hello everyone.

i am considering to purchase a 97-01 2.5RS to replace my 99 honda prelude. the prelude is paid off now, and i just feel like it's time for me to move-on to something rwd or awd. anyway, i wont get into details about my honda in this post:p

i HAVE done some research on the 2.5RS and wanted to ask you subaru owners some additional questions and request comments. and to remind you, this is all related to 97-01 2.5RS only.

a. 4-wheel disc brakes?

b. ABS standard?

c. only 00-01 has LSD in rear?

d. only 01 has carbon fiber(or a look-a-like) interior trims?

it seems like 00-01 is a lil' more "favorable".... would you agree? not to mention it's newer :)

additionally, is there a "check-list" or something i should inspect specifically of the vehicle such as common problems, etc?

anything that you think it's helpful, you can post here please. i appreciate your time.

Originally posted by nnaassiioocc


a. 4-wheel disc brakes? Disc brakes on RS models, there is no 97 RS, I believe you get disc brakes on 97 Outback wagon models


it seems like 00-01 is a lil' more "favorable".... would you agree? not to mention it's newer :)



A. Disc brakes on RS models, there is no 97 RS, I believe you get disc brakes on 97 Outback wagon models

The 98 RS has a DOHC engine, 99-01 are SOHC. I didn't own an RS, I had a base model 97 L with the 2.2 litre engine. I'm sure there are others here that can answer the rest of your questions.

Oh and alot of other people here made the change from Honda to Subaru as well. ;)

go for a 99-01 the 98 egine is a lot less reliable and it doesnt have the over sized fog lights.

no RS came with a CF trim standard and you can buy it as an option for all years. The 2000 was the most common with 5 thousand and something units in the states so it is easier to find.

Do you want 2 or 4 door? the 4 door only came in 00 and 01 models

Yes 4 wheel disc. I dont think ABS is standard but most all of the have it.

theres more i just dont feel like typing it all. If you have any other questions just ask.

~Leor

I had a 97 'lude, and let me tell you-

TEST DRIVE!

I test drove a '01 RS and it was a LARGE let down in the performance dept. If you can handle the difference, all support to you. Otherwise, save your pennies (like me) and go for the WRX.

Originally posted by Toxie
I had a 97 'lude, and let me tell you-

TEST DRIVE!

I test drove a '01 RS and it was a LARGE let down in the performance dept. If you can handle the difference, all support to you. Otherwise, save your pennies (like me) and go for the WRX.

When i got my car i was looking a the "lude" and i really really liked it but the next day i test drove the RS and i really really LOVED it.

Yes the prelude is faster but no torque (I cant stand VTEC) but in handling and styling the RS kills the "lude"

Originally posted by WRC1
no RS came with a CF trim standard and you can buy it as an option for all years.

Actually 2001 had the fake CF trim as standard.

Originally posted by HondaH8er
Actually 2001 had the fake CF trim as standard.

Are you sure? I never saw it anywhere....but i can be totally wrong

check for leaky head gaskets, thats a common problem.

Yes the prelude is faster but no torque (I cant stand VTEC) but in handling and styling the RS kills the "lude"

Sytleing is personal, and I love Subies, but the Lude KILLS even my WRX in "handling" (dry road). In the wet its a different story, but dry there is no comparison.

Your '99 Prelude is a pretty nice car.

As others have said, you might want to consider test driving a WRX as well.

ABS was standard on all RS's.
From what I have seen, a well driven Prelude with moderate mods will beat a similarily prepared RS on dry tarmac autox. The Prelude has more power as long as it can keep the revs up. They handle sweepers very well too.
In rain and snow, it is no contest.

As above, go for an 00 or 01. Wheel bearings are a common issue as well. Buy some nice gold wheels and you be stylin'.

