Hey guys,

I need some help making a decision. I currently drive a 1992 Civic sedan. The body on it isn't that great, I picked it up for $900 as an a-b car two years ago and it's been great and hasn't given me any problems. I haven't modded it because first of all like I said the body sucks, and I wanted a hatch anyways.

So instead of dumping money into that, I've been saving, and I was going to buy a nice clean 99-00 hatch next summer, that I would do up a bit. And I just mean... lower it, get wheels, and front and rear lip. A short shifter, maybe better brakes and other suspension things. I wouldn't touch the engine because modding a d16 is pointless and a swap is expensive, and it's a slippery slope from there and I just don't want a money pit. A good handling, nice looking, clean, reliable gas saver is what I'm after, pretty much. MAYBE I would get a swap later on, or if the engine dies, etc, maybe not, but not int he near future after I get it (but that's kind of why I wanted a "clean" one in case I decided to do that stuff).

Basically this car is the image I'm going after... clean, oem. (sorry for stealing your pic, it's a members car on here)

http://img88.imageshack.us/my....6.jpg

Ok anyways (sorry this is long as hell I'm trying to be brief here) I was looking at cars for the hell of it and I realized that a 5th gen prelude (don't like the older ones) are just a grand or two more! Of course there are some for 10+ grand, but I saw some mint ones for 4500-6000$. So this got me thinking, why not? They are a tad heavier which is not good if you're going after speed, but I'm not at all. I would do the same thing as I would with the hatch, just clean it up a bit. And realistically I was going to spend 4k on the ek, plus 2k for the mods right away... I can just buy a clean prelude for 6k and mod it later on when I get the money. I mean it looks nicer, it's faster (so if I decide to mod it I can do bolt ons vs shelling out $$ for a swap), it's more luxurious for cruising, and it's just an overall better car, for just a tad more money.

Example: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-car...37395

Are there any downsides to the Prelude, other than it's weight which isn't even much more and doesn't matter unless you're building a track car ? I love how EK hatches look but Preludes are sexy as well, and it seems like a much better car overall (it was, after all, higher up in the lineup than the civic..).

I'm posting this in the Civic section because I'm sure a lot of you thought about this so I just want to hear some pros and cons.

Thanks for reading everyone, I appreciate the help.

 

bump

 

Its preference. The Prelude is a sportier car. The Civic is cheaper and a little better MPG. Personally I prefer the Civic hatch for looks and cost. But the Prelude is a little more upscale as you said. Theyre both good cars. If I had a Prelude I wouldnt mod it at all. Its already got great power.

 

It all depends on your taste and what your using it for.

There is alot more parts for a Civic vs Prelude so the options are kind of endless with a Civic. If your one of those people that says "Well everyone did this already so I can't do that" then you need to get yourself a Lude.

If your sticking to your goal of a gas saver, nice clean looking car, versatile when needed kind of transportation I would say get the Civic.

IMO, the Lude is not sexy at all. Other then the fact that it's got a bigger engine it has nothing to offer except for the additional weight.

Good luck on your decision, just remember what your goals are and what your pockets tell you.

 

Thanks guys. I still can't decide heh. I will probalby just search for both when it's time to buy, and just pick up whichever car is cleaner and has a good price.

 

They are both nice cars. Either one will be nice.

 

This may be a silly question but have you test drove any of these cars??

 

i love small cars so a prelude wouldnt be an option for me.

even if i never planned to track my car weight is a big issue for me. i just dont like having a heavy car.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX T-Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your sticking to your goal of a gas saver, nice clean looking car, versatile when needed kind of transportation I would say get the Civic. </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

nice

 

Yea I prefer Civics just because I think the Prelude has a girly touch to it imo, but it really is what you prefer. If you want good gas get the Civic, but if you want power get the Prelude.

 

bump