Prelude vs Civic Ep3?
 

I have a Civic Ep3 (2002) that I really enjoy driving. It's peppy, fun, handles well and great on gas. Out of curiosity I checked craigslist and I saw a few Preludes going for under 8grand. I wanted to get a prelude back in high school, but it was out of my budget. But now they're at a price I can afford. If you were me, would you switch the Ep3 for a Prelude? This would be in a few months time. The models I am looking at are the Vtec ones (SE/SH) around 98-01 with a 5spd manual. *note: I have never driven a Prelude so I don't know how they feel. The other option is to keep my Ep3 and save up for a K20A2 (1500 more to go :( ).

If I were you I would just keep the car.

It's already a big hassle if you're trying to sell the ep3 to get a prelude.

EDIT:

If you do sell your car, don't be like this dumbass who completely copied the Mugen Concept EP3 specs LOL

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nv...315700118.html

there's actually a guy looking to buy an EP3 on VCC (rather desperately). the prelude would give you a lot more torque and better handling (if you get type SH) but would be a heavier chassis to deal with. same creature comforts with power options and i believe many came with leather interior and heated seats. just depends what you want out of the car. gas mileage will not be good compared to the EP3 of course.

I own rsx and ep3, they are both very good handling cars. Only thing the ep3 is lacking is little power which you are planning to upgrade. I have driven my buddies prelude wasn't that impressed. They are sluggish. I 'd say keep it and upgrade the performance and get some decent suspension work and your set.

Keep the minivan.... i like them and it has a k already....

both nice cars, but prelude seems to have quite a bit of cosmetic problems,

experience from my buddy's old car a 99 prelude,
headlight condensing extremly common, burnt alot of oil, window motor died quickly etc.

^jpark knows what he's talking about :)

Sell the EP3. Get a hybrid :troll:

K20A2
Found in:
2002-2004 RSX Type-S (USDM)
2002-2004 Honda Integra Type R (Australia)
2002-2005 Honda Civic Type R (EP3, European)
Displacement: 1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)
Compression: 11.0:1
Power: 200 hp @ 7800 rpm
Torque: 142 ft·lbf (196N·m) @ 5600 rpm
Rev limit: 8100 rpm (USDM RSX-S, U.K Civic-R )
Redline: 7900 rpm
i-VTEC engagement: 5800 rpm

K20A3
Found In
2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (EP3)
2002-2005 Honda Civic SiR (EP3)(Canadian version of US Civic Si)
2002-2006 Acura RSX
Displacement: 1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)
Compression: 9.8:1
Power: 160 hp(120 kW) @ 6500 rpm(SAE net J1349 Rev 8/04)
Torque: 140 lb·ft (190 N·m)* (191 N·m) @ 5000 rpm(SAE net J1349 Rev 8/04)
Redline: 6700 rpm
i-VTEC Engagement Window: 2200 rpm

lol

Keep the ep3 and do the k20a2 swap!
Posted via RS Mobile

keep the ep3

keep the civic.

Obvious answer is obvious
Posted via RS Mobile

Yes, but the K series in my car is weak sauce. I am just wondering whether it would be worth it to spend extra money on a k20a2, when I can just get a Prelude for the price of my Civic.

I guess the consensus is to keep the civic.

Even if it's weaksauce, how often do you do spirited driving?

The prelude feels slow. Slower than the EP3 with 40 less hp. Handles like a boat too while the EP3 is anything but. Honestly it's a downgrade, you should really keep what you have.

Anyway the only way you'll really be convinced is if you go and try one for yourself. I suspect you'll come to the same conclusion.

Handles like a boat? I dont know what you were driving, but it wasnt a prelude.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...prelude_page_8

i'd rather get a prelude srv then the new SE/SH. and if i were you, i'd keep the EP3.

but then its your choice, not others

i have an ep3 and prelude now..
the ep3 is better. prelude isnt great on fuel, more expensive to maintain. but it is a good cruiser and i use it as my beater.. .. i 've owned 2x bb4 and a bb6 lude and prefer the older ones...

Try test driving a prelude and see how it feels.

THIS.

I can't believe no one has suggested that yet.

I agree with the consensus, the Civic is probably your better choice. more nimble and I wouldn't dog the k20a3. even though it only has 160hp, it still has iVTEC and more technology built into the engine. so you'll probably get more low-mid range punch compared to the H22A.

I always wanted a prelude.

I never test drove a 5spd one until about 2 weeks ago while looking for another car. What a let down... It didnt feel very fast, and hitting high revs to get power doesn't cut it for me anymore.

Keep your civic...saves $$ on gas for the motor swap.

Say what!? I used to own a Prelude (5th gen) and I gave you a ride in it back in the day when I used to do autocross! Remember the red one? Yellow fogs? It was when you still had the Mazda 3. It wasn't a bad ride was it? Although I had aftermarket suspension installed at the time, I can honestly say the car handled very well even with the stock suspension.

I have an Ep3 now (FOR SALE btw), and I can tell you I miss my Prelude more than I will be missing this. Its not that the Civic is not a great handling car, but the engine of the two vehicles are so fundamentally different, it is hard to compare. When Vtec kicks in for the ep3 (if it qualifies as Vtec) at 2200rpm, it is NOT noticeable at all. It is only on the intake cam, and there is no special high-rpm profiles at all. The prelude however, when Vtec kicked in, you KNOW its working. Its a full vtec system with intake and exhaust timing and it feels completely different. The sound too, makes the experience two very different thing.

HOWEVER, given a choice back then, I think I will still stick with the ep3 because it is much MUCH better on gas, (burns less and only 87 vs 91 for prelude) and there is a noticeable difference in more low end torque on the ep3, which suits my everyday driving needs.

Go with the k20a2, you won't regret it.

i have both of them right now.. the civic is better built and better overall.. but i find power wise.. prelude has much more power band than the civic making it a great hwy cruiser for passing etc.