i have my eyes set on this 97 prelude sh. i asked the owner if theres anything wrong with the car and he replied saying

"The only behavior it has is that the ATTS light for
Active
Torque Transfer System on. The micro-controller has a
glich and has shut itself off. It's a common problem
for the 97s. I just never got it fixed because a new
controller costs $700."

What the hell is the micro-controller and will it make a big impact?

 

get a base prelude. it a bit lighter and therefore faster. if you're not planning on hitting the track, no use for the ATTS anyway.

 

Agreed...otherwise, you could disconnect your ATTS so the light isn't so bothersome, lol (you'll just have a little more dead weight to carry with ya). If you really want ATTS though, I'd say it'd be worth it to fix it later, depending on how much he's asking for it....what is he asking for it?

 

for the car 13,000...to fix the micro-controller 700

 

I think I would try to go a little lower----what is the mileage on the car? My 97 base Prelude has 79k now, and it books for like almost 11k in perfect condition. Since the ATTS has to be fixed on that SH, I don't know what a going price for that car would be...you should check bluebook on that.

 

theres 46 k on it. how much should i bargain?

 

I personally wouldn't give him more than $12K for it. The mileage is good, but it's still almost 6 years old, and since it's an SH, the value goes a little more up over the Base model. Hope that helps...