Car buying decision...

[HardTech]

Be prepared to spend more if you want to get the Honda Prelude Type-SH. It doesn't weigh that much more than base, but they are both pretty heavy (almost 3000 pounds).

Integra Type-R's aren't worth the money you have to pay for. They are much more expensive than the Type-SH, don't come with JACK (this year is the first year A/C was standard). The only league you can compare the ITR to the lude would be a drag race. Prelude handles better, looks better, gets more girls, has a SUNROOF, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, a freaking radio, and (like said) the best handling car for under $30k.

If I were to buy another car, I'd probably get the Nissan Maxima, or a BMW Z3. Just something to cruise around in, but right now (as a riceboy), I must drive a Japanese import, and nothing better than the Prelude!!

I used to drive a 1990 Honda Accord that's been shot to hell and back to school. It had 171k miles on it and still ran damn reliably. People never even gave me a second thought. Now, with my Prelude, I get people saying "man, your car is AWESOME!!" Even strangers in whatever import or domestic wanna race me at the stoplight. It's a nice feeling. Now maybe I have a chance with that Vietnamese girl

 

[lupin]

Some specs:
The base prelude weighs 2954 lb
Automatic is 3009 lb
SH is 3042 lb.

That's 96 lb difference b/w the base and the SH.
Not that big of a difference actually, plus the SH comes with standard rear spoiler and different wheel. And it should hold its selling price better than the base model too.

Looks like the SH is the better buy.

 

[Ferocious]

The Prelude is garbage!

A buddy of mine is a mechanic for a mutiple dealership family and works on cars. Of your original 3 options, I (and he) would recommend the Mitsubishi.

Good luck.

 

[locutus4]

why no ford or GM?????????????
Chevy is superior!

 

[Thorn]

These are the specs for my ZX TT when it was stock.

Engine: Twin-turbocharged DOHC, 3.0 liter, 24 valve, V6
Horsepower: 300bhp @ 6400rpm
Torque: 283lb.-ft. @ 3600
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Curb Weight: 3287 lbs
Wheelbase: 101.2 in

I've added a few tweaks and mods to squeeze a little more out of it's 3.0L V6.

Stage 1: 320hp @ 10 psi Added: Performace Exhaust System
Stage 2: 340hp @ 10.5 psi Added: Stillen Hi-Flow Intake
Stage 3: 396hp @ 13.5 psi Added: Computer Upgrade
Stage 4: 405hp @ 13.5 psi Added: Larger Intercoolers

I debated for a long time about the larger intercoolers but they really do make quite a difference. As the boost pressure goes up, so do the temps. Before I had the larger intercoolers installed I was having some minor>moderate temp problems. Now everything's just right. I don't think I'll monkey with it anymore though, it's just about all I can handle as it is right now. Not to mention I've had to have 2 clutches installed in the same amount of years... Besides, the farther you go with the mods the more expensive they get. Nah, I'm pretty happy with it the way it is.

I'll work on getting some pics up for ya, she is very nice if I do say so myself.

 

[CJM]

Just a few weeks ago i was looking at the exact same cars you mentioned. I ended up getting a 2000 Eclipse GT, 5spd, prem. pkg. Total MSRP was about 23,500. The celica with simalar options was about the same. Like a lot of people i was under the impression at first that i didnt like the styling of the new eclipse, but when i saw it in person i changed my mind. I've had it for a few weeks now, fortunately no problems. So far it's got your standard intake/exhaust mods done and i've been very happy with it.

 

[Thorn]

Nope, no Ford, no Chevy... Domestics are just so, blah. This was painfully evident this weekend when I left a brand new Mustang Cobra eating my exhaust despite the fact he was giving it all he had and I was only 3/4 of the way in my throttle. I won't even mention how much he probably paid for that over-priced hunk of "junk". Now, I do have respect for some vettes... but the stock variety is an over-priced joke with a lot more bark than bite. The ZR1 I raced was fairly impressive (I still won, barely), but it's a shame you have to spend that much $ for respectable performance. The same goes for the Viper, but it has the worst handling I've ever felt in a $50K+ auto. There really are no "super cars" for under $40K anymore (`cept for maybe some of the Bimmer M class rides). The S2000 is pretty nice too, but you really do have to "drive the thing like you just stole it" to get it to really move. The salesman thought I was gonna blow it up when I took it out for a spin (shifting at 8-8.4K), but that's what C&D said to do and they were right again.

Anyway, I'm digressing a lot. I went out today and tried the Maxima SE and it was nice... It has nice pickup but I'd only get it as a family car since it's handling characteristics are a bit too mushy. Since I don't have a "family" (just me and the wife), it's a bit more car (as in size) than I really want. I ruled out the 2000 Eclipse GT today too. It's visability is really scarey and the seats are way too low to the floor... the suspension is a bit too spongey too, although not nearly as bad as the Maxima.

Yep, I'm probably gonna go pick up the Prelude tomorrow (and take advantage of the "sale" ), I appreciate all the responses from you guys.

 

[locutus4]

<< There really are no &quot;super cars&quot; for under $40K anymore >>


Get a 2000 SS or Firehawk and then throw a supercharger on it. Bam, you got yourself beating vettes and mustangs and almost everything else.

 

[Thorn]

Yeah, and they both handle like a flat-bed truck.

 

[MooseKnuckle]

Thorn, Did the Maxima you drove have the touring suspension? It's an option on SE's. The SE suspension is alot stiffer.

