The car with a multiple-personality

I am a complete "car guy." Have been practically ever since I could walk. I'm addicted to things like car magazines, auto shows, and going to dealer's lots on Sunday afternoons. I frequently find myself sounding like a salesman when talking about different cars to friends, family, etc. So you can imagine how excited I was recently when I sat down and figured out as long as I pinched a few more pennies here and there, I could afford a new car.
Immediately, my mind started wandering about finding a used BMW 328i or M3 that I could put in the garage. Of course, that turned out to be much more a dream than a reality (I'll get there one day, but I'm not there yet). So my attention turned to cars in the $20,000-$25,000 range. Most importantly, it would have to be fun to drive, but also somewhat practical. Therefore, cars like the Miata or MR2 were out (although I had to drive a Miata just out of curiosity, and believe me, all the hype is true).
My list of cars was somewhat varied. I looked at the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, Toyota Celica GT-S, Nissan Maxima SE, Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS, Acura Integra GS-R, and Volkswagen GTI VR6. The Eclipse was nice, but you see them everywhere, and I kind of liked the idea of having a somewhat unique car. I couldn't even drive a Celica since I was under 21, and after looking at it I found it a little cramped anyway. The Nissan was awesome for a sedan, but I didn't really need a 4-door. The Acura was a blast, but it's about to be replaced, and I thought it was starting to look it's age. The Subaru, despite it's somewhat funky looks, was awesome, specifically in the handling department. And the VW was the definition of a "pocket rocket" -- practical, well built and brimming with standard features, yet it handled great and had that amazing, torquey VR6 engine.
I also have always liked the Prelude, but had ruled it out because it was expensive compared to the others, and had the least features as well. Also, I figured as good as the VTEC surely was, nothing could compete with the endless power the VR6 provided. So my mind was made up -- come summertime, I was going to go down to my local Vee-Dubya dealer and order myself a silver GTI VR6 with 17" wheels.
However, earlier today I decided I at least owed myself a test drive in the Prelude. After all, I had read nothing but glowing reviews of it -- for example, Car and Driver not only named it "The Best Handling Car Under $30,000", but also ran a long-term Prelude for 40,000 miles and paid only $289 for all servicing and running costs (excluding gas, of course). So, accompanied by my 17-yr old brother, I went down to the Honda dealer and checked it out. To our amazement, the salesman just put a license plate on the back, gave me the keys to a pearl white SH model, and sent us on our way. And we proceeded to experience some of the most exhilarating 45 mins of our lives so far -- at least as far as cars are concerned.
Starting out in the stop-and-go traffic, I found it to be very smooth, quiet and refined. The seats were comfortable, the shifter and clutch were "like butta", it didn't ride harshly at all and the Led Zeppelin CD we brought along sounded great in the "Acoustic Feedback" stereo. And everything felt high quality in the typical Honda-way. With the sunroof open on what was a gorgeous day, the stereo blasting and the smooth ride, I thought it was undoubtedly a nice car -- however, I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about.
As soon as the question popped into my head, the signal turned green and a turned onto the highway on-ramp. The engine had warmed up, so I turned off the radio and gunned it. And the Prelude must have read my mind because it answered my question loud, and wailingly, clear. To the redline, quick up-shift, to the redline in 2nd, quick up-shift again, and before I knew it, we were looking at 90 mph. Holy you-know-what. Make no mistake folks, the 200 horsepower, 2.2 liter, DOHC VTEC engine is an absolute gem -- it loves to rev, makes a sound when pushed, yet is never harsh, never rattles or vibrates roughly and, since it is a small, light 4-cylinder, it gets great gas-mileage.
This is how it works, in case any of you are curious. Each cylinder in an engine has valves, small circular pins that let a mixture of air and fuel in, which then combusts and make the cylinder move up and down. The valves are controlled by the camshafts -- they control when they open, and how long they stay open. This is where VTEC comes in; it is a variable valve timing system. At a certain engine speed (in this case about 5000rpm), the VTEC switches to a different set of lobes on the camshaft, causing the valves to open more and stay open longer. As a result, more air and fuel are let in, and an extra dose of power is produced.
