1995: Honda Prelude VTEC vs. Toyota MR2 Turbo

I really am torn between these two cars... Please compare them stock for stock, because it'll be a while before I could afford to mod them. :( But I would have to spring for the newer tail lights on the MR2. ;)

Prelude:
http://205.188.135.112/at/ucars/item_img/13056033.jpg

MR2:
http://205.188.135.112/at/ucars/item_img/13055982.jpg

from autotrader.com
Prelude MR2
General Information
Model Year 1995 1995
Car Type Coupe Coupe
Number of Doors 2-Door 2-Door
Seating Capacity 4 passengers 2 passengers
Manufacturer Honda Toyota
Mileage
Mileage 20,000 -80,000 20,000 -80,000
Price
Original Price $25,620 $29,238
Retail Price $12,700 -$16,600 $12,915 -$16,815
Wholesale Price $10,745 -$14,045 $11,005 -$14,305
Fuel Economy
City Mileage 22 mpg 20 mpg
Highway Mileage 26 mpg 27 mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity 15.9 gallons 14.3 gallons
Safety
Safety Rating 4 4
Reliability
Reliability Rating 4 4
Size
Interior
Cargo Capacity 8 cubic ft No Data
Front Head Room 38 inches 36.8 inches
Rear Head Room 35.1 inches No Data
Front Leg Room 44.2 inches 43.4 inches
Rear Leg Room 28.1 inches No Data
Exterior
Length 174.8 inches 164.2 inches
Width 69.5 inches 66.9 inches
Height 50.8 inches 48.6 inches
Curb Weight 2,932 lbs 2,888 lbs
Wheelbase 100.4 inches 94.5 inches
Technical Specifications
Horsepower 190 hp @ 6800 rpm 200 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque 158 ft-lbs. @ 5500 rpm 200 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm
Number of Cylinders 4 cylinders 4 cylinders
Displacement 2.2 liters 2 liters
Engine Type Gasoline Gasoline
Drive Train Front-Wheel Drive Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission Manual Manual
Brakes All Disc All Disc
Available Features
Anti-Lock Brakes Yes Yes
Driver-Side Airbag Yes Yes
Passenger-Side Airbag Yes Yes
Air Conditioning Yes Yes
Cassette Player Yes Yes
Cruise Control Yes Yes
Power Brakes Yes Yes
Power Door Locks Yes Yes
Power Steering Yes Yes
Power Windows Yes Yes
Sunroof/Moonroof Yes No (AutoTrader says no, but it has a T-bar roof :rolleyes:)

I've always wondered what an MR2 was like. I would take that car just because Preludes are too popular.

I'd go with the MR2 also....looks good but unique, more hp, probably weighs less, and its rwd:)

Go with the MR2 turbo. Much more fun, a whole lot faster. You'll have a harder time finding an MR2 but it's worth it because nobody ever sees them. Everyone thinks mine is a Ferrari. The turbos have 200 torque also.

Thanks so far, guys. :)Originally posted by Kerpalstaxi
The turbos have 200 torque also. Oh, yeah!! Stupid AutoTrader forgot this; now I have to look it up for the Prelude... :rolleyes:

If you want a MR2-T you should buy a pre-93 model. The ones after are not as good.

do you say this because of the suspension changes or is because they got rid of t-vis in 94
a lsd was offered in 93+ cars the tail lights where upgrade in 94
i believe that in 92 the brakes got bigger 93 has a extra exhaust manifold stud which helps with warpage the coil was moved to the inside of the distributor also a little bigger thottle body
i own a 91 and i like it nice cars
you will get more horsepower per upgrade with the mr2 just turn the boost up a little

I've seen too many MR2's kill Preludes.

Well I really don't like either but at least the Honda looks better so I choose that one :bloated:

when i first saw the MR2, i thought it was a Lotus Espirite. okay to me they look strikingly similar, plus the MR2 has a super car drive train configuration, it will handle better plus it looks alot more sporty and better (like the Espirite). and its got more horsepower, and its TURBO~~ TURBO~~~ nuff said.

Originally posted by toyota mr2t
do you say this because of the suspension changes or is because they got rid of t-vis in 94
a lsd was offered in 93+ cars the tail lights where upgrade in 94
i believe that in 92 the brakes got bigger 93 has a extra exhaust manifold stud which helps with warpage the coil was moved to the inside of the distributor also a little bigger thottle body
i own a 91 and i like it nice cars
you will get more horsepower per upgrade with the mr2 just turn the boost up a little

Suspension changes.

