As was said it's all about what you're into and your driving habits, not barring how you are forced to drive. My usual driving habits are to drive like a monkey on crack. I get a nice twisty mountain road to come down which would be great for a stick, then I get into the city and just sit there, aimlessly sit there eeking out 10-15mph. When I had my turbo lude my clutch knee would hurt soooo bad by the time I got to work, it didn't help that I had a very high sprung 4 puck clutch, but that thing was a blast to drive when I wasn't in the city. For long drives, or city commuting the AV6 is pretty nice. Also the V6 responds to basic bolt ons a little bettern than the I4, it picks up a higher percentage with headers, CAI, and pulleys. But don't plan on going much more than that. The transmission won't survive it. If you're planning on making a pocket rocket stay clear of the AV6, but if you like a relatively quick family car, that's comfortable and easy to drive, then the AV6 is for you. With only basic bolt ons I've run a 15.13 in the 1320 which isn't too shabby family sedan. Up against an equally modded I4 stick with a good drive it's an interesting race. They will pull 1/2-1 car off line the line and hold through first, the bottom end of second is pretty uneventful, but at the top end of second the Av6 starts to shine and by the end of second I'm even or slightly ahead, then in third I just pull away, and if I stay in it I just leave. Now the AV6 up against an I4 auto isn't really a fun comparison, I've yet to have a similarly modded I4 auto stay anywhere near me, off line I eat them, through second and third I chew em up and spit em out. Also a stock I4 stick isn't too much fun for me either, they get 1/4 car off the line and that's it, I just walk on by.

Although since buying the Av6 my need for speed wasn't quelled like it was withthe prelude, so I had to buy a bike, now I have a comfortable commute in the accord, and have a toy that can definately make your butthole pucker, nothing like having the nose off of the ground passing 140mph

Another thing to note about the V6 versus the I4, is noise and smoothness. The v6 is much quieter, and a much smoother engine. It's a very subtle power, which is definately nice when you're commuting or on the highway.

 

I was at this delima one time. V6 or I4? I think your future plans have to be with what is your plan for the car. I mean do you want to mod the crap out of it and go fast or do you want to get the family to the grocery store in some style without being punked by ever ricer that goes by. I personally chose the V6 with the big slush box over the I4. The thrust to weight ratio is about the same when you measure it down to a fully modded v6 and a fully modded i4. You'll just have more money in it with the i4. I'd look at the market for perfomance parts to see what I'd buy. Check out comptech's dyno runs.

My vote would be for the V6 auto.