The handling difference between base and Type SH is negligable. You really have to push it VERY hard to notice it. When I bought mine, I tested both of them, and I felt the 3000 price difference was not worth it. True, you get a spoiler, leather shift knob, and body color kick pannels (instead of the charcoal trim), but I got the spoiler, shift knob, and fog lamps and still came out 1000 ahead for what I bought the car for. As for modding the suspension, from what I've seen and heard, it is a little more tricky to mod with the ATTS. I'd probably suggest getting a base, and you will save some money to do the mods you want. Don't let anyone tell you that Preludes are inferior: they drive with finness. They aren't tight little rockets, nor are they slow, either. They are a really good balance of everything you could want in a sports car.