Does The Automatic Transmission REALLY Ruin Cars Like The Acura NSX And Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren?
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- As car enthusiasts, we all generally agree that a manual transmission can really improve the driving experience of a car. But what about cars that we know are good in manual form but were also offered with the dreaded torque converter automatic transmission? Well today, I got to find out first hand by driving an automatic 1991 Acura NSX and a car that was only offered in automatic, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren. Check it out, the results might surprise you!
Huge shoutout to @WorldwideAuctioneers for this incredible opportunity. Be sure to check out a replay of the live stream on their channel!
Thanks for watching!
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0:00 Intro
1:33 NSX Overview
2:56 Automatic NSX Drive
7:18 SLR Overview
9:22 Straight Piped SLR Drive
13:22 Outro and bloopers
#NSX #SLR #automatic - Авто та транспорт
![ПОЛНАЯ ИСТОРИЯ ЭКЗОРЦИЗМА [Топ Сикрет]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qBySr6Bt0B8/mqdefault.jpg)
My father owns an automatic NSX, and it is still a deeply impressive car. The handling is brilliant, the ride is shockingly comfortable considering said handling, and the build quality is very high for a car from the early 90s. It also has more than enough power when it steps down. Is he missing out on some driving engagement? Probably, but that's not what he is after, and he still loves driving it :)
I owned a 1994 NSX automatic for nine years and put 112,000 miles on it as a daily driver, after buying it used with 49,000 miles - it was Honda reliable. I loved the automatic and have no regrets in buying it. If I had it to do over I would buy the automatic again. I get bored with manual shifting after about 15 minutes, and I had a long commute (140 miles per day) in those years.
My only real criticism of the car was that parts were Ferrari-level expensive, although a few substitutions were possible, with the AC compressor from an Integra being one example. Fortunately, nothing much ever broke.
It would be difficult to express just how much I hate those wheels on the red one. 🤢 I would rather run steelies.
You work just keeps getting better and better .
Well thanks!
The problem with the auto NSX is not just that it's a 4-speed automatic, but the engine is detuned. Instead of the 270hp you get in the early manual NSXs, the auto gets 252hp. Instead of the screaming 8000rpm redline in the manual, the auto gets a 7500rpm redline.
Hey Elliott, I think that the automatic transmission takes away from the excitment of a sports car like the NSX but your review is making me rethink that!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
Thanks Christopher! I’m not saying it’s how I would buy one, but it’s certainly better than I ever thought it would be!
Super fun video, Elliott! I always love your genuine reactions to what you’re driving…and your “spawning like salmon” comment was perfect! Lol!
Thanks mom! Love you.
Dude, excellent presentation. You deserve all the success you are getting!
Elliott, you are a complete natural! I love your new career.
This video should just be a five second clip that says "yes"
Woooo Hooo...some more Elliott! Super presentation!!!
Thanks so much David!!
Excellent Video - Loving the SLS what a monster, and having been around WW2 fighters , there's a wiff of Spitfire/Mustang about that exhaust - loving it
That’s a good way to put it Colin! I like that. Thanks for watching!
That last car made you SLR your words
Hahaha 😂 yes! That’s awesome.
It never even crossed my mind that you could get an NSX in an automatic. Having driven accords and civics of that era both in manual and auto, I can't imagine an NSX with an auto would be much fun
Appreciate your introduction... didn't know who you were without the white New Balances!
Great video Elliot, of 2 cool cars for sure.
Didn’t know that Senna helped develop it
Yep, all the chassis was designed according to Ayrton feedback and specs. He even had a one in is house in Lagos, Portugal that went to auction some years ago and sold for a good price. In Europe is called Honda NSX
search senna nsx in youtube, watch his test drive video..
That SLR exhaust noise was awesome!
no cat shirt today? love the content, happy to see you posting :)
The auction company is awesome for letting Eliot Drive the cars for sale
They sure are! Thanks for watching Danies!
@@ElliottAlvis 😊
Nice car Elliot that NSX, the Merc is cool too :)
Yeah! They both have some pretty cool things about them 😎
I'd never think to buy a NSX with an auto, I've owned a 93 with a supercharger for about 24yrs now & it's a joy to own & drive, Rj in Oz
Well that sounds like an amazing car RJ!
Not until you have constant back pain and multiple knee surgeries , but want to drive an NSX.
Elliot, you are a natural, even with the occasional blooper.
Thanks Kerry. I get it from my mom!
I like this style of video
Thanks Matt! These are my favorite to do as well.
lt's good to see you Elliot ans thanks very much.....Old Navy flying Shoe🇺🇸
Well thanks Steve!
Love that the thumbnail was all about the NSX...But then you end up driving a $500,000 McLaren Mercedes SLR!! Two amazing cars!! Great job!
