prelude vs rsx

[foxy-abby]

Not to step on Tiger's toes, but Masha and I are looking for a different car for her too. Our budget is more limited, up to 12k. She is partial to a Miata, but I'm trying to talk her into a Prelude, Integra, RSX (maybe a bit expensive). Looking for some input. She likes the idea of a convertible, but she's not married to it. Anything will be better than her old civic. Thanks guys.

20 more days till the NSX hits the road after her hibernation.

Jesse

 

[AU_NSX]

I am quite partial to Honda as well (Oh really... You don't say...)

But really, give your wife what she wants! If she wants a convertable Miata, help her pick out the best one...

You have your NSX.... She seems to be starting to show an interest in driving (even if it is a convertable Miata) so nurture that interest!. The Miata also have a very fun car club (Well the MX-5 club in Australia has a huge membership and is a really fun club which actually puts the Honda club to shame).

Anyway she is your wife so you probably know her better than I do :wink: so this is just my 0.02c worth..

 

[TigerNSX]

Miata is really a fun car!! It's like a go-kart!
I think that you two will enjoy it very much!

[edit] I misunderstood your statement. Yes, both Prelude and RSX are fun, too!

 

[cwood1388]

id say go with the prelude..... but I am biased because I really love the BB4 body style

 

[White92]

id say go with the prelude..... but I am biased because I really love the BB4 body style

BB6 is better. :tongue:

 

[W]

A Miata will outdrive any of those vehicles.

 

[foxy-abby]

I appreciate the opinions. We are not just limited to the Miata, Prelude, or RSX. Other suggestions are welcome. I want a car that she will be happy with, but since I'm paying for it, I want to enjoy driving it also.
Jesse

 

[EIFFEL]

Miata may not be macho, but it is a very fun to drive vehicle. Great handling traits. excellent car as far as maintenance, reliablility and cost to own is a factor. I love my miatas, had two before.

 

[Spinner]

I've had great experience with the 5th gen. Preludes (97+)

 

[White92]

Not saying you will, but if you go with the 97+ Prelude, stay away from the automatic models.

 

[okie]

vote for a 97+ prelude too, drove mine forever before finally sold it, but i still miss it.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

The miata will outhandle both those cars in stock form. I would vote for a miata if space is not a concern. Fun car to drive.

 

[White92]

I agree, the Miata is indeed a fun car to drive. I've never owned one, but have owned a 97 Prelude. IMHO the Prelude is more of a practical everyday car to drive though. But I am also biased. :biggrin:

 

[Ennesssex]

Stay away from 97+ AUTO preludes.....mainly because they have a tranny issue that Honda fails to stand behind. Ask me how I know....I replaced the tranny on my previous 97 prelude 2 times before I finally decided this POS has to go.

 

[foxy-abby]

I've found a '00 Miata with 59k for $9350 just a few miles away. Seems like a decent deal. I emailed the seller tonight. Hopefully it's clean and still available. Anything I need to look out for specific to Miatas? Unfortunately my '92 Accord is going to have to teach my wife how to drive stick. :redface:
Jesse

 

[foxy-abby]

False alarm -- car is sold. Still looking...

 

[ItsBettrThatWay]

Im partial to Preludes myself, espially over an RSX(looks wise).

<img src="http://img101.exs.cx/img101/2572/dscn16712kb.jpg" border="0" alt="" />

 

[LJSB]

Anything I need to look out for specific to Miatas?
Jesse

http://www.miata.net/faq/index.html#The Miata Mailing List, this FAQ, and other electronic forums

Hit this and scroll down for the Miata FAQ's.

Joe

 

[sgvnsxrated]

Whoa...alot of current or ex prelude owners here. I'm also biased being an ex 5th gen prelude owner. I too think the prelude is a much more practical car, and like said in previous replies, i'd stay away from the automatic, as i too have had problems with my tranny.

 

[W]

I've found a '00 Miata with 59k for $9350 just a few miles away. Seems like a decent deal. I emailed the seller tonight. Hopefully it's clean and still available. Anything I need to look out for specific to Miatas? Unfortunately my '92 Accord is going to have to teach my wife how to drive stick. :redface:
Jesse

I don't know your local Miata market but that would be a little on the high side in my area. For 60K miles, I would expect to find a few at or under $8K.

Miatas have fantastic shifters and would be great for teaching the newbie.

As suggested above, check out miata.net. All years and models have their own unique sets of pluses and minuses but you can rev the snot out of them all like you can in an NSX.

I'm currently leisurely shopping for a '99. Although I prefer the front nose, lights, and seats of the '01+, a CARB certified high boost turbo is only available for the 99's (other years to eventually be CARB'd). Besides, the nose, lights, and seats can be swapped out for less than the premium of an '01 over a '99.

 

[okie]

The miata will outhandle both those cars in stock form. I would vote for a miata if space is not a concern. Fun car to drive.

im skeptical at this, but its been consistently shown that preludes are a bit faster through corners, SCCA times have proven this.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2005/stockc.html

i couldnt find the timing sheet from last year's nationals but that was also backed up in the stock class where preludes were faster. now its different if you start heavily modifiying - the miata then becomes a better platform.

 

[Juice]

What are the safety differences between the miata and the prelude?

 

[CokerRat]

im skeptical at this, but its been consistently shown that preludes are a bit faster through corners, SCCA times have proven this.

That's definitely not the case on the lower speed autocross tracks. Miatas eat just about everything else alive, but of course autocross is a different animal than the higher speed circuits.

I owned a 96 Prelude VTEC (SR-V here in Canada) from new and it was a great car. It was what turned me on to the NSX as to what I really wanted in a high-end sports car. The Prelude is dead practical and will get you around in the winter even on all-season rubber -- snow tires always improve that of course but I would say they are an absolute necessity for driving a Miata in the snow. The Prelude has way more interior room (incl a tiny backseat, deeent trunk) and utility and for non-enthusiast drivers will be just as sporty as a Miata when driven hard.

I'm confused how you can really cross-shop these two. Either you want a tiny ragtop or you don't.

 

[ncdogdoc]

im skeptical at this, but its been consistently shown that preludes are a bit faster through corners, SCCA times have proven this.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2005/stockc.html

i couldnt find the timing sheet from last year's nationals but that was also backed up in the stock class where preludes were faster. now its different if you start heavily modifiying - the miata then becomes a better platform.

This is autocross. Get them on a real track, and it is another world. Spec Miatas do 1:45's at Road Atlanta, and that is a speed track, not a handling track.

It comes back to rear wheel drive

 

[W]

Stock for stock or street trim to street trim, the Miata is more likely to come out on top in the 'fun to drive on the street' category.