Hey guys. I am thinking about picking up a 1993 prelude VTEC. It has 209k on the engine, but supposedly runs excellent. The paint seems to be in decent shape from the pictures, as does the interior. I currently owe about 7 thousand on a 2k1 civic LX coupe, and the engine just went in it. To get this car back on the road I am looking at about 2 grand going the cheapest route possible. I can pick up this prelude for about 1700 cash, and I believe the insurance would be cheaper for a 93 prelude too. I would like to get the lude and run it as is for now, until I can get my civic on the road this summer, and then put the lude away as a project. My question is: is this a hell of a deal or what??

also, I'm not sure- can the prelude take a double-din player without dash modification?
and- what do you guys think about the 4WS? any good? Thanks

 

If your going to pay 1700 for the prelude or 2000 to get the civic back running I would do one thing at a time and get the civic, that you owe 7000 on, back running. Besides the lude with 200k+ on it is bound to let go any day, especially if you beat on it like I beat on mine. Then your out 1700 and still have a broken civic.

 

I wouldn't buy another car that may die anytime soon or may not. But its your $1700, if its worth the risk and you have money to spend, go ahead. Why spend $1700 and then have to spend another $2000 to get your original car on the road.

 

preludes suck

 

I'd have to agree that the lude might go out. I've heard the catch phrases of "it's so clean you could eat off of it," and so forth. The has 209,000 miles...that's quite a few. It's bound for something to go out on it eventually. I would stick with fixing the civic, then you won't have two headaches. Just my humble opinion though. Good luck.

 

i would offer less than 1700. that seems steap for a 93 with high miles. i paid 1500 for mine with 197K.

 

I got a '93 4ws with a 2.3 and it had over 200K on it when I bought it in november. In december a bearing went bad and caused the piston to gash a hole in the cylinder walls. If you do buy it I would put a timing belt, balance shaft belt, water pump, and a set of bearings in it. Sounds like a lot but if you have the tools you can at least put bearings in it. The timing belt, balance shaft belt, and water pump will probably have to be done by someone that knows how to keep the timing the same cause if the cams get one notch off you'll mess up the head or the motor. You will love that car though, they're just so fun to drive and the dash is a pretty cool touch. I have 19's on it and they look good, but everyone on this forum doesn't think I should have 19's on mine but they look way better than 17's.

 

Another thought, if this car has 4ws, which I assume since you asked about it, it is not an original VTEC car. I would find out when the motor swap was done, what engine was used etc, it could help your situation, or get you into a whole can of someone elses problems. I have 197K on my 93 with a JDM H22 swapped in at 182K and I sure as hell wouldn't sell it for 1700!

 

yah dude whats up with that if i were to sell my lude i would ask 5k 1700 is a good deal if you hear the engine good and what not. some guy wanted 1500 for a crashed v-tec prelude that was only good for parts. so take some one with car experince and make sure the engine and transmission a/c are good and if they are i would say its a good deal. after you can run back the mph clock and sell it for more.. lol j/k but if all is good with the car then go for it. who is selling you the car anyways? very important.

 

if the car runs good thats a hell of a deal, even with 209k my h23 went for 300k+ beating the hell out of it.

 

Okay guys, thanks for all the good input. No the car does not have 4ws and it is an original motor. This car wasn't owned by a tuner, but by some older folks who used it for going to work, etc.

 

if it runs good then i would get it

 

theres a swapped 4th gen here in cali for 1800$.. its an h22 of course.. not unheard of but still a good deal nonetheless. but i agree that you should fix the problem you have at hand instead of avoiding it. why don't you try to figure out what the problem is and fix it?

 

Hey Dagle, it's an original h22a1. vin also says bb1