YACT: POLL: 240sx vs Prelude

[Actaeon]

Inspired by the positive feedback of my other thread. I decided to ask a few more questions. Sorry , but if I want to make a $10k investment in a car, I might as well get the best I possibly can. I just really have no car driving experience outside of my own car (A Saturn). So, I'd like to hear advice from more experienced car drivers. Thanks!

So, in school today, I was thinking about how I'd like to have RWD in a car. It was too unforunate the Prelude is FWD. Then I thought about a 240sx, and wondered what you guys thought about it. I researched a little, and its in the same price range, and the 1997s and 1998s look super sweet. I like to go autocrossing, and I'd like to have it as a hobby. Despite the lower power, I believe the potential is probally better in a 240sx than a Prelude, because of RWD. Both cars look nice to me though, and I'd probally be happy with either.

So, do you think RWD is worth the power loss?

240SX

Pros:
RWD
Tons of mods + engine swaps available
A little lighter

Cons:
Low Base Power
Lower Redline

Prelude:

Pros:
More Power
Higher Redline
Perhaps more fun to drive(?)
VTEC

Cons:
FWD
A bit heavier

 

[WinkOsmosis]

240sx.

 

[guapo337]

PICS!

 

[fs5]

autocrossing is not about power, it's a 2nd-3rd gear sport.

the 240sx is a great car once you swap the truckmotor out for a sr20det, the prelude however will hold it's value better and most likely last longer (with no mods)

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: guapo337
PICS!

Prelude
240SX

 

[thomsbrain]

prelude. from what i understand the JDM engine swaps aren't legal for the 240SX, so it wouldn't be worth it for me to always be wondering if that cop is not only going to give me a ticket but also impound my car. the prelude's probably gonna be faster and handle better out of the box and FWD will be easier for a novice driver to rein in if you get too enthusiastic. it also looks a thousand times cooler than the butt ugly 240.

 

[boyRacer]

the 240 is not butt ugly...

BTW... that car is in demand now... prices are inflating due to riceboys getting in on the drifting trend... :frown:

 

[boyRacer]

Gregshin has a 240 with an SR20DET swap... he gets around the smog thing... ahem... But he's in California... i don't know how it is in Florida. Its a nice car for sure... you'll probably even have more fun with it since its RWD.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Gregshin has a 240 with an SR20DET swap... he gets around the smog thing... ahem... But he's in California... i don't know how it is in Florida. Its a nice car for sure... you'll probably even have more fun with it since its RWD.

I havn't seen any required emissions checks at all down here in FL. I've heard of cops pulling people over because of an "illegal exhaust", never heard about engine swaps though.

 

[kokemon23]

i've got a '99 prelude sh, and i can tell you that i absolutely LOVE driving my car. its surprisingly quick, esecially once you hit vtec, handles insanely well (i live in pittsburgh and the roads here are all hills and curves), and imho looks beautiful. i will also tell you that its very much a buyer's market! if you are looking for one, i would recommend joining preludeonline.com (its something like $8 to register or something). lots of people selling ludes, both modded and not modded.

only downsides i see are the mundane interior and all but useless backseat. hope this helps!

p.s. do NOT get an automatic, they are unreliable at high mileage on the lude. stick is the only way to go!!

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
the 240 is not butt ugly...

BTW... that car is in demand now... prices are inflating due to riceboys getting in on the drifting trend... :frown:

haha, yeah i know. you gotta admit it ain't as pretty as the prelude though.

i don't get the whole drifting thing, but to each their own, right?

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: boyRacer
the 240 is not butt ugly...

BTW... that car is in demand now... prices are inflating due to riceboys getting in on the drifting trend... :frown:

haha, yeah i know. you gotta admit it ain't as pretty as the prelude though.

i don't get the whole drifting thing, but to each their own, right?

What? It's one of the best looking cars ever made. The Prelude just imitates its classic RWD-front engine proportions. Prelude does look nice, but come on!
http://sped.fukuoka-edu.ac.jp/fujikane/private/images/car.jpg
http://www.cuckoo.com/daniel/240sx/images/dbakercar.jpg
http://ralf.alfray.com/photos/main/img/240sx_92_640.jpg
http://auto.consumerguide.com/images/autoreview/med/95809071990710MED.jpg

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Look at this 240SX and tell how you could like a Prelude better?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Look at this 240SX and tell how you could like a Prelude better?

nice money shot!

 

[StageLeft]

Unmodded I would take the prelude. If you do an engine swap I'd take the 240sx.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Gregshin has a 240 with an SR20DET swap... he gets around the smog thing... ahem... But he's in California... i don't know how it is in Florida. Its a nice car for sure... you'll probably even have more fun with it since its RWD.

I havn't seen any required emissions checks at all down here in FL. I've heard of cops pulling people over because of an "illegal exhaust", never heard about engine swaps though.

more than likely a regular cop won't be able to tell if you had an engine swap done with a visual inspection alone. There's no reason for him to assume you've done anything illegal to your car unless you have a rice can of an exhuast or caught at the night races.

 

[atom]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Gregshin has a 240 with an SR20DET swap... he gets around the smog thing... ahem... But he's in California... i don't know how it is in Florida. Its a nice car for sure... you'll probably even have more fun with it since its RWD.

I havn't seen any required emissions checks at all down here in FL. I've heard of cops pulling people over because of an "illegal exhaust", never heard about engine swaps though.

more than likely a regular cop won't be able to tell if you had an engine swap done with a visual inspection alone. There's no reason for him to assume you've done anything illegal to your car unless you have a rice can of an exhuast or caught at the night races.

It's a lot easier than you think. Modern car + no EGR=violation, and it's pretty easy to spot.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Unmodded I would take the prelude. If you do an engine swap I'd take the 240sx.

:Q

You TRAITOR!!

You are now banished to VTEC land!

Get ready to add "yo" to the end of all your sentences.

 

[PlatinumGold]

240sx all the way, a SWEET handling sports coupe.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

240 all the way, that "truck" motor with a few simple bolt ons, like CAI, new exhaust, header, will smoke. And it makes it's power lower in the powerband, so less revving the snot out of the car to get it to go.

Plus it's RWD(right wheel drive).

I miss my 240sx

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Unmodded I would take the prelude. If you do an engine swap I'd take the 240sx.

:Q

You TRAITOR!!

You are now banished to VTEC land!

Get ready to add "yo" to the end of all your sentences.

Well, it's unfortunate but the 240sx is a dog with the stock motor. It's a nice platform, and RWD, but so little horsey-power! that's why a nice motor upgrade and you're set

 

[ElFenix]

"higher redline" is not inherently a better thing

 

[Doggiedog]

I voted Prelude since I used to have a Prelude SH.

Stock for stock, the Prelude is better even without RDW IMO. Plus the Prelude has a useable back seat unlike the 240.

 

[erikiksaz]

I say it depends, if both cars will remain stock, i would think the Prelude is better off the bat.

BUTTT, if you ever plan to "rice" it out... you cannot beat these.

pic 1
pic 2
from the front
...from behind.

Don't care what ya'll say, they're damn sexy!! :heart:

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Unmodded I would take the prelude. If you do an engine swap I'd take the 240sx.

:Q

You TRAITOR!!

You are now banished to VTEC land!

Get ready to add "yo" to the end of all your sentences.

Well, it's unfortunate but the 240sx is a dog with the stock motor. It's a nice platform, and RWD, but so little horsey-power! that's why a nice motor upgrade and you're set

have you ever driven one?