Gen. 5 Prelude vs. Focus SVT for me

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I'm glad a few of you came in here to back me up, the Prelude is quite good at taking corners. The Focus better yes, but the Prelude wasn't made to be a track car like the SVTF was. The Prelude is the best of all worlds.
 
I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.

I would say that handling shouldn't be a concern here. Between that Prelude and the SVT Focus, I really strongly doubt that you'll find any handling issues with either one. It's not like it's gonna make a big difference whether your car can do .75g in a corner or .8g and you're most likely not ever gonna use that much cornering power. For example, in my Mitsubishi Lancer (FWD), I think the limit I've taken it to (which i was afraid to go past) was one of those ramps that say about 40Km/h "recommended" and i took it at about 75-80Km/h, the car was fully pushing me out of the seat. I'm willing to bet a Prelude or SVT Focus could do that too. i doubt you'd need more than that.
 
Funny enough, I've been considering these two cars for purchase to replace my Jetta as well. As always, its generally a case by which I can easily afford the payments, however, insurance generally comes into question. I believe both payment forms are very reasonable, however, I seem to recall the SVT Focus being a bit higher. If you can afford it, by all means, go for it. The only other qualm I remember having about the Focus was that the fuel mileage wasn't particularly "good" for a car its size (worse than my Jetta) and it drank premium-fuel only...

Are you dead-set on these ones? I'm just asking. There are a lot of really good cars out there in that $10K and under range, me being in the same category, there is a lot to think about. I've been setting up to get a Miata, but after the wicked winter we've had, I'm starting to think against it...

So where am I going with this?

I like the Prelude because its different, but yes, I'm cool with the SVT Focus as well. Thing is, there may still be better alternatives out there...
 
Aww, I would KILL to have a miata here in Illinois even with the snow. RWD+snow=fun no matter how you look at it. I think that with the right tires, and a little knowhow, driving rwd in the slick would be fine. I did drive a Lexus SC300 in the snow for awhile with the TCS off, that was fun times.

BTW, Prelude all the way :) and the Lude takes premium only too.

I knew I forgot something...The SH is worth it if you will be cornering hard, really hard, like throwing the car into corners. If you will be heavily modding the car, go with the base seeing as how the ATTS cant handle more than 250hp. I drive a base with a 5 speed and love it. Its just an awesome car. And like I said before, the SH is manual only, theres a lot of people who try and say that they have an SH but you can tell the difference if you look closely.
 
I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.

No, the STi and EVO are rally cars and the SVTF is most certainly designed and built for the track. You need almost nothing in terms of aftermarket to make it an outstanding autocrosser.
 
I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.

I would say that handling shouldn't be a concern here. Between that Prelude and the SVT Focus, I really strongly doubt that you'll find any handling issues with either one. It's not like it's gonna make a big difference whether your car can do .75g in a corner or .8g and you're most likely not ever gonna use that much cornering power. For example, in my Mitsubishi Lancer (FWD), I think the limit I've taken it to (which i was afraid to go past) was one of those ramps that say about 40Km/h "recommended" and i took it at about 75-80Km/h, the car was fully pushing me out of the seat. I'm willing to bet a Prelude or SVT Focus could do that too. i doubt you'd need more than that.
You're pretty much right. I may take it up to Lime Rock once or twice, but no more than that.
So where am I going with this?

I like the Prelude because its different, but yes, I'm cool with the SVT Focus as well. Thing is, there may still be better alternatives out there...
For instance...?
 
For instance...?

Some food for thought:

2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (162 BHP)
They're surprisingly cheap if you can find them, hovering between $7-10K from what I can see. I understand they're pretty reliable as well, although in the long-term, I'm uncertain of what will happen. I'm seriously considering one now.

2003+ VW Jetta GLI or Golf GTI (180-204 BHP, 1.8T and VR6)
My old stand-by models, they're still my standard for everything sport compact. The 1.8T can be a trouble-maker, but they offered the VR6 as well, so take your pick. More or less, they're affordable "performance" cars for "grown ups."

1999-2005 Mazda Miata (140-ish BHP, depends on year)
An old favorite for performance drivers, they're pretty cheap. You may be better off with a late-model NA car (1996-1997), but you can find the early NB cars for less than $10K now. Cheap to insure, easy to fix, just not much room.

2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (160 BHP)
I was really surprised by how cheap the early ones are, and furthermore, how cheap the insurance is on one for me. They don't seem like bad cars, they just seem hard to find unmolested. Knowing me, I'd throw a roof rack on it and make it a "hippie chic sports car."

2002-2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (175 BHP)
The early ones had the Skyline-esque style, and I liked that. They're a bit "brutal" compared to the others, but yeah, still not a horrible car either.
 
2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (162 BHP)
Junk. An arguable performance bargain, yes, but junk.

2003+ VW Jetta GLI or Golf GTI (180-204 BHP, 1.8T and VR6)

A ticking time bomb of insurance and repair costs. I would probably get one regardless, but it is hardly a beacon of reliability.