Haha, gotta give the audience a reason to keep watching 😉. Thanks man!
@@ElliottAlvis we come for the cars but stay for your personality bro!
Gotta say I hate that exhaust on that particular SLR, but man, the rest of the car is fantastic. I love those. A 722 Edition is still one of my all time dream cars!
Same, I must be getting old because that exhaust isn't cool, it's obnoxious and doesn't "fit" the car.
This is a good video. A good objective look at a controversial issue. I like this video!
Well thank you Doft! That means a lot.
Still love the wheels on the SLR they are so cool thought so as a kid and still do
Wait, this video just came out??? This was great video I just happen to come across it
Yep! Thanks for watching!!
Man I would love a automatic NSX
Thanks for this video, as most of the people that bag on automatic NSX's have probably never even driven one .
That SLR sounds like a straight-piped yeeyee truck. Absolutely horrid. Maybe the engineers at McLaren should have been trusted.
Had a chance back in 1997 to trade even my 1990 ZR1 for a manual NSX, red with black interior as I remember, well optioned. Shoulda done it.
That would be a tough call. The ZR-1 is such an amazing car.
Elliot, your channel has taken an interesting turn of late with your employment (?) by Worldwide Auctioneers. I can only dream of driving either of these cars - never mind owning one.😉
It’s just a few times a year opportunity with Worldwide. But I enjoy it very much as you can tell! I will get back to the regular content soon. But these kind of experiences needed to be shared!
Great video. I remember the NSX being a poster-type car when I was in my teens, especially when it showed up in Pulp Fiction! I had a lot of fun when I was 18 driving a manual 924 Turbo, despite the bad shift linkage and the alien (to me) shift pattern with first gear on the lower instead of upper left. Combined with the loose shift linkage it led to a lot of stalls when I accidentally would try to start the car in 3rd gear! Now that I'm older, I wouldn't mind having a manual to play around with, but an automatic would never keep me from buying a car I wanted. For a daily though, it's got to be automatic for me.
Mr. Wolf!
That window sill on the NSX was literally up to your neck :)
I drove an SLR McLaren around the Nurburgring yesterday!
In Gran Turismo. We are not the same.
😂😂😂
You had me in the first half not gonna lie.
Hooooooo my God 🥹🥹🫣 when you floor it that SLR I got cargasm❤️👏👏👏👏
Right? It’s amazing!
I love the NSX regardless of the gear box! :)
That SLR is gorgeous but not a fan of that exhaust. $250k car but the pipes don't match, sounds like a Harley. It should be "too quiet" like Ed's, it IS the Batmobile after all! 🤣
oh yes mate that SLR sounds amazing mate
Haven’t heard another one like it!
@@ElliottAlvis ☺☺☺☺
6:52 Breaking the law breaking the law 😂
Speed: I'll keep driving my Lincoln MKS.....I'm terrified of speed!!
Those newer MKS’ aren’t slouches!
@@ElliottAlvis its definitely not your grandfather's Lincoln, but it will cruise faster than you realize!!!
Not so long ago you could pick up a gen 1 NSX for £30k ish.... now 😳
Absolute dream car, but don't like the aftermarket wheels on it.
A rear brake job on the MB cost 58k. That is obscene even if you have money.
It is obscene. But the rotor life is also insane on these. So it’s fairly unlikely that you’d ever need to do it during ownership.
i have two NSX's; a 2003 6-speed and a 2004 automatic... both 100% bone stock... not fast by today's standards... but so what? I just love the NSX... there's almost no other car I'd rather have... and i've never been late for anything because they weren't fast enough... 😉
That SLR is awesome
It seriously is! That thing was an absolute hoot to drive. As you could probably tell from my reactions 😂
@@ElliottAlvis a very good car
I drive 10spd manual peterbuilt semi's 12hrs a night, 5 days a week, so I love my 5spd auto 350z roadster (it gets the job done) lol :)
I’m sure the last thing you want to do on your day off is shift more gears! Love the 350Z as well!
I know someone who used to have a '92 NSX with an Automatic, and that thing was a dog. We would endlessly mock him for it. Of course it was not a prime example like the one you test drove Elliott. It was more of a Chicago Rust trap, Mineral Auto Special. Glad to see that at their peak, they can be a decent car!
Man, the SLR sounds ridiculous!
Oh I’m sure there are some turd automatic NSX’s out there. But this particular one was in great shape and was very healthy. And the SLR was nuts!