 

[Thorn]

It was the &quot;stock&quot; SE (a 2000 Maxima SE). Maybe I'm too picky, but it seemed &quot;spongey&quot;. Maybe I'm just spoiled driving that Z all the time. Perhaps the touring suspension does make a lot of difference, I'll check and see if I can find one with that option.

You guys really need to go out and try the 2000 Prelude, it's shocking how agile this car is... and this is coming from a sports car nut.

 

[lupin]

Thorn,
Have you ever driven a BMW 3-series coupe? How does the Prelude compare to those cars in term of agility and handling?

 

[spec411]

yep u cant go wrong with the prelude, and thats coming froma domestic car guy....

personally i would get a v6 mustang for $13900, 200hp v6, with power everything, cassette and cd---pricewise its hard to beat even if the handling isnt great

 

[atom]

The 3 series has better stock suspension setup compared to the Prelude. BMW's have always had a very rigid chassis. The Prelude shows a bit of flex on hard turns (admittedly I haven't driven a 3 series hard), but a simple $200 upgrade to the stock bars should stiffen it up.

Speaking of mustangs, I'm surprised at how good these cars are. You get a lot for your money. And I used to loathe modern muscle cars.

 

[HardTech]

I've taken 90 degree turns going about 50 in my base Prelude. The tires are aftermarket (BF Goodrich Touring T/A, I think), and they didn't sqeal once. Not only that, I couldn't feel the car bend at all. It's very rigid, and I highly doubt that any car in it's relative price range will even come close to that, let alone outperform it.
But this is coming from a teenager who drove a 1990 Honda Accord before buying the Prelude. The reason why it is so heavy is because the body is made thicker, so it'll be able to handle turns better. Suspension is VERY stiff. I hit a small bump going about 50 and left a knot in my tire. All in all, I love my car. There are a few people at my school with those brand new Eclipses, but they got the car just because it's an Eclipse. I doubt they test-drove it before they got it, or did some hardcore research like I did. I drove an Integra before I got the Prelude, and asked around as well.
Not only that, I'm the only one in my neighborhood and in my school with that car. Kinda sets me apart from the crowd.

PS, with minimal modding I'm sure I can whup up anybody in my neighborhood or my school as well! Now that I have a job, I can say hello to AEM CAI and GReddy Power EVO Exhaust!! HELLO!!

 

[MooseKnuckle]

Thorn,
Spoke to my Nissan buddy today, if your Neon can &quot;survive&quot;, hold off till next spring. Nissan is coming out with a 250Z, it's supposed to be better than the 300Z of the past. It's front wheel drive, but that's all I know. Thankfully, it's not being built on the old 240Z rear wheel drive platform. I hope it's built on the Skyline platform from Japan. That would be a treat. If it is and I like the looks of this bad boy, off to the dealer I go.

 

[Mill]

Stage 1: 320hp @ 10 psi Added: Performace Exhaust System
Stage 2: 340hp @ 10.5 psi Added: Stillen Hi-Flow Intake
Stage 3: 396hp @ 13.5 psi Added: Computer Upgrade
Stage 4: 405hp @ 13.5 psi Added: Larger Intercoolers

I gotta wave the BS Flag here.

http://www.autoforums.com/twinturbo/zinfo.html#Stages

Sorry... I need some more info about your mods. Looks like a good cut and paste job.


If a computer, exhaust and intake up grade add 96 hp, then I am gonna have to kill myself. I might believe the intake and exhaust. But 56 hp for a computer upgrade? Your timing must have been retarded by 50 degrees. LOL- I will race you in my &quot;stock&quot; stang.

 

[Mill]

<< The ZR1 I raced was fairly impressive (I still won, barely), but it's a shame you have to spend that much $ for respectable performance. >>




You have got to be kidding me... a ZR1 comes with 405 HP at the flywheel without mods. Lemme guess the one you raced was stock? Also torque wise I betcha he roasts your ass. Since you cut and pasted the chart. What kinda torque figures do you have from you car? Have you ever had it dynoed? I would hope with all that supposed power.

 

[Mill]

<< Integra Type-R's aren't worth the money you have to pay for. They are much more expensive than the Type-SH, don't come with JACK (this year is the first year A/C was standard). The only league you can compare the ITR to the lude would be a drag race. Prelude handles better, looks better, gets more girls, has a SUNROOF, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, a freaking radio, and (like said) the best handling car for under $30k. >>



Uh... partner... my friend has a '00 type R. It has air conditioning and a cd player and radio. It also has the most comfortable seats ever. it also has power windows and locks! The type R looks a whole lot better than a prelude and weighs a whole lot less.

I guaran goddamn tee that the prelude will not out handle the type R. The type R pulls close to .95 g's on the skidpad and 68 mph in the slalom. The prelude SH has a .84 and a 64 mph slalom.

You are kidding your self. Stay off the crack.

 

[Mill]

Oh and 13.5 psi of boost, computer upgrade and only 93 octane? HTF do you accomplish that...if you do accomplish that...

 

[Mill]

<< Get a 2000 SS or Firehawk and then throw a supercharger on it. Bam, you got yourself beating vettes and mustangs and almost everything else. >>



They beat everything with bolt-ons as it is. Please no supercharger.

Oh and with a little suspension work, they really do not handle badly.

 

[SuperGroove]

Buh Bump!

I still want a Corrado...and the Integra Type-R sounds mighty good to me

Paul

 

[Mill]

bump

 

[Paul]

Well, out of the choices for a convertible under 30K, I'd have to say that the Eclipse Spyder GT is the best choice. (What I'm thinking about getting)

 

[SuperGroove]

Nice looking convertible. Wonder what a Toyota Celica Convertible would look like *pondering*.

Paul