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'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
Now I can drive it for another 7k without worry about it!
while we are on the subject of Manual Transmission Fluids, my car will reach 45k miles in about 2 months and I wanted to get the MT and coolant changed. I know Honda makes a big deal about putting only Honda brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid in the owner's mantel. Just wondering 1.) if we really need to put only Honda products in the Prelude, or if I could just take my car to Jiffy Lube and just get them to do it with whatever product they put in there.
2.) Is the Honda dealership the only place to buy those Honda made fluids?
Thanks.
I still have no idea why it was so cheap. It was offered at a small Ford dealership in a backwoods Alabama town, so maybe they have no idea what good cars are really worth, or they just despise the Prelude in favor of the Mustang.
Either way this was a great deal, but I still don't have the cash (need to sell a 10 year old SUV privately first).
Being the first Prelude of it's generation that I have driven, I think my debate of the Prelude vs. Integra has been settled.
Also, has anyone ever tried pulling a trailer of about 600-800 pounds with a Prelude?
Integra (RSX) Type-R is supposed to have 220-225hp. The Civic Type-R has already been announced in Japan and will have a 215hp motor. Japanese magazines have talked about a full production 200hp Integra (GSR) coming out for a while now. The only thing that we 'll definitely not get is those 18" wheels. The RSX will most likely have 16 or 17" ones. Hopefully the torque will be around 150ft-lbs or so and from the looks of it, although looks can be deceiving it still looks small and light. I 'd say around 2700 to 2750lbs, I hope! Hopefully it will come with a nice SS exhaust (GSR doesn't come with a SS one), at least 2-2.25" wide. I estimate it to be in the low to mid 6's 0-60 because the new i-VTEC engines are supposed to be lighter than current generation VTECs.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
1. How does this car performs in the snow? About like any front wheel drive car?
2. Is the 2001 model year the last year? Any thoughts about what that will do to resale values 4-5 years hence?
3. The Carsdirect price is $300.00 over invoice. Is this realistic? High? Low? I'm in the St. Louis/Southern Illinois market)?
4. How is the comfort of the car for a long (say, 400 mile) trip down the interstate?
All comments will be appreciated. Thanks.
Remember I said I have an automatic trans. with 40K.
mono1, I was in your situation before I got these tires, I know what you're talking about. But still, your all-seasons should not behave so bad, I had performace summer tires. What tire pressure have you got in your tires? Try reducing it by 2 psi and see..
I guess I bought this car too late in life. No doubt about it, it is a great car to own, if your about 22, single and short. Living in a large city (Houston) with dreadful traffic, the 5 speed (though sweet) has been a poor choice. In the City, I rarely get out of 3rd gear because of the heavy traffic, so the constant shifting and clutch work grows tiresome. Quickly.
Inside, the front seats are comfortable (firm & supportive)in a grippy/sturdy black fabric. You have a choice of interior colors as long as its black. Switch gear and instruments are clear and have that great "quality" feel to them. Considering the Preludes price, it would be nice to have had automatic climate control. The air conditioning and heat perform well, although the switchgear design is an older looking slider design vs knobs.
Getting into and out of the car isn't easy for my 39 year old body. The drivers seat comes with a manual height adjuster, which I have found to be useless since headroom is lacking no matter how I adjust the seat.
With the 5 speed, if you have anything other than a small can in the cup holder(s), the drink will be in the way of shifting the gears. I always end up putting the drink between my legs!
The back seat is not as bad as your told in most reviews (as long as your under 5'8). Getting in and out of it is a chore, but the front passenger seat slides forward to allow easier entry. There is even 1 cup holder back there!
The base stereo CD sounds great to me!
The option list for this car is limited. It comes standard with what I consider the basic "luxury" items, power windows, locks, mirrors, and moonroof. You can't get leather, the previously mentioned automatic climate control, a garage door opener in the visor and side airbags.
Truck space is good (considering) and you can lay the back seat down providing even more room.
Handling is this cars forte. Its ride is above par for a small sporty car, and it feels stable on most road surfaces. Road noise is fairly limited and much less than in our Integra.
I read complaints about lack of low end power in Honda's. I wouldn't want it any other way...I love to "VTEC" my car...the feeling of being thrown back into the seat when it kicks in is nearly orgasmic (I said, nearly).
I like the exterior design. I love the front end, especially the headlights. Side profile is good too, its low and sleek and the alloy wheels are sharp (not hard to clean either)! The rear end is a let down. Its not ugly, just boring.
The exterior sheet metal FEELS delicate. I am careful not to park it near other cars for fear of getting door dings. The paint is easily marred by rocks thrown by those damn SUV's and trucks...
A few quality issues have surprised me with my car. The weather stripping around the windshield is constantly coming out of place. I have taken it to the dealer on more than one occasion. All they do is put tape on it and let it sit in the sun, which never works for long.
My "H" on the back trunk feels like it could fall off @ any minute.