1999-2005 Mazda Miata (140-ish BHP, depends on year)
It gets harder and harder to find one with less than stupid mileage on it. That being said, if he can live around its impracticality (or fit in it) I would jump at it.

2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (160 BHP)
Even Honda owners hate these, and there was a reason why it usually finished close to dead last in all of the comparisons it entered. The SVT Focus is better at being a Civic Si in every conceivable way than the actual Civic Si is.

2002-2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (175 BHP)
Small car with a motor too powerful for what the chassis is designed for.
 
I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.

I would say that handling shouldn't be a concern here. Between that Prelude and the SVT Focus, I really strongly doubt that you'll find any handling issues with either one. It's not like it's gonna make a big difference whether your car can do .75g in a corner or .8g and you're most likely not ever gonna use that much cornering power. For example, in my Mitsubishi Lancer (FWD), I think the limit I've taken it to (which i was afraid to go past) was one of those ramps that say about 40Km/h "recommended" and i took it at about 75-80Km/h, the car was fully pushing me out of the seat. I'm willing to bet a Prelude or SVT Focus could do that too. i doubt you'd need more than that.
Bah! You always need moar! The Focus is a beast the way it is, and all you need is some stickier tires and bigger antiroll bars to make it grip like a race car. But, as I've gathered from Sport Compact Car's SVT project, they're hard to get more power out of naturally aspirated. But that's okay, because I'm pretty sure they're a tad quicker than my EG2 and EM1, and that's plenty satisfying for me.
 
10 grand could buy you an awesome piece of ZZT231 Celica (probably relatively high mileage, though).

But Celicas just don't "do it" for me.

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Some food for thought:

2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (162 BHP)
They're surprisingly cheap if you can find them, hovering between $7-10K from what I can see. I understand they're pretty reliable as well, although in the long-term, I'm uncertain of what will happen. I'm seriously considering one now.

2003+ VW Jetta GLI or Golf GTI (180-204 BHP, 1.8T and VR6)
My old stand-by models, they're still my standard for everything sport compact. The 1.8T can be a trouble-maker, but they offered the VR6 as well, so take your pick. More or less, they're affordable "performance" cars for "grown ups."

1999-2005 Mazda Miata (140-ish BHP, depends on year)
An old favorite for performance drivers, they're pretty cheap. You may be better off with a late-model NA car (1996-1997), but you can find the early NB cars for less than $10K now. Cheap to insure, easy to fix, just not much room.

2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (160 BHP)
I was really surprised by how cheap the early ones are, and furthermore, how cheap the insurance is on one for me. They don't seem like bad cars, they just seem hard to find unmolested. Knowing me, I'd throw a roof rack on it and make it a "hippie chic sports car."

2002-2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (175 BHP)
The early ones had the Skyline-esque style, and I liked that. They're a bit "brutal" compared to the others, but yeah, still not a horrible car either.

Pretty much agree with Tornado on all fronts. The Lancer and Sentra just don't intrigue me like the SVTF and Lude do. I'm trying to keep running costs low, so no Vee-Dub. The Miata is just too impractical and that gen Si was crap, as Tornado said.
 
I had a brief love affair with 5th gen Preludes.
They are quite difficult to find around here.
Foci are just about everywhere, but I have two Ford dealers within spitting distance.

You might consider putting the 10g's down on a NEW Civic SI...
It has the K20 engine, better fuel economy, and is not only safer still, but no slouch in the performance department.
Yeah, you'd still owe quite a bit, but you'd have a car with no miles, that is completely unmolested.
 
The new Si is barely quicker in a straight line than the Prelude, only because of 6 gears as opposed to 5. I stand by the Prelude choice if you can find an unmolested one that is.
 
I too will stand behind the Prelude if you find a lower mileage model that's been taken care of. They are quite good at everything--and if you find a black or blue one GET IT IMMEDIATELY! :D
 
I did the GT4 test; the Focus ST170 came out on top. I adjusted both cars for the American figures for weight and power. I'll pursue the SVTF that I posted and if that doesn't fly then I'll look harder for a base Prelude.
And YSSMAN where do you see that it needs premium fuel? Cars.com says regular.
 
And YSSMAN where do you see that it needs premium fuel? Cars.com says regular.

I've got an old issue of Motor Trend downstairs where they compare the SVT ZX5, Impreza 2.5 RS, Lancer Ralliart and SE-R Spec-V... As I recall, the Lancer was the only one that had recommended regular fuel. I also recall it being the fastest there by a large margin (out of the cars I listed there, only the VWs would out-run it, I think), and the easiest to drive quickly (used cars should have better rolling stock now, the M+S tires severely limited it).

As to what Toronado said, I agree for the most part... I like to keep the options open, as always, but I rarely pick the "conventional" choices every time. I'd likely take the GTI due to my sick obsession with paying too damn much and getting too little, that, and I like to be comfortable when not driving at 8/10s+ all the time.

Or a Miata. Because they're cheap. And fun to drive. And cheap. Did I mention cheap?
 
