Same Price Dilemma: This 2017 High-Tech Acura NSX Or A 2003 Pristine Original?

Enthusiasts and Acura/Honda fans waited nearly 13 years for a brand-new NSX to show up. Well, it sure did, but not in the way many expected.

When the hybrid supercar was unveiled, it was a very different beast compared to its predecessor.

The high-tech powertrain has driven a number of enthusiasts to purchase the first-gen sports car, which caused prices for the original NSX to skyrocket. In fact, they are so high that you can now get the new NSX for the same price as the older vehicle!

While scouring eBay, we came upon two NSX models. One is a 2003 NSX in a gorgeous shade of blue and the other is a white 2017 model.

There really is no comparison between the two; the 2017 NSX is newer, has a lot more high tech, and is more of a performance car in every measurable benchmark. But they do have one thing in common.

The seller of the 2017 NSX is asking $139,000, while the 2003 NSX goes for $120,000. That’s a price different of just $19,000. Now that’s a lot of money, but if you’re willing to spend $120,000, you probably have the funds to dish out an extra $20k.

With that in mind, which vehicle would you purchase? These two cars may share the same nameplates, but they couldn’t be more different.

The 2003 model can be thought of the original NSX’s swan song. It ditched the pop-up headlights for fixed HID units, has a slightly redesigned front fascia,and different taillights. The vehicle also got some minor changes on the inside.

The exterior changes helped the NSX’s performance, dropping the coupe’s zero to 125 mph time by 0.2 seconds and raising the top speed to from 168 to 175 mph. Speaking of performance, the first NSX was originally offered with a 3.0-liter V6 that made 252 hp, and later with a 3.2-liter with 290 hp.

At that price, one would expect the vehicle to be pristine and from the pictures, it really does look super clean. It has 32,440 miles on it, which is a little high for the price, but it is a Targa top model, which means that you have the best of a coupe and convertible in one vehicle.

The 2017 NSX shares nothing but the name with the original. Chris Harris called the vehicle a “cut-price Porsche 918,” which speaks volumes for its abilities. The NSX’s power comes from a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that works together with three electric motors. With a combined output of 573 hp, the new supercar model is nearly two times more powerful than the original.

The specific vehicle on sale has just 528 miles on the clock and had a MSRP of $176,000 when new. Some pricey optional extras include carbon ceramic rotors that cost $10,600 and polished interwoven wheels that are an additional $1,500. Losing $39,000 in depreciation in a year will be a tough pill to swallow for the owner.

So, if you had to choose between the two, which would it be: the pure, rear-wheel drive original that was developed with input from no other than the late Ayrton Senna, or the ultra high-tech modern version that can obliterate almost any rival?