'01 R/T vs '97 Prelude

[KhanArtisT]

Hi, I'm 16, and I'm working my ass off to save up enough money(~7k), and I'm just going nuts trying to choose b/w one of these cars.
They'll both be 5spds

2k1 Dodge Neon R/T
2.0L SOHC I4 150hp@6400rpm
137lb-ft@3950rpm
Curb Weight ~2700lbs

0-60 mph in 7.5s with a quarter mile time of 16.1s at 88 mph and a top speed of 129 mph.

OR

1997 Honda Prelude(H22),
2.2L I4, 195hp@7000rpm 158lbs-ft@5500rpm,
Qtr Mile--15.3@94mph
0-60 ~7s
Curb Weight~3000lbs

Neon: underdog, Good looks, underdog, slowER(fast enough for me), underdog

Prelude: UNORIGINAL(just another honda), lacking torque, Faster, VTEC

You know how it is when your my age, you have a job, only one car, don't make much money(~700$ month for me); Although 100% of my money will go to this car, I'm probably going to stick w/ bolt ons, can't do anything extreme(i.e turbo, nos, internals), cuz it'll be my only car.
And I wanna be able to smoke some of the kids in my school, (namely a BMW 328i lol) so I need to be able to run anywhere from high 14s to low 15s

I really wanna get the Neon to surprise ppl, (my bro had a base model one so I kinda have a thing for them) but I don't know if I'll be able to run low 15s with bolt ons (intake, cat back, tb, ignition sys, pulley, header, 12 crane cam)

So basically which one would you choose if you were me?

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And BTW heres a link of this same exact thread on another site. These opinions are on the "Cars in General" forum.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbullet ... ?p=2950205

Just had to get some opinions from Neon owners

Thanks for your help in advance...

[evlneon]

get a 5-spd first gen neon, strip out the interior, CAI, exhuast, UDP, learn how to drive, and low 15s - high 14s are possible.

[streetracerSXT]

Since 100% of the money will go into the car, I highly suggest you get a Prelude. The VTEC motors have really good potential (at least compared to the neon). Thing is though, with all these people buying preludes, they never put enough time and money into them to make them go fast. If that was me, I would definately go for the Prelude, it'll go faster and last a LOT longer.

[Diablo0]

Also take into consideration the size of the aftermarket for each.

Neon compared to the Prelude, there is so much more stuff out there in aftermarket perf parts market than the Neon, expecially the R/T since there are so few of R/Ts compared to a regular Neon.

So in all honestly with what you want... I'd go for the Prelude.

[slowmopar1]

I would go Neon. From a financial stand point the Prelude is cheaper to build but even with a bunch of money in it you'll still have the same problem, they have crap for torque. A car can have a billion horsepower but with out the torque to back it up it will always be slow. VTEC is cool and all for street racing but on a race course of anykind if you don't invest in a VTEC controller it's pointless and will mostly never be used.
From a maintanance aspect the neons are hands down easier to work on. Honda motors will last forever (as will any motor) if you take care of it but they can be a major PITA to work on. I've never owned a 'Lude, one of my best friends does, but I have owned a DA Integra and I hated having to work on anything lower than the valve cover cause although my hands are small, they aren't that small.
As for originality, Honda's are played out. If you don't spend big bucks on a Honda/Acura it won't stand out in a crowd. Everything has been done and been seen.

[sxt]

I'm not to fond of Preludes, I think they are talked up to be alot more then they actually are. If you want a fast Honda then pick up a running Civic hatch base modle. Drive it around while you build a motor on the side. Get every thing you need for the swap, then free up a weekend and do the swap. A Civic hatch will cost you maybe $3,000, build a motor on the side(B-series motors don't cost much), and get some friends together that know what they are doing and swap the motor. You could do that for about what it would cost you for the Neon R/T or the Prelude and you'd be faster then both.

[sirvaliant_98]

i would choose the neon personally. Preludes are just another honda. like a typical honda, no torque to put that hp to use. I raced a lude once with my 2000 neon, basic bolt ons and beat him by a half a fender. Neons have torque and if you plan on racing yours, you are going to need it.

[sxt]

I usually pull on H22 Preludes pretty good. That's why I am suggesting building a hatch, they are light, you have a huge choice of motors you can use, and most of all they are cheap.

[JeremyJ]

If the Preludes really run 15.3's, then my car must be a 13 second car. Either that, or nobody knows how to drive them. I like the looks of the Prelude, but they are way too heavy and I, personally, have found them to be quite a bit slower than my modded 2k2 base.

