prelude vs 240zx

Hey, im 16 and im looking for a decent compact sports car with some horsepower, but obviously not the kind that i'll wreck my first car right off the bat. I've looked around and i seemed to narrow it down to three choices, these two and an integra. Integra fell out after reading the other car comparison thread about this, that thread also turned into an argument over 90 degree turns. Anyway, what are youre opinions on these two? In terms of general performance, reliability and after market parts. Also, what is the stock performance on each?

Currently im leaning more towards the 240sx, because after reading alot on the autmotive forums, i seem to associate honda with civic with ricer with low performance, is this not true with the prelude?

the prelude is way faster than a 240. the prelude has 190hp i think for the vtec version and the 240 has like 140. the 240 is also rwd so keep that in mind as well. if you are looking at a 4th gen prelude id say go with it. the 4th gens are way better looking than any other gen prelude. its the only one i would own. and the prelude is definitley way better than any civic, and as long as you dont rice it out people will not call u a ricer. why did you rule out the integra? it is a good car as well. you could also consider the celica.

The 4th gen. Prelude is packing 190 hp and around 150 torque from its 2.2L VTEC engine, and the 240SX is packing 155 hp and 160 torque from its 2.4L engine. The Prelude will be faster in a straightline, and the Type SH should handle better. However, the 240SX is rear-wheel-drive, which is not only more practical for higher horsepower applications (300+), but also allows for power oversteering, which some people find a lot of fun.

Between the two, I would pick the 240SX. Though I appreciate the fact that the Prelude is faster, the 240SX is, in my opinion, better-looking, and I would have a lot of fun with rear-wheel-drive. Also, it seems that you're onto the fact that Hondas...don't exactly have a good reputation with serious performance enthusiasts here in the states. Not to say that there isn't a large community of knowledgable Honda tuners, but I don't want to be one of them.

Other four-cylinder sport coupes that you should consider: '94-'99 Toyota Celica GT, '95-'98 Nissan 200SX SE-R, '97-'01 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS.

The Prelude is stupid heavy, But in stock is faster than a 240sx. But I the 240sx handels better. (there's more to driving than going in a straight line)

As a former Prelude owner (84'), I would usially say take the Prelude. But the 240 being RWD, you just cant argue with the possability's. But despite being very similar, they have different audiences. For dragging and street racing (light to light for example), the Prelude is the obvious choice. But the 240 is more fun in the twisty's. I'd say it boils down to what you want more from your car. A FWD car thats faster off the line and got more power, or one thats better for fun driving and doing tricks in. So its a close call, but for what I'd like to do more, I would have to say the 240. The handling is what takes the cake for me. But I can say with confidence that either will be an awesome car to own.

Well i was leaning towards the 240sx, but is the prelude alot better in raw horsepower? According to what porscheguy said, i will be doing more street racing / drag type things with my car instead of drifting (i still enjoy decent drifting).

What kind of upgrades can i go for with the prelude? is the sr20det swap only for 240's?

For dragging and street racing (light to light for example), the Prelude is the obvious choice.

But if we talk about potential for drag or street...what's the most HP the Prelude VTEC's can pump out...w/forced induction I havent seen big #'s from Ludes...

While on the other hand you got plenty of options w/the 240SX. You got KA-T, SR20DET, RB25DET, CA18DET...just to name the common swaps. Any of them can put out 400rwhp or more easily.

dont foprget that this kid is 16 and doesnt need a 400hp rwd car.

dont foprget that this kid is 16 and doesnt need a 400hp rwd car.

But he'll like the possibility when he grows up and matures...he wont like be hindered by having a Prelude.

:naughty:

is the sr20det swap only for 240's?
And other nissan's. (200sx, 300zx, and Z's)

I think the 240 is the best choice. my friend has a 91 and it is just a blast to drive. pretty quick, dont let the HP number trick you. its still a 2.4L has alot of torque. Remember that Hondas (Most small Hondas) only reach that peak HP at high RPM. The 240 with its torque is acutally better for power than a Prelude that has to hit like 5,000+ RPM to get its power.

The 240 for me... Just because of the Rwd advantage.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7316/mobster9lj.jpg


Please read this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=162405)

I love my 240, so I say 240! Make sure you get a 5spd manual for optimal fun as well. The light weight, super-nimble handling, and low-end grunt make for a very entertaining drive!