It rattles! Rattles began cropping up shortly after I bought it. This is the first Honda I have ever owned that has rattled this bad. I have taken it back to the dealer three times, first they oiled the moonroof gear, then attempted to tighten the PLASTIC (on a 25k car!)roof liner. Last time, they changed the back left strut. Now the same sound is coming from the right rear!
These are all minor nit picks that have added up to a somewhat less than stellar experience in the 25 months I have owned the car.
I hate to say it...but its been my least favorite Honda I have owned. I'm looking to trade it in soon. If Honda would bring back the CRX, I would be first in line to buy one!
By the way, I think the recommended psi for the prelude tires is 32 and not 30 (correct me if I'm wrong)?
Although with the same price, you get more luxury, but when talking about performance(stock that is), 1.8T cann't hang with a GSR that came out 6 years ago.
Back to the Prelude. Yeah, even with the base, they should add some features like gas struts for the hood, climate control, leather seat as an option(Although personally, I don't care about leather...) I always wonder, how much those will cost? like another $300 or less. Anyway, I don't know what Honda is thinking about!
Oh, and I dont know of any other cars that can do doughnuts in the snow
Not sure how old you are, but @ my age, "comfort" items become really important. Problem with the Prelude staying around much longer is MOST of those that can afford one, want it to have more "luxury" and those that lust over one the way it is now, are too young to afford one...
But, your right...it would add weight...like I said earlier...I just bought it too late in life.
I have looked @ the IS, but was turned off by the gimicky instrument panel and I absolutely loathe the clear rear lenses. It looks great in yellow. Loved the commerical with then man sleeping next to his in the garage! Not sure if you saw, but Toyota is coming out with 2 other versions of the IS for 2002. Believe a hatch and a sport wagon.
Again, thanks for the comments.
On the subject of what I don't like about the car - the one thing that does not seem to bother anyone else but me, is that the shifter is a few inches too far from my arm's reach - specially when shifting into 5th. I don't know, maybe I have shorter arms ;-) I've gotten used to it now.
The cup holders may not be practical for most people driving a stick, but I just love them (and I do drive a stick). I carry coffee most times. Of course I can't put in a "grande" cup, but all other sizes fit in fine and I love the way I can just lift the cup and put it back like it's sitting on a side table - it just the perfect placement for me, I wouldn't want it anywhere else.
PS: An A4? Nope! An S4? Maybe, maybe not?
The problem is that the Lude for younger people that don't care about the extra luxury items but mainly performance. Thing is they can't afford the ~23-25K price tag and the people than can (30ish to 40ish) are dissatisfied with its limited interior and lack of certain amenities, comfort etc.
I 'm 35 and lately have been thinking that my '99 GSR may be my last "true small" sports coupe. I too think I bought it a little too late but that's because I couldn't afford it earlier on top of the wife's family sedan, my small commuter Civic HB, kids, mortgage, etc. It's a blast to drive but since I modded the suspension (have been autocross racing with it which I 'm really hooked on) my 160 mi. a day commute is not as comfortable as I 'd want it to be. Handles great and VTEC is "almost" orgasmic but when I guess in my age (our age.. glad to see some people older than me here, hehe) I 'm beginning I 'm acquiring a test for more comfort, noise, better ride, etc.
It sucks I must say because I love small sports coupes and hatchbacks and especially my GSR. Oh and I look forward to driving my brother's Type-R (he 's 36) every chance I get, but something tells me I might not be too happy in the long run or on my long commute in another RSX or WRX or what have you a year or 2 from now when I go trade in the GSR for something better. I think new Bimmers are way overpriced so I 'm already considering CL Type-S or IS300. Although I 'm not really happy about having to spend $30K+ (this would mean getting rid of the Civic too as I alternate between 2 cars to get to work due to the high mileage and not pile the mileage onto 1 car) I have to have a relatively fast car and a decent handler. An Audi 1.8T for me is not an option as it is slower than a GSR. I 'm even considering a GTI VR6 or 1.8T which I 've heard are very solid, stable and comfortable cars and not bad in performance either, especially with the new sports package. The VW would probably only be an option if I can't afford the $30K+ luxury sport sedans/coupes since they are around $22-24K. It's a little depressing but I don't know if I can buy another Integra or Prelude type car. My friend who is 30 and owns a '98 base Prelude already wants to sell it and get a Lexus, Infinity, BMW 323 or even a 330i if he can manage it. He says his commute into NYC is getting a little tiresome in the Prelude 5-sp.(once in the outskirts of the city, he 's stuck in traffic all the way to midtown..). This is a 30yr old saying this so it makes me feel good that I only started getting these feelings at 34-35 :-)
Or I can say I 'm not an old fart yet, and continue owning little sports coupes and pocket rockets and continue auto-x racing because I don't think I can give that up. It's too much fun. I just can't see me racing in a Lexus, Infinity, or Type-S.. although people do, not many, but we do get some of these cars.. And I have to continue getting manual tranny cars so the wife can't drive them :-)
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
I'm in the market for a new Prelude this spring and would like to find more info regarding the SE release. Also, where should I be buying from and how much should I be paying. I live north west of Toronto and can shop anywhere around Toronto central, north and west.