So would your answer change if I was going to mod the suspension?

I remember it cause the car to snap more easily.

Even tho i love the prelude i also would go wit Mr2. Cause of the rock solid drivetrain that can handle ridiculous amounts of boost:sun:

The prelude has around 160 lbs of torque. MR2s come w/ turbos so if you plan on putting money into the engine, you'll get a lot more power than you would from an NA (prelude). Some fairly unexpensive stuff is a blowoff valve, and increase the boost pressure (MR2s can handle up to 18 psi but 16 is recommende). So maybe $500-$600 for this with huge power gains. I'm not sure exact numbers but you could expect at least 35 hp. You could also put in an intercooler, I've seen it place in the trunk. If you're looking at putting an intake on, use tom's air scoops (150 ea.) Its like ram air but behind the drivers side window (kind of hard to explain). Even though only one is necessary, you could put another on the passenger side to help keep the engine cool. Plus just one looks funny. Good luck

Is the torque for a VTEC 'lude really only 158? That seems low....damn.

An interesting conumdrum there jay.

What you really have to look at is what you really want in a car.
The MR2 is certianly faster, and much mroe of the sports car than the slightly more relaxed Prelude.
I think the prelude would be easier to live with, its got a back seat, and quite a bit more interior room. including a decent boot. Of course its still damn fast in a striaght line, and can provide plenty of enjoyment in the twistys.
The MR2 is more the pure sports car and certialy has a lot more potential to be modified and made faster. The suspension will provide a harder ride, and economy will be pretty poor when compared to the lude, but if you looking for something to cover large distances very quickly, or to get a buzz from a nice piece of road then its the better car.
Of course if you do get one, make it a post 93 after they fixed the suspension.

Definitly go with the MR2!

The Greddy upgrade turbo kit is very cheap for the car and gives it 280+hp easily. And since you'll be saving up for awhile it'll be that much more satisfying than modifying the Prelude.

Plus the MR2 looks better and since it's rear-wheel drive it can be drifted. Also, the Prelude is relatively heavy and not as agile.

i'm a prelude man.. but i'll take the 3s-gte over the h22 any day......

Well first off I love honda to death. They make some of the best all around cars out their! My daily driver is a 94 accord and I know the car like the back of my hand. I know the limit in the twisties and it is very economical. BUT I also have a 300ZXTT and after driving the Z the honda becomes a little toy car (golf cart, slow go-cart) compared to the Z. Honestly the prelude is defentally going to corner better then the accord but it was not built as a sports car!!!!!! It is a 2 door (reshaped accord with upgraded suspention and engine) But the MR2 on the other hand is more of a ture sports car. Ya it might not be as comfey on the long trips but then again it makes up for it in the corners (handles like it is on rails) & will put a smile on your face that is permantly attached!:) What you have to do now is decide on what kind of driving style you like. If you drive hard get the MR2 but if you take it eazy then it doesnt matter. Also depends on what kind of car your going to be needing..... Do you drive mulitple people? If your 25 or so years old are you going to use the car as a family car? (prelude) Are you young and want a 'sports car'??? Honestly I have been doing a lot of research on the MR2 and it is defentally a ture sports car. You can add around 100HP for about $1200!!!! The only other car that I know you can do that with is my Z!!! Also it sounds like you want to mod the car after you get it. First of all why get a slow car and try to make it fast? Honda's arnt necessarly the fastest cars out there. & to make the NA honda's fast requires a lot of $$$ :( So my suggestion would be get the MR2. Do your homework so you dont get burned & good luck.

TT4ever

I'd go with the mr2 second gen. Any year. The post 93 suspension is toned towards understeer. But if you mod it , it will be just like the 91s. It's not good in the winter though. If you have questions about the mr2. Check out www.mr2.com and the message board

http://www.board.mr2faq.com/

Peace

Do you like torque?
Do you not care about cargo sapce?
Do you think the Prelude is just fugly?

