Dracoro

My mum's looking for a new(for her, that means old to me ) car and likes the look of the Prelude (mid nineties one).

What engine is best? 2.2 or 2.3? (is the 2.0 OK?)

She likes a little bit of pep when need be but normally she's quite a sedate driver overall. Auto box good? (she's used to auto's but has had an audi coupe manual up until recently so doesn't mind which).

Any problems to look out for etc?

Budget around £3000 but could possibly put in £500 more if need be.

[Edited by Dracoro - 3/14/2003 11:33:44 AM]

EvoBarry

2.0 is ok, 2.3 is nice and torquey, but the daddy is the 2.2Vtec.

Be aware that insurance on imports is more than UK models, and UK models came with 4ws as standard I beleive, whereas its an option on imported models.

Theres also some non vtec 2.2 Si cars about, similar to the UK 2.3 I think.

All very good cars.

Reffro

2.0 Prelude will be as fast as the Audi Coupe. From what you say about your mum's driving go for a 2.3 over a 2.2VTEC, she'll get more benefit from its torque, than from the 2.2's power at the top end.

EvoBarry

2.0 is about 140bhp, 2.3 is 160 ish, 2.2Vtec is 187 UK, 197 Jap (on good fuel)

The auto box is fine I think, and theres plenty import Vtecs about with the sports auto box so for that budget she should be lauging.

One point to remember, the 4ws on these is electronic not mech. as with the Gen3, and they sometimes fail and reset to straight ahead. This can be fixed easily enough with a trip to a dealer, but is something to be aware of.


EDIT - reffro - the 2.2 is very torquey, at least a match for the 2.3 in normal driving. Also the 2.3 was only in production for one year so theres less of them around to choose from.


[Edited by EvoBarry - 3/14/2003 11:53:35 AM]

Reffro

EvoBarry I know, I was a salesman for Honda...

Yes the 2.3's were only around for a little while, but from his description, I don't think she would need the 2.2's poke. A 2.0 Prelude will be as quick as any 2.2/2.3 Audi coupe, so I would have thought the 2.3 would be better bet overall, less expensive to insure and run being one thing.

kenny.c

I have driven both the 2.3 and the 2.2vtec, the 2.3 would be better suited to ur mum coz of the amount of torque on tap, it handles pretty good aswell.

Vtec is more of an enthusiasts choice.

try get a uk one though.