Baltoman

Hi y'all, This is the first time I actually post something in this forum (just registered) so please bare with my noobness.

There's this 1996 Honda Prelude Si auto trans that I want to buy from this dude. Thing is, the engine is making a very light rattling noise. I'm not very experienced with cars so I asked my co-workers to check it out for me (I work in a dealership) They said that the engine is knocking but It didn't really sound like it was knocking, wasn't loud at all. Just a little rattling noise from what seems to be inside the engine.

The deal was 1000 bucks but I got really scared of the rattling noise get worse and soon become something serious like a messed up main bearing or blown valves. The car has around 220k miles on it so I offered 800 on it. He said that theres another guy wanting to take a look at the car on friday so if that guy doesn't buy the car, he'll sell me it for 800 bucks.

What do you guys think? Can it be something simple like old oil/fluids or bad gas? Or is it more likely to be something serious like the valves or the main bearing? I'm afraid of it braking down on the first month!

I really love the car tho, My heart is yelling: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU WHY DIDN'T YOU BUY IT YOU PUSSY?!! I HATE YOUUU!!!!!!! while my brain is saying: Good decision, The car might be ready for the junkyard.

So yeah, please respond ASAP. Thanks!

petern101

Compression check, then leak down check.

If those fail, new engine.

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"I am a ricer because I have Z3 fenders"
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Baltoman

Thx man! Really appreciate it. I'm gonna go see if I can get a mechanic to take a look at it (if it isn't sold on friday).

jsmooney

I would be surprised if someone bought it making those noises.

I have had more than one person tell me that someone else is coming to look at a car when, in fact, there was no one else......

good luck. if you get it for a good price, then a replacement engine wouldn't be too bad

Baltoman

Yeah I found another Lude on Craigslist. 94 S version... It's base but it is manual Seller told me that he wants at least $1200. Good enough for me! Engine and trans is fine according to him. Gonna check the car out on Saturday, wish me luck

rayslude

Even if the motor is in bad shape, you could always just swap an H22 in it. There's quite a difference between the S and Si.

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jsmooney

I would suggest getting the manual. Suck it up, learn how to drive a manual - it will be for your benefit in the long run

My wife can't drive manual and refuses to learn....

indylude18

That f22 engine has no balls at all, you will be tired of it right after the first time you get walked by a cavalier, minivan, or possibly even pedestrians. Might as well get a civic instead of going that route. H23's at least have a little torque, the f22 has nothing going for it at all.

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Bluetop H23a Vtec Swapped NHBP '99 Base

Baltoman

Yes but think about it, If I were to get that auto Si, I'd have to do a tranny swap to make it manual AND do a engine swap in case it's engine is really destined to die on me... The tranny swap alone is like 3 grand O_O

Now if I get a manual F22A, all I'll need to do is buy a H22 engine and get my friend which happens to be a mechanic to do all the swapping. That'll cost me around $1000-1500. Half/less than half the price, get it now?

indylude18

Honestly, I wouldn't buy either one. Why not just wait until you can find one with an H22 in it already? 4th gens are abundant and cheap.

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Bluetop H23a Vtec Swapped NHBP '99 Base

Baltoman

I need a car pronto! Besides that, Its basically impossible to find a H22 4th gen here in MA... There are many positive reviews on the F22A prelude, I'll hopefully be doing the engine swap by the end of this year. I honestly don't mind driving the slowest version of the prelude for now, the important thing is that :

1. I'll be driving my very own Lude

2. It'll be MANual

3. Imma make love to HER every single night!

She'll be my baby. I really do love cars, more than I love women tbh...

dshaw450

if you really need a car now just buy a civic that is in ok shape then wait for that lude to come around bc it will

Baltoman

No, I hate civics. Every 16 yr old ricer who think's he's cool has one. No, Im getting that lude. 132K miles, 5 spd, runs good, can't ask for more

I'm already going low level just by starting out with a prelude, I actually wanted to wait a few months to get a 3000GT VR4 but I decided to buy a lude instead and keep it for a few years so I can upgrade to the 3kgt later on...

petern101

Lol some would say the same about preludes...on the s2k / rsx boards

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"I am a ricer because I have Z3 fenders"
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Baltoman

Haha! True. xD