Originally posted by WRC1
Are you sure? I never saw it anywhere....but i can be totally wrong

Yes, CF trim was standard on the 01 model.

thanx everyone for your time.

i really do like the styling of both the RS and the 5th gen prelude. here's are 2 pix of my car as a teaser:) the black one on 2nd pic is my friend's.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/hylim/Auto-X/autox%20prelude%20new%20grill%20va%20game.JPG
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/hylim/Prelude%20photoshoot/photoshoot%2011.JPG

i have been pretty competitive in STS in Blue Ridge Region. and it's a VERY good handling car indeed (especially with nice tires/suspension setup).

i dont know what it is about the RS that's reeling me in. it's DEFINATELY slow and the awd system isn't even the most advanced one out there (compared to.... say, the new G35 sedan). maybe it's the styling w/ the potential of being able to go fast.

i test drove my friend's 00 RS w/ jdm ej20 swap. when i drove it, i didnt push it hard as i respected the owner and the car. i just mainly wanted to get the feel of THE CAR itself... not his particular setup.

WRX seems ok. it's def quick but the styling is where it gets me. i think the wrx is borderline ugly. and not to mention the 02+ wrx is out of my price range. at the most, i will get 14k for my prelude...

sorry for the long post.

Originally posted by Toxie
Yes the prelude is faster but no torque (I cant stand VTEC) but in handling and styling the RS kills the "lude"

Sytleing is personal, and I love Subies, but the Lude KILLS even my WRX in "handling" (dry road). In the wet its a different story, but dry there is no comparison.

From edmunds.com:

2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS:

Performance
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 7.9 sec.
Braking Distance: 121 ft.
Road Holding Index: .87 g
Base Number of Cylinders: 4
Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters
Base Engine Type: Horizontally Opposed
Horsepower: 165 hp
Max Horsepower: 5600 rpm
Torque: 166 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm
Maximum Towing Capacity: 1500 lbs.
Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 33.5 ft.

1999 Honda Prelude:

Performance
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 7.5 sec.
Braking Distance: 127 ft.
Road Holding Index: .81 g
Base Number of Cylinders: 4
Base Engine Size: 2.2 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4
Horsepower: 200 hp
Max Horsepower: 7000 rpm
Torque: 156 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 5250 rpm
Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 36.1 ft.
__________________________________________________

Please note a stock RS has better......
RHI: .87g vs. . 81g (a HUGE difference)
BRAKING: 121 ft vs. 127 ft.
Turning Circle: 33.5ft vs. 36.1 ft (great for parking lots)

The difference in handling between the "lude" and the RS is like the difference between the RS and the STI.

Hmmm, wow. edmonds.com provides "different" numbers then you post. Strange. He who seeks car info from edmunds not so swift.

edmunds..com-subaru RS (http://edmunds.com/new/2004/subaru/impreza/100273625/specs.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.moreresearch.0.3.S ubaru*)

Have you driven a prelude? No, WOW! What an informed person YOU are. I HAVE a WRX, and owned a 'lude for 4 years. The 'Lude handled better then the WRX. Hands down. WRX owns the RS.

Untill you have actually driven a prelude, then quiet down (getting some numbers tha agree might help too, ans the LOWEST number I remember seeing for a 5th gen prelude is .87 on a skidpad and that was limited because of extremely unagressive OEM tires).

Add to the fact that the prelude is wider (1") , longer (2"), lower (5"), has a stiffer spring rate (prelude= 200F/175R , RS=149F/117R) and has bigger sway bars (Prelude= 25.4mm F/ 22mm R, RS= 19mm F/13mm R) no one would think the prelude handles better!
The RS is a nice simi-sporty sedan. The Prelude is a SPORTS CAR.

Originally posted by Toxie
Hmmm, wow. edmonds.com provides "different" numbers then you post. Strange. He who seeks car info from edmunds not so swift.

edmunds..com-subaru RS (http://edmunds.com/new/2004/subaru/impreza/100273625/specs.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.moreresearch.0.3.S ubaru*)

Have you driven a prelude? No, WOW! What an informed person YOU are. I HAVE a WRX, and owned a 'lude for 4 years. The 'Lude handled better then the WRX. Hands down. WRX owns the RS.

Untill you have actually driven a prelude, then quiet down (getting some numbers tha agree might help too, ans the LOWEST number I remember seeing for a 5th gen prelude is .87 on a skidpad).

:lol:

hmmm where should i start?

