Gen. 5 Prelude vs. Focus SVT for me

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thevonsteinery
So a series of events (including the totaling of two cars) over the past month or so have brought me to the point of needing a new car.So I have about $10k to spend, but I'd like to keep it under $8k. I want something fun and reliable and I've narrowed it down to two cars; either a 5th gen Prelude or a Focus SVT. I am leaning slightly toward the Focus as they're a bit cheaper around here for a decent mileage one, the 6-speed and I like hatches more. As for the 'Lude, I would rather have an SH, but they're hard to find under $10k with a stick. Both are tough to find unmodified, a preference though not a necessity.

Here's a '02 Focus for $6900, which looks like a decent deal and I'll probably call the dealer. So, is there any insight that anyone has for me? Anything to look for or am I overlooking any cars? Is a manual Prelude SH worth holding out for, is a non-SH still good or is it even worth it with an auto SH?

Focus SVT:
Engine: 2.0 I-4
Horsepower: 170-hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 145 lbs.-ft. @ 5,500 rpm
Fuel economy city/hwy: 21/25 mpg
Curb weight: 2,750 lbs.
svtgl2.jpg


Honda Prelude SH:
Engine: 2.2 I-4
Horsepower: 200-hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 156 lbs.-ft. @ 5,250 rpm
Fuel economy city/hwy: 22/27 mpg
Curb weight: 2,950 lbs.
ludeur4.jpg

I know it's not a pic of an SH, but close enough.
 
Ouch, that's like me trying to ask if I like Cookies and Cream or Cookie Dough ice cream...I can't choose.

Having owned both--sort of--I can say the Prelude would be the nicer daily driver and the SVTF would be the faster and best to modify/tune. In the end, they are practically even for me. So let me see if I can break it down...

  • Looks = Prelude
  • Engine = Tie
  • Interior = Prelude
  • Comfort = Prelude
  • Fun = Tie
  • Fuel Economy = Prelude
  • More exclusive = SVTF
  • Will probably be worth more in 25 years = SVTF
  • Cost of ownership = Tie
  • Chick magnet = Prelude
  • Admiration of your mates = SVTF
  • Safer = Tie
  • Purchase price + insurance = Tie

So, I'd say which ever of the two you find CHEAPER and with the least amount of miles is the one to go for. Oh, and don't get an SH--the Prelude forums say it isn't as good to modify as the base model. And if you get an SVTF get a 5dr as they look the coolest. :D

You can't go wrong either way.

*edit*
DO NOT GET AN AUTOMATIC PRELUDE. They are completely deviod of fun and the tiptronic tranny's tend to be poor build quality. And trust me, a base model Prelude with the 5spd is the way to go if you get a Prelude. They are so much fun to thrash around. There's nothing like hitting that 5200rpm spot when the cam switches over to the performance side--the noise alone is intoxicating.
 
May I ask why the previous 2 cars got totaled?

And that bmw had some really nice tires on it, what were they?

Anyways, if those totaled cars were your fault, I think you should invest in a geo metro or something until you learn how to drive.

If they weren't your fault, get the focus. The prelude does nothing but go fast in a straight line, so if you like corners, wrong car.
 
The prelude does nothing but go fast in a straight line, so if you like corners, wrong car.

*cough* Me thinks the Prelude is perfectly adequat in the cornering department for the real world with a bit of "spirited" driving sprinkled about.

But, I digress... :D
 
JCE
  • Will probably be worth more in 25 years = SVTF

I have to laugh at this point. I don't think anybody will be wanting a Honda Prelude or Ford Focus SVT as some sort of classic car in 25 years, or that he plans on keeping one for anywhere near that length of time.

:lol:
 
Who's to say that anything will or won't be a classic in 25 years?
 
JCE
*cough* Me thinks the Prelude is perfectly adequat in the cornering department for the real world with a bit of "spirited" driving sprinkled about.

But, I digress... :D
I was actually waiting for you to respond on that, since I remembered you once made the same reply when I said they handled bad before.

I know it's a matter of opinion in a way, but they are known for bad handling and being too heavy. This is probably the main reason why they never really caught on as a base for a track car.

EDIT: But you still have to agree, that focus would handle a lot better than the prelude.
 
I was actually waiting for you to respond on that, since I remembered you once made the same reply when I said they handled bad before.

