Prelude SH vs Impreza 2.5rs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cybore
  • 20 comments
  • 2,915 views

Honda prelude SH vs Impreza 2.5rs vs Other?

  • Total voters
    22
C

Cybore

Messages
7
I'm considering getting getting a newer car after having driven a civic for a while and after doing some research and I'm stuck between two.

Which would be a better car in terms of Reliability, handling, insurance costs and overall value?

Somewhat considering a newer s14 but in rains a lot in Portland so don't think would be too safe with my driving.

Any feedback is appreciated.
 
Mclaren_Man
Go and test drive them both to see which one you prefer. When buying a car the final selection is up to you, not others.
Click to expand...

I do know that but given that I'm not an excellent of a driver and the owner would probably not let me take it to the twisty roads just wanted to have some feedback before I actually went and tested out the cars.

At lest in terms of reliability and cost of repairs which would be the better choice? I have understood that AWD do require much more due to more moving parts.
 
-> Both cars are good, it all really depends on your driving preference. (:

-> I'm currently driving a '06 WRX [GG7] Wagon (and used to own a '04 [GGA] wagon), and I tell you that Subaru's are expensive to maintain (along with its parts). But these cars can give you peace of mind in bad weather (in my words, more rain = more fun). And the insurance would be a tad cheaper compared to the Prelude (because its a coupe).

Question: Is the Impreza 2.5RS a sedan or a coupe?

-> I also used to own a Honda (sort of), but it was a Acura Integra GS-R. My take with the Prelude is simple, get a lot of insurance quotes from different companies. Parts are almost everywhere, and maintenance are also cheaper on a Honda. And I like the driving feel on Honda's better than Subaru's, and Prelude's are excellent cruiser cars if you're not planning on racing it on the streets.

Question: What model year? Is it the base model or the Type-SH?

~> I'd really like to own a Honda again, owning a Subaru make me think too much about something. I'm planning to sell it thou, and I'd like to get a Honda Fit Sport someday. (:
 
I'm going with the 2.5RS because it can be endlessly built up.

Entire STi drivetrain fits without a problem.


That and AWD > FWD.
 
I'm planning to keep it stock for now, maybe future modifications. The prelude is the SH model (suppose to help understeer) and the 2.5rs do not mind getting a coupe or sedan. Most of the one's I've seen reasonably priced have over 100K miles in terms of mileage (if both were mantained well) which would last longer?
 
You could go with a Base model Lude. The ATTS is pretty much un-noticable unless you are pushing the car to the absolute limit. My Lude is a base 5 speed and it corners amazingly I have yet to experience any understeer. If you do look into any base models, absolutely do not even consider an auto because of the problems with them.

Apart from the timing belt/water pump service I just did at 90k, the only part that failed me was the clutch master cylinder and that was after I drove the car for about 25-26k miles. The car is pretty much a tank for reliability I take it to 7400 RPMs daily and I still get 25-27mpg. And one other thing that I can think of right now is that all of the H22's use oil. Average of about 1qt/3k miles so check the oil.
 
A used 1998 240SX with low miles (as you mentioned the S14a). RWD cars can be just as safe as FWD cars in the rain. Don't drive fast and obey traffic laws and you'll be fine in harsh weather.
 
I don't know what kind of Civic you drive right now, but I would say a swaped hatchback civic would be just as cheap as those cars and much faster. :)
 
Hey Boz have you actually driven a SH model? from what I've heard the ATTS is actually noticeable and recommended. Will give both a try once I get a chance.

Bad thing 4th gens dont have atts nor 4ws and do not think they look as nice as the newer ones.

I'm driving a stock eg6 and do not those when swapped are really quick, but would like something different for a change.
 
I would go for the S14, but whats so bad about the way you drive that makes you balk at getting one? I mean if its raining and you mat the throttle then you will go around, but only someone with half a brain would do that. S14s are a well built car and have a huge backing in after market parts and I don't think that its considered a sports car where as the Subaru is (plus it has a turbo) and because of that insureance will be insane (If your young like me :D) BTW what are you planing to do with the car?
 
Cybore
Hey Boz have you actually driven a SH model? from what I've heard the ATTS is actually noticeable and recommended. Will give both a try once I get a chance.

Bad thing 4th gens dont have atts nor 4ws and do not think they look as nice as the newer ones.

I'm driving a stock eg6 and do not those when swapped are really quick, but would like something different for a change.
Click to expand...

No, I have never driven an SH Prelude but like I said before, you only really need it if you are going to the track and pushing the car to the limits. It has been proven that a Type-SH Lude is 2 (yes TWO) seconds faster around a road coarse than the Base but that is irrelevant in every day driving.

4th Gens did have 4WS but only to 92. There were 5th gens with 4WS also but that was only in japan/europe etc, the US never got a 4WS 5th gen.
 
Personally, I'd take the Prelude. At least from where I stand, I'd say that the Honda has the Impreza in terms of look and performance, and beyond that, gets better gas-mileage, and presumably would out-handle the Subie as well... Certainly if you aren't looking for a low-slung coupe, the Honda may not be up your alley, particularly if there is a lot of snow in the area you live in.

...Granted, the Impreza is a good car, but compared to the Honda, I just wouldn't go for it...

The only other rational option I could see here would be one of the last great Toyotas, the Celica GT-S, or maybe a late-model VW GTI... But then again, the VW really doesn't meet your criteria for 'cheap' insurance...
 
Yeah, I gotta agree with the AWD/FWD statement, though I hear Prelude is one of the best handling FWD cars. I also like that "boy-racer" look of 2.5RS. My buddy has a 2.5RS Sedan, and two extra doors would be a bonus IMO.
 
Boz Mon
Just curious what you mean by "low-slung coupe?"
Click to expand...

Well, unless the design of the Prelude has changed without me knowing, most cars here in the US are rather tall compared with the Prelude. My Grandfather's '89 Si sits rather low, and before he started running off to Florida every winter, I do recall the Prelude not liking the Michigan snow... Get too much too quickly, and that car wasn't going anywhere with that ground-clearance...
 
-> I would like to also add that the Impreza sedan series doesn't have a 60/40 rear folding seatback, only a rear pass-thru cubby. Thou hampering practicality issues. I do think that the Prelude has a 50/50 folding rear seat, please correct me if I'm wrong. (:
 

Latest Posts

Back