HELP! Wanna buy a Lude - Honda Prelude Forum

asimdada · 10-11-2009, 11:20 PM

Hi All...So i ended up selling my auto prelude and am looking to buy a car. Im thinking that a stick prelude is the best bang for the buck but wanted to see if anyone has a better suggestion out there. My budget is around 5-6k and am looking for nice fast car that isn't problematic. Would also be looking for close to 100k mile range. Some cars that went through my mind are:

97-99 Mitsubishi eclipse GST/GSX
Toyota Celica 2000 and up
Honda Prelude 97 and up (only cuz i like thi syear's looks better)
Acura RSX-S (IF I can find one for low price)

Also, Am not interested in WRX (ugly ), Nissan 300ZX ( high maintenance ) or old supra. I know I am restricting my options but any help would be appreciated.
Nissan 350Z and S2000 are sweet rides but not even close to my budget.

Thanks y'all in advance.

Kronn 98SH · 10-12-2009, 02:45 AM

Eclipse = Maintenance.
Celica = not worth it unless you get a GT-S.
Prelude = do NOT buy an automatic.
RSX-S = probably out of your price range.

asimdada · 10-12-2009, 10:17 AM

So it drills down to the lude?
What if the celica IS a GT-S.
I have owned mitsubishi's ( not gst or gsx ) and they are maintenance heavy for sure, but was wondering if the turbo-s models are also prone to breakdowns.
Please help me out more. Any other cars out there that might be a good fit?
Only japanese though. Thanks a million.

indylude18 · 10-12-2009, 10:33 AM

mr2, 240sx, miata.....(all RWD, if you want "fast")

The eclipse is notorious for crank walk. Reliability is questionable at best.

The Celica GT-S is probably the most similar car to a prelude performance wise. The styling is completely different than a 'lude, but I suppose you could get used to it if you go that route.

You are not going to find a RSX for 6k unless it has major problems. Just cross that one off your list.

You really just have to test drive a bunch of cars until you find one you like.

el13adnino · 10-12-2009, 10:35 AM

if u keep saving u can get a s2k with decent miles for around 13k .. lol

thegamettt · 10-12-2009, 10:43 AM

celica gt-s has better interior than a prelude. probably a tiny bit faster too..too bad the car is ugly as sht on the outside. do you have no car at all right now?

Kronn 98SH · 10-12-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegamettt

celica gt-s has better interior than a prelude. probably a tiny bit faster too..too bad the car is ugly as sht on the outside. do you have no car at all right now?

The Celica GT-S had the highest slalom speed of any 4banger on the reasonable market. It beat the Prelude SH by like ½mph. This is according to C&D's 4cyl shootout from 2001, I believe. As for the Celica looking ugly, I think they're hot. Unfortunately, just like the Miata, they are notoriously chik cars. Oh, and the interior is too cramped with buttons and gadgets everywhere. It's been said it's closest thing to being in a jet cockpit you'll find on a production car.

asimdada · 10-13-2009, 09:02 PM

Thanks all..very valuable inputs.
A friend of mine had a celica GT-S ( not a 6-speed) nd it was owned by a lude. Nevertheless, i like the interior, but its true tht that are labeled CHICK-cars.
I already am saving money for a better car but not S2000. Im saving for a 350Z. Luv that car. In the meantime, I want a cheap fast car.
The rear-wheel drive options are neat too, but id prefer a front or all wheel drive.
Yeah, i realize finding an RSX-S would be finding needle in a haystack but am still looking

And the biggest question....Nopes, im without a car right now

. So please keep the valuable inputs coming as I will be buying a car soon.
Thanks alot guys.

indylude18 · 10-14-2009, 08:05 AM

How about a 3000gt/stealth then?

antdrig · 10-15-2009, 05:23 PM

get an s2k. or if you want to go all out, get an nsx-t.

h22jdmvtec · 10-15-2009, 06:30 PM

i have a 1999 lude for sale. im asking 4500 for her. let me know. i have pics.

aboone78 · 10-15-2009, 10:54 PM

i agree with indylude.eclipses r ****.celicas r nice and run forever but r kinda ugly.never go wrong with the lude and there is no such thing as a 6k rsx type s unless its in a junkyard

asimdada · 10-17-2009, 01:18 PM

hmm...so i guess the lude is the best bang for me then..
Thanks alot guys.

asimdada · 10-21-2009, 10:37 PM

any other valuable inputs?

