Spoon NSX-R '02 Review
Bare with me here lads, tried to add a twist to the review. Now i dont think im the best racing driver out there. Even though im in love with motorsport, i dont consider myself a hardcore enthusiate with cars and all the terminology. I still make mistakes with what Anti-Roll Bars do and what not, so my setup skills are limited. Yet i do feel like i'm part of the majority here and decided to do a 'small' review of this car. Im still fairly new to GT5, but not sim racing. Heard awesome stuff about the NSX yet never drove it in the game. So with no further ado, here's the review.
Test Track: Autumn Ring
Day 1: Honda NSX Type R '02 Dealership Setup
After a day going through the dealerships around Dubai, Moe was finally able to find himself a brand new NSX Type R 02 for sale at the price of 415,000 AED, equivalent to 113,000$. Moe was in shock with the price line of such a car built almost 10 years back. Deep down though, he knew that a car with 282hp should give him a feeling that he has been yearning for.
It took him a few hours to negotiate a deal with the owners of Autumn Ring to test his new car. The deal was to let Moe drive his brand new NSX around the track for 2 days and do any adjustments needed. Moe though was determined to get it as good as possible.
First day though was for testing. Checking how the car would feel before doing any adjustments. Basically, how it feels out of the dealership. At 282hp, weighting at 1270kg and a max torque of 31kgfm at 5500rpm, these numbers should give this car a good vibe. So onto the track he went.
After 7 laps of hard driving, Moe had decided that it was enough. His first impressions was the car with only 282hp, it was a hell of a drive and great fun. Never did he think it would be such a great ride around Autumn Ring. The NSX had its downsides though; at the slightest extra pressure on the gas pedal out of the exit send the tail out. A driver had to be very gentle with the pedal has he lined up his exit or else it would be too easy to lose the back. On a positive note, Moe was happy that he was able to tail brake into corners unlike other cars he has available to him. By adding power and lowering its weight, he wasnt so sure this neat feature would still exist.
Now he doesnt consider himself a great driver, but good enough to handle such a car. It seemed to him that there was a hidden gem inside. He was determined to open create a beast out of it. With 7 laps under Moes belt with the NSX, he was able to pull out a 1:28.480. He was not sure if it was a great lap compared to others, but he felt it was good enough and couldnt get any faster. The tyres at that point were starting to get worst so he felt he had gotten the best out of the car by that point.
After talking to some of the engineers hanging around at the Ring, he was told to get in contact with Mad Finn Tuners Co. One phone call and it was all it took for the Tuning Company to make their way into Autumn Ring. Full expensive at Moes cost.
Day 2: Honda NSX Type R '02 Mad Finn Tuners Co. - No Setup
Come Day 2, Moe was willing to dish out the cash to make this car roar down the streets of Dubai and impress his friends. Mad Finn Tuners proposed a tuning setup to follow. After following their suggestion, Moe spent an additional 178,200$ on add-ons from Titanium Exhaust all the way to Semi Racing Fly Wheels. He is known to be greedy with his money, so for Moe to spend more on extras than on the car itself was a first.
Even though objective at first, he finally opened up the check book. Finally it was time for Moe to take the NSX for another spin. It took him a few laps to tame the car as it was happy to tail slide with the slightest push on the pedal. It was beautiful to watch and drive, but it was clear that all the rubber burning spectacle was losing him precious seconds. To his pleasure, the trail braking was still present but with a more responsive controls on the car during the first half of cornering. Yet the exit of a corner was letting him down as it was even more delicate than before.
With added power, the car now has a whooping 448bhp and 44 kgfm of Maximum Torque at 6400rpms. Add the fact that the car now weighs only 1051kg, shedding off just over 200kg from the stock version. This new version of the NSX Type R that was unfolding in front of Moes eyes was starting to slowly resemble what he loved seeing. Light, fast, and easy to control, yet hard to master. The Mad Finn Tuners team put Moe at ease though, assuring him that with a few changes to the setup, this car would be more to his liking.
It was understandable then that the NSX was able to pull of 1:20.421 with ease. Just over 8 seconds faster than its stock version. A grin was starting to take shape on Moes face. It was turning out to be a nice day. But one question loomed over him as he was about to go for lunch, could this sliding machine be controlled to his liking? He let the Mad Finn Tuners do their magic and came back a few hours later
Day 2: Honda NSX Type R '02 Mad Finn Tuners Co. Setup
Lunch time over and it was time for Moe to hit the track for the final hours left in his contract for Autumn Ring. This time around, Mad Finn Tuner Co have been hard at work getting the tuning just right. Once back, Mad Finn gave the keys back to the driver for a test run and to give feedback on what they think is the right setup. Will Moe feel the difference? Will the car handle better than before? Moe stepped into the car for a 10 lap free run and see for final if what they had done to the car was the right move or not.
WHAT THE ****! THIS IS MADNESS. Countless laps have been done by Moe and he got out of his car with his hair standing up straight as if he got electrocuted. He did not know how to react and was not expecting anything like this!!!
The first 3 laps, the lap times were worse than the previous test during that same day where the lap times were in the 1:21.xxx. Yet Moe was determined to tame the beast that somehow had just been unleashed with a few tunes. Before the setup, Moe was handling a hell of a car that was
easy to hand. Then came Mad Finn Tuner, why did he even bother calling them? Were they mad? Oh hell yes they are. The name says it all and he should have known! On the 6th lap, Moe was able to post a 1:19.590.
Somehow, as by magic, the team made the car feel lighter and on its toes. More responsive and to his disgust
more oversteer on the corner. Then again
it gave pleasure to the driver. It was orgasmic to say the least and he just never wanted to get out of the car, until the authority came out and stopped the testing for Moe. He tried to explain to them the feeling, but they would never understand it. There is no way to put in words.
Moe had thought at the beginning that a gem was hidden in this low rider
but the monster hidden inside was nothing he was expecting. What made it even better was the sound. Oh man the sound of that car alone would make his opponents hide in fear. As the brakes are applied, one can just FEEL the spit of fire and during cornering and having his foot off the pedal, the car just growls its away around the turn.
Overall:
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a car that will bring the best out of every driver. How were Mad Finn Tuner able to create such an animal from this car is beyond me. At first, I didnt know what to expect, something along the line that the car would stick to the ground and on rail. I dont know if it will post the top lap times against other tunes. One thing is 100% certain; this is the most enjoyable driving experience I have ever had with any car in GT5. It will take a racer a few laps to get the hang of the car, but once you get the hang of it, or lack of it, one will start to appreciate the crazy fun factor behind it all.
I have learned my lesson that nope, Mad Finn Tuner are here to show GT5 drivers a different style. A Style of MADNESS. As another user has mentioned, only 2 words can describe their tunes
borderline insanity! Mad Finn Tuners Co
THANK YOU! Forget the grip, forget the driving line, this car is just plain FUN! Its all I can ask for from a game and this took the fun level to a higher level.
Lap Times:
Stock Setup:
1:28.480
Added Tunes:
1:20.421
Mad Finn Tuner Setup:
1:19.590
As information to the others, I actually did the fine tuning on the 8C after seeing the utter confusion that was shining from the setup. Those familiar with the tuning styles of us two can probably recognize my influence in certain parts.
- if you would.
So, without further ado, my review of the Alpine A110RS:
and after a few more rants from Leonidae, succumb and agree to it.
After a few laps trying not to break the car, I limped the car back to the garage for more adjustments and new tyres.
