I just test drove a 1997 VTEC Prelude. I can't say I noticed any huge performance gap between it an

Dear all:

My 1995 Prelude was owned by a Middle aged Tech Sgt in the Air
Force. She learned some very valuable habbits on how to take care of
cars from her father. For example: when she was a teenager, she was
not allowed to even drive the car unless the car was cleaned and
waxed! Her father instilled in her a sense of pride and joy in having
a top notch car. Furthermore, she never drove the car hard and never
raced/abused her baby, the Prelude. I am a very happy owner of this
1995 Prelude. I didn't even realize how lucky I was to finid such a
great previous owner until today:

Today, the difference this kind of caring became very clear to
me. I went a drive a 1997 Prelude, thinking that I was going to buy
it because it has a VTEC engine. I thought since my 1995 is only an
Si model, I could use the extra horses. To my surprise, the 1997 VTEC
didn't make the car that much faster. I am not even sure if it was
faster at all. I, for one, could not appreciate the VTEC coming on at
5500 rmp.

To make matters worse, the 1997 sounded rougher (even though it
only has 160,000 miles, while my 1995 has 171,000 miles). Comparing
the condition of the cars, my 1995 beats the 1997 hands down. My 1995
is just a joy to drive and is very smooth. The 97 has louder engine
sounds and just in general rides rougher.

So, it became an easy call to make. I decided not to get the 97
Prelude. Let me be clear: I was very sincere about buying the 97
before I went out there. In fact, I was carrying $4500 in CASH with
me. See, when I really test drive a car, I don't waste people's time.
I carry the cash with me and I would have bought it if the car had
really wowed me.

So, here is my observation, now after having driven both a 4th
gen and a 5th gen Prelude: 1. How a car is taken care of makes a huge
differenct. 2. The VTEC 97 (200hp) and the 95 Si (160hp) really do
not have that big of a gap in terms of acceleration from 0-60. 3. The
97 is heavier. 4. The styling of the 97 is less cool than the 95
(the fifth gen is too tame in terms of styling).

Points 1-4 translates into my 1995 Lude being more fun to drive
than the 1997 one I saw today.

If you want to see my 1995 prelude it is here:
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=121584&size=big

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=121585&size=big

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=121586&size=big


If you want to see the ad in for the 1997 Lude: it is here:
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=153217437&dealer_id=&car_year=1997&make=HONDA&distance=25&max_price=&model=&advcd_on=n&end_year=1997&min_price=&first_record=51&address=20762&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1997&=&color=&cardist=13


As you can see, just from the picture, you can't tell that 1997
is worse than my 1995, but trust me, the moment you drive the two, you
will know that my 1995 was much better taken care of than the 1997.


What has been your experience with different generations of cars?
Did you find that you improved your lot when you stepped up to the
newer generations? I must say, I had expected to be wow'd, but it
didn't happen. Maybe my expectations were too high. Who knows.
Shrug.


sincerely. Dr. Moser.

 

Did you take the VTEC to the redline?

 

Did you take the VTEC to the redline?

 

Did you take the VTEC to the redline?

 

Must have been fun in the winter.

 

Must have been fun in the winter.

 

Must have been fun in the winter.

 

OK, this doesn't make any sense... You imply that you're the second owner
of a very well cared for car and now you're abusing it by spinning out the
tires on some oil just to make some nifty pictures? Go Figure! Perhaps you
didn't learn anything from the prior owner's diligence.

 

OK, this doesn't make any sense... You imply that you're the second owner
of a very well cared for car and now you're abusing it by spinning out the
tires on some oil just to make some nifty pictures? Go Figure! Perhaps you
didn't learn anything from the prior owner's diligence.

 

OK, this doesn't make any sense... You imply that you're the second owner
of a very well cared for car and now you're abusing it by spinning out the
tires on some oil just to make some nifty pictures? Go Figure! Perhaps you
didn't learn anything from the prior owner's diligence.

 

So very tasteful. Pure rice.

 

So very tasteful. Pure rice.

 

So very tasteful. Pure rice.

 

Funny you should mention that. I bought the car in the dead of winter
and the car was waxed! She says that even in weather like this, she
would still go out there and wax it, just because it has become a
habbit and she really respects her car. I can't say that I have kept
up with her habbit. In fact, the car is definitely in need of a wash
and a spray (ie wash away all the salt). It takes a lot of work to
keep a car clean and in tip top running condition!

sincerely.

 

Funny you should mention that. I bought the car in the dead of winter
and the car was waxed! She says that even in weather like this, she
would still go out there and wax it, just because it has become a
habbit and she really respects her car. I can't say that I have kept
up with her habbit. In fact, the car is definitely in need of a wash
and a spray (ie wash away all the salt). It takes a lot of work to
keep a car clean and in tip top running condition!

sincerely.

 

Funny you should mention that. I bought the car in the dead of winter
and the car was waxed! She says that even in weather like this, she
would still go out there and wax it, just because it has become a
habbit and she really respects her car. I can't say that I have kept
up with her habbit. In fact, the car is definitely in need of a wash
and a spray (ie wash away all the salt). It takes a lot of work to
keep a car clean and in tip top running condition!

sincerely.

 

As much as I love a shiny clean waxed car, it is too much for me to keep the
salt off in the winter. Within a day it's covered again, plus it can be hard
to wash the car when it's cold out. Although when it is mild out I do try to
wash off all the salt, and I'm sure to wax it up before and after winter.

 

As much as I love a shiny clean waxed car, it is too much for me to keep the
salt off in the winter. Within a day it's covered again, plus it can be hard
to wash the car when it's cold out. Although when it is mild out I do try to
wash off all the salt, and I'm sure to wax it up before and after winter.

 

As much as I love a shiny clean waxed car, it is too much for me to keep the
salt off in the winter. Within a day it's covered again, plus it can be hard
to wash the car when it's cold out. Although when it is mild out I do try to
wash off all the salt, and I'm sure to wax it up before and after winter.

 

Headlights must have amazing range.

Isn't it not good to floor a FWD when the wheels are turned full lock?