Honda Prelude Gen 5: 2.0i vs 2.2vti
Discussion
This is sort of a follow on from a "What Car?" thread a few weeks ago (here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )
I am still not fully decided, but now that I have found a reasonable insurance quote for a Prelude, I want one. The insurance cost for the 2.0 and the 2.2 models is very similar, so ideally I want a 2.2vti. The problem is that the model and spec I am after seems to be very hard to find, whereas a 2.0 in the spec I want is much easier to find.
The spec I am after is quite precise due to insurance, the car needs to be pre 2000 because they upped the power after that and it HAS to be a manual because the autos tend to eat themselves, plus I don't want an auto at all. Currently; there is one manual Prelude 2.2vti on AT, and that's a 2001 model, I have been watching for 2 weeks now and no others have been listed. 2.2s also tend to be more expensive when they do come up.
Should I wait for the right vti to come up (weeks? months?) or should I just buy a 2.0? My car history is a Polo (0-60 14 seconds, 60hp) and a MGB GT (slow), so either version will feel fast, (2.0 0-60 9.2 seconds, 132hp) (2.2vti 0-60 6.9 seconds, 197hp) but is it worth the wait and extra money?
P.S does anybody know what to look out for when buying one?
I am still not fully decided, but now that I have found a reasonable insurance quote for a Prelude, I want one. The insurance cost for the 2.0 and the 2.2 models is very similar, so ideally I want a 2.2vti. The problem is that the model and spec I am after seems to be very hard to find, whereas a 2.0 in the spec I want is much easier to find.
The spec I am after is quite precise due to insurance, the car needs to be pre 2000 because they upped the power after that and it HAS to be a manual because the autos tend to eat themselves, plus I don't want an auto at all. Currently; there is one manual Prelude 2.2vti on AT, and that's a 2001 model, I have been watching for 2 weeks now and no others have been listed. 2.2s also tend to be more expensive when they do come up.
Should I wait for the right vti to come up (weeks? months?) or should I just buy a 2.0? My car history is a Polo (0-60 14 seconds, 60hp) and a MGB GT (slow), so either version will feel fast, (2.0 0-60 9.2 seconds, 132hp) (2.2vti 0-60 6.9 seconds, 197hp) but is it worth the wait and extra money?
P.S does anybody know what to look out for when buying one?
60 extra bhp sounds like it's well worth waiting for. Might be a while mind.
How much is the insurance bump for later cars?
ETA: What's wrong with this 2000 manual? It says 197bhp. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ETA2: A couple on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311594987900
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121956163288
Admittedly the 2nd one needs some love!
How much is the insurance bump for later cars?
ETA: What's wrong with this 2000 manual? It says 197bhp. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ETA2: A couple on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311594987900
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121956163288
Admittedly the 2nd one needs some love!
Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 28th April 16:32
Would get yourself on a owners club for the common pitfalls. You might also find more examples for sale there. Don't forget to cast your net wider. Ime A/T is just rubbish for good quality stuff like that, so try the bay/ph and also places like carandclassic. It may seem weird but there are alot of good cars on the last one now.
Finally you need to decide if the costs are worth it for the difference, make sure you don't get the 2L and go "wish i'd got the 2.2 for the performance", or you don't want to get the 2.2 and go "wish I'd bought the 2l due to the costs of running this".
Finally you talk about 0-60 times but unless you go to the pod you won't be testing them, does the 2.2 have a richer torque band? That would be my main concern.
Finally you need to decide if the costs are worth it for the difference, make sure you don't get the 2L and go "wish i'd got the 2.2 for the performance", or you don't want to get the 2.2 and go "wish I'd bought the 2l due to the costs of running this".
Finally you talk about 0-60 times but unless you go to the pod you won't be testing them, does the 2.2 have a richer torque band? That would be my main concern.
The insurance increase is silly, around double the price. This is just on Aviva though, as they are the only ones that are affordable for a prelude, I haven't rang around yet though, so that could change I suppose.
The yellow one on AT is exactly what I'm looking for spec and price-wise (I'm sure I could learn to love the colour
) but it's the more powerful later version, I may have got the years and stats wrong in the OP.
The first red one looks lovely but too expensive and the second is a gen 4, which seem to be more expensive to insure
I know AT isn't the best and I know 0-60 times are far from definitive but I was using them as examples. I also know that I need to ring around to check insurance, so I will do that at some point soon.
