Buying a Second-Generation Acura NSX: A Practical Guide

A 573 hp hybrid supercar built in Ohio, with a 602 hp Type S finale. What to check when shopping the second-generation Acura NSX.

The second-generation Acura NSX — chassis code NC1 — is a different proposition from most used supercars: a hybrid, with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 working alongside three electric motors through Honda’s SH-AWD all-wheel-drive system.^[1] That drivetrain is the car’s signature, and it should also be the center of your pre-purchase attention.

The lineup

The standard coupé makes 573 hp, delivered through a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic.^[1] The final Type S raised output to 602 hp and was strictly limited: 300 units for the US, 30 for Japan, and 15 for Canada.^[1] Production ran at Marysville, Ohio, and ended in November 2022 — so, like the best moderns, supply is now fixed.^[1] Type S cars carry a scarcity premium; verify the car’s identity through its documentation before paying it.

Inspecting a hybrid supercar

The usual supercar checklist applies — complete service history, accident records, a specialist pre-purchase inspection — but the hybrid system adds its own layer. Have the inspection cover the battery and electric-motor health, and confirm all software updates and any recall work are done. Ask how the car was stored: hybrids that sit unused for long stretches deserve extra scrutiny. A dealer with NSX-specific experience is worth the trip.

Why the effort is worth it

The NSX name carries real history — the first generation (1990–2006) pioneered the all-aluminum semi-monocoque body and counted Ayrton Senna among its development contributors.^[1] The second generation reinvented that idea for the hybrid era rather than repeating it.^[1] Buy a good one and you own a considered piece of engineering, not a badge exercise.

Start with the full Acura NSX database page for the complete record, then check live NSX listings to see today’s market.