First notice how i said 2000 RS...you put a link to the 2004 RS. The '04 is about 400 lbs. heavier then the '00 so thats going to make a huge difference in handling and everything else.

Second you say "He who seeks car info from edmunds not so swift." then you seek car info for edmunds.com....swift one.

Third you say " WRX owns the RS." of course it does we are arguing about the prelude Vs. the RS.

Forth you say "Have you driven a prelude? No, WOW! What an informed person YOU are." Have you read the thread? You just made yourself look really dumb. Go back and read. Here, let me make it easier for you since you don't seem very capable of much.
"When i got my car i was looking at the "lude" and i really really liked it but the next day i test drove the RS and i really really LOVED it." quote me in an earlier post. That means I drove the car!!! As a matter of fact, I've driven about four different 5th gens before I bought my car.

...and don't answer your own questions, its rude.

~Leor

P.S. here are the links since you dont believe my numbers:

2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS: http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/subaru/impreza/1108/specs.html?tid=edmunds.u.prices.leftsidenav..6.Sub aru*

1999 Honda Prelude: http://www.edmunds.com/used/1999/honda/prelude/13307/specs.html?tid=edmunds.u.prices.leftsidenav..6.Hon da*

oh yeah...before either of you continue your pissing contest....at least get your numbers and facts right to look less stupid on either side

the '04 rs barely weighs more than a '01 rs sedan

2965lbs vs 2800lbs

so yeah....

and I wouldn't call the dohc ej25 unreliable either...

Plus, from our own forums-

Poor Skidpad (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread/t-461792.html)

mag racing is fun :p

it's like being in high school again ;)

Originally posted by b_tapper
mag racing is fun :p

it's like being in high school again ;)

:lol:


Ya realy... the fwd and lack of tq is the ludes down side, the lack of top end is the RSs down side.

Originally posted by b_tapper
oh yeah...before either of you continue your pissing contest....at least get your numbers and facts right to look less stupid on either side

the '04 rs barely weighs more than a '01 rs sedan

2965lbs vs 2800lbs

so yeah....

and I wouldn't call the dohc ej25 unreliable either...

Ya you are right b_tapper..... i must have been think of the STi with a weight of 3263 lbs.

But still 165 lbs. is a noticable increase.

And im not saying the DOHC EJ25 is unreliable but they are know for gasket problems and such (which is you dont know how to do it yourself its a pricy job)

~Leor

Originally posted by WRC1

And im not saying the DOHC EJ25 is unreliable but they are know for gasket problems and such (which is you dont know how to do it yourself its a pricy job)

~Leor

Not to mention that its a phase 1 motor and all the bad history that comes with that.

The Prelude is (still) a fantastic car. I loved my '97 Euc Green 5MT that I traded in for my '00 OBS sport. I personally loved the "Wind it up and watch it go" VTEC rush. Some of the other aspects to consider if you jump ship to Subaru that I found stick with me in my daily drives. (Note: My observations = opinion)

1. Honda's are much more refined than the pre-WRX subes. The fit and finish of my Prelude (and my previous Hondas) was of a higher quality than my OBS. The interior feels on par with the early 90's Hondas. Probably in part because the pre-WRX generation was introduced in the early 90's. The engine noise is more intrusive, and I find that the 2.2l (can't speak for the 2.5) is a pretty crude engine compared to the H22.

2. AWD is a great thing to have. I didn't check to see where you were located, but if you live in a place where you get one or two heavy snow days per year you'll find out pretty quick how much more fun the sube is than the lude in the snow.

That said, while I do miss the performance of the Prelude, I love my Sube. It has a certain personality that seemed to be absent in the newer Imprezas I've driven (one 2.5TS and one 03 OBS). Plus the modification possibilities. Oh yeah, and the fact that the 2.5 RS coupes are pretty rare and (IMO) stunningly good looking cars.

Either way... Good luck with your decision.

(PS-I DID read that your questions were specific to the 2.5, but thought my experiences with my OBS might provide someadditional insight since the cars do share some similarities)

Honda's are fun, till it snows. Ahh, the beauty of AWD. If I had a dime for every time I have had to help push a Honda through a tiny little 1ft high snow drift. I would be rich.
I'm getting tired of telling these people to buy a Subaru if they want to get anywhere in winter.

