Prelude VTEC vs MR2 Turbo Question?

[Barrie]

I'm looking to swap my Prelude VTEC for a MR2 Turbo, and it seems more than likely that some people here have driven both...

Obviously the Tubby is a lot quicker, but are there any other pros and cons I might want to think about?

(I've got a RWD kitcar thats about 200bhp/ton, so I'm not going to cry that the back end does "dangerous" things...)

[matt_mr2t]

Advantages:

Better looking.
Faster.
Rear wheel drive.
More interesting (honda's are just annonymous IMO)

Disadvantages:
No back seats.
Small boot.
Not very good MPG.
Less predicable handling.
Might attract unwanted attention.

[nakamura]

Prelude handles well.
Sounds better.
More practical.
Looks good.
Bullet proof engine.

MR2 Looks amazing.
Highly tunable.
Tbar option.
Awesome driving postion.
Great handling if unpredictable.
Loads of body tuning options.
Also reliable if looked after.
Cool pop up lights.
Fair sized boot.

The MR2 is certainly a better sports car. I like the prelude a lot but MR2 all the way really. Its the most fun car ive ever driven especially for the money.

[C50]

yep! you'll love it

[Spittinflames]

Prelude handles well.
Sounds better.<----- ERRRM COME AGAIN
More practical.
Looks good.
Bullet proof engine.

MR2 Looks amazing.
Highly tunable.
Tbar option.
Awesome driving postion.
Great handling if unpredictable.
Loads of body tuning options.
Also reliable if looked after.
Cool pop up lights.
Fair sized boot.

The MR2 is certainly a better sports car. I like the prelude a lot but MR2 all the way really. Its the most fun car ive ever driven especially for the money.

[skipp123]

Prelude handles well.
Sounds better.<----- ERRRM COME AGAIN
More practical.
Looks good.
Bullet proof engine.

MR2 Looks amazing.
Highly tunable.
Tbar option.
Awesome driving postion.
Great handling if unpredictable.
Loads of body tuning options.
Also reliable if looked after.
Cool pop up lights.
Fair sized boot.

The MR2 is certainly a better sports car. I like the prelude a lot but MR2 all the way really. Its the most fun car ive ever driven especially for the money.

yup do what

http://www.koracing.net/viewclip.php?clip=12

http://www.koracing.net/viewclip.php?clip=13

[nakamura]

AND?

MR2 turbos sound ok, mainly on idle, nice and beefy. Nothing beats the sound of an NA engine, especially a vtec. Certainly not a v6 converted mk2. As the Supra NA sounds better than the Turbo.

[Barrie]

Aye it does sound awesome in VTEC mode...

But I can't imagine a tuned MR2 sounds crap, and I'm more of a form over function kinda chap anyway.

[matt_mr2t]

I hate the sound of vtecs. They sound like crotchrockets.

Cant beat the sound a V or flat engine full stop.

[Tiamat]

I hate the sound of vtecs. They sound like crotchrockets.

Nowt wrong with a crotchrocket.

[matt_mr2t]

I reckon you'll be in the minority on here buddy

[nakamura]

Matt you do hate Hondas for some reason. Fair enough up to you but i think you are prob minority really.

[mattcambs]

I hate the sound of vtecs. They sound like crotchrockets.

Cant beat the sound a V or flat engine full stop.

Have you ever driven an S2000? Unbelievably good sounding exhaust note for a 4 pot when you get into the VTEC zone. In fact, in many ways they're the perfect affordable sports car (at least when the prices come down a bit more).

[matt_mr2t]

I hate the sound of vtecs. They sound like crotchrockets.

Cant beat the sound a V or flat engine full stop.

Have you ever driven an S2000? Unbelievably good sounding exhaust note for a 4 pot when you get into the VTEC zone. In fact, in many ways they're the perfect affordable sports car (at least when the prices come down a bit more).

Of all the Honda's available the S2000 and NSX are the only interesting ones as they're both purpose built, RWD sports cars.

The reason I dont like them much is because IMO they all look boring, are mainly all FWD and have engines that have to do 9k revs to be fast.
While I can appreciate the engineering, ridiculously high revving engines arent very good on the road.
I also think 9k revs doesnt sound that great, too high pitched. Every CTR etc I've ever heard sounds like a motorbike.

[lower]

Have you ever driven an S2000? Unbelievably good sounding exhaust note for a 4 pot when you get into the VTEC zone. In fact, in many ways they're the perfect affordable sports car (at least when the prices come down a bit more).

[mattcambs]

In what ways do you prefer the S2000 to an MR2 our of interest?
I've only driven one once - my uncle's in California - but it was for an extended drive on some awesome driving roads. I'd say that in pretty much most areas it is superior to a mk2 MR2 except perhaps for driver involvement through the corners. An S2000 is a nicer car to be in, though and the engineering quality shines through in all areas. The engine is a genuine all time classic.

Sorry, bit OT

[lower]

I had a rev2 Turbo for about 4 years and loved it.

When i wanted to change it was either for a newer MR2 or the S2000 which was the only real alternative as a 2 seater roadster with a reasonable boot size and similar speed to the MR2.

So i went for the S2000, primarily because it was a change and because i could afford one with a warranty.

I'm now on my second S2000, this one i bought new.

Why do i prefer it? Stock for stock the S2000 is a much better handling car. Up until recently i tracked my S2k about 6 times a year and found it a good track car, if a little heavy on brakes. Its faster on acceleration than my old MR2 (though there's not a lot in it) though it does take some getting used to driving a VTEC and using the rev range and you don't get the push in back that the torque of a 3S-GTE gives you. I prefer the interior (mainly because its more up to date) and even though my mr2 was a T-Bar i prefer being able to drop the whole roof.

Cons- My S2000's have not been the most reliable. I had 3 engines in the first one and i'm on my second engine in the current one. Having said that they've all been replaced under warranty. Other than that, nothing's gone wrong at all apart from the odd cracked brake disc (but that's from extreme heat with race pads on the track)

Overall, i loved my MR2 and really enjoyed owning it. But it just got to long in the tooth for me and i wanted something a bit more up to date in stying, but more importantly in handling.

[matt_mr2t]

Hmm, puts paid to the myth that v-tec engines never go wrong!

[C50]

5 vtecs engines from one person.. maybe he keeps it at redline for lengthy amounts of time and not check oil levels, change oil, etc..

[Martin F]

there reliability was meant to be excellent then you come across someone going through 5 engines in relatively new cars....