Hey all, I'm looking around for a new car, I have about $20,000 canadian to spend (works out to bout $11,500 american) and I'm thinkin about getting a 5th gen prelude. One website told me the base model (1997) has a 2.2L with 190 hp, is this correct? if so, then I think my search is over, a dealer in town has a 97 base for $19,995

Anyways, what do I need to know about 5th gen ludes? what is the diff between base and SH, any other models?

The reason I'm looking for a different car is because 6 months ago I was in the exact same situation except stupid me, I went against everything I knew, and I bought a ford. Now I LOVE the looks of my 1999 Mercury Cougar, I love everything about it, except that it has cost me over $1000 in repairs in the 6 months I've owned it. How reliable have you guys found your ludes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, help this lude noob out!

 

a 97 should be 195hp.

SH has ATTS(Active Torque Transfer System) ... turns one wheel faster through a corner ie handles better. SH weighs more because of the ATTS unit ... has body colored moldings, different shift knob, spoiler, no third brake light, interior courtesy lights.

Other than that, Base and SH are the exact same thing. Oh sorry, if it's a sport **** (Auto) it's 190 hp I think.

 

so do all 5th gen ludes have VTEC?

 

ya.

 

Hi. 5th gen Preludes are fantastic. I have 70,000 miles on mine (bought it in Dec. of 1999) and no problems at all. If you are getting one with the sequential sport shift, be sure to follow the recommended service intervals on the tranny. They kind of need to be babied. If you are getting a manual, the clutch is indestructable!!!! Mine doesn't have even a slight bit of slip, and I am not the most conservative driver. Part of that goes with knowing how to drive a VTEC with stick to begin with, but when Cavalier clutches go at 60,000 with less hp and torque, shows the quality of the car. I'm sure you will have plenty of fun with it. Besides, since they don't make them any more, and production was about 15,000 per year on 5th gen, you will have a car no one else has. Good luck!

 

i LOVE my lude.. i have a 98 sh... had no problems with it. (Except for the ones i caused by driving it hard :-P )

but any honda car pretty much is reliable as hell. you'll like your 97!

 

well, that is the only lude in town, but in the big city about 3 hours away, there is like 10 5g ludes in my price range, it all really depends on how much cash I get for my POS cougar

 

I have a 99 Lude Sh and I love it :thumbup: They're fun to drive and reliable (although mine has few minor probs).

 

ya good idea to dump the cougar.

 

is the 19995 in canadian?If not it's pretty expensive for a 97? I just got a 2000 for 18995 with 29000 on it... I'd talk them down if I were you