IMO If you dont choose the MR2 you will regret it.;)

ive heard that the best setup is a 93 with a 91 crossmemember

to clear up a few misconceptions...

the issue about which suspension setup is better (91-92 vs 93+) is purely subjective. many autocrossers prefer early models because they give a better feel for the road and steering response is a little quicker. they also weigh less (not sure how much). however, they tend to snap a lot quicker and with less warning at the limit. also, watch out for lifting the throttle in a turn at speed; leading cause of snap oversteer. the 93+ were not biased towards understeer (i can honestly say that my 93 does NOT understeer), but it is a more stable, less lively ride than the 91-92's. and as far as winter driving goes, that also appears to be rather subjective (some people love it, others hate it; i had no problems driving chicago winters with snow tires on and a healthy dose of caution)

the 93+ got bigger brakes and 15" (vs 14" for 91-92) rims to accomodate those brakes.

93+ has shorter throw shifter and dual cone synchros

93+ has larger throttle body inlet

93+ has slightly lower springs (about 1/2")

93+ has 9 bolts on the exhaust manifold, 91-92 has 7 bolts

93 has larger front lip spoiler; 94+ had front lip, along with side moldings, rocker panels, and rear bumper extensions color matched

94+ has revised one piece wing and flush center rounded taillights

94+ has dual airbags and smaller steering wheel; FYI, 91-92's have a recall on the steering wheel/airbags (too much force). you should check to make sure your car has had the wheel replaced (go to any dealer)

94+ turbos came with t-tops standard. 91-93 turbos can still be had with either sunroof or hardtop, although they are very rare.

as far as mods, first thing is first: get a real boost gauge. the stock one is terrible. it tells you that you have boost, but not how much. you have to respect the cool down cycle for the turbos as well (all turbo cars, not just mr2's). either babysit it for a couple of minutes after driving or get a turbo timer (time depends on how hard you pushed the car).

a blowoff valve on the stock turbo is only useful for the sound it makes. it does not increase power in any way. the stock bypass valve is superior until you upgrade your turbo and start running high amounts of boost.

a boost controller is necessary to increase boost above stock levels (around 8-11psi). the ct26 safely boosts to around 15psi (assuming your car is in good shape; get a tune-up!), but you will likely need a fuel cut defencer.

any breathing mods help loads with a turbo. intake, exhaust. the toms scoops are purely for show, unless you make it into a custom 'ram-air' duct. this requires work; it's not just 'plug and play'

as far as suspension, upgrading struts and springs, as well as strut tower braces and bushings, and sway bars will give you a solid, if not jarring, ride.

Wow. Thanks for the reply. Welcome to AF!! :D

thanks, glad to be here!

Even tho I own a honda Im gonna tell you straight out.. Get the MR2, the turbo will make the car WAY easier to mod and make faster. You go broke for sure trying to get a prelude to keep up...

I also say the MR2, I have done the usually mods to my MR2 and even in stock trim I would pretty much leave the preludes behind. The prelude is still a great car but if you want to compare it to a MR2 it would be more so to the NA (G-Limited) MR2 not the Turbo.

What Bluetwo has posted aboove is %100 correct, only problem I see you having is finding one in GOOD condition, although Im in NZ my sources in the US tell me they are hard to find!!

Cheers
KiwiMR2

hummm...uh duh...i wonder why the MR2 would beat a prelude?!?! maybe cuz it's turbo??:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

90CRXZCSi: hummm...uh duh... which is what most of us above have said, it's more comparable to the G-Limited version, oh and thanks for the informative post ;)

KiwiMR2

MR2 hands hown , turbo over NA hands down , RWD over FWD hands down , Mid engine over Front engine hands down ...:flash:

Also it's better to have a unique car... And if you want to mod a car , you know that turbo is the only way...

the mr2's engine is in the back so the air does not flow as well to the turbo cutting the amont of air allowed turbo vs a honda prelude turboed being that the engine is in the front and you can play around with piping and so forth to direct air towards the front of the car alowing for more equals better horsepower like i did on my prelude by just going to home depot and bying some tubing not "pvs piping" ha but in the mr2 the air flow to the turbo is being blocked by the front of the car being that the engine is in the back so the turbo really is not doing much in the mr2.

also i have a friend who has mr2 he has the moded it like crazy now it has broke down on him like crazy and he wishes he never got it.

good luck choosing

MR2, no competition. RWD turbo w/ excelent balance vs fwd NA w/ vtec (which is NOT the be all, end all of performance)