I know you did that for half of my benefit. That's why I added the :D smile. For a track car yes they aren't anywhere near the SVTF--but for everyday sorts of thrashing around they aren't that bad.
 
JCE
Ouch, that's like me trying to ask if I like Cookies and Cream or Cookie Dough ice cream...I can't choose.

Having owned both--sort of--I can say the Prelude would be the nicer daily driver and the SVTF would be the faster and best to modify/tune. In the end, they are practically even for me. So let me see if I can break it down...

  • Looks = Prelude
  • Engine = Tie
  • Interior = Prelude
  • Comfort = Prelude
  • Fun = Tie
  • Fuel Economy = Prelude
  • More exclusive = SVTF
  • Will probably be worth more in 25 years = SVTF
  • Cost of ownership = Tie
  • Chick magnet = Prelude
  • Admiration of your mates = SVTF
  • Safer = Tie
  • Purchase price + insurance = Tie
I'd agree everywhere except looks, I just love the Focus's looks.
JCE
So, I'd say which ever of the two you find CHEAPER and with the least amount of miles is the one to go for. Oh, and don't get an SH--the Prelude forums say it isn't as good to modify as the base model. And if you get an SVTF get a 5dr as they look the coolest. :D

You can't go wrong either way.

*edit*
DO NOT GET AN AUTOMATIC PRELUDE. They are completely deviod of fun and the tiptronic tranny's tend to be poor build quality. And trust me, a base model Prelude with the 5spd is the way to go if you get a Prelude. They are so much fun to thrash around. There's nothing like hitting that 5200rpm spot when the cam switches over to the performance side--the noise alone is intoxicating.
Thanks for the info on the 'Ludes. I'll look around some more for some base models.

May I ask why the previous 2 cars got totaled?
The Accord was inattentiveness on my mother's part and the BMW was overenthusiasm on my brother's part.
And that bmw had some really nice tires on it, what were they?
Unsure, but I could find out for you.
Anyways, if those totaled cars were your fault, I think you should invest in a geo metro or something until you learn how to drive.
Thanks, mom.
I have to laugh at this point. I don't think anybody will be wanting a Honda Prelude or Ford Focus SVT as some sort of classic car in 25 years, or that he plans on keeping one for anywhere near that length of time.

:lol:
Probably right on both counts.
 
I'd agree everywhere except looks, I just love the Focus's looks.

Its a tough one. The SVTF is muscular and brutal and the Prelude is sleek and sexy. If given the oppertunity to choose one of equal price and mileage I honestly don't know which one I'd choose. Probably the Prelude only because I desire interior comfort more than the exclusivity of the SVTF.
 
SVT Focus. Much more likely to attract good attention, and much less likely to attract bad attention.

It's less common, and they do handle quite well - An ordinary ZX5 with sticky tires is competitive in the local motorsports club, I can't imagine how well an SVT would do.

I like the looks of the Focus much better, although I'm sure that the 'Lude would have much nicer insides. The Focus, however, is probably more useful in the long run due to the hatchback configuration.
 
SVT for the fact that its fast and capable, and as Slick pointed out, less likely to attract attention you don't want.

Plus you'd have more room to work with.

And just to be an ass, thats a Gen 5 Prelude.

This is a gen 3

800px-Honda-Prelude1.jpg
 
SVT Focus. Much more likely to attract good attention, and much less likely to attract bad attention.

It's less common, and they do handle quite well - An ordinary ZX5 with sticky tires is competitive in the local motorsports club, I can't imagine how well an SVT would do.

I can, having driven the **** out of one I can attest that they are extremely quick through the corners--and lift of oversteer is such an easy thing to do for some fun. The SVTF will definately be the better car in terms of squeezing power out of--and if you decide to do some track days. The transmission is so smooth and the power delivery is quite good. If feels like it pulls harder at the higher RPMs too versus the Prelude--but that could just be an illusion.
 
If the Prelude is really only as fun as the Focus than buy the Focus. I hate the say that but I've never driven a Prelude (only a Focus). That said, the Focus wasn't anything close to as impressive as it has been described, I suppose the SVT is a totally different car and so I'm going to have to suggest the SVT.
Prelude = Focus ?
Prelude < SVT F

Of course, ignoring the words of some from above, I'd say the Prelude, long wheel base, and double wishbone rear suspension should easily walk on the Focus as a fun car with the total package.

