850CSi vs NSX: Which looks better?

[Rebounder]

2nd gen nsx < 850csi

1st gen nsx with black top=850csi

nsx is the only honda that usually doesn't come off as douchy and stuck up.

[DutchStance]

8-serie here, but also rather a 840, more due to gas prices

[dubtruk36]

850 without a shadow of a doubt.

The NSX was a real diamond in the rough for Honda with their technical wizardry (V6 VTEC whoo-hoo ), progressive evolution during it's very lengthy production life-cycle (by any standards, nevermind those of a true MR sportscars) and the exploits of the greatest race car driver ever (Ayrton Senna) assisting with development, it should've won hands down...

BUT...

The 850 just oozes charisma and style and then theres THAT engine! My God, it wins for the meer fact that BMW put it in a road car and sold it to the public, can you say Mclaren F1?

If you compare the cars in their original guises, sans latest NSX-R derivative and the full bodied M-Tech last-of-the-line models, just the bare bones first off the floor 8-series vs NSX you'll notice that the 8 has aged rather gracefully whereas the NSX with it's original 80's spec pop-up headlights (BMW knew how to do it proper!) hasn't... IMO.

[ECKS///M3]

I vote 8series.

NSX is an amazing car technically but only basing this on aesthetics the 8series has dated gracefully and became a true classic GT car.

The NSX can look hardcore and aggressive in track attack form (with a widebody kit, carbon, wings, diffuser, cage, buckets and harnesses fitted) and this to me is when it looks it's best but stock for stock the 8series blows it away in the looks department.

The 2+2 pillar-less 8series bodystyle, the big GT car appeal just wins it for me. The big 8 works on so many levels, it's timeless, elegant, prestige, sleek and beautiful but at the same time it's powerful and brutal with the long nose, slab sides and flat front. It doesn't need a shallow nose for aerodynamics when it's V12 is thumping the autobhan.

It's a tough comparison as the cars are extremely different which is also why this is interesting to discuss.

The 8series easily looks GANGSTER in the hood but also manages to look super money outside a nice restaurant. In my opinion the NSX just can't pull that off.

[theseeker411]

E24 owner here. The 8 series sucks. They built it to replace the 6 and got everything wrong. The front end will always remind me of a goddamn 1st gen Ford Probe with kidney grilles super glued on. The b-pillarless design is great, but that's about all that looks good. Lights up, it looks mentally retarded. Don't even get me started on the disaster they call the V12.

The NSX, especially the 1st gens, will always be beautiful to me.

[Ep3moschini]

being ive driven both a few times, the NSX is soooo much more of a car, BUT looks wise the 850csi all day

[DriftGirl]

E24 owner here. The 8 series sucks. They built it to replace the 6 and got everything wrong. The front end will always remind me of a goddamn 1st gen Ford Probe with kidney grilles super glued on. The b-pillarless design is great, but that's about all that looks good. Lights up, it looks mentally retarded. Don't even get me started on the disaster they call the V12.

The NSX, especially the 1st gens, will always be beautiful to me.

8's kill 6's...all day / everyday. Its one of those simple facts in life.

The only thing that did the 8 in was the economy...and people who buy them...that cant afford them. So they bitch about the price to replace a few bolts or moan about how may mpg the V12 gets.

Theres still a 6 series and a new 8 coming soon...nothing was "replaced".

[cleeves]

Voted for the NSX. And I'm a BMW guy. I went racing (I was the passenger LOL) at Leguna Seca in a Twin Turbo NSX with around 500 WHP. So I have a biased opinion. Never been in an 8 series.


Henry

[JasonB]

love them both. I would honestly drive either. I love nsx's from back in the day, and now they are actually affordable lol I bet the nsx is actually affordable to maintain vs the bmw though

[Even.j]

I think the 850CSi looks better. Kinda like the NSX too, but between these two cars I would choose the 850.

[ImAwesome]

i like the nsx profile better, sexier roof line

[fast325i]

I love BMW but the NSX is one of the coolest japanese cars ever. Hard decision ...

[Ollie]

Designing a crazy looking mid engine car really isn't nearly as hard as designing a classic, gorgeous looking car. Don't get me wrong I couldn't do it but I think a lot of people are blinded by the unique and supercaresque look of the nsx rather than comparing the 2s body lines. Also at first i was like def the nsx but i think its because ive seen so many badass super heavily modded ones with crazy hp numbers. You never see a heavily modded 8 series especially not with the crazy mods people do to nsxs. The 8 is way ahead of it's time and still timeless. The body lines are perfect.

Stock 8 > stock nsx
Modded 8 > modded nsx

[01lexpl]

Designing a crazy looking mid engine car really isn't nearly as hard as designing a classic, gorgeous looking car. Don't get me wrong I couldn't do it but I think a lot of people are blinded by the unique and supercaresque look of the nsx rather than comparing the 2s body lines. Also at first i was like def the nsx but i think its because ive seen so many badass super heavily modded ones with crazy hp numbers. You never see a heavily modded 8 series especially not with the crazy mods people do to nsxs. The 8 is way ahead of it's time and still timeless. The body lines are perfect.

Stock 8 > stock nsx
Modded 8 > modded nsx

X2!!!
Exactly what i was about to post.

[theseeker411]

8's kill 6's...all day / everyday. Its one of those simple facts in life.

The only thing that did the 8 in was the economy...and people who buy them...that cant afford them. So they bitch about the price to replace a few bolts or moan about how may mpg the V12 gets.

Theres still a 6 series and a new 8 coming soon...nothing was "replaced".

The economy wasn't the only thing that did the 8 in. They are a maintenance nightmare. The aluminum V8s turned out to be pretty problematic, as the liners in them tended to wear out prematurely and usually necessitated complete motor replacement. The V12s were needlessly complicated, because they essentially sandwiched 2 inline 6s. So there are 2 complete ignition systems. If one side goes bad, it all goes bad. If you're not mechanically inclined they will run you into the ground.

Oh and the V12 in the 8s shares absolutely nothing with the McLaren F1s motor.

Anyway, this thread is about looks, and like I said earlier they do nothing for me.