Originally posted by wuzzup82000
the mr2's engine is in the back so the air does not flow as well to the turbo cutting the amont of air allowed turbo vs a honda prelude turboed being that the engine is in the front and you can play around with piping and so forth to direct air towards the front of the car alowing for more equals better horsepower like i did on my prelude by just going to home depot and bying some tubing not "pvs piping" ha but in the mr2 the air flow to the turbo is being blocked by the front of the car being that the engine is in the back so the turbo really is not doing much in the mr2.

also i have a friend who has mr2 he has the moded it like crazy now it has broke down on him like crazy and he wishes he never got it.

good luck choosing

don't you hate all those stupid mid- or rear- engine cars that don't get good airflow to the engines? like the mr2, or the 911 twin turbo, or any ferrari, or lamborghini, or nsx, or saleen s7, or mclaren f1... do you see where i am going with this? do ya? (in case you didn't realize, those little vents on the side of the car behind the doors are actually functional, not like the little ricers that put them on their integras and del sols. they result in airflow to the engine. ta-da! problem solved)

your car is front engine/front wheel drive (FF - which doesn't stand for Fast and Furious)... what do you think happens on a launch? weight is shifted to the BACK, away from your drive wheels (in the front, remember?). not so with any mid-engine/rear wheel drive (MR) car. weight shifts to the back over the drive wheels and the result is better traction off the line.

get a clue before you start spouting off, please. :rolleyes:

Hey Im a straight out HONDA guy and I will till something out there proves to be better. I love to see when two cars are in a way unfairly matched and yet the Honda will usually win, keep up or at least hold its own:D . Okay I have to admit hey the MR2 will most likely take the win in some street races but hey just look at what you do; compare a NA car to a Turbo:confused: , and than Honda is in another disadvantage because the prelude is FWD:D but hey its okay HONDA always finds a way; what the prelude comes with about 190-95hp NA:D and the MR2 comes with about 200hp with turbo? I think the only thing holding a prelude from beating a MR2 turbo is a chip. Anyway yes the MR2 will get the NA prelude but put a turbo kit on the prelude and the MR2 wont look so great after that even with the prelude at low boost. Dont get me wrong I have great respect for brands like Toyota, mitsubishi and Nissan who turbo their cars but thats one of the reasons us HONDA guys get so confident because when it comes down to it we remain competitive against turbo cars and when we do go to it(turbo) its a different ball game. Hey if you wanna see who is the better manufacture just look at the results of a NA NSX versus Twin turbo and even twin turbo AWD competition; honda is just that damn good and if you think their not good with turbos than read up on their history and see how they dominated F1 racing(turbo engines). The last thing all you honda haters want is AWD TWIN TURBO car coming from honda, but honda stays away from it because of the usually problems turbo brings . Anyway I think a better comparison wouldve been a Stock Integra Type R vs the MR2 turbo both at the drag strip and on the road courses, Im not sure on that result what do yall think?:confused: Anyway yall be safe out there and have fun, later. :twoguns:

i know for sure that the mr2 turbo will smoke a prelude. Because my brother has a 91 turbo and he smoked a 2000 prelude sh by like 5 car lengths.

i know for sure that the mr2 turbo will smoke a prelude. Because my brother has a 91 turbo and he smoked a 2000 prelude sh by like 5 car lengths.

Talk about bringing a post back from the dead :screwy:

well, I apologize, Dorifkin, but since I just joined and this is EXACTLY the question I'm interested in, I'm afraid I have to contribute to re-animating this Frankenstein topic. ; )
I am totally stuck, despite hundreds of hours of research, on whether to save up for an MR2, a 240sx, or even go front wheel drive with a hopped up Civic, Celica, RX-7, etc.

I am scared of the repair bills a turbo may bring, though...

I am totally stuck, despite hundreds of hours of research, on whether to save up for an MR2, a 240sx, or even go front wheel drive with a hopped up Civic, Celica, RX-7, etc.

I am scared of the repair bills a turbo may bring, though...

You only need to be worried if the car has been thrashed or has really high km's. Just make sure you get all the usual checks done and go for something with decent km's.

MR2; I see you in the US so a J-spec Gen III is not an easy option, but IMHO by far the best :iceslolan

240sx; a good choice...good engine and relativly easy and cheap mods give good gains.

