Prices for ’90s Japanese automobiles are soaring. People are shelling out $50,000 for aged Honda Civics. Nevertheless, opportunities for great deals still exist. Think owning a Honda NSX is an unattainable fantasy? Zachary Dorsen, the new owner of the most reasonably priced one in the nation at $30,000, had a different viewpoint.
The CarMax staff member and an enthusiast of various Japanese vehicles recently stumbled upon an aging automatic model of the revered sports car for the modest sum of $30,000 at a local dealership in Houston, as initially reported by Jalopnik. According to Dorsen, the auto retail giant has strict guidelines about selling cars at wholesale prices to employees, but once he received approval, he began the procedure.
“It took about four months to complete the purchase, including the time for transportation from Houston,” shared Dorsen. Despite having 147,000 miles on the odometer, some minor work was needed for it to pass inspection. However, it was not as extensive as one might assume.
Yes, the vehicle was also adorned with a CarMax Bow. Zachary Dorsen Zachary Dorsen
Despite his eagerness for his recent purchase, Dorsen’s journey with the NSX did not start then. “I had spent close to a year browsing CarMax’s wholesale inventory for a GT-R,” he stated. “However, ultimately, I was seeking a car suitable for daily use without feeling too guilty about it. A vehicle where I could blast Super Eurobeat and feel at home. Primarily, I was waiting for an outstanding deal.”
And the awaited impressive deal finally came: “The moment I spotted this NSX listing, I knew I had to seize the opportunity.”
Curious about the process of purchasing a vehicle wholesale as a CarMax employee? Dorsen mentioned it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. So, if you’re keen on getting inexpensive enthusiast machinery, perhaps consider getting a part-time role there. He also mentioned that the company’s service department was instrumental in assisting the car to pass inspection.
Upon arrival, the technicians promptly tackled various minor issues with the vehicle.
“We addressed repairs such as the driver’s door window rail, door handle, and power seat motor,” he remarked. Mechanically, it was in decent shape, but the typical wear and tear items found in old vehicles needed attention. Replacing bulbs, wipers, wiper jets, and more. Eventually, everything was rectified and inspected for a cost lower than expected. “I managed to rectify many issues without purchasing any parts, and I managed to secure affordable alternatives for some OE components to ensure it passed inspection for less than $900 in parts and labor.” Yes, the entire vehicle was free of check engine lights for under a grand.
A noisy ABS module has been causing trouble for the vehicle, but Dorsen is undeterred by that or the automatic transmission. After all, it is still an NSX, widely renowned as one of the best-handling cars ever created. Despite the high mileage, it retains most of the characteristics of a sports car that it possessed when it rolled off the showroom floor.
“Owning it has been fantastic,” he revealed. “The engine produces a wonderful sound, and the transmission, despite being an automatic, allows for an engaging gear-shifting experience.”
The car also garners the type of attention that Dorsen appreciates, as opposed to the constant invitations to street races he received with other Japanese tuner cars. “When driving the NSX, nobody attempts to challenge me to a race. I believe that the vehicle commands more respect and curiosity among people.”