I've owned two Honda's, an Accord, and a Civic hatch. I tell you I would never buy a fwd or rwd car again if I knew I was going to live anywhere where it snowed. AWD all the way.

The hardship of getting onto the road, digging out the drive after the snow plow had been. Trying to go somewhere when the light went green. Now I just get in my Scooby and go. No digging, no getting stuck. Just winter driving joy.

That and the look on the face's of the people who own the biggest SUV's and Pick ups when I'm able to just get out and go.

Back to the RS.
Yes, go for a 00, or 01.
SOA (although SOC hasn't) has finaly admitted that the DOHC engine (98 I believe) has a problem.

Originally posted by Mandrich
The Prelude is (still) a fantastic car. I loved my '97 Euc Green 5MT that I traded in for my '00 OBS sport. I personally loved the "Wind it up and watch it go" VTEC rush. Some of the other aspects to consider if you jump ship to Subaru that I found stick with me in my daily drives. (Note: My observations = opinion)

1. Honda's are much more refined than the pre-WRX subes. The fit and finish of my Prelude (and my previous Hondas) was of a higher quality than my OBS. The interior feels on par with the early 90's Hondas. Probably in part because the pre-WRX generation was introduced in the early 90's. The engine noise is more intrusive, and I find that the 2.2l (can't speak for the 2.5) is a pretty crude engine compared to the H22.

2. AWD is a great thing to have. I didn't check to see where you were located, but if you live in a place where you get one or two heavy snow days per year you'll find out pretty quick how much more fun the sube is than the lude in the snow.

That said, while I do miss the performance of the Prelude, I love my Sube. It has a certain personality that seemed to be absent in the newer Imprezas I've driven (one 2.5TS and one 03 OBS). Plus the modification possibilities. Oh yeah, and the fact that the 2.5 RS coupes are pretty rare and (IMO) stunningly good looking cars.

Either way... Good luck with your decision.

(PS-I DID read that your questions were specific to the 2.5, but thought my experiences with my OBS might provide someadditional insight since the cars do share some similarities)


I do agree with everything you said.

nnaassiioocc if you are worried about road noise, rattles, creeks, and groans STAY AWAY FROM A SUBARU!!!! I like the noises actually it give car character. But everything Mandrich said is very true.

" I do miss the performance of the Prelude" well im not sure about that because ive never owned a Prelude but remember the RS is a better performer then the OBS
~Leor

Originally posted by WRC1
[B" I do miss the performance of the Prelude" well im not sure about that because ive never owned a Prelude but remember the RS is a better performer then the OBS
~Leor [/B]

Yep, I bought my OBS because it was a wagon. I take my bike everywhere with me and got stick of having to shoehorn the damn thing in and out of the trunk each day. It was all about space for me. Sadly the 2.2l was as good as it got enginewise. In a perfect world I'd own both an OBS and a 2.5 RS. :)

Originally posted by Mandrich

In a perfect world I'd own both an OBS and a 2.5 RS. :)

In my perfect world i would own a GT3 weekend and an STi for the daily "beater" :p

~Leor

I have a really nice 1994 Prelude VTEC with tons of mods and now a TXS Stage 2.5 WRX, It took a long time getting used to the sedan style and I wasn't very fond of the visuals of the WRX to begin with, but now this car OWNS EVERYTHING 3 times over what the prelude can do.... i'm more of a straight line kinda guy and the prelude runs low 14s NA and is a fun coupe to drive, but the WRX is just a lot nicer.

Prelude's for sale BTW, buy it since they rule so much right :)

Not to mention there is about 50 ludes for every 1 subaru more so in the south. Dont know about you guys but im all about turning heads. you dont see many ludes turning heads unless they are making A LOT of noise

i've got a 98 RS, i've had no problems with it, and to tell you the truth its a fun car to have and i don't give a flying eagle if a prelude is faster or whatever, its how it makes ya feel.. wouldn't trade my RS for anything.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25658472.jpg