Need help from you guys before purchasing

Hi guys, it's been too long. This time around I wanted to ask a question about a Honda Prelude which I am considering buying and need some help from you.

I am looking at getting a Turbocharged and fully build top and bottom Prelude (H22 Vtec)
I will be checking it out tomorrow. I don't have all the details but may be able to update tomorrow with them.

This car was built by a knowledgeable mechanic who is looking to sell.
The car has 10 miles on a fully rebuilt motor. I don't know what year it is but it's between 1999 - 2001 reg. model.

The engine is sleaved and turboed, running on stock map at 10psi tuned.
The guys says he was building it for him self and so didn't cut any corners and got quality parts. I don't have the part list but I remember he was listing them and it was long and some of the stuff that I know of is very expensive. I'll try to update tomorrow with the list.

He's asking $6,000 for it.

Now I went to NADA and KBB to get some basic info on a car with just all stock and with miles from 120k - 144k and this is what I got.

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Nada guides

1999 - $4900 - 5800 @ 120k Avg. $5350
1999 - $2700 - 3600 @ 144k Avg. $3150

2000 - $5600 - 6500 @ 120k Avg. $5100
2000 - $2800 - 3700 @ 144k Avg. $3250

2001 - $3500 - 4400 @ 120k Avg. $3950
2001 - $2900 - 3850 @ 144k Avg. $3375

KBB - Private - Good Condition

1999 - $5100 @ 120k
1999 - $4300 @ 144k
Avg. $4700

2000 - $5500 @ 120k
2000 - $4600 @ 144k
Avg. $5050

2001 - $6000 @ 120k
2001 - $5000 @ 144k
Avg. $5500

Avg. Nada/Kbb

1999 - $5225 @ 120k
1999 - $3725 @ 144k

2000 - $5300 @ 120k
2000 - $3925 @ 144k

2001 - $4975 @ 120k
2001 - $4200 @ 144k
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I want to know if you guys feel this is a decent deal or if I am getting ripped off. It has S2000 wheels which I will need to get new tires for, so extra expense there.

He says the engine is fully sleaved, engines is fully built, pistons, rods, retainers, springs, everything except for cams because he said there would be loss of power on a VTEC H22 and issues with manifold if cams are changed, I'll get a better idea tomorrow and will update.

For now if you guys could give me some direction.
Now, this will be a daily driver and I need it to be reliable. Do you feel that reliability would be an issue with such a car.

He says that he built this car for the track, to be a track car and that it can handle upwards of I think he said 500 or 600 hp because he's done everything necessary to it but he said that at that point reliability would be an issue.
He's also told me that at the current 10psi it would be very safe as a DD.

What do you guys think? :confused:

Thanks a lot.

PS. Forgot to add, he has all receipts for parts.

A modified car is worth less than a stock car. It's only worth more if the buyer thinks so. I wouldn't even think about buying a car like that, I would do it myself.

Hi BullShifter.
Thanks for the reply.
I went out and took the car for a spin.
Freakin awesome man.

I pretty much decided I won't get it since it seems to be a little too much 'race' car for me. The 4-way seat belts alone took forever.
Plus it's completely gutted and needs to be further tuned so I need to buy a air/fuel ratio gage or take it in to a tune shop.

They guy has invested over $18,000 into it as it stands right now.

Here's a list of only a FEW items he has on it. Plus he has all stock gear too.


Carbon Fiber Hood
LSD Tranny
Fully built motor
Eagle Rods
JE Pistons
Full Harness kit
JDM Race Seats
Darton Sleeves in the block
Engine and Tranny have been rebuilt and have under 10 miles on it before I took it for a ride
Hawk break pads
Lifters
Retainers
Springs
Coilover kit
T3/T4 Turbo
Chrome tuning computer
Two stock ECUs
One after market for ECU for boost
BOV
Rotors + Pads cost $900 saw receipts
Interstate Battery
And a whole lot more


The car was awesome I just felt like it would be too much for a daily driver being that power steering is out and it's hard to drive. Plus LSD makes it hard to control, it needs new tires, I live in Utah and right now it's snowing, and the springs make it a terrible drive on the streets. Plus other reasons.

The ride was definitely fun and the car has a lot of potential. Basically if I don't get it, he's gonna keep it and push it to about 800hp to run on track.

Thanks for the response.
I wouldn't drop this much money into a car and that's why as you said, it's better to do it yourself, I wouldn't.

On the other hand, I know this guys isn't BSing me and will help me with whatever that may go wrong with the car.

Thanks again.

PS. It's a 1998 model.