I don't care about performance. I want reliability and air conditioning and I want them cheap I like the looks of the late 80's to early 90's Integras and Preludes and they're both Hondas so I'm sure I can't go wrong either way, but...

Which one is more comfortable? Which one is more reliable? Which one is more expensive? Which one has the better looking interior? (I haven't seen an Integra interior yet) Which one gets better gas mileage? (I'm guessing the Integra) What's up with the 4 wheel steering on the Preludes? Seems kinda cool, but potentially quirky at the same time...

Actually, these are just the 2 cars whose looks I like best. I think just about any Honda would do nicely...even a 4-door (gasp!) NO automatics though!!

Here's the story for those who care:
I'll have my AA degree at the end of this year and will be transfering to university at that time. My friend and I are planning to move in together at that time and share expenses, so I've decided that the wisest thing to do is to sell the Corvette and the Camaro around then and get a nice 4-cylinder car for the days that are too rainy for the Gixxer or for when I need to transport an item that is bigger than my backpack. That also leaves me with some spare $$$ to fall back on for whatever I may need it for.

 

Are you talking about the 3rd gen prelude? The B20 and B21 engines are bunk, go with a 90-93 Integra if you can...I would say more reliable.

 

I have no experience with the 2nd gen integras, but I do own a 91 Si prelude. The interior is great (keep the sun roof cover back if you are over 6", but no other comfort problems), the styling is clean and attractive, the handling is great, BUT-I have the B21a motor. If you like burning oil, and lots of it, buy a 91 Si. Otherwise, an Si with the fuel injected B20 from 88-90 is good. The B21 has oil burning problems due to either piston rings or valve seals, and the cylinder sleeves are terrible if you attempt to rebuild one. The list of aftermarket parts is very lacking, but you can do I/H/E, lowering springs, shocks, cam gears, etc.-just not a great deal of appearance parts or variety for aftermarket parts manufacturer wise. If it's just a daily driver for you, go for one.

 

4k for a 1992 Prelude SI on ebay can be found...

Stay away from 4WS, just another thing that will break...

 

I have no idea what generation I'm talking about... It's the late 80's ones that still look kinda boxy

Why are those engines "bunk?" Was that a typo (you meant "junk") or is that some 1337 intarnet sp33k that I'm not hip to yet?

And defects in the design of the piston rings is kinda sorta MAJOR don't you think?! Can anyone else confirm that that is a usual problem?

 

saty away from 3rd gen Ludes unless you plan on putting an H22 in it. the engone in them are garbage. i have a friend that has replaced his like 5 times now..... and he isn't hard on it at all. he currently is running the B20 block w/ a B21 head, and it runs well. I love Preludes, especially my 5th gen. but you won't catch me dead underneath the hood of another 3rd gen unless I'm dropping in a H22. i hate to say it, but buy a teg. 92 or 93 GS-R if you can find one. those things are the shiz-nit.

 

Yeah if you read what other people said you will realize that it's bunk.

Bunk is a local term = it basically means nonsense, but we use it in terms of cars to describe ghetto parts/engines/cars that don't work properly.

It's a major problem the oil/pistons etc...

This is a 3rd gen prelude:

Source: KnightM3 on PO.com

 

WOW! I just noticed how inexpensive the '92+ Civic CX is I bet it's a dog, but then again, that doesn't matter and they ONLY came with a manual tranny so that's a plus... hmmm, seems I'm bastardizing my own thread! DOH!

 

Ahhh. Yeah I was talkin about the 3rd gen then... Looks like I'll be avoiding those. Thanks yous guys

 

reliability depends on WHO you purchase the car from and how well they took care of it as well as if they abused it or not. saying the prelude/integra is more reliable then the other is not a statement you can really say when you are comparing apples to apples. im sure you know this, but the older the car the better the chances that the car will be less reliable.

 

i don't know about your friend there dude.... i had an 89 Si prelude and i loved it. it never broke down. i was hard on it too. bought it used with 75000 miles and sold it at 170000 miles. never had a problem except for a normal clutch change. the car was reliable as hell. as long as you find one in a good condition, and take good care of it you'll be fine. it's not that fast (16.2 1/4mile) but it has a kick-*** interior. i'm 6'2" and i was comfortable. seats are awesome.
i wouldn't get a civic CX unless you plan to do a swap later (even a D16 single cam VTEC). i had a CX and i can tell you that you'll be pissed every time you drive it because it's slow as hell. those 65whp are just not enough IMO. it has no torque whatsoever and takes forever to get to 65mph. it will feel so slow especially after those V8's you're used to now.
integras are nice too. 90-93 though. i don't like the older ones. they're cool too as far as reliability and stuff, but i think preludes look better. so try to get a 90-up teg. it would be cool if you can spend $4K and get yourself a nice 92 prelude Si.