I picked up a 04 Honda Prelude
 

twin cam, five speed. Puts a grin on my face everytime I drive it. I paid a little too much for what I got but it was still cheap:). I'm rebuilding the A/C system with a new condenser and compressor. I'm even tempted to run it on r12:). Did ya'll know that you can have the evaportor out in about 30 minutes in these cars? While changing out the timing belt I found the timing belt sprocket at the crank was split along the keyway. Looks like a low quality timing belt change job was done years ago. Anyway, the car is showing 125k original miles. There is no rust and I got 34.6 mpg on my first long ride down I75 running between 70 and 80 mph. Biggest negative is getting in/out of it because it is so low. Did I mention what a grin I get when I drive it?

I hate to tell you, but they stopped making the Prelude in 01. Mine's an 00. You're going to love brake pad changes. It'll take you longer to get the wheel off. Great handling, quick cars. I love mine. They are fun as he!! on the autocross course. Back when I did a few autocross schools (Porsche club and evolution school), instructors kept asking me why more people don't autocross them (A: no camber adjusment).
I drove to/from DC and got over 400mi to the tank, through WV and MD mtns.
Congrats on your purchase.

Isn't that a VTec engine?

The earlier preludes are a nightmare to work on. The hood is so low and everything is jammed in there. Makes working on FWD car even harder.

But like everything im sure you get used to it and learn the tricks here and there.

I should have mentioned the one I purchased is a '94 model. I like the way it looks. My busted up knuckles can attest to the tight space under the hood.

Ah. Great cars. It may be a little tight, but nowhere near like replacing a water pump on my 300TD. The 97-01's were all VTECs, but the 92-96's had a 160hp engine or a 190 VTEC. Which one did you pick up?

Woooohoooooooo. Have fun in it and post pictures if you can, don't forget to grin!

It has the 160 hp twin cam I4. It puts a grin on your face everytime you drive it:). I rebuilt an a/c system in one a couple/few years ago and liked the way it drove so much that I have wanted one every since.

I worked on an 89 I believe. The evaporator core practically fell out, which was nice compared to some other cars. But trying to get the compressor out was a total PITA. Apparently you're supposed to remove the PS pump first. The shop manuals actually show a tool to loosen it. It goes through the front grill and then you can get to the alternator. Silly. They are great driving cars though.

I'd rather have a Miata though, might as well have RWD.

I miss my integra for the same reasons. I imagine the prelude drives very similarly, a little bit more powerful, but a little heavier. Not the fastest or the best handling cars by any means, but they sure are a hoot to drive around. EXTREMELY controllable too, they are very hard to get away from you. I went from the integra to an AWD audi, also very controllable, to a lexus IS300, which can easily get away from you with traction control off.

Mine became very problematic at around 145k though, no doubt due to years of being an abused college car. I kept it immaculate looking, but it definately was "drove hard and put away wet". I put a suspension kit on it, and with that on it the car handled on rails. Still, being a fwd car it had too much understeer for my tastes. I miss the feeling that my driving skills surpassed the ability of the car, as i definately think my IS's capabilities surpass mine as a driver.

Good luck with it, they really are great little cars!

My brother had an Integra GS-R. In my (biased) opinion, the prelude drives much better. One of the very best handling FWD cars ever made. It's heavier than the Integra, but much stiffer.