The yellow one on AT is exactly what I'm looking for spec and price-wise (I'm sure I could learn to love the colour
) but it's the more powerful later version, I may have got the years and stats wrong in the OP.The first red one looks lovely but too expensive and the second is a gen 4, which seem to be more expensive to insure
I know AT isn't the best and I know 0-60 times are far from definitive but I was using them as examples. I also know that I need to ring around to check insurance, so I will do that at some point soon.
Krikkit said:
60 extra bhp sounds like it's well worth waiting for. Might be a while mind.
How much is the insurance bump for later cars?
ETA: What's wrong with this 2000 manual? It says 197bhp. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ETA2: A couple on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311594987900
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121956163288
Admittedly the 2nd one needs some love!
That first Ebay one looks excellent if it all matches up.. that would make an excellent commuter car How much is the insurance bump for later cars?
ETA: What's wrong with this 2000 manual? It says 197bhp. http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ETA2: A couple on eBay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311594987900
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121956163288
Admittedly the 2nd one needs some love!
Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 28th April 16:32
Rtype said:
That first Ebay one looks excellent if it all matches up.. that would make an excellent commuter car
'Fully loaded' spec, except leather, and a Motegi kit, and the carbon fibre interior option, I mean fully loaded except that stuff.Everything else is standard.
Op, look for a later car with the more powerful engine, the Motegi kit really adds to the looks if you can get one.
Normal things on Hondas, rust, check the engine oil and service history.
Check the 4WS, it will fail, they all do.
Has to be a 2.2 VTI, personally i'd favour a non 4WS version described as a BB6 in UK spec or go all out and find a JDM SIR or Type S model.
This looks quite appealing
https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda/stunning-honda-pre...
or this, looks to be well worth a few extra quid
https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda/honda-prelude-2.2-...
This looks quite appealing
https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda/stunning-honda-pre...
or this, looks to be well worth a few extra quid
https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda/honda-prelude-2.2-...
I always keep an eye on "LudeGeneration" and their forum, sometimes something pops up but it seems the Preludes are horrendously undervalued here in the UK and as soon as they rust (which they do) people dump them fast.
If you find the right one for you, please look after it. I've wanted one forever but never quite pulled the trigger on getting one... The more looked after ones there are, the more chance I might eventually get one.
If you find the right one for you, please look after it. I've wanted one forever but never quite pulled the trigger on getting one... The more looked after ones there are, the more chance I might eventually get one.
I've had both. The 2.0 is pretty underpowered and suits the Accord from where it came. The 2.2VTI was much more suited to the Prelude but its still doesnt set the world on fire.
Personally i'd hold out for the 2.2. Also make sure the 4WS works, cause when it does it is really nice to have.
Personally i'd hold out for the 2.2. Also make sure the 4WS works, cause when it does it is really nice to have.
I've had a couple of VTi manuals and thought they were very nice, I have driven a 2.0 model of the same year and its not really worth bothering with if you can wait till you find a nice Vti you will have much more fun.
I was interested to see what these are like as I am a big fan of the Integra Type R hence me buying these.
It's quite a soft/comfortable car compared to an Integra, long gearing, compliant suspension, makes a great car for longer trips but at the same time these are still really quick when pressed on and corner really well just not very involving for the driver. Economy was surprisingly good for near 200 bhp, and the 4ws is a marvel of tech' and you soon get used to it, makes for amazing parking manouvers once familiar.
They seem very well built as all Honda's of that age, find a good one and it should be a great car. They also seem to be very well looked after by previous owners maybe these cars attracted a certain type of buyer when new (try and find a 1 or 2 owner example?)
Cant find many photos of mine but they were both red 4ws 2.2 vti they had a very nice interior the Vti seats are really comfy, and you get all the toys of that period, aircon cruise etc but 4ws is the best bit (make sure its working).
I was interested to see what these are like as I am a big fan of the Integra Type R hence me buying these.
It's quite a soft/comfortable car compared to an Integra, long gearing, compliant suspension, makes a great car for longer trips but at the same time these are still really quick when pressed on and corner really well just not very involving for the driver. Economy was surprisingly good for near 200 bhp, and the 4ws is a marvel of tech' and you soon get used to it, makes for amazing parking manouvers once familiar.
