so ive been looking to get a 99+ prelude, and my main question is should i really be looking for an sh or is the base model good enough, im looking to tune it but nothing crazy, and they both seem to have the same engine and baseline horsepower. But is there anything i should know looking in to this?

 

Base is cheaper, but no Active Torque Transfer System......I'll take the hit and not say traction control this time

 

im not sure exactly what the Active Torque Transfer System really does... are u saying i should forget about that system and get the base or is it essential for say stop light to stop light drags

 

Please, no street racing descriptions

ATTS transfers what torque you have (lol) to the outside wheels to provide better traction in turns

 

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.

 

Additional cost of ownership?
For me it is negligible cause I do all my own work.
But since the clutch will have to be replaced only once or twice during the life if the car, I don't see how a clutch job that is $100-200 more than the base model clutch job is that big of a deal. :dunno:

Personally, I don't like the OEM kit and I'd rather have the SH side moldings. That way I don't have to spend MORE money on something I could have got when I bought the car. Not to mention most base owners DON'T have the kit.

Why do you think a base model would win in a straight line? And please don't tell me the weight difference, because it is negligible.

Where are the specs on your wheel comparison? Lighter by how much?

And finally, most Lude owners don't have the LSD as it wasn't offered here in the states. So your argument here is pointless...

 

First of all, this was meant to be an overview. You tried to promote the core competacies of the SH to make it seem superior. I simply gave alternatives. Just because you do your own work, does not mean everyone else does. Just because you don't like the OEM kit (You're in the minority) does not mean the OP does not like it. How did you arrive at the conclusion that most Base owners don't have the kit? That has to be the most foolish generalization I've heard on this forum. I did say all things being equal about straight line performance didn't it? Yes, I did, and yes, that does take weight into consideration. The weight difference between the wheels is minor, about one pound. And finally, regarding the LSD, ever hear of Qualife? I know you're going to cry that its aftermarket, and that its expensive to install (Hey, maybe I do my own work as well). One thing I did not read, is you arguing the LSD supremacy compared to the ATTS unit. I'm glad we agree on at least one thing.

 

I agree with you, that it was meant to be an overview, but from what I've been reading on these forums, alot of people seem to downplay the advantages of the SH by saying it's too expensive, and then proceed to say that the base is a better choice. It's not by any means.

First, I do all my own work, and I know MOST members do not, however I stated that the difference in a clutch job is no more than $100-200 more expensive than the base... So regardless of whether I do my own work, your point that the SH is more expensive is weak. Is $100 to $200 over the course of 3-5 years that much more expensive?? I don't think so...

Second, if I'm in the minority about the kit, then why have I NEVER seen one?
EVERY base model I've ever seen had NO kit, so go figure. Besides, I'd rather have the better model WITH the side-skirts than a base with wanna-be SH side-skirts.

Third, the amount of weight here is so minute that the difference in acceleration times would be impossible to compare. It comes down to driver at this point, because the difference in reaction time alone would be enough to offset the apparent increase in acceleration of the base model.
Same thing for your wheel comparison.

Finally, your idea about the quaife is unfounded. It is aftermarket, expensive to buy and install, so there is no comparison.

The ATTS is better than an LSD for many reasons. The only thing LSD has over the ATTS is that it can handle extra power, whereas the ATTS cannot.

In the end, the bottom line is the SH is better in every way, as I've shown.
Stop hating

 

hmm..well that was a nice little argument. Regarding the decision at hand, if you plan to "mod" it past about 250hp, you should consider the base model over the Sh because I guess ATTS can't handle it(or so I've heard). If you plan to keep it stock, or better yet autocross it stock, theSH is absolutely amazing.. it feels very balanced and unlike any other FWD.
good luck,

mike.

ps. fourth gens are worth considering too!