Celica; If only you could go the ST205 GT-4 :(

Civic; Not in the same league as the rest and fwd sux :nono:

RX-7; Batmo is a good choice BUT if your worried about going turbo the rotary is even more of a worry....soooo different and a rebuild is need at about 90,000 km's otherwise it's bound to blow a rotor. Nice and quick though.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

so I guess that on a budget, the only real contenders here are a '91-'93 MR2 or a 240sx? Are 240's as fragile in a crash as 300's? I've heard that compared to MR2's, the Nissan 300 provides little protection when someone hits you, especially from the side. Here in the US we have a true PLAGUE of idiots who drive trucks, SUVs, and vans, so owners of small cars either end up in wheelchairs, or need rocket launchers for self defense : ) it should be legal to shoot at trucks and SUVs when they tailgate, run lights, or blunder murderously around they way they so often do. oops, that was a rant. oh well.

well first of all as a prelude owner i must CORRECT you all on some mistakes you've made about preludes.. A 4th generation prelude providing it is VTEC (with the h22a engine) come stock with about 220bhp... NOT 190. as opposed to an MR2's 200-210..
now as far as an mr2 smoking a prelude by 5 car lengths its bullshit.. the lude was either NOT VTEC.. or had an auto transmition.. thats if the MR2 was stock. and that's talking about a 2000 lude.. a 5th gen when the 4th generation ones have more power with the h22a engine.. better traction AND handling than the 5th gens.

sure stock the mr2 would probably beat the prelude.. if the factors are right and they were both stock.. but not by much.. and the h22a engine can actually handle upto about 22psi Boost with stock internals which is better than the mr2's 18 or so.

ALSO a few bolt on mods to the h22a and it would take an mr2 (and im not talking about a turbo) providing its done right and with the correct research.. honda's are NOT TOYS, they're more finely tuned than other engines such as the mr2 so to work it you have to do your reseach so get max performance.. turbo a lude and your gunna be blowing away mr2's..

personally i much rather the look of the 4th gen (92-96models) prelude over the mr2

so if u do your research u will see that you can do some amazing things with the h22a (2.2l DOHC VTEC ) engine as opposed to a few boring mr2 mods.. over all u would spend less money on a lude engine than an mr2 to pull it up to about 300bhp.. and a worked lude (if done properly) can and will beat mr2's. providing the mr2 has a stock turbo, without turboing a lude..

so you can all stop talking up shit about ludes that u really have no idea about. stock vs stock an mr2 would beat a 95lude. but perforrmance wise if your looking to mod it in the future a prelude is a much better buy in my opinion.

in the future if any of u are gunna talk shit about ludes or any honda engines in the future do your reseach first.. any of you in Aus i'd be more than happy to race u to show u just what a lude can do.

peace.
krim

and the h22a engine can actually handle upto about 22psi Boost with stock internals which is better than the mr2's 18 or so.

It's not the engine that has to handle the boost...it's the turbo, a CT26 turbo (1989-1993 mr2) will comfortably take 15psi as it's max limit. A CT20B turbo (1993-1999 mr2) will take 18 psi no worries + will see up to 22psi fine obviously in the right conditions (i.e. not a steaming hot day)

Im sure the right turbo in the prelude will see 22 psi fine but can a stock H22A handle that sorta power that the turbo will push out?? I doubt it.

ALSO a few bolt on mods to the h22a and it would take an mr2 (and im not talking about a turbo) providing its done right and with the correct research.

Yep...however do the same bolt on's in the MR2 and it won't be so clear cut. One major advantage the MR2 will have is the LAUNCH....engine weight over the rear wheels makes for great lauching....fwd doesn't.

personally i much rather the look of the 4th gen (92-96models) prelude over the mr2

Fair enough....I prefer the MR2 :)

so if u do your research u will see that you can do some amazing things with the h22a (2.2l DOHC VTEC ) engine as opposed to a few boring mr2 mods.. over all u would spend less money on a lude engine than an mr2 to pull it up to about 300bhp.. and a worked lude (if done properly) can and will beat mr2's. providing the mr2 has a stock turbo, without turboing a lude..

Maybe...your talking about making 300hp by TURBOING the lude right?? A 245hp 3sgte can drop into any sw20 with a bit of work and bolt on's alone would push 300hp resonably easy + have the traction to put that power to the ground.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

Tread dating back to 2001.


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