They seem very well built as all Honda's of that age, find a good one and it should be a great car. They also seem to be very well looked after by previous owners maybe these cars attracted a certain type of buyer when new (try and find a 1 or 2 owner example?)
Cant find many photos of mine but they were both red 4ws 2.2 vti they had a very nice interior the Vti seats are really comfy, and you get all the toys of that period, aircon cruise etc but 4ws is the best bit (make sure its working).
Edited by rallycross on Friday 29th April 09:56
rallycross said:
... and the 4ws is a marvel of tech' and you soon get used to it, makes for amazing parking manouvers once familiar.
They seem very well built as all Honda's of that age, find a good one and it should be a great car. They also seem to be very well looked after by previous owners maybe these cars attracted a certain type of buyer when new (try and find a 1 or 2 owner example?)
One thing though; the four wheel steering is undeniably good, but it may ruin your reversing skills in a 'normal' car afterwards. It took me ages to readjust when I moved on. They seem very well built as all Honda's of that age, find a good one and it should be a great car. They also seem to be very well looked after by previous owners maybe these cars attracted a certain type of buyer when new (try and find a 1 or 2 owner example?)
Mine was a few months old when I bought it in 1999, an ex-demonstrator/dealer principal's car with less than 2,000 miles. Very comfy commuter/tourer but not terribly quick, though mine was an auto.
A mate has one that he got for shed money, he runs it in his fleet of sheds. It's great, I eyeballed it when he bought it as it was near me.
The newest ones of these are 15 yrs old. It's basically a neo-classic car so the only advice I can give is "look for EVERYTHING" and "buy the best one you can afford". Then hope for the model you want. 2 weeks is nothing, have patience my young friend. What you will find is a string of doggy high mileage sheds for loose change and once in a while a good one that's a bit more money but by no means the cost of turning a 150k mile version into a very good one.
My pal's car is an auto, 2.2 I think, it shows 150k miles and AFAIK the box is original. Works perfectly, so clearly they don't all lunch their boxes.
The newest ones of these are 15 yrs old. It's basically a neo-classic car so the only advice I can give is "look for EVERYTHING" and "buy the best one you can afford". Then hope for the model you want. 2 weeks is nothing, have patience my young friend. What you will find is a string of doggy high mileage sheds for loose change and once in a while a good one that's a bit more money but by no means the cost of turning a 150k mile version into a very good one.
My pal's car is an auto, 2.2 I think, it shows 150k miles and AFAIK the box is original. Works perfectly, so clearly they don't all lunch their boxes.
VTi all day long for me.
The Gen 5 was a step forward in some ways but I felt it was a shame they ditched the distinctive dash of the Gen 4 car and the front end styling wasn't as nice as it could have been. Superficiality aside, it's a Honda at the end of the day.
All the engine variants are good, in the Gen 4 the 2.3 was a decent half way house. However, the Vtec is where it's at. The 2.0i is a nice engine, but the Vtec is on another level. They're not as torquey as you'd think a 2.2 should be and the gearing is short to suit but they're great.
If you can get a Motegi, all the better.
Import cars attract higher insurance premiums as far as I'm aware.
This has potential:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-HONDA-PRELUDE-2-2-V...
The Gen 5 was a step forward in some ways but I felt it was a shame they ditched the distinctive dash of the Gen 4 car and the front end styling wasn't as nice as it could have been. Superficiality aside, it's a Honda at the end of the day.
All the engine variants are good, in the Gen 4 the 2.3 was a decent half way house. However, the Vtec is where it's at. The 2.0i is a nice engine, but the Vtec is on another level. They're not as torquey as you'd think a 2.2 should be and the gearing is short to suit but they're great.
If you can get a Motegi, all the better.
Import cars attract higher insurance premiums as far as I'm aware.
This has potential:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-HONDA-PRELUDE-2-2-V...
Wait for a 2.2 to come up and don't worry about getting an early or late one as the insurance difference between the later and earlier 2.2 should be next to nothing as they are the same group. Just avoid the 2.2.
I have owned 3 preludes, all of them with the 2.2 VTEC, you won't be disappointed. If there is rust, don't run a mile if you are willing to get a body shop to weld in new metal, the rust is always around the arches and never structural unless in extreme cases.
I have owned 3 preludes, all of them with the 2.2 VTEC, you won't be disappointed. If there is rust, don't run a mile if you are willing to get a body shop to weld in new metal, the rust is always around the arches and never structural unless in extreme cases.
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