Conference terri::cars_uk

    � Coming in 2.0i and 2.3i forms, these look lush. Shape is kinda like 
    � the Celica shape (what's not these days?).
    
    Oh come on! The Prelude is fairly attractive! :^)
    
    All the reviews I've read are of the 2.3 (a 4 isn't it?). This strikes
    me as a bit of an unfair comparison with the Calibra, Corrado and
    200SX, all of which are under the (at present) crucial 2 litre barrier
    (crucial, as most of these cars are company cars and sub 2 litres to 
    over 2 litres is a big jump in perceived benefit).
    
    It'll be interesting to see how good the 2 litre model is. Price wize,
    though the Prelude is very competitive and seems to have escaped from 
    the retired man's sportscar image that the earlier models have all had.
    
    Mark

    I (well OK my wife) have got a 2.3i Prelude.
    
    I cost (much) less than the Celica on the scheme and with the expected
    change in the Tax laws the >2.0L'ness doesn't bother us too much.
    
    The 2.3L 4 pot engine is a dream. Below 4000 rpm nice and relaxed (but
    plenty of torque) above 5000 rpm - W O W - although its not a VTEC it
    certainly goes.
    
    The 4 wheel steering takes some getting use to when parking - but
    allows mid-corner course correction ``under power'' without any loss of
    compose - a very odd feeling at first.
    
    Safety : ABS, Air-bag, 4WS, impact bars, ... must be safer than a SAAB.
    
    On the whole an excelent car - it's even easier to drive that the
    Civic.
    
    Cons :
    
    	1. What rear seat space.
    	2. No sensation of speed when crusing - you feel like you should
    get out and push the car when doing 80. If it wasn't for the cruse
    control you'd find yourself well over the limit.

Well i took out a total of 5 cars on Saturday, 3 honda's and 2 toyota celica's.

Firstly i took out the Prelude 2.0i 16v. What a dream! This car was eveything i
have always wanted in a car. Performance was very good and quite. There seemed
to be far too much power getting down to the wheels for the tyres to handle. It
quite often squeeled it's way away from the lights. I'd have to do some testing
with tyres about this. It was so quiet! Apart from a Jag, i've not been in a
quitier car. Inside finish was very good although with a LED lit display putting
the lights on during the day is a no-no. When the lights are on the LED displays
dims considerably (i assume this is because it should be dark! ;-)). One thing
i'll have to change would be the stereo! ;-) All controls were very handy for
me. With electic everything and memorised seats positions i couldn't think of
anything else i'd want in a car. One litle niggle was with the sunroof, it didnt
go quite back enough for me (i could just get a Cabrio! ;-)). Steering was SOOOO
precise i was astounded. The Power steering is a dream! There was  enough room
in the back for passengers and boot space is adequate. I'm in looveee! ;-)

Next i took out the 2.3i. Wow! If i thought the 2l was pokey, this one really
shifted. I think i'd probably get myself in a little bit of trouble if i got 
this! All in all vertualy the same as the 2l.

I then took out 2 celicas, a 2l and a cabrio. Nice  but being second hand there
were a few rattles.

As i was walking through the showroom, i noticed a weird looking little thing
in one of the corners... a civic CRX VTEC t-top. ;-) I just had to take it out.
One again everything electic, even the t-top. This was the only model of it's
kind in the area (apparantly they've allowed one model per area in France-thats
96 cars in France!)... the VTEC all-electric options. The top is pushed out and
the boot zips up. The top is then put into place under the boot lid and the
whole thing goes back down into the boot... amazing... what a gadget, but what
a expensive one when it breaks down! This was the only car i wasn;t allowed to
take out alone, so i couldn't really see it properly, but it was nice. Same sort
of thing as a MR2 but imagine Celica design on it.

Prices were as follows;

Prelude 2.0i	�11460
Prelude 2.3i	�13700
Civic CRX VTEC	�11230 (not available in all-electic option till Sept)

These prices were local and in a special zone in France (tax reduced).

I'm lumping for the Prelude 2.0. ;-)

    A recent What Car tested the CRX versus MR/2 and reckoned the Toyota
    MR/2 was a better buy.
    
    Greg

    If the Honda flash dash is anything like the Astra GTE one then there
    should be an intensity knob for setting the brightness of the display
    back to daylight standard when you switch the lights on during the day.
    
    Brian

    It's next to the handbrake - but doesn't go quite a bright as the
    no-headlamp mode.

    Any Prelude owners in the Basingstoke/Reading area willing to let me
    have a go ?
    
    Marshalls in Reading do not have a demonstrator.