Are Honda NSX rare?
Yes. The Honda NSX is a rare, low-volume sports car, with first-generation models especially scarce and demand remaining strong for the newer revival. This article explains why the NSX is considered rare, how rarity differs by generation, and what that means for buyers and collectors.
Why the NSX is considered rare
The NSX is built as a high-performance, low-volume model, which means supply has never matched mass-market exotics. Several factors help explain its rarity today.
- Limited production numbers across generations: the original NSX (1990s) totaled roughly 18,000 units worldwide, and the modern NSX family has been produced in the low- to mid-thousands per year across its run.
- Exclusive variants: limited-edition versions, such as the Type S, boost rarity by introducing a handful of cars with unique performance and styling tweaks.
- Market distribution: the NSX was not produced in the same volumes as mainstream sports cars and was concentrated in select markets, limiting road-going examples in some regions.
- Maintenance and parts availability: as the cars age, specialized service and parts scarcity for older generations push some owners to retire their cars, reducing on-road numbers.
- Enthusiast demand and resale value: the NSX has a strong collector and enthusiast following, which sustains higher resale values and can reduce the number of cars that change hands over time.
The following points outline why the NSX remains scarce on roads and in showroom floors.
These factors together shape the NSX’s rarity in today’s market, affecting everything from daily driver availability to auction pricing.
Rarity by generation
First-generation NSX (1990s)
The original NSX, launched in 1990, established Honda’s reputation for building a reliable exotic. Production ran until the early 2000s, with roughly 18,000 units produced globally. The combination of age, performance pedigree, and maintenance challenges means pristine, low-mileage examples are highly prized by collectors and can command significant premiums in the market.
Second-generation NSX (2016-2022) and Type S
The revival NSX introduced a modern, hybrid-era performance package with limited production. The cars were built in relatively small numbers compared with mass-market performance cars, and the Type S variant further narrowed the pool with a restricted run. As a result, second-generation NSXs remain scarce in good condition, especially in certain markets, while offering a contemporary driving experience with a hybrid powertrain.
What this means for buyers and collectors
For buyers, rarity translates to higher on-paper value, potentially stronger resale prices, and a richer ownership experience but also higher acquisition costs and the challenge of finding a well-documented example. For collectors, the NSX offers a storied history across two generations and a pair of limited editions that occasionally surface in auctions and specialist markets.
Summary
In short, the Honda NSX is a rare car by design: low production volumes, selective marketing, and the inevitable aging of the lineup keep numbers down and desirability high. First-generation NSXs remain the most coveted, while the modern NSX generation preserves rarity through limited production and special editions. For enthusiasts, the NSX’s rarity is part of its appeal and a defining feature in its ongoing legacy.
Why is NSX not selling?
The NSX failed to sell in high numbers because exceptional engineering met a weak market fit: expensive, complex hybrid performance from a non-exotic badge produced a car that neither satisfied purist drivers nor satisfied prestige buyers, while overall demand for low-volume sports cars declined.
Which is faster, NSX or GTR?
Then we're going to floor it so let's see what happens. 3 2 1 go oh instant pick up. There. It's those electric motors. And a bit more torque. I have got Whoa 646 new m he's got 637.
What is the rarest Honda car?
6 Of The Rarest Honda Cars Ever Made
- 1963-64 Honda S500 - around 1,000 produced.
- 1973-74 Honda Life Pickup - around 1,000 produced.
- 1997-2000 Honda Torneo SiR-T - Limited production.
- 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition - 1,020 produced (600 for U.S. market)
- 1997-99 Honda EV Plus - 340 produced.
Why is the Honda NSX so special?
The NSX was a world-beater when it was launched and retains a reputation as one of the best handling cars ever made. It's the gold standard of a classic sports car - fun, engaging, fast enough, and it relies on the driver to make the most of the car's capabilities.
