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Acura NSX
The first generation of NSX was arguably the first Japanese exotic car. With an unheard of for the time, all aluminum construction, mid engine, high revving NA engine. The lightweight NSX was a pure driver's car.
What we wished Honda/Acura did with the car was to do something like what Porsche has done so well with the 911 and evolve it over the years, keeping the same DNA. Our modern proposed NSX would be an evolution of the original: lightweight, all aluminum body, under 3150 lbs, with a high revving 550 hp 5-liter NA V8 and an 8-speed dual clutch transmission. Such a car would be an amazing driver's car and a Porshe GT3 RS beater for a cheaper cost. It would also pay homage to what I feel should be the NSX DNA.
Instead, the new NSX is a spectacle of technology run amuck. A performance hybrid with a 500 hp 3.5-liter twin turbo engine supplemented by 3 electric motors for a total of 575 hp, the NSX has a 9-speed dual clutch transmission and thanks to computer-controlled everything, exotic features like torque vectoring to help its almost 3900 lbs hustle around the track.
The NSX has a similar performance envelope to the much cheaper base GT-R while the Nismo edition and track package can out do it, still for less money. The NSX has odd handling characteristics such as turn in oversteer and is more numb and isolating than the GT-R.
It's a fast and groundbreaking car for sure, but is it legendary and iconic? We are not sure.
The Subaru WRX
We love the latest 4th generation version of the WRX; oddly enough we probably like it better than its tough brother- the STI! Even though the FA20F 2-liter turbo engine is down 42 hp from the STI, it makes its peak torque 2000 rpm sooner at only 2000 rpm!
This super responsive, small turbo motor that can make a large amount of low-end torque nearly right from idle, makes the car super zippy and tremendously fun to drive with acceleration that seems greater than its indicated power should be.