My negotiating skills are somewhat lacking and I would appreciate some help.
I'm looking for a 5-speed manual with a spoiler. I do not have a trade-in.
I treat all of my cars with loving care. They are garaged @ work and @ home, always hand washed, maintanance schedule always followed, never driven "hard", etc...the Prelude is over 2 years old and only has 11k on it. It shouldn't rattle like this. This is how bad it rattles...my '99 Grand Am SE Sedan with 30k on it rattles less!
Our Integra GSR rattles too, but you can't really hear it because the road noise is so loud while driving!
I really love my car and like Honda, BUT I'm not buying another Honda cause i don't have the patience/time to deal with the A** H***s who sell and service these cars.
I saw the article on the SE Prelude at www.canadiandriver.com, goto the auto news section.
http://www.sonic.net/~danm/lude/shock_knock_TSB.gif
I'm only going to talk about what I am sure of (I have the service manual for the '97 prelude) but I would think most of this is translated to the newer years.
I'm going to list all of the differences for the two models:
1) Camshaft lift base SH
IN primary 1.3402 1.3402
IN mid 1.4510 1.4657 higher
IN Secondary 1.3768 1.3768
EX Primary 1.3285 1.3285
EX Mid 1.4300 1.4450 Higher
EX Secondary 1.3655 1.3655
2) Different length valve springs.
3) Alignment, front wheel turning angle different
4) Different processes for alignment of caster due to different radius rods/design.
5) Radius rod is much beefier on the SH.
6) Smaller diameter sway bar on SH, Differently mounted than on Base.
7) differ front springs on SH model (must be to compensate for the smaller sway bar).
8) Different front Knuckel, steering connects higher on SH.
9) Identical rear suspension.
10) Slightly less coolant in the SH.
Without calling a honda dealer, I can't tell if the front shocks are different.....
P.S. The acoustic feedback system does work with different headunits, the amplifier/mic system is mounted under the rear deck, and my alpine works great with it!
That's all I got....
Anyway...a very large thank you!
http://www.alldata.com/recalls/
and
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/
HTH,
-Josh
Car & Driver had an article on King Motorsports (the official Mugen aftermarket parts distributor in the US) where they took a Type-R and modded it. One of the mods was a smaller 22mm front sway bar.. and another was a 24mm rear sway (instead of the 22mm that it comes with in the rear). This however they said made the car oversteer too much which is why they were only able to get .92g out of (up from .90g) it in the skidpad with street tires. They screwed it all up. SCC mag. had GSRs & Preludes with a 1.0g on the skidpad because they did everything right. Goes to show you these big shot racing shops don't always get it right.. For anyone that doesn't know King Motorsports has produced many race winning "Mugen" Type-Rs in the last 3-4yrs.
Anyway, I was a little surprised to see these changes between the 2 Ludes, especially the valve springs one! and btw, if the springs are different in the front for the SH, you can bet the shocks are different. They have to match the springs or the different spring rates with different shocks for the car to be well balanced.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
I've taken it to a dealer who test drove it and found the shifting to be a little "notchy", but normal while the transmission fluid gets up to operating temperature.
Is this really normal? Any comments would be welcome.
I made an appointment to take mine in for the "shock-knock" problem this Friday.
Can anyone suggest an alternative place in Massachusetts? I'd still have to go to a dealership for warranty issues later, though. :-(
This week, I sent them an e.mail requesting an appointment, I attached the service bulletin and within 10 minutes, the service mgr. called me, told me that I could bring the Prelude in Thursday evening, they would have a loaner car for me to use and I could pick the Prelude up Friday after work.
They even wash my car when I bring it in....I've never had to wait more than a couple of days for an appointment. They are always helpful, always return my calls, they are pleasant to deal with, etc....they even call me a couple of days after I have taken my car in (even for an oil change) to see if everything is okay!
Check them out @ http://www.johneaglehonda.com/
Another cool thing they do is periodically invite their customers to speedways and drag strips and let you race each other or the clock. All you have to do is registar. They usually send you an invitation in the mail....
By the way, if you can't find a local Honda dealer your happy with...try an Acura dealer...sometimes they offer same/similar pricing for service. I take my '96 Integra GSR to my Honda dealer too since I like the service I get there.
Good luck to you. I'll let you know if the "shock-knock" problem in my Prelude is fixed upon return from the dealer Friday p.m..
Best...
Now, I don't mean to sound like I'm and expert on cars and every Honda dealer sucks. I never had a problem at the dealership in New Jersey - where the car was originally bought.
Anyone knows how's the job market in Houston? ;-)