Originally Posted by
mberndt
You want to get the SH if you have a choice. Trust me.
Yes, the engines are the same in the base and SH models, but the ATTS is highly under-rated...
Most prelude owners are base model owners and so they will predictably downplay the ATTS because they do not have it/haven't experienced it.
ATTS is not a traction control system, as some believe, but a hydraulic system that transfers torque to the OUTSIDE wheel ONLY in a turn, creating the dynamics of a rear-wheel drive car. Trust me, if you drive an SH and compare it to the base, you will be pleasantly surprised. The car will carve around the turn, rather than plow into the turn, as front-wheel drive cars inherently do. Think of how a wheelchair turns... on a dime...
In addition, the bottom molding is paint matched to the car, which makes a big difference. The base models look "hopped up" in the back due to the rear bottom molding not being painted. I can pick out a base model from afar due just to this...
There is no difference in drag-strip performance between the 2 models, so why not get the better looking/performing model?
You neglected to mention the additional cost of owning a SH. How does $1k for a clutch replacement sound? The color matched bottom molding is weak anyway. OEM kit > SH moldings. All things being equal, the Base would win a straightline competition. The OP mentioned that he wanted to "tune" (whatever that means) the car. Depending on how far he wants to take it, the Base model is more suited for this. There are some nice touches on the SH, like the courtesy lights, and the rear deck lacking the third brake light. Although I'm sure there are some that will disagree, I think the Base wheels are more aesthetically pleasing, not to mention lighter. Back to your handling comparison, Base with LSD > SH.
Forgot to mention that if you do get the Base, make sure you get the 5spd as the SS trans is shit.