99-01 Prelude SH or 98-99 Eclipse GSX

[FDTT]

Ok, i can already see most of the resopnses from this thread but im going to ost it anyway.

Right now I drive a 88 Honda Prelude. Not the best car but it gets me where i need to go. I have done various mods to the car to make it handle better mostly. But now im looking for something a little better.

I was contimplating a 99-01 Honda Prelude SH. I figued i have had a good experiance with Hondas and that the Preludes are nice cars. If i do go with a Lude it will be an SH and i will equip it with the usual bolt ons, as well as a few big powere adders such as a JR SC and nitrous for a bit of a kick if the SC is not enough.

The downside to the lude is that it doen not handle much more power than what it has. The ATTS system craps out if the power becomes to high for the car. And in autoX the ps pump cuts out and makes the car hard to control

So i was considering my options.

I have always liked the Eclipse. Very nice lines, and quite quick.
The Eclipse would be a GSX for sure because I live in canada and it snows so i would benifit from the AWD system. And from a performance standpoint it is quite nice as well. The car comes already turboed so i like that. But i have heared that the DSM's have crank walk problems and that venting the BOV to stmoshpere is bad for performance.


Assume you live in a climate that it rains quite a bit. Snows in the winters, you like the twisties, not to big on the hole straight line bit but would enjoy the power to stay with the big guns, need to have back seats and trunk space, and all around practicality.

So my question is, Which car would you choose and why?

Also if you sugest a car that is in the same catagory and price range i may consider it.

Thanks a bunch guys and gals, really appreciate the help.

[FDTT]

Does no one have an opinion on this?

[mommaslilinjun]

it depends what's important to you. a prelude is built as for handling, an eclipse is built for speed. if you do get the lude, don't get the sh, as ATTS won't work after about 225hp. In addition, the mitsu's build quality is not nearly as reliable as the lude's. so it really depends on what you need.

[FDTT]

The ATTS does not stop working. It will still work, but it will burn up the clutches in it.

As for what i want in a car

Assume you live in a climate that it rains quite a bit. Snows in the winters, you like the twisties, not to big on the hole straight line bit but would enjoy the power to stay with the big guns, need to have back seats and trunk space, and all around practicality.

[jdrumstik]

why would anyone buy an automatic anyways?

[op012503]

um ok ill give my 2cents. The cars you choose are in the 10+ price range so... I love the lines on the eclipse but i seriously doubt that its a good platform for high power and its definatly an unreliable car and so for that reason i think its the worst choice. Now on to the prelude...number 1 is dont get the SH. Simple suspension mods will get you much more handling than ATTS. I love the looks of the prelude and its reliability is second to none. The H22a engine is the downside to the car. Its not good for forced induction or nos because the block is too weak and the compression is too high. The prelude is definatly a better choice than the eclipse.
Have you thought of getting an m3? I think that the 96-97' m3 would be a good bet because it handles better than the prelude-ive driven both cars-its rwd which speaks for itself, and its reliable and overall a better looking car. If you really insist on awd-think about a wrx or if you want to mod your car to be fast and handle well then a integra LS or gsr is a very good bet.
Another point about the ecipse is that it depreciates in value way too quick. There is no reason to buy a newish eclipse from a financial standpoint.

[Damien]

I'm big on Eclipses but I know enough to say get the prelude. most of the guys have explained why and if you're goin' for power overall, get it. The AWD on the GSX is nice where you live, but that's if you're just gettin' a car. Go for the lude, you'll be happier in the long run.