With just intake, exhaust, and a 50 shot (combined less than a grand) a second gen R/T or ACR will smoke 95% of the Preludes (and BMW 328's) that you will run into.

I say Neon for numerous reasons. Plus, take into consideration that the insurance on a Neon will be waaaaaaay cheaper than the Prelude, thus giving you more money for modifications.

[Frizbe]

you have 7k and your limiting yourself to these two? If I were you I'd get on autotrader and look for an FC RX-7, you can get lucky and pick one up for ~1k, because the engine doesn't run. Chanches are you only have to replace the Apex seals. I can get one already modded (HKS turbo, exaust, turbo timer ect.) for $900, all it needs is an Apex seal, but the owner doesn't feel like working on it any more. That's what I'd do, and I might accually do it to.

[KhanArtisT]

you have 7k and your limiting yourself to these two? If I were you I'd get on autotrader and look for an FC RX-7, you can get lucky and pick one up for ~1k, because the engine doesn't run. Chanches are you only have to replace the Apex seals. I can get one already modded (HKS turbo, exaust, turbo timer ect.) for $900, all it needs is an Apex seal, but the owner doesn't feel like working on it any more. That's what I'd do, and I might accually do it to.

Yeeea dude thats like my favorite car, rotaries are cool as shit, I REALLY want one of those but the problem is, it eats up too much gas(18/23), its a two seater, and you have to turn it off at the right temperature, its just too unpractical, not a good car to have unless you have a beater.

[KhanArtisT]

Also take into consideration the size of the aftermarket for each.

Neon compared to the Prelude, there is so much more stuff out there in aftermarket perf parts market than the Neon, expecially the R/T since there are so few of R/Ts compared to a regular Neon.

So in all honestly with what you want... I'd go for the Prelude.

Well Modernperformance has most of the stuff I'll need, (AEM CAI, Thermal R&D rear muffler, Longtube Header, UDP, Throttle Body, msd ignition(not sure if it'll fit magnums though), STS, High flow cat) And then the Race ECU form howellautomotive.com

Origniality is a HUGE thing for me, and like someone already said, you have to do a lot of things to the Prelude to make it stand out of the crowd, also the Preludes are really fast stock, and seeing as how I was amazed by the acceleration of my bros stock 2k 3spd auto Neon LOL, I doubt I'll mod it much, and then theres the less insurance, 4 doors(for my friends), low miles...

And as for the Civic hatch thing, I don't have any friends/family that can do a swap, and all the work that'll be done to this car will most likely be by a shop, since I dont have any hands-on experience with cars. Although I am taking an auto course in my school next year

[evlneon]

And then the Race ECU form howellautomotive.com

there is no race ECU available for the magnum engine period. not from howell, not from anyone.

[sxt]

If you lived near me and wanted to do the hatch thing me and some of my buddies would help you out. I'll be doing a swap on my Neon once I get the funds, lets just say it will be nasty.

But between those two cars, the Prelude and the Neon R/T, I would go with the R/T. Trust me when I say Preludes aren't fast. You can build up the Neon R/T to be one bad mofo. I'm not one of those guys that bashes Hondas, I like all kinds of cars, just Preludes are way over rated. If you get a R/T and do all the bolt on's and a cam, you'll have a pretty quick Neon, walk all over Preludes like nothing.

[KhanArtisT]

And then the Race ECU form howellautomotive.com

there is no race ECU available for the magnum engine period. not from howell, not from anyone.

Wouldn't it work if you used "a Harlan switch or V-AFC to control your secondaries that the AF/x ECU doesn't control on your magnum"?.

5th reply
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?t=1358

[ram50rocket]

hp vs torque, this goes beyond a 4 cylinder motor. Ask any older generation mechanic/hot rodder which is better. Ever felt a good punch to your face? That's torque. The magnum motor respond's very well to modification's. I don't know of any na l4's that move more air than the magnum 2.0 stock. Anyone? I would choose the engineering from magnum v-8's over lawnmower technology.

Oh and by the way, the prelude isn't faster unless it can do 135mph stock like my car has.

I'm ordering an AFX race ECU regardless, too many ppl have had good success with them on a magnum. You can't be too afraid to modify a motor if you want to go fast.

[evlneon]

And then the Race ECU form howellautomotive.com

there is no race ECU available for the magnum engine period. not from howell, not from anyone.

Wouldn't it work if you used "a Harlan switch or V-AFC to control your secondaries that the AF/x ECU doesn't control on your magnum"?.

5th reply
http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?t=1358

oh, n/m then.

< stoopid 1st gen owner keeping his mouth shut next time