Tell me about the 2.3l Prelude

LizardKing · 30 Mar 2008 at 21:37

Im looking at getting the above car, anything i should look out for? Specifically servicing as google is failing me

Its a 94 L reg, manual, 4ws version.
Or is it worth waiting to find a decent 2.2vtec model? bearing in mind the vtec is 1/3 more on insurance and more than twice the power of my current car.
Thanks

Muban · 30 Mar 2008 at 21:44

If you buy the 2.3 you will just spend the whole time wishing you had bought the 2.2 vtec. If you want some advice go along to PreludeUK they are a nice helpful bunch. Good advice on what to look out for and it will maybe help you decide which one is best suited for you

<(Multi)> · 30 Mar 2008 at 21:51

Dont get the 2.3 please, its a dreadful dreadful engine when compared to the 2.2.

I've got the 2.2 (Red Topped) Montegi and its amazing fun to drive, likes petrol though

LizardKing · 30 Mar 2008 at 22:16

I probably would get a 2.2, but all the ones ive seen have been sky high millage or looks like the owner had shares in Halfords.
But this 2.3 one looks reasonably clean and has a decent price.

<(Multi)> · 30 Mar 2008 at 22:33

I agree, the 2.2 is affordable to those that have little taste, so you often find they're highly modified with stick on tat. It took me 6 months to find an almost mint Montegi in 100% standard form and full Honda history.

Its worth it though as I cant see the 2.3 being much fun at all. I assume your from Milton Keynes as your location mentions roundabouts, I would offer to take you out for a spin but Im only ever in Milton Keynes with the Golf

Muban · 30 Mar 2008 at 22:47

You can still pick up unmodified (or mostly unmodified) 2.2s if you are prepared to wait. Seriously I would advise waiting as long as you possibly can to get one. Oh and if you are going to go for a 2.2 make sure you also get a manual not the auto. Shop around on insurance though, some companies are far more favourable than others. Tesco and Directline wanted more than twice what some other insurers wanted (the other insurers also didn't care that it was an import).

If you are being super picky I would advise for a 4th gen the vtec BB4 with LSD or a 5th gen the Motegi 2.2 vti.

I honestly can't stress enough waiting for the right one. I waited for mine and was going to have to travel 800 miles round trip when one turned up just 30 miles away when I was about to give up hope. I have known a few guys really want a car and in their eagerness caved and took a lesser car than they wanted. It didn't take that long for the novelty to have worn off and they regretted the purchase, wishing they had held out for the right one in the first place.

mattpc · 30 Mar 2008 at 22:58

As said, don't buy one!

Muban · 30 Mar 2008 at 23:00

There is a good buying guide here

LizardKing · 30 Mar 2008 at 23:07

Wow didn't think the 2.3 would be that bad, bearing in mind i would be coming from a 1.6 fiesta! I've been looking at preludes now for 3 months and its getting harder by the day

Unfortunately swapping insurance co is out of the question till june/july. Will ring them tomorrow and get a quote on how much it would be to change for a 2.2.

<(Multi)> said:
I assume your from Milton Keynes as your location mentions roundabouts, I would offer to take you out for a spin but Im only ever in Milton Keynes with the Golf

Correct

how much did you pay for your Montegi if you dont mind me asking

Gaijin · 30 Mar 2008 at 23:14

Not sure what your budget is, but i'd consider the accord type r if you can afford it. Much better car in my opinion and the difference between the H22A1 in the standard prelude 2.2VTEC and the H22A in the ATR is night and day.

<(Multi)> · 1 Apr 2008 at 18:38

LizardKing said:
Correct how much did you pay for your Montegi if you dont mind me asking

I paid £768 FC @ 23yrs, 2 yncb, 0 points and 0 accidents. I used Greenlight insurance for this quote.

Car wise, I paid £3750 for a 1999 (real) Montegi (not a fake VTI), sparkling Yellow, 4WS, Manual, full service history. That was probably on the high side, and I reckon I could have gotten him down to £3500. But as he advertised at £4300, I think I did well. The car is and was in A1 condition (one kerbed alloy about 2 cm, and a small scratch on the rear corner approx 1cm. Thats it)

Keep looking, you'll find a mint one soon enough. Oh, make sure its a manual as already mentioned as the autos are terrible. Also try and get a real Montegi (red engine cover) as the VTI is only 185bhp. Make sure the four wheel steer works as its expensive to fix.

any more questions you can add me to msn. [email protected]

<(Multi)> · 1 Apr 2008 at 18:40

Gaijin said:
Not sure what your budget is, but i'd consider the accord type r if you can afford it. Much better car in my opinion and the difference between the H22A1 in the standard prelude 2.2VTEC and the H22A in the ATR is night and day.

Or get a real Montegi with the Accord engine in.

Six6siX · 1 Apr 2008 at 18:49

2.2 VTEC BB4 with LSD = win

Confused · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:14

<(Multi)> said:
Or get a real Montegi with the Accord engine in.

AARRGGHH!!

Motegi!!!

The 2.3 is still a good car - it's ~150bhp, and you get the same chassis, so handles really well - but the VTEC engine is miles better, and well worth the extra IMO.

High mileage REALLY isn't an issue, providing the car's been looked after well. Condition over mileage any day of the week for me!

There are good unmolested ones, and good modified ones out there - and there's bad unmolested ones and bad modified ones out there!

As above have said, PreludeUK is full of very knowledgeable people, and hopefully that Buyer's Guide I wrote (linked earlier) will be useful

Garry

<(Multi)> · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:20

Confused said:
AARRGGHH!!

Motegi!!!

Garry

Ha, sorry.

LizardKing · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:11

Good news the 2.3 was a no goer

, it wasn't the best kept/documented example! I dont mind the miles as long as its documented!
Back to the search, insurance is a bit of a killer so may have to wait till my renewal any how

thanks for all the advise!
I think i've now read the prelude forum from cover to cover now!

dilated · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:24

drive a 2.3 and a 2.2 - you will buy a 2.2, trust me

Zen8 · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:31

<(Multi)> said:
Dont get the 2.3 please, its a dreadful dreadful engine when compared to the 2.2.

Sorry, but this is nonsense. You’ve either never driven one or the one you did drive was faulty.

I was seriously impressed when I took a 2.3 for a test drive about 9 years ago. Superb engine mated to a superb chassis. Electric throttle response, torquey, free revving. Go drive both 2.2 and 2.3, would be my advice, but you could never fail to be impressed by the 2.3.