Then again, I suppose the SVT doesn't use the same suspension as all the other focuses (atleast I'd hope so with the way people are claiming the Focus to be the fun one in this comparison). :lol:
 
Car and Driver actually named the Honda Prelude SH the best handling car of 1997, probably due to the weird four wheel steering system.

Anyways I would say the Focus, a buddy of mine had one and I remember going for rides in it and doing ride alongs at autocrosses. It handled amazingly well (it was stock) and I was mad when he sold it because it was such a fun car, although he has a MX-5 now which is pretty fun.

Also I think the parts would be cheaper for the Focus if something broke. Not to mention the Focus is probably a little more practical at holding people at stuff since it is still a hatchback.
 
Thanks, guys. I appreciate all the responses and advice. So we're all pretty much agreed (except Kent) on the Focus, my initial thoughts. I'll call the silver one this week.

Azuremen- Yeah, my brain was stuck in 'I am American and nothing ever happens outside the US' Mode.
 
Focus is indeed a good choice. The gearbox is good and slick in motion, near to MX-5 levels. Steering is accurate, and it is very practical. Obviously this car is our old first gen ST, which I'd actually prefer over RS if I'd be hunting for perky FWD hatch.
 
Thanks, guys. I appreciate all the responses and advice. So we're all pretty much agreed (except Kent) on the Focus, my initial thoughts. I'll call the silver one this week.

Azuremen- Yeah, my brain was stuck in 'I am American and nothing ever happens outside the US' Mode.

Eh, I think we got all 5 generations here in the US, from what I have seen. Gen 2 and Gen 3 look very much alike, which gen 1 is this tiny little thing.

But people tend to zone about the gen 1 and gen 2 ever being in the US, since the gen 1 is not common anymore and the gen 2 is mistaken for a gen 3 :p

Oh, another thing on the SVT. I've ridden in them at autocrosses and they just go. Guy I know ended up running one in a SP class because his Civic blew up and the SVT was a friend of his and they got it in to his SP class by taking some junk out of it and such and sweet talking some people. It got 3rd place in the class, despite being bone stock. Its just a well done FWD rocket :p
 
Aww man, you just had to divide me right down the middle. One of very few cars that had me considering something other than a Honda was an SVT Focus.

Really, I have no idea what to suggest. Overall the SVT is the better performance car, but the BB6 will probably be much easier to work on, fix, and tune. Also, I can tell you right now that you'll instantly fall in love with the Honda's controls. The shifter feel is stupendous because of the solid linkage. The steering is tuned just perfectly. The clutch and brakes and gas pedal are just fantastic. I've driven a BB6 before, before I had my Honda enthusiasm I'll point out, and I was just overwhelmed by how good it felt. I nearly bought it right away, without question. But instead I bought the Del Sol because it was awesomer.
 
Aww man, you just had to divide me right down the middle. One of very few cars that had me considering something other than a Honda was an SVT Focus.

Really, I have no idea what to suggest. Overall the SVT is the better performance car, but the BB6 will probably be much easier to work on, fix, and tune. Also, I can tell you right now that you'll instantly fall in love with the Honda's controls. The shifter feel is stupendous because of the solid linkage. The steering is tuned just perfectly. The clutch and brakes and gas pedal are just fantastic. I've driven a BB6 before, before I had my Honda enthusiasm I'll point out, and I was just overwhelmed by how good it felt. I nearly bought it right away, without question.

Nods head with some agreement...

But instead I bought the Del Sol because it was awesomer.

...then you lost your male organs and grew a pair of breasts. :grumpy: You bought a del Slow? You could of at least bought a Civic actually worth something--an Si. :)

:lol:
 
I was actually waiting for you to respond on that, since I remembered you once made the same reply when I said they handled bad before.

I know it's a matter of opinion in a way, but they are known for bad handling and being too heavy. This is probably the main reason why they never really caught on as a base for a track car.

EDIT: But you still have to agree, that focus would handle a lot better than the prelude.


I stopped reading the thread from here, because you are misinformed about the Prelude in the handling department. The 5th gen Prelude was crowned best handling car for under 30k every year that it was in production. Not to mention that 3rd gens out slalomed every car that they were compared to including Vettes and Ferraris.

