iam new to this whole thing. been looking around for a forum that actually provide sound advice and help from peers about cars (prelude related) and here i am.
questions to everyone that could help: (thinking of buying a car)
what should i get integra gsr or a prelude sh (97-99)?
what should i be looking for interms of buying a second hand car so that i won't get a lemon.

 

Get a prelude! I wanted to get a GSR, then I realized GSR has no torque (the thing that actually makes the car go fast off the line). Prelude has 156 lbs/ft of torque, and GSR has about 123 I think. That's not much better than a Civic! I got myself a 4th gen (96) Prelude and very happy with the quick acceleration.

Ask the general questions that you would when buying a used car. I had a hard time finding a Vtec prelude, and ended up getting a SI. I think all 5th gens have Vtec, and that's a good thing. Test drive the car, and always bring it to a mechanic to check it up before buying it. This is the most important!

Good luck!

 

get the 99 prelude sh or non - doesnt matter - there so hot plus that was the best year for the 5th generation.

you get so much respect, plus youll get a lot more looks then the integra. looks to cheap for acura

 

97-98 Preludes had 190 hp with the sportshift and 195 with the five speed (which is what all Type SH models are). Add 5 hp to those numbers for 1999-2001. Now, you can buy a Type SH if you want, but you will spend about 3 grand more than you need to. The base five speed is essentially the same car. I took both a base five speed and a Type SH out for serious test runs when I bought mine, and could not justify the price difference. The SH has what is call ATTS -- that's Active Torque Transfer System. There are hydraulic lines and a pump that pressurizes fluid when you corner hard. The system can send torque from the wheel with the most to the wheel with the least (this is NOT a traction control system). It is said that it decreases understeer (a front wheel drive syndrome) under hard cornering. Fine, for the mabe one time you take it to Darlington. In everyday trafic, even hard driving, you won't notice a difference. You will have more to go wrong with the car, and less tread life on the front tires (more aggressive toe-in and camber on the alignment). When comparing a Prelude to an Integra, there is no comparison...... in fact, the Integra should have gotten the Honda nameplate and the Prelude vice versa. The Prelude is a much more refined car, and when you hit VTEC in a Prelude, it sounds sooooo much sweeter and sexier than the GS-R's mad growl. Both cars are reliable, but the Prelude is more sophisticated.

 

couple of points: the 97 ludes and the 01 ludes dyno the same WHP. the 5 then 10 hp that honda said that they "found" revising the intake manifold is pretty much a myth.

also, ATTS figures out which way you're turning, and then it sends more power to the outside wheel, causing it to spin 15% faster. it's a neat system, but it's no LSD.

i think the GSR vs Prelude is a buyers choice. either one are good cars, and have their strengths and weaknesses.

lude:
pros:torque, hp, rarer
cons: heavy, heavy, undertired, heavy, less aftermarket support, heavy, and oh i forgot. heavy.

GSR:
pros: lighter, handles better, more choices in parts
cons: common, stolen alot, no torque, boring interior

have you thought about an ITR?

 

i'd go either lude sh or itr...

always have someone who knows what to look for check out the car both mechanically and physically.. carfaxs are good but arent perfect.. last but not lease, never pay anything more than wholesale value for a car

 

ok, well said guys!

so basically most of you would rather get a prelude than an integra. but bottom line its up to me (whoever is buying) on what car to get.

another question for you guys......which one should i still get with this mods in mind after buying a prelude or integra:

NOs and turbo
suspension (springs, shocks, bars)
body work (body kit, door kits)

 

both blocks can handle turbo, though i think the b-series might be a little stronger than the H. then again you'd have to rebuild both blocks anyway so they'll both be close to bulletproof.

suspension work will make both cars handle very well, but i think the weight will make the GS-R faster on a track/auto-x.

i don't know anything about bodywork b/c i'm not into that kinda stuff...

 

To be honest, when I was considering what to buy, I thought about the GS-R hatch myself. But I thought it look too "boy racer" for my taste. The Prelude feels more elegant inside, especially at night with the headlamps on...... the orange glow of the dash is very sharp. Add to that the cloth on the seats is more lush, the ride is smoother and quiter, and the fact that this car shifts through the gears like velvet and cream. That's what really sold this car to me. I have not gotten tired of driving it after 4 years, and I guarantee you will get tired of driving a GS-R after a while. Harder ride and the way the engine screams in VTEC can give you a headache after a few months.

 

the PRELUDE IS A DREAM CAR - mine is like a freakin ferrari -

dont get an integra - the prelude shoulda been in acura anyway