The Prelude is stupid heavy, But in stock is faster than a 240sx. But I the 240sx handels better. (there's more to driving than going in a straight line)

Stupid heavy? Riiiight... :rolleyes:
I could understand if you said a 3000GT VR4, but not a lude.

I'm gonna be bias and say Prelude. You have the advantage of having VTEC and also more hp & tq compared to a 240sx. Its faster off the line which is more practical for drags (if thats what he wants it for.)

If he opts to get a Prelude Type-SH, it will out-handle a 240sx.

Well i was leaning towards the 240sx, but is the prelude alot better in raw horsepower? According to what porscheguy said, i will be doing more street racing / drag type things with my car instead of drifting (i still enjoy decent drifting).

What kind of upgrades can i go for with the prelude? is the sr20det swap only for 240's?

Upgrades? Theres tons of options... Turbocharger, Supercharger, N/A Engine Build, Basic Bolt-ons, Engine Swap. It's all personal preferance.

i'm not a big fan of the 4th gen ludes, i love the 5th gen however.

the 4th gen weights the same as a 95-98 240sx at 2800 lbs. a 89-94 240 weights from 2500-2700 lbs depending on trim.

also in order to turbo a prelude, you would need stronger axles so you won't break them all the time from hard lauches.

the H22 is indeed a very smooth and nice engine, great potential for hp, its just making the chassis cope with all that power thats the problem.

with a 240sx, the skys the limit, if money permits you can swap in V8's, supra tt engines, skyline engines, SR's and turbo kit's.

i know a buddy who has a 523whp 240sx thats daily driven and runs 11.2 @128mph on the stock axles and tranny. that alone right there will take out a maclaren F1, porsche carrera GT, etc etc.

that alone right there will take out a maclaren F1

:rofl: The F1 runs a respectable 10.8 second 1/4mile @ 130mph+

& it's McLaren F1...

lol yea i dont know about it beating a mclaren though.

One more thing...

Watch the video when it's up against the 900 whp veilside supra the supra gets ahead for the first 1/6-1/4 of a mile and then the F1 destroys it...

What makes the F1 so remarkable is the fact it just keeps on accelerating until it hits, it's target (241 mph) where as most cars can achieve a great Qt time and stop at 150 (ex molser). The F1 hits it's target in a mere 28 seconds flat.

i was just comparing to the u.s spec mclaren f1 where it trapped 125mph and ran a 11.5 from roadn and track. also my friend is potentially a high 10 second car as well with his trap speed. he just can't go too hard off the line.

The F1 is lighter & more powerfull and more aerodynamic. As for the "going full" the F1 I'm sure hasn't either.

The F1 is lighter & more powerfull and more aerodynamic. As for the "going full" the F1 I'm sure hasn't either.

well yes the best times for the 240 can't match the best times with the F1 but however the fact that its even close is quit an accomplishment on its own esp since he spent less then 20K total for the whole package. with full interior and working a/c.

This thread has gone way off topic... :rolleyes:

This thread has gone way off topic... :rolleyes:

how so? i stated from personal experience with both cars, and comparing the speed of a 240 from a person i know to one of the legendary super cars. how is that off topic? i was just re enforcing the performance potential of the 240 with real world numbers.

It's a fine comparison between supercar v modified. It's done so back to topic. Debates are fine... :nono:

240 over the prelude w/o a doubt......the possibilities are endless.

Unlike most of the people commenting in this post, I've driven both. In stock form the Prelude handles better, but I'm sure a 240 with a built suspension will handle as well as a Prelude with a built suspension.
In stock form a 4th gen VTEC Prelude is faster than a 240, and I've heard of turboed Preludes putting out 400+hp...but the FWD hinder you if you get into that hp range. The 240 with RWD is much better for big hp, and as mentioned above there are several good turboed nissan engines just waiting to be put in a 240.

Stock VTEC Prelude > Stock 240
Modded 240 > Modded Prelude.

Stock VTEC Prelude > Stock 240
Modded 240 > Modded Prelude.

That sums it up. I think the 240 would be a better choice, as long as you are responsible enough to handle RWD. The 240 has a lot of hardcore companies that support it too. I've offered my friend $3,000 for his '91 240 but he said no lol.

it sounds like its come down to this....

if you want to mod get the 240

if you want a beater get the Prelude

dont foprget that this kid is 16 and doesnt need a 400hp rwd car.

Ofcourse he does XD