Lude Generation

Hi all,

Im a newbie, looking to buy a nice low mileage Gen5 Vti. Would prefer an auto but have read there are issues, so not sure.

Can anyone point me to a buyers guide ?? I would love to know what to look for, issues, checks. Ive been looking around this site, which is tremendous by the way, trying to find pointers. So far Ive seen there are rust issues around the boot, boot lights, arches. Auto gearbox has issues but are fixed after 2000, but manual's seem to be the best bet.

Been told that imports that have the limiter removed, then causes issues with the autogearbox ?? Is the 4WS worth while ? do all uk cars have it ? Im after Motegi model, love the style.

I really love these cars, currently have a 1998 Mr2 Rev4.

Any information, tips, or help would be gratefully recieved.

Many thanks.

Simon.

Welcome to LG!

This may help a little....
http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/honda-p ... -t720.html

Welcome to LG!!

Yeah rust is really the main problem, as with all Honda's of this age. 97-98 5th gens can suffer from 5th gear crunch which is only noticable when changing in to 5th at high rpm.

There isn't a connection between removing the limiter of JDM cars and the auto box, not that I have heard anyway Auto boxes fail usually due to poor maintenence. Get a manual anyway All auto 5th gens (97-00) use the H22a5 engine, sadly there was no Auto H22a8.

4WS is on all UK 2.2 VTEC's. It's personal preference if you like 4ws or not. I love it, great for parking and I think it adds in other areas.

The Motegi is just a lip kit and badge, and was part of the options list for the 5th. You can get any of these parts on any 5th gen, and retrofit them to any other 5th gen .

Don't bother with an auto, only get one if for some reason you can't drive a manual.

They are prone to dying if the oil hasn't been changed at the intervals stated in the service schedule, they also have slower acceleration and just aren't as much fun.

Hi guys,

Thanks for such quick replies. So, these engines, what should I look for ?? Ive seen pics where the engine has a red cam cover, some that are silver. IVe seen numerous 98 cars with silver tops. How do I tell the engine is the 200 bhp / redtop one ?? Will it definately have a red top ?

Ive noticed lots of vtis for sale are autos.

What fails on these cars ?? Does the 4ws cause issues ? Can it be switched off if needs be ?? Hydrolic clutch or cable ?

SBK

Whats the realistic mpg ?

UK wise (All with 4WS):
Manual 97-98 - Black top 185bhp H22a5
Manual 99-00 - Red top 197bhp H22a8
Auto 97-00 - Black top 185bhp H22a5


JDM is more confusing as all their engine stamps are H22a

JDM black tops = 197bhp and can either be 2WS or 4WS
JDM red tops = 217bhp. Only 2WS and only the Type-S and S-SPEC. Both of which are rare and more expensive to buy and insure.

What may be easier to see or measure, all red tops from the factory will have a 62mm throttle body and the Type-S / H22a8 dynamic chamber air intake. If you only interested in UK cars all you need to know is H22a8!

With 4WS it is a lottery if it fails or not, however with 5ths the odds are in your favour (probably due to age). Very few 5th's report complete 4WS failure. 4WS cannot be disabled.

MPG is how you drive it and where you drive. Boot it with lots of VTEC and you'll be in the low 20's, you can eek over 30mpg if you want to.

The 197bhp red top is engine code H22A8. All UK 99+ Preludes have this, except the autos which are 185 same as the 97-98. Best bet is to check the engine stamp because it's fairly straightforward to change a cam cover to red.

4WS is pretty reliable IMO. Had mine for 2 years and it only gave a warning light the other day, a reset and I've covered plenty of miles since then and it's been fine. Can't be switched off though, but plenty of people convert them to 2WS the proper way.

Realistic mpg? For the 99+ with the shorter ratio gearbox I'm seeing between 25-28 around the city and a bit of dual carriageway with VTEC. On a long run recently I was getting around the 35 mark.




EDIT: Listen to Merlin pretty much

Cheers guys. Excellent write up. I wasnt too sure, but confusion has now been cleared

If I went for an auto, what checks can I do whilst driving to see if there are any problems ?? I read that there was a well know issue on 97-98 autos. What was this ? Are all 99 autos more reliable ??

Ive also seen an import, low mileage 44K, but the front headlights look murky / sun burnt on the top of the headlight clusters. This implies they are plastic, like my old mkiv twin turbo supra. Are UK car's headlight glass ?


SBK

Ive had both an auto and now a manual in H22a5 flavour and the manual wins for me. Auto was nice enough for relaxed driving but the thought of it fecking up scared me. Manual is much more fun.

Also to the guys who have driven both an a5 and a8 engine, is there a noticeable difference in performance?? On the road, side by side, will the a8 engined car be quicker?? They don't have much more power on paper. Same as the UKDM vs JDM DC2. Difference on paper is about 15bhp. Like the Prelude, both share essentially the same B18C engine, and from experience, both are pretty much on par on the road.

Also, OP, any pics of your MR2?? Ive also had an MR2 and dare i say it, it was a much more fun car than the Prelude.

Nik_L wrote:... it was a much more fun car than the Prelude.