by "Bytemite" (bytemite)
Published 04/21/2017 at 20:10
by "Bytemite" (bytemite)
Published 04/21/2017 at 20:10
Tags: Honda Prelude
; Acura Integra
STARS: 1
I am calling upon the Oppo Hondabro hivemind. Help me decide between the two 90s sport coupes. I really want to own one of these Hondas before they get too old.
Looking to get one for around $4-5k as a beater that I can drive around without care. Exterior condition can be beat up as long as it’s still mechanically good. I’m not looking for current cars on sale, just trying to gather more information from anyone who has experience with them.
Comparing the two, which one comes out on top in each of these factors?
In order of importance: Driving feel and engagement, ergonomics, nimbleness, engine sound, cost of maintenance.
Any selling points beyond these won’t matter to me since I don’t care about safety, comfort, theft-risk, or “DD-ability”, but which would be your pick?
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/21/2017 at 20:22, STARS: 2
Integra GS-R no contest on ANY of those categories! And no, I’m not biased!
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/21/2017 at 20:22, STARS: 1
I’m obviously biased towards the Prelude, but the SH’s torque vectoring system, while great when it’s working, isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Most of them have been deactivated or removed. Other than that, you just have to monitor oil consumption. Most of the other points you’re interested in are more or less even between the two cars. You’ll have a much easier time finding an SH in your price range than a GS-R, though.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
04/21/2017 at 20:25, STARS: 1
Prelude
"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
04/21/2017 at 20:31, STARS: 2
Have I got a deal for you...
Just needs a little bodywork and some TLC. Nice color, however.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/21/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 2
GSR is smaller and more high strung, Prelude has more torque and lower highway cruising revs. Both have that inherent 90s Honda goodness. No idea how reliable the SH differentials are at this age though.
"ToyotaFamily" (robbav35)
04/21/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 1
GSR, hands down.
"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
04/21/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 2
The Integra GS-R is the best, the greatest Honda ever made! (not biased at all)
While both the Integra and the Prelude offer the traits you’re looking for, I feel the Integra is a little truer to the Honda spirit - light, agile, and revs to the moon. It also has greater aftermarket support than the Prelude .
However, it is really high strung and the short gears mean you stay at 3500-4000 rpm on the highway.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
04/21/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 1
GSR
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
04/21/2017 at 21:48, STARS: 0
Y u no ‘Lude?
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
04/21/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 1
Integra* will get stolen, and the SH has super cool futuristic 4 wheel steering or torque vectoring or something magic like that.
*ANY integra will get stolen.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/21/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 0
GSR. Both great cars, but the Prelude is a little more complex, and I’m pretty sure it weighs a couple hundred pounds more. Check me on that- but with a revver like those Honda engines that matters.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
04/21/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0
GS-R will hold it’s value better - but you should get the Prelude even if it’s not the SH.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/21/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 1
The Prelude is indeed about 10% heavier, but it has about 10% more horsepower and torque so they’re still about even.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
04/21/2017 at 22:49, STARS: 0
Preludes are an old mans car. The Integra is a What a Honda is meant to be, high strung, nimble and a hatchback.
If I want a personal luxury coupe I’ll buy an Oldsmobile.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/21/2017 at 22:58, STARS: 1
Ok - that’s about what I thought. I would still prefer the lighter car, personally. Although I think the Prelude is better looking -
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
04/21/2017 at 23:32, STARS: 0
Why?
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
04/21/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 0
Damn...that’s harsh. I saw reviews on the Prelude and it has really impressed.
"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana)
04/21/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 2
I always loved and wanted that body style of Prelude, it’s like the s2ks slightly older, studied abroad more intelligent sister.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
04/21/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 0
I’m sure the Prelude is a great car. It’s just never been one I wanted.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/21/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 1
Yeah, I’ve thought about importing a 4th gen Prelude from Japan, since they have the same engine as the 5th but are lighter (about the weight of a GSR, and even less with no sunroof, ABS, or airbags). They’ve been legal for about 6 months now, but I’d rather wait another couple years and get the facelifted version with the glorious backlit speedometer. I wouldn’t be DDing it, so RHD wouldn’t be a big concern.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/21/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 0
Ooh that would be the way to go. Seems like that would be better then either of the original choices— closer to the integra type R, but with a lower redline?
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
04/21/2017 at 23:57, STARS: 1
It really is the better car - especially for 85% driving. Longer suspension travel, more flexible motor, better interior, a bit better build quality. The GSr is just a hotted up Civic Coupe - while still a great vehicle - is not as nice overall.
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/22/2017 at 09:20, STARS: 1
Sort of, but still more GT-ish. I’d love an ITR, but I’d live in constant fear of it getting stolen.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/22/2017 at 10:06, STARS: 0
Yeah- definitely. I was thinking about the power to weight ratio. 200 high revving Hp in 2700 lb ish.
Weird about integras bring stolen. Thought the most stolen cars were usually Accords and the like, for chop shop operations. I hardly ever see any Integras around here any more
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/22/2017 at 10:30, STARS: 0
Yeah, it’s more the GSRs and Type R’s that are prone to theft. Integras are still fairly common here (Richmond area), but most of what I see are automatic LS’s.
According to Flavien, a JDM 4th gen Prelude would cost $4-6k with shipping. I don’t think I’d be able to get an Integra SiR-G for that, and I definitely won’t find an ITR for anywhere close to that.