I've been thinking about replacing my CRX with a Prelude....

My CRX is an ’89 si with almost 200k miles. There are lots of little things that need to be fixed, but the car runs great, gets great mpg (~35) and is still fun. I’ve owned it for almost 5 years now. Bought it for $1800 back in 2004.

Lately, the last generation Prelude has caught my attention. It seems like this may be a good replacement for the CRX. It has similar characteristics but is newer and safer.

Please provide your opinion on whether this would be a good change. If you have had experience with the Prelude and CRX, your opinion will be held in high regard.

Thank you!

 

get 4gen u wont regret it aldo i miss my 5 gen sometimes but all love goes to 4gen

 

I say keep the crx and put a ctr engine in it. The crx is light and IMO it has much more potential than a prelude. I own a 97 prelude (5th gen) that is automatic with sport shift (tiptronic) and it is garbage. I have always loved the way the 5th gen looks and when they are done right they look amazing. If you do decide to get a prelude DO NOT get an automatic. All you need to do is drive one to see what I am talking about. When I first got mine I was disgusted with honda for mating the h22 to this slushbox, it sucks away all the power the engine makes.

 

Ummmmm, it should be a given that autos suck *****!!

 

Thanks for the replies!
One more thing to include about me and my plans - I am no longer into going fast and upgrades. So if I keep the CRX, it will be with the stock d16a6. If that engine dies, I will put in a Civic VX engine to get good mileage.... I guess you would say I am getting old.

So a stock prelude (with a 5 speed of couse) would replace my almost stock CRX.

 

If you are wanting daily driver upgrading to a Prelude is a great idea. The newer the car, the better. Not always in terms of performance, but comfort yes. I would never go with a 4th gen over a 5th gen. The older preludes are ugly and old looking. Thats just my opinion though. Plus, all 5th gens have the H22 stock, and most 4th gen preludes have H23 or F22.

The stock 5th gen prelude is a great car to keep stock. Its already got a H22 with lots of torque for you daily needs, as well as top end power for your weekend drives. The CRX is great, but not for your daily driver. Its simply too old and you will miss out on the comfort.

Believe me I am in a 93 del sol and having an old car is driving me crazy. I am looking into a 5th gen prelude or EP3 civic si.

 

stock for stock I'de say get the Prelude. If you can, keep the Rex and get the "Lude.

 

it seems like you are in the same position i was 2 years ago....i had an 89 crx that i spent about 6000 on including full b16 swap, koni/gc suspension, new rims and tires, new interior, cf hood, and so much more...dont get me wrong...the car was hella fun to drive and got alot of attention, including from the cops....i got too many tickets and i also just wanted something newer....so i ended up getting a pretty clean 4th gen with h22 for 3000....its definatly a comfortable daily driver and has enough power and torque to keep you happy....if you want to go fast stick with the crx but for more comfort, safety (dual airbags) and a low-profile among cops go with the lude...plus the lude 4th or 5th just looks better....but i do miss my rex and i wish i didnt sell it...so my final advice is keep the rex and get the lude too!!!!!!!!!

 

Prelude is a daily driver for me.

My civic is my toy, lighter, and a hell of alot funner with a 2.2 engine in it.

 

put the h22 in your crx

 

Get the 5th gen. I had a ej6 civic with a b18c and it was fun but I can't get over the fact that civic/crx's just feel cheap. When my civic got stolen I picked up the bb6 and have fallen in love. Its not as fast as my civic was but as far as comfort goes, it beats it hands down. Plus they aren't anywhere near as common. If you care about that **** at all.

 

You'll have no issues with the upgrade. Even if you had a EK you'd still feel a big difference in comfort fit, and finish from a Civic to a Prelude.

I've owned most of the cars except a del Sol. Have a 5G Prelude now. One of my CRX's was pretty bad *** too. Go with the Lude. It will have that "familiar" feel, as you alluded to, but in the end, it looks and feel more grown up than any Civic or Teg.

 

I raced my friend in is CRX ZC SOHC with bolt ons in my stock prelude and it was even. But i have an H23A1, if i had an H22 it would have been a dif story.

 

that would be nice if he was going for performance..but hes not, still a very sweet swap

 

Great input everyone!

I would love to get a Prelude and keep the CRX, but I already have a second car (total of three for a family of 2.15). That one suits the purpose of a second car much better than a Prelude or CRX would - its a 1994 Mitsubishi Expo. Its our beach mobile - I use it for hauling my kayaks and occasionally 7 people to the beach. Bought it from the original owner last year for $1200. Not to get off subject, but that’s a great car! 2.4 (Eclipse) engine with a five speed manual in a small van is not something that you find in the US anymore.

I've thought about the money aspect of going from the CRX to a Prelude, and it looks like the “equation cannot be solved”. The rough estimates are – get 3k for my CRX and buy the Prelude for 5k. There are two problems with this:
1. No one will pay me 3k for my CRX.
2. For 5k I will probably get a crappy Prelude.

This also made me realize how much I value the CRX. If its worth to me way more than anyone would pay me for it, than it must be special!

 

for 5K you could get a great 4th gen prelude. Don't bother with a 5th gen. They are heavier and I honestly don't think they built them as well as the fourth gens or 3rd gens for that matter.

4th gens are lighter too.

Overall I'd keep your crx though if it runs fine. They are pretty quick due to its light weight design. Now if you wanted to blow some money on it, an h22 swap would be fun. You'd have a pretty fast car with a great power to weight ratio.

 

Agreed.

 

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread...prelude&page=5
at the bottom of that page you will see why you should come to the darkside lol

 

^ and the darkside being Prelude ?

The Canadian models have rear wiper assemblies, so do most Euorpean models. But not the USDM spec.

 

^LMAO of course

 

Go with the 5gen Lude man I own a 2001 Prelude SE and it's awesome. The H22A4 is great and you will love the top end power. I would keep the CRX thou to