In a 1990 Car and Driver magazine, Patrick Bedard wrote “The rich guys in Bev Hills will be buying NSXs for their floozies,” 😂
Haha that’s awesome 😂
In Sweden an automatic transmission raised the price with 1500-2000$ so for many years it was not an option for me. Today after having driven a MB with a 9 speed automatic for 3 years and a Saab 9-5 5 speed automatic for 15 years I do not want a manual gearbox ever again. In fact I think manual transmissions should be considered as being a traffic safety danger and with the progress toward electric vehicles the manual gearbox will be something for technical museums in the future. So after nearly 500000 miles with manuals I will not look back toward one. Sportiness has not to do with the transmission. Sportiness comes with the engine, suspension, weight of the car, steering response, how you sit, brake response but having to shift with a stick and manage a clutch is just obsolete.
In fact I think pensioners (anyone over the age of 50) as being a traffic safety danger and should have their licenses revoked. I'd prefer to make my own decisions rather than have a Socialist / Fascist nanny state make them for me, thank you.
@@DoNotEatPoo Agree with you about pensioners and revoking driver's licenses due to them being a road safety hazard and in 47 years when you reach that age of 50 it has probably become so. Until then, I hope you can go for manual transmission if they are still considered profitable by the car industry.😂
Khoshbin will buy it
I always wanted an NSX but I ended up with a 2000 Prelude and like you said, the automatic doesn't take away anything from the fun and ride. Mine's a blast. Wish I could drive it year round, but the weather outside of Buffalo tells me nope! It goes into storage in October and comes back out in April, weather permitting.
Sorry you can’t drive it year round, but I’m glad you’re taking good care of it!
Hope you're doing alright over there!
On pretty much any car, but especially an older honda 4cyl. Ive owned and driven both, there is absolutely no comparison between the manual and automatic. I get that you love your automatic prelude but if you are any kind of actual enthusiast, driving one in manual will rekindle your love of the car.
As someone who has only driving automatic, but has driven with a stick shift fan I think the difference is stick fans like the engagement. They like having agency over the engine power, but they hate driving in stop and go because they're not climbing the gears. Meanwhile I'm fine with stop and go, but I'm also not much of a lead foot so the engagement isn't a big deal. Just focusing on not getting into an accident is my main concern with an automatic, not that I wouldn't mind a car with some power for the moments you need it.
Well said man. I think pushing the clutch in and out in stop and go traffic is another big complaint. But there are pros and cons to both transmissions.
Mind you, in stop and go traffic you're getting a heck of a left leg work out LOL :D
It's not only the engagement, it's that in the time that the NSX was presented only four gears for the automatic would make a lot of difference, the electronics were not so developed , so not so smart and fast changes , also the automatic
transmission is always heavier which for a light car like this makes a difference and the torque converter losses are substantial, so the whp in automatic cars is always less and this is a sports cars and that matters. So less engagement is just a portion of why an automatic is not a good idea
As a subscriber, I am disappointed that UA-cam did NOT show me you had new content; it really seems they are messing over content creators, Elliott. Just an FYI. Keep up the great videos!
That’s unfortunate! I’m glad you saw it somehow though!
I will always drive automatic. No offense to manual drivers but I don’t see the enjoyment of being on a 4 hour road trip and sitting in traffic and have to constantly shift. I’ve driven a manual around a block a couple of times and it was fun but for me the fun ends after a couple of minutes. Drive whatever makes you happy though and don’t listen to anyone else.
well said brother
My neighbor had an NSX as his daily driver. Put over 200K miles on it with nothing more than routine maint. Sold it in perfect running but high miles condition for a Mustang (bleh!) and had money left over.
Wow! That has to be one of the highest milage NSX’s ever. But it certainly goes to show how reliable they really are! Thanks for watching Paul.
Notification squad
Heck ya! Love to see it 😎
Man those rims on the NSX are TRAGIC and way too "over the top". Otherwise a very nice example
You’re right!
Does the NSX drive like a Accord V6?
It drives just a pinch better 🤏🏻
THE VOLVO, WHERE IS IT?!
Boosted cars are better if shifts are quick, lost boost= lost speed
I have 2 automatics a Volvo XC90 and my work van was pretty much given to me. For me I won’t buy another automatic the only reason I have an auto xc90 is because they didn’t sell the manual in the states no matter how quick or fast a car is if it’s auto it’s boring the car does all the work there’s very little skill involved. Everything else I have is manual and everything else I buy will be as well. Automatics just not my cup of tea.
If someone has a problem with your auto nsx, ask them where their manual nsx is...
Thats the correct response right there!
For slightly technical driving, not some around town traffic, manual is much better, because you need to use the gears properly to go into turns and to slow down. With an auto its like grandma driving
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
👍🏻
lol, if that SLR costs $250 and the auto NSX at around $30-$40? Forget the SLR, I'd take the NSX. Spending approx. $30, you can totally transform that NSX and hold that value you transformed into. ie. manual, suspension, wheels, upgrade 02 front end, turbo charge with tune. etc.
MercLaren is now a thing, because Elliott said so.
