Today's interesting finds for my next car

[rammstein]

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/924818884.html

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/920547544.html

The white one looks pretty darn nice, and the ad apprears to be written be somebody with a basic handle on communication skills. Plus, amazingly, its stock!

What's the verdict on this one?

[Porsche virgin]

I had a '98 Prelude and really liked it. It was reliable as hell (shocking, huh?) and handled fantastically for a FF car. I autocrossed mine, and with a set of coil-overs, it was really sweet. Still, at about 2850, it was heavy compared to the two Miatas and 911 that I've owned before and after.

It was comfortable for two, but that's it.

My biggest complaint about the car was the notable increase in power when the VTEC kicked in. It was great in a straight line, but if you were accelerating though a turn, the extra power would increase the understeer and push you off line.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the car.

[rammstein]

Well... since you're offering

Any common ailments to beware of? My internet searches don't come up with much. Not like when you search for Bimmers or Vws...

I'd ultimately prefer an M3, but I don't have a garage yet, and so whatever I get has to hopefully work most of the time. That's the allure of the Hondas- the hope that they will not break.

Plus- if you have any AutoX advice for one, I'm curious. I assume I couldn't do coilovers if I wanted to stay in the stock class. What class did you run in?

[Porsche virgin]

Originally Posted by rammstein

Well... since you're offering

Any common ailments to beware of? My internet searches don't come up with much. Not like when you search for Bimmers or Vws...

I seem to remember a TSB going out regarding...hmmm...something small...maybe an ignition module? Not a big deal. I literally can't recall...oh wait...I did have one small problem. The front driver's side sway bar end link broke. I can't think of any systemic problems.

Originally Posted by rammstein

I'd ultimately prefer an M3, but I don't have a garage yet, and so whatever I get has to hopefully work most of the time. That's the allure of the Hondas- the hope that they will not break.

Me too. I have an RSX-S now, and I'm dying to go back to RWD for a daily driver. The E36 M3 is such a nice mix of sport and luxury. The M3s are getting really cheap now. I'm hoping to find a nice M3 four door. They are out there, but the two door is easier to find.

Originally Posted by rammstein

Plus- if you have any AutoX advice for one, I'm curious. I assume I couldn't do coilovers if I wanted to stay in the stock class. What class did you run in?

I was in STS. I was allowed simple bolt on mods and only street tires (no R comps). I think the SH would put you in STX because of the "LSD." The cone air filter would push you out of stock. If you stayed stock (just the front sway bar and shocks), you'd be in DS, competing against more nimble RWD cars, the MS3, and WRXs.

[Dueller]

A buddy has a '95 M3...white, rare non-sunroof model. Immaculate, well maintained, cold air intake, new Koni's, cat-back exhaust, strut brace. 17' wheels on the car and a set of 18" he probably would throw in. Downside: 192K miles but you would never know it by the looks, tightness, drive. Runs flawlessly. He may be getting ready to sell it.

[Big Ed]

White one looks really clean in the photos, the Type SH handling is nice but definitely NOT as tossable IMHO as the rear drive BMWs. My '98 was reliable as a tank, never an issue.

Just remember that you must keep the revs up in those guys...NO low end at all. I grew tired of that, and I rarely drove in the city. It was just a hassle after a while. YMMV.

[rammstein]

I previously leased an Rx8 (before I realized that being broke forever isn't a viable method for living) and I am well accustomed to low-torque motors like that. I am also accustomed to wacky powerbands, after having owned the 951. Push gas, wait, wait, wait, WAMMO!

I know for sure that the Prelude won't be tossable like those two were. I've unfortunately owned 2 of the best handling cars ever made, and its going to be impossible to expect that from a F/F car. Its just that I really need whatever I buy to be cheap to maintain. I'm basically trying to have some autoX fun while I save money to eventually purchase a house with a garage. THEN... as I have told my wife... THEN I will buy a monstrosity. My dream, I think, is a turboed 968. Just thinking about that makes me giddy.

[Porsche virgin]

Originally Posted by Big Ed

Just remember that you must keep the revs up in those guys...NO low end at all.

The 2.2 in those cars felt like a V-8 (well maybe a V-6) compared to my torqueless-wonder RSX-S.

Prelude:
Horsepower: 195 hp Max Horsepower: 7000 rpm
Torque: 156 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 5250 rpm

RSX-S
Horsepower: 200 hp Max Horsepower: 7400 rpm
Torque: 142 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 6000 rpm

Only 14 ft-lbs difference, but more was available at lower RPM.

