Originally Posted by
Mkazm83
I'm not sure what your views are on upgrading the suspension, but cut springs on stock shocks do not constitute an upgrade. I'm not sure why you make shitty ride synonymous with an upgraded suspension. Regardless if I had a Base or SH, suspension is one thing I would not cheap out on. Perhaps you can elaborate?
I believe you might have heard the phrase "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Again, regardless, if I owned a Base or SH, the OEM kit is something I would be interested in purchasing. Installation?, Its a few clips and bolts, plus remember, both of us do our own work.
I don't know why you're making such a bid deal of the weight difference between the wheels. If you take the time to read my original post, I just mentioned that I like the way they look better compared to SH wheels, and as a fun fact, I included the weight difference.
Again, about the ATTS.
Would you rather have an open diff when driving in a straight line and an LSD in the turns? Or, would you prefer a limited slip (especially on wet or snowy roads) at all times? I think the answer is clear. Like you mentioned, the ATTS is electronically controlled, thats one more (and expensive) system on the car that can malfunction. I'm not 100% sure on the power transfer so I'll just give you that. Do I really want or need the ATTS system to "warn" me of driving on the spare or because of having low tire presure by going haywire? I'll pass thanks.
The comparison of your DX to an EX or even Si is unjustified in this discussion. This is because of the drastic changes between the models (as you mentioned moonroof, PW, PD rear sway ect.), where as the changes between the Base and SH are so inconspicuous a normal person daily driving both vehicles would probably not even notice the difference.
Here we go...
I believe in getting a good suspension, but not spending upwards of $2000 just to have handling somewhat on par with an SH.
My point in this entire argument is that you are suggesting things you need to buy extra, AFTER you already purchased the car. If you have a choice to get Honda quality factory parts and a Honda engineered suspension OR buy any aftermarket suspension, I would choose the Honda any day. I'm guessing you haven't learned that Honda parts & engineering are much better than anything aftermarket. You will, you just need some more experience.
For the kit, again you are suggesting to spend MORE than you need to. Granted it may look nice, but most buyers will likely not go out of their way to buy and install a kit when you can get the SH from the factory with the painted moldings.
You made a big deal about the weight... I'm simply telling you that you're quotes on weight differences between the base and SH are moot. The weight is negligible, and will have no appreciable effect on the acceleration. Ambient pressure, humidity, temperature and most importantly driver skill will determine the accelration of the car, not an extra 5lbs per wheel...
Besides, I like the SH wheels much better.
And for the ATTS, just cause it's electronic doesn't mean failure.
"What I would rather have" here is a poor argument. While the LSD would be nice, I am not about to buy and then install an LSD when I could just go buy an ATTS equipped Lude. Again, you are suggesting more $$ where it is not needed.
In addition, I'm not sure about you, but I use my Prelude as a DD, so I'm not about to go and install an LSD so I can drive to work faster. I have a Civic to play with.
Finally, the comparison between the EX and DX civics is not unjustified. Yes, the list of differences between the EX and DX may be longer, but the same idea applies. ATTS transforms the handling of the car so much, that to get comparable increases in performance between the EX and DX civics the Honda engineers would have to constitute an increase in wheel size, sway bar diameter, etc. Moral of the story is to buy the
So I'm done arguing this thread. What it really comes down to is preference.
I would rather by the Honda engineered factory product, with all of the available options, than to buy a base model and proceed to try and change the dynamics of the car with aftermarket parts.
I've been there and done that. It is not the way to go.
Unless you are strictly going to increase your power output (beyond the ability of the ATTS to function) OR install an expensive LSD unit, then get the SH.