I did the GT4 test...
Oh jeez.

How about you go drive them? I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy driving the Lude more. Also, who cares if it calls for premium or not. Just put premium in it. It's better. The computer automatically adjusts spark timing, and you're going to get slightly more power and better fuel economy. Neither will offset the cost, but if you're worried about gas prices while looking at these cars, you shouldn't be looking for these cars. I'll be damned if I get 20mpg in the city with my Si.
 
I've got an old issue of Motor Trend downstairs where they compare the SVT ZX5, Impreza 2.5 RS, Lancer Ralliart and SE-R Spec-V... As I recall, the Lancer was the only one that had recommended regular fuel. I also recall it being the fastest there by a large margin (out of the cars I listed there, only the VWs would out-run it, I think), and the easiest to drive quickly (used cars should have better rolling stock now, the M+S tires severely limited it).
Ok, sounds like a reliable enough source.
As to what Toronado said, I agree for the most part... I like to keep the options open, as always, but I rarely pick the "conventional" choices every time. I'd likely take the GTI due to my sick obsession with paying too damn much and getting too little, that, and I like to be comfortable when not driving at 8/10s+ all the time.
After riding in the back of my brother's E30 with no rear seat, nothing will seem uncomfortable.
Or a Miata. Because they're cheap. And fun to drive. And cheap. Did I mention cheap?
I would get a Miata, if only I didn't...um...I don't know, but I like the functionality of a hatch.
Oh jeez.
How about you go drive them? I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy driving the Lude more.
It was a jk, calm down.
Also, who cares if it calls for premium or not. Just put premium in it. It's better. The computer automatically adjusts spark timing, and you're going to get slightly more power and better fuel economy. Neither will offset the cost, but if you're worried about gas prices while looking at these cars, you shouldn't be looking for these cars. I'll be damned if I get 20mpg in the city with my Si.
Not complaining, just inquiring.
 
Ah. I'm not sure about the SVT, but I do know the H22 requires premium fuel. Also, I think the GT4 Test would actually be a better decider than you think...

But the feel of the car is usually more important than the overall performance. My cousin's Cobalt SS performs miles better than the Si in every way, but it feels so heavy and incompetent in comparison.
 
Yeah, I'll definitely drive one, if not both, soon. The feel of a car is especially important to me.
 
Becareful if you drive the Prelude first...you might not want to get out. Trust me when I tell you when you're going WOT in first and you shift to 2nd and the performance portion of the VTEC cam kicks in @ 5200-ish RPM the whole world changes. Its like you car transforms into an animal. The noise alone is insane.
 
If you are concerned about using premium fuel just figure out the price difference between the two different octanes, you'll be surprised that premium only costs you about $2 as a whole to fill up. Someone on the Mini Cooper forum figured it out that we would only save something like $40 a year if we used only regular...I have to imagine that the Prelude and Focus get similarly good mileage.
 
Especially since both the Focus SVT and the Prelude run premium gas, and the Prelude gets better mileage.


What about broadening your Ford scope a little? You could look at a Ford Contour SVT for less than 7 grand, which is really a far better use of your money than any Focus could be. Its faster, handles probably just as good, has more space, better mileage and runs on regular with more horsepower. I would probably even jump at that over the Prelude, to be honest, based on cost differences.
This is my honest to goodness final answer.
 
It's crap car though. The Focus is one of the best cars Ford has ever made. Plus the Contour is rare as platinum and old.
 
It's crap car though.
Based on what? The fact that it didn't sell as well as the Focus did?

The Focus is one of the best cars Ford has ever made.
The Contour was a rebadged Mondeo. Everyone knows how terrible they are.

Plus the Contour is rare as platinum and old.
2 years older, and only 2,500 cars less common, in a car that would probably be much easier to fix because of how much of the drivetrain was shared with the lesser cars in the range.
 
Its still an EPIC sleeper. Most of the kids don't know what it is, and I'm positive you could surprise a few with the performance of the car...
 
I like the Contour for what it is, it's a great car, but it's not as cool as the Focus and I can't see my self in one as much. The Contour is 300lbs heavier than the Focus and tough to find with low-ish miles. I can find a decent one for $4,500 with 84k mi but it's 60 miles away.
 
Look what I found :) For anyone who says the Prelude has marginal handling

http://www.ntpog.org/articles/magazines/coupesde.pdf Prelude 1st place in Coupes de Grace Redux. Car and driver December 1999. Only perfect 10 score for handling, "It is, in short, a surgeons tool for straighting out intestinelike byways."
http://www.ntpog.org/articles/magazines/97presh2.pdf Road test of a Prelude SH. Under test notes: "A model of precision in the slalom, the Prelude felt tidy, predicatble and well balanced, with minimal understeer.

http://www.ntpog.org/articles/magazines/battle.pdf Review of Prelude SH and Integra Type R.

Theres more on this site http://www.ntpog.org/articles/index.shtml

I would like to see any article from anywhere that says anything about the Prelude hanling poorly.
 
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