Prelude or 328I

[italianboy6857]

Hi guys,

Im new to this forum.

Im 18 years old from New Jersey And im getting my car once i can pick the one i want. Im looking at 2 cars but im so stuck on which car to buy.

In terms of reliability and performance and looks and any other category what would your choice be.
Any input that you help me with is greatly appreciated.

1998 Honda Prelude

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 190 @ 6600
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 156 @ 5250
Engine Type Gas I4
Displacement 2.2L
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3009









1997 BMW 328I

Engine Type Gas V6
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 190 @ 5300
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 206 @ 3950

Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3,197
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive

[sickcallawayc12]

My only beef with Beamers is they are high maintenence even though its good in all the categories you mentioned so I say the Prelude.

[drunken monkey]

it's not a V6.
what are they asking for them?

[italianboy6857]

i have about id say 7200 MAX and htats stretching the budget and there asking average 6900-7300 for the ones im looking to buy idealy its not the perfect one i want they cost like 8 thousand but with my budget i have to settle for a few more miles in the car

[GForce957]

What is the mileage on them?

[Moppie]

They will both kill you faster than you can learn to drive them, so I suggest the BMW, then you can kill 3 of your friends at the same time.

[italianboy6857]

UHHH i havent looked at a specific car ofeach but for what the price fits into
the lude averages at 105 thousand miles and the BMw averages between 100-135 thousand =/

[silentscreams85]

Tough choice!. In terms of reliability i would take the Prelude and maintenance would also be ALOT cheaper. In terms of performance terms it is a tie. The Prelude has a 5speed and even though the BMW is auto its RWD. Looks, well thats all opinion but i dont really care for the looks of that year 3series, id take the Prelude. Overall. Prelude for sure.

[GForce957]

Originally Posted by Moppie

They will both kill you faster than you can learn to drive them, so I suggest the BMW, then you can kill 3 of your friends at the same time.

They aren't exactly ferraris he is talking about, these are 15 second 1/4 cars.

I would go with the prelude. Less mileage, more reliability, manual, cheaper to fix, and fwd when you mess up

[MonsterBengt]

I never thought myself capable of putting a dick-enlarger in front of a plain boring car, but my vote's for the BMW.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by GForce957

They aren't exactly ferraris he is talking about, these are 15 second 1/4 cars.

You honestly think an 18 year old is safe with 190-200hp in their first car?
And when did 15 seconds become a slow 1/4 mile?

Have you ever seen what happens to a car when it hits something at 63mph?
Now count out 7 seconds.
Thats how long it takes either of these cars to garentee death in a crash.

[GForce957]

Originally Posted by Moppie

You honestly think an 18 year old is safe with 190-200hp in their first car?
And when did 15 seconds become a slow 1/4 mile?

Have you ever seen what happens to a car when it hits something at 63mph?
Now count out 7 seconds.
Thats how long it takes either of these cars to garentee death in a crash.

I dont think an 18yr old is really safe with any car. He isnt talking about a ferrari for his first car, i've seen many people around that age with these cars and not kill themselves. These are two safe average cars.

When a camry and an accord do better then 15 seconds, thats when it is no longer a quick 1/4.

[silentscreams85]

Originally Posted by GForce957

I dont think an 18yr old is really safe with any car. He isnt talking about a ferrari for his first car, i've seen many people around that age with these cars and not kill themselves. These are two safe average cars.

When a camry and an accord do better then 15 seconds, thats when it is no longer a quick 1/4.

I agree, but with more power available in a car i think its more tempting to be a little more daring and combine that with inexperience and a small error = accident. Heck the fastest car i've driven is one of the new V6 Mustangs. Theyre pretty quick (210hp/240tq) that isnt considered fast at all but after driving it i could see where a newer driver could underestimate that power and end up in a bad situation.

The camry v6 is rated at 268hp. Car and Driver tested it and it ran a 14.3 in the quarter mile. The accord v6 is in the mid 14s as well.

[lamehonda]

I wouldn't buy either of these cars cause you said you are stretching your budget already. What are your insurance rates on both vehicles? I would think the lude would be quite expensive.

As far as a new driver is concerned I would highly discourage the BMW. It might catch you out if the roads are wet and you aren't ready for a little oversteer.