I'm 16 and am thinking about buying my own car in a couple months and I'm really considering a 4th gen prelude. I love the way these cars look and from what I hear, they are pretty quick as well. I was just wondering how quick the non-vtec Preludes feel when driving them. Do they feel pretty strong when pulling onto the interstate/highway or when passing? I'm used to driving a '93 corolla with a 3 speed automatic, so I'm not familiar with driving any form of even relatively fast car. Thanks for any help.

 

If they have the H23a1 then yes they are pretty strong, that motor has really good torque, but it has a lower powerband so no high reving it or you will blow the bottom end.

If it has the H22a1 then it has the vtec, which has a high power band and revs higher as well and a lot of aftermarket support.

If it has the F22a then it is has lower power than the H22 or 23.

If you can find it, just find one with an H22 already in it so you will not have do go through the hassel of swapping later on, unless you want to go that route, its entirely up to you.

I like the H23a, I have it in my 1990 Si 4WS Prelude, but I swapped motors for better power to weight ratio.

 

A manual transmission will feel stronger than an automatic. I've known people to say it's like driving an entirely new car; so if you can, try to find a manual. Very easy to learn if you don't know how to drive a stick already.

 

I drove my friends, and it had pretty good response. Not the fastest car in the world, but also not the slowest.

Also consider Honda Accord Coupes!

 

Really? You dont prefer bb6? Bigger, safer, and it's faster.

 

Let's not turn this into a 4th gen vs 5th gen debate.


For future reference, 5th gens are 100lbs heavier, and have longer gears than 4th gen VTEC models. A stock for stock race between the two would come down to driver, but in general, a 4th gen VTEC should walk a 5th.

1/4 mile times:

4G VTEC.....15.1
5G.............15.4

http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html

 

4th gen VTEC's, from the source I use they got high 14's (14.9):

http://www.zeroto60times.com/Honda-V...mph-Times.html

and this one for visual reference, this guy ran a 14.3 @ 99mph with stock ~150k mile usdm h22a1 with only mods being I/E/H untuned, full interior. Really good driver too from the looks of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg4_nkHfhyM

 

Real 4th gen vtec models are hard to find, especially in good conditions. But if you're not even familiar with speed as you claim then even the base trim should be more than enough. I learned how to drive in a 93 S model with the f22 and I still find it pretty miraculous I never once crashed or wrecked it.

Speed is not even the point of the Prelude, anyways

 

Mines for sale!