[Porsche virgin]

Oh, and I should have mentioned that the seats (for me, at 5'7", at least) were an incredibly comfortable, high-quality cloth.

[serge944]

Originally Posted by rammstein

I previously leased an Rx8 (before I realized that being broke forever isn't a viable method for living) and I am well accustomed to low-torque motors like that. I am also accustomed to wacky powerbands, after having owned the 951. Push gas, wait, wait, wait, WAMMO!

I know for sure that the Prelude won't be tossable like those two were. I've unfortunately owned 2 of the best handling cars ever made, and its going to be impossible to expect that from a F/F car. Its just that I really need whatever I buy to be cheap to maintain. I'm basically trying to have some autoX fun while I save money to eventually purchase a house with a garage. THEN... as I have told my wife... THEN I will buy a monstrosity. My dream, I think, is a turboed 968. Just thinking about that makes me giddy.

The Prelude won the "cheap category" in the Ultimate Handling Test C/D did back in Sept. '97.

Unfortunately,

[Porsche_monkey]

I was going to say 'Prelude' and 'Interesting' do not go together.

But looking at those cars, I'll grant you a 'slightly interesting' rating....

[Big Ed]

Originally Posted by Porsche virgin

Oh, and I should have mentioned that the seats (for me, at 5'7", at least) were an incredibly comfortable, high-quality cloth.

I agree. And I'm 6'. I really like high quality cloth interior, and that is not easy to find.

[Scott R]

I just junked a 2.3l version of one of these, very tragic design flaw in the input shaft on the transmission. I replaced the input shaft twice (for my brother) third time it left on a flatbed. Also and I hope this only on the 2.3; they put the oil filter right above the header and it cooks the o-rings on the adapter every few oil changes.

[Porsche virgin]

Originally Posted by Scott R

I just junked a 2.3l version of one of these, very tragic design flaw in the input shaft on the transmission. I replaced the input shaft twice (for my brother) third time it left on a flatbed. Also and I hope this only on the 2.3; they put the oil filter right above the header and it cooks the o-rings on the adapter every few oil changes.

Was that car the '92-'97 version with that ugly dashboard?

[CarreraDan]

I had a 2000 Type SH, after a 96 SI. The non SH cars tend to torque steer pretty badly, the SH is better but still not perfect. I drove mine just under 50k miles (had 7 when I got it) and it was very trouble free except for once. One night I was getting on the interstate winding out 3rd and all the sudden it sounded like a bunch of rocks in a metal trash can and I lost all power. I got the car off the road and had it towed to the Honda dealer. They could not believe that the timing chain tensioner failed and that was the end of that. Honda covered all expenses and a week later I was good to go. The 2.2 was actually pretty quick and the 5 speed was superb. Handling was good with the right tires and I had a lot of fun with the car in the four years I had it.

I actually considered looking for another one about a year ago as having two SUV's sucks but everything had been trashed by kids trying to mod them that I could find. I am 6'2" and my right leg used to hit the dash next to the stereo that became very uncomfortable after a few hours. Good luck finding a good one--the white one would be my pick.

[rammstein]

Agreed on the trashed-by-kids issue. I'd almost given up and then I saw this white one. The ad is written in english, and besides the cone filter the only other thing he did was the lip, which looks stock to me anyhow, no qualms with that.

I'm going to email the seller some questions- want to see if he has receipts, and also the status of wearables (tires, brakes, suspension). I'll see if he's responsive.

I'm 5'10, so the inside should be big enough for me. The back seat will have a hammock setup for my dog, which will be its only function besides 1-2 times a year when I pick someone up from the airport.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by Porsche virgin

Was that car the '92-'97 version with that ugly dashboard?

Yes, 93' to be exact.

[rammstein]

I just emailed the seller with a bunch of questions about receipts/parts replaced, condition/makeup of tires, etc. Lets see if he gives me good answers.

Did anybody notice the brown line going along the underside of the hood? Is that a burn? What could that be from?

[CarreraDan]

Did anybody notice the brown line going along the underside of the hood? Is that a burn? What could that be from?[/QUOTE]


I am guessing some sort of leak, it is right in line with the serpentine belt so what ever it was got thrown up onto the hood. Also ask where the car was serviced as I think most Honda dealers can run the VIN for you and you might get an idea of its history if it were dealer serviced. I just checked autotrader for the heck of it and everything with in a 200 mile radius of me is either "ricerfied", an auto, or priced way to high for the miles. Let us know what you hear back.

[TGTIW]

My guess is that the brown line is from a liberal use of belt dressing.