I still think the NSX is ruined by an old Auto box you can see every change the dip and lurch, when you see Senna drive the NSX there were smooth changes and constant acceleration and that is taking in to account his unique driving style.
The SLR is another level
I agree with you there! And yes, the SLR is a monster.
Yes especially when it shifts as a civic, classic great Japanese engineering
They really believe people are going to drive the car
"Mer-clarin" is accurate based on the exhaust sound
Haha yes!
For me, going automatic when manual is available isn't bad for a while, but you'll eventually find yourself wondering when you drive it how much more fun the manual must be, and it KILLS the experience of ownership. Who knows, maybe it's a different ball of wax between a $5k WRX with the auto versus an NSX with the auto. But brother, that MeRclaren sounded MEAN
Haha you’re right on that Topher. I had an automatic C4 before I got my manual one, and the manual was way better. Thanks for the MeRclaren reference
😂
@@ElliottAlvis hahaha gotchu gotchu
Thought it's was a crysler crossfire
Not a bad guess!
Yes, I believe an auto ruins a sports car. One example is I would buy a C8 in a heartbeat if it had a stick. I care more about the experience rather than convenience or speed. After driven a ton of sports cars, I keep going back to 90's sports cars, the NSX is one I will never part from. 90's era vehicles will never return again.
Auto nsx sounds like it would be a great touring car, for fun the manual is the way tho
It would make a great touring car or commuter in the city!
You couldn’t pay me to drive an automatic NSX. these cars are for road racing endeavors, and those are where manual transmissions shine. The flip side of this is this: you couldn’t pay me to own a manual transmission hellcat, as those cars are for the quarter mile, and that’s where you want an automatic.
What’s funny is that I had a manual Hellcat 😂
The SLR exhaust sound doesn’t suit a euro car of any kind. It’s more suited on a Corvette or Cuda, because it screams more American muscle than European elegance
Personally I think any car with over 500hp is better with an automatic transmission.
Now the NSX while fine with an auto it should be had with a manual for the most fun.
Interesting point with auto super cars the Honda NSX is a very good car a reliable super car until the Honda and an auto weather manual us better well there are some dye hard enthusiasts who would say only manual l have never owned a sports car and l have had manual and autos infact my two vehicles l own one is an auto and the other is a manual they are no way sporty st all l prefer manuals in any thing
3rd comment !
Heyyy early squad 😎
As someone that can't drive manual anymore, I don't miss it. It's a giant pain in the butt, literally for me with back pain. The only time I miss it is on the highway. But not that much. I think so many people get hung up on the manual as the best driving cars, but once you get passed that, you don't care. Today's automatic cars can switch gears way faster than any manual and are pretty nice if it's a sports car.
You’re totally right Clif!
More Corvettes are automatics than manual. It lets you cruise and enjoy the ride.
I have chronic back pain too from a twisted vertebrae.. I can drive my manual D21 just fine.
I will definitely agree modern autos shift way faster especially a dual clutch. But I'm still on the manual bandwagon
Just my opinion yes. It just drops the hp to much
No, the automatic trans isnt what ruins a car. Its the ppl who cant drive a stick that neccessitates having an automatic transmission. Thats what ruins cars
Now that’s a good point.
The SLR exhaust would get old real quick. it sounds like a ski boat. Sorry, but for $500k? No.
I certainly think they sound better stock. But it was interesting to hear what a straight-piped SLR sounded like.
Even if it costs $15000 to convert it, the car's value will increase by at least that much making the transmission swap free.
WHERE IS THE VOLVO
It’s on the lift waiting for the turbo. Should be getting to it this week or next week!
Looking forward to a new video!
250 hp is just for the auto not the manual,270 hp in the manual, and a lot more fun.
Yup. Beat me to it. Even though both were 3.0. Except when entering 1997. 3.0 auto stayed. 3.2 290 hp manual introduced.
@@ericcarson342 thats why the auto ones are less expensier...but i think they had power steering and mine didn't had. But in manual is much fun and without power steering is more direct. Its like driving a big Kart.
@@lotusesprit38 Yes. Much less expensive. I've noticed on Auto Trader. It's tempting to save some money and get an auto but I've been waiting to buy one ever since I've laid eyes on one back in 1991 and don't think it would be the same compared to a manual. I'm eyeing the pop-up lights body within the next 12-18 months, maybe a 97-01 version with the 3.2 but 3.0 would be great too.
Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-(
In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025
on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime. (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)!!!!
Automatic is not that bad. But those crusty wheels
I do not care what your opinion is about anything.
Thanks Jam!
Hopefully inside joke...if not....Jam, why be rude?
You lose some realibilty with the auto though. That auto tranny is what would go first before anything in these. Unless it was litteraly driven by a grandma.
That’s a good point!
Without a doubt! Automatics suck!! 🤮🤮