Some people get an NSX, some people get a lexus of similar luxury but more power, some people get BMWs and some people stay with the legend and get a six speed coupe or whatever combination of legend they've always wanted. Depends what you want in a car that your current legend doesn't have. Theres no legend replacement, only steps in different directions.
 
#8 ·
If you're looking for a "replacement" to the Legend, you won't find it in the NSX. There are some here (myself included) who have purchased the NSX after owning the Legend, but it certainly isn't a replacement to, rather a step in a different direction from the Legend.

Amongst those who have moved on from the Legend, some have purchased the G35 coupe (and other Infiniti cars), some others BMWs, yet others Lexus. It really depends on what you like to drive.
 
#10 ·
Amongst those who have moved on from the Legend, some have purchased the G35 coupe (and other Infiniti cars), some others BMWs, yet others Lexus. It really depends on what you like to drive.
That's always tickled me.

The Legend is an enigma.

It's very hard to find something it's absolutely bad at. The car appeals to such a broad audience. It's more than just a regular car, it's actually a very well mannered semi-sports sedan. That makes people feel like stepping up to BMWs or the current Infiniti line. they may feel that these marques offer a bit more sport. That bit of sporting flare they got a taste of in the Legend.

Yet and still, The car isn't just about being something of a sports sedan. It actually was a great luxury car of the era. The Luxury tends to move people towards other cars that accentuate detached luxury, like Mercedes Benz or Lexus. The car had a great interior (probably the best in its class at the time) that focused on driver comfort but also prompted driver awareness with a large, spacious greenhouse.

It successfully bridged the gap between the Luxury and Sport world that Mercedes and BMW seemed to almost capture. BMW leaning more on the sport side, Mercedes on Luxury side, but neither really making it an equal balance.

That's just my opinion though.
 
#9 ·
Ive driven both and my Legend is modded to holy hell.
Still totally different cars. RWD vs FWD is obvious when you get behind the wheel. The suspension is tighter and a bit more solid on the NSX but not drastic with all my Legend mods.

Bottom line the NSX is not a car you want to make your daily driver. They are for two totally different driving styles, and a Legend owner buys an NSX to add to the collection, not replace.

~Dv8
 
This post has been deleted
#12 · (Edited)
Greek--man, do you hands ever stop typing?

I don't think the NSX drives particularly rough (in fact, I consider it to be toward the smooth end of the sports car spectrum). Personally, I don't see how it could be a bad daily driver either, unless you live under extremely inclement weather conditions: it's got a fair amount of storage space, amenities, a bumpin' stereo, cold A/C, a spare tire, thick leather seats, is reliable, etc... What else could you possibly want in a daily driver? That said, it doesn't even compare to a Legend; they're completely different beasts.

My daily driver is an Elise with the track package if that sheds any perspective on where my opinions stem from. ...but in all sincerity, a NSX would not make a bad daily driver. If you like it, buy it! Legends are awesome too. Test drive both back-to-back.

As a side note, a stock 3.0l NSX does not feel insanely faster than a Legend with basic mods to me.

k.
 
#18 ·
I've test driven 2 NSX's so far and loved them both. The car sticks to the road like glue in stock form, something the Legend just cannot do. With the lower center of gravity and the wide wheel base, it makes handling a breeze.
 
#21 ·
It's because of the alignment settings. On the earlier NSX, Honda set the alignment settings are rather aggressively. They changed them in the later years, and you can adjust the earlier models alignment to the later specs, but wear will still be rather high. Obviously, it gets worse when you lower it. My NSX is lowered about 1" and gets about 10k miles out of the rear tires.
 
#23 ·
It was the around town business that sold me on my M3. As a commuter, it's plain fun though nowhere near as plush as the Legend. That's the fun though: instead of slowing down to come into the next corner of the commute, which the M does just fine, you can speed up and swing the wheel.

It's all about personal opinion though: test drive everything and find something you like once you feel it's time to move on. In the meantime, enjoy the Legend and, if you're confident she'll continue to run well, use your spair change on dates, details, and mods (in whatever order you see fit).
 
#35 ·
you gotta be freaking kidding me lol......this thread should not even exist:headscrat , no offense to anyone on this forum.

p.s. I have owned a Supra Twin Turbo, 2 NSX's, a BMW M5, and a Legend....oh, let's not forget the brand new Sport Model MDX I just picked up for my wife!!!:yumyum: now that handles!!! SH AWD baby!!!!
 
#36 ·
If you want something comporable to the Legend, get the new Legend aka RL! The NSX and Legend have no comparison really. The NSX has it's own way of driving, it's really hard to describe. You will notice some similarities in the car build wise, but driving similarities don't really exist. Two different animals.