All boring techno-babble aside, what this means is you have to rev the engine to realize it’s full potential. Hitting 5000rpm in this car is an awesome experience -- you get a sudden surge or power that pushes you into your seat, and the engine notes changes over from a polite hum to a manic wail that for all the world sounds like a race car. Pure music. Listening to that music while flying down the highway, I didn't think it could get any better -- how wrong I was. Turning off the highway, I proceeded to spend the remainder of the test-drive tearing around backroads, empty business parks with lots of long, sweeping curves and long straight-ways to further sample the wonder that is VTEC.
Man, no wonder this is considered one of the best handling cars in the world. It certainly must be the best handling front-wheel drive car in the world. Turn-in is instantaneous, the steering being both surgically precise and wonderfully communicative, transmitting a clear picture of what the front wheels are doing. And thanks to the four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension, body roll is minimal, and the thing just grips like dentures to the roof of an old man's mouth. No tire squeal, no understeer, just pure glue-like hugging of the corner. I found myself taking turns faster and faster to see when the thing would squeal or lose grip, but it just didn't happen.
As a matter of fact, my brother later was shocked when I casually mentioned that it was front-wheel drive. He had driven the car as well, and later told me that he could have sworn it was real wheel drive. The Prelude really is THAT good at tackling the turns. Whether or not that was the ATTS (a device, standard on the SH, that sends more torque to the outside wheel during cornering to prevent understeer) at work, who knows.
When most people think of Honda, words like “Accord”, “Civic”, “reliable”, “dependable”, and maybe even “dull” often come to mind. But what many people may not realize is that Honda also has quite a distinguished history in many forms of auto racing. It applies the technology it develops for it’s race cars for it’s road cars – such applications led to VTEC and the tuning of their suspension systems, as well as cars like the Prelude, S2000 and NSX. As a result, Honda is one of the leading car manufactures in the world on the technology front, comparable to such companies as BMW and Porsche.
All this engineering that produced the Prelude causes the Prelude itself to produce a pulse-quickening driving experience. This car BEGS to be driven hard. Unfortunately, our test-drive in this machine had to come to an end, and after one more quick blast up the highway, we pulled back into the dealer's lot. I then had a chance to check out the more practical aspects of the car. The trunk, while not as big as a hatchback like the GTI's, isn't bad, and quite boxy (i.e. usefully shaped). Also, the rear seats fold down, allowing more space and versatility. The rear seats are by no means big, certainly not cross-country viable, but what do you expect of a coupe? Besides, for what I need them for -- driving short distances with a few friends to movies, parties, restaurants, or wherever -- they are fine. Also, there are plenty of little cubbyholes in the front (armrest, glove-box, door pockets etc.), and a perfect area behind the shifter that could hold both a good-size cup and my cell phone.
There was also another added bonus -- the salesmen were genuinely nice, very casual and laid-back. I explained that I was not looking to buy immediately, and they did not push at all, simply giving me a brochure, answering all my questions, and encouraging me to come back or call anytime if I had any more inquiries. They didn't even take my name or number, so I don't have to worry about any pushy follow-up calls. The only other time I have experienced such BS-free salesmen was at the Acura dealership when I drove the Integra -- must be a Honda thing.
So is the Prelude perfect? No, not quite. As much of a blast as it is to drive, it still would be nice to have a few more features on the car -- even though driving pleasure is #1 in my book, I like leather and heated seats as much as the next guy. And the looks, while not a problem for me, seem to divide opinions. I admit when it first came out in '97, I wasn't sure about the less-curvy profile or those surprised-looking headlights. However, in time it has really grown on me and, especially in person, it looks sleek and defined, handsomely recalling the Prelude's of the 80's yet still looking modern.
In short, I whole-heartedly recommend this car. Anyone wanting a smooth, calm car that has to have things such as leather, power seats, auto climate control and doesn't need a backroad-stormer, check out something like the Accord coupe. In you're mind, you'll get more for your money. However, anyone wanting a sporty, refined, handsome coupe that will be refined, comfy and docile like the Accord in traffic and commuting during the week, will carry you and your friends for a night on the town Saturday night just like the Accord, and carry all your junk from shopping like the Accord, yet will also set your pulse racing on a Sunday drive or anytime you cross that magical 5000rpm threshold, look no farther. This is the car for you.
To be honest, it is a shock to me that I am going so nuts over a Japanese car, as I have always been a die-hard European, specifically German, car nut. I was convinced no Japanese product could tempt me away from anything from Deutschland. But one car did just that, taking my desire away from the VW GTI. That car is the Honda Prelude, and it is going to be my next car.