As far as the Prelude vs Focus I would go with the Lude but there are some things to keep in mind...

1. Under no circumstances get an auto 5th gen. Almost all of them fail and it costs like 3 or 4k to get fixed correctly.
2. The H22 uses oil, its a good idea to check it once a week until you know how much you use between changes. (Mine uses about 1qt/3k miles)
3. Timing belt/water pump/auto tensioner should be changed on 97-98 Ludes at 90k miles. and it was upped to 105k for 99-01.
4. All type SH ludes have a 5 speed, no exceptions, along with courtesy lights in the doors, leather wrapped shifter, led 3rd brake light in the spoiler, and no 3rd break light in the back window, along with ATTS, and different wheels.

Random info
4 wheel steering was discontinued in 92 or 93 in the U.S.
The price was what killed the Lude not being too heavy or anything else
I disagree with people saying that the Focus would be rarer, seeing as how the total production run for the 5th gen USDM Ludes was just under 60k cars

I am sticking with the lude on this one
Slick shifting tranny
I dont think that ford could come clost to matching the H22
Comfortable
Practical
Reliable
And it just plain looks good.

thats all for now...
 

And that bmw had some really nice tires on it, what were they?

Looks like Toyo Proxes R888s to me.

...and I think if you had first hand experience with Preludes, you would change your tune about the way they handle. The way your post reads one would think you were comparing them to late 70s muscle cars or something.


M
 
How much do you want for the M20B25 engine/wiring harness/and chip out of the E30? :D
My bro is selling the whole car to one guy. He probably has a buyer, but do you want the whole thing?
Eh, I think we got all 5 generations here in the US, from what I have seen. Gen 2 and Gen 3 look very much alike, which gen 1 is this tiny little thing.

But people tend to zone about the gen 1 and gen 2 ever being in the US, since the gen 1 is not common anymore and the gen 2 is mistaken for a gen 3 :p
Ahh...didn't know that.
Oh, another thing on the SVT. I've ridden in them at autocrosses and they just go. Guy I know ended up running one in a SP class because his Civic blew up and the SVT was a friend of his and they got it in to his SP class by taking some junk out of it and such and sweet talking some people. It got 3rd place in the class, despite being bone stock. Its just a well done FWD rocket :p
That's what I love about it. :D
As far as the Prelude vs Focus I would go with the Lude but there are some things to keep in mind...

1. Under no circumstances get an auto 5th gen. Almost all of them fail and it costs like 3 or 4k to get fixed correctly.
2. The H22 uses oil, its a good idea to check it once a week until you know how much you use between changes. (Mine uses about 1qt/3k miles)
3. Timing belt/water pump/auto tensioner should be changed on 97-98 Ludes at 90k miles. and it was upped to 105k for 99-01.
4. All type SH ludes have a 5 speed, no exceptions, along with courtesy lights in the doors, leather wrapped shifter, led 3rd brake light in the spoiler, and no 3rd break light in the back window, along with ATTS, and different wheels.

Random info
4 wheel steering was discontinued in 92 or 93 in the U.S.
The price was what killed the Lude not being too heavy or anything else
I disagree with people saying that the Focus would be rarer, seeing as how the total production run for the 5th gen USDM Ludes was just under 60k cars

I am sticking with the lude on this one
Slick shifting tranny
I dont think that ford could come clost to matching the H22
Comfortable
Practical
Reliable
And it just plain looks good.

thats all for now...
Thanks for the useful info.
 
The prelude does nothing but go fast in a straight line, so if you like corners, wrong car.
I was under the assumption that the only three cars that were sold during the Preludes reign by Honda that handled better than the Prelude were the Good-luck-finding-one-stock ITR, the You-cannot-afford-one NSX and the Low-end-what-is-that S2000. In fact, I know that was the case because every year it was sold every magazine this side of the rising sun showered the car with praise.
It won't handle quite as good as the SVT Focus, but it will be faster, nicer inside, more reliable and will attract far better attention than the Focus will (remember, the Focus is the American equivalent of the Civic, with all of the problems that brings).

This is probably the main reason why they never really caught on as a base for a track car.

Hardly airtight reasoning. Perhaps a better reason could be that it was an expensive car that wasn't marketed to people who would take their cars on track days?
 
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