UAludes · 10-21-2009, 11:00 PM

Honda : Prelude:eBay Motors (item 330364516140 end time Oct-21-09 22:55:25 PDT)

asimdada · 10-22-2009, 05:00 PM

crap...the bidding ended. Thanks anyways.

UAludes · 10-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Here bro Cars for Sale: 1997 Honda Prelude S in EDMOND , OK 73034: Coupe Details - 268469662 - AutoTrader.com

UAludes · 10-22-2009, 10:52 PM

If you end up buying this ride u gotta let me know how she rolls or post a video up on youtube with a 0-60 video

asimdada · 10-23-2009, 04:13 PM

wow.......right now, im BEGGING my friend to take me to oklahoma, but cant seem to convinve him to drive me 1000+ miles to Oklahoma. Im still trying............
Thanks alot guys.

asimdada · 10-23-2009, 04:14 PM

also,,there is a 2000 base lude a guy is selling very close to me for $4800. It has 90k original miles. How does that sound?
Also, whats the difference between H22 and H22a4.......which one is better, faster, reliable...and on which models do we find them.
Thanks.

pIERCE · 10-23-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimdada

also,,there is a 2000 base lude a guy is selling very close to me for $4800. It has 90k original miles. How does that sound?

For the second time you've come up with a killer deal, if all pieces fall into the corect place, which is somewhat doubtful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimdada

Also, whats the difference between H22 and H22a4.......which one is better, faster, reliable...and on which models do we find them.
Thanks.

Same, basically. On the outside they are all the same, except for the Valve covers. The power output varies by year and country, but they all make between 180-220 hp.

asimdada · 10-24-2009, 08:49 AM

yeah...It seems like preludes in the east coast aren't that expensive. Or maybe there is something wrong with them.

donnyinlakai · 10-24-2009, 10:17 AM

well idk, that deal is pretty good. I bought my 99' lude (5 spd, leather) 79k miles for $4400 cash and I live in florida. I have had to do some routine maintenance, and I've put around 1k in the car and that's mostly the timing belt and water pump. just make sure you ask all the right questions when you meet the seller.

Solid · 10-24-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indylude18

How about a 3000gt/stealth then?

He could buy a yacht.

asimdada · 10-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Thanx guys....all the inputs are highly appreciated.
So i have a couple of ludes lined up for today and tomorrow. Will make a checklist of what to ask incase i forget something.
Just another Q............i just saw an RSX-S with 80k miles and tons of upgrades for $6000. The catch....it has a salvage title. The guys says the radiator and front bumper were changed and he has put 30k miles on the car sinc he bought it.
Now the deal sounds nice but i heard 'salvage' cars can be a pain in the ass especially when ur trying to sell them. Any opinion??
I am trying to keep my option open

indylude18 · 10-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid

He could buy a yacht.

To be fair, a 3000GT/stealth weighs about the same as a 5th gen, and has a v-6. They aren't fast (none of the cars mentioned here are), but they are nice cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimdada

Just another Q............i just saw an RSX-S with 80k miles and tons of upgrades for $6000. The catch....it has a salvage title. The guys says the radiator and front bumper were changed and he has put 30k miles on the car sinc he bought it.
Now the deal sounds nice but i heard 'salvage' cars can be a pain in the ass especially when ur trying to sell them. Any opinion??
I am trying to keep my option open

Remember what I posted about "unless it has major problems" earlier? An RSX with 80K on it was NOT totaled because of a busted radiator and front bumper. There had to be major problems with that car in the past for it to have been issued a salvage title.

asimdada · 10-24-2009, 08:29 PM

good point Indylide......will stay away from it.
Thanks again y'all!

Kronn 98SH · 10-25-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimdada

Also, whats the difference between H22 and H22a4.......which one is better, faster, reliable...and on which models do we find them.
Thanks.

INFO: H Series Engines

asimdada · 10-31-2009, 01:10 PM

bought a lude....bit having issues. Please take a look and suggest

Help me with this deal

Much appreciated.