Gas Station Beauty: 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH

The fifth (and final) generation Honda Prelude was available in the US market with a 200 horsepower 2.0 liter VTEC equipped inline-4 from 1996-2000.  Most have been turned into "race cars," grounded to the ground and covered in mismatched body panels, so finding a stock example is indeed a treat...even if that stock example has a check engine light and is photographed at a gas station. Find this 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH here on eBay currently bidding for $720 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Lincoln, NE.

Eye of the Tiger: 1982 Austin Mini VTEC

This next car pushes the acceptable limit of money you'd want to spend on a modified car...but it does offer a certain degree of classic charm, modern powerplant, and wheel roasting potential.  The best part is that nobody will expect you are driving something from the year that Survivor had their break out hit Eye of the Tiger.  Find this 1982 Austin Mini offered for $20,500 somewhere near Worcester, MA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

VTEC for the iGeneration: 2002 Acura RSX Type-S

This next car comes from SecondMouse who writes: Had to pass this on also, as finding these things in original, unmolested condition with the type-S package and the 6 speed manual (and fairly priced) is about as likely as finding the Hope diamond in your coffee grounds one morning.  If even half of what is in this ad is true, and assuming it isn't some variation of the latest Craigslist scam, it is a steal for someone in the pocket-rocket hobbyist community.  Find this 2002 Acura RSX Type-S offered for $3999 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

VTEC: 1982 Austin Mini

The original Mini was produced for an insanely long period of time -- 41 years to be precise -- with only minor changes. However, it was always a pokey little puppy, even in the hottest of Clubman 1275 GT trim, so if you want to go fast, you'll need to find a modified example.  Like this 1982 Austin Mini offered for $12,000 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

100% stock- 2000 Honda Civic Si

The EM1 sixth generation Honda Civic Si is considered one of the best Civic Si models ever made.  The Si coupe had light weight, nimble handling, good gas mileage, and came with a very high revving four cylinder engine.  The JDM tuning scene featured in the 2001 movie The Fast and the Furious was in high gear by this time period.  It is near impossible to find any year Civic Si without any modifications.  Find this 2000 Honda Civic Si for sale in Hamden, CT for $5,000 via craigslist.

2001 Honda Prelude

Watch out, he's got VTEC was the battle cry of the sport compact scene back in the day.  I still remember when a stock Prelude on sticky tires felt like, and was, a fast car...but probably because a 5.0 liter Ford Mustang only made 150 horsepower on a good day. Times change and the era of the front-drive sport compact is behind us, thankfully. If you happen to be some kind of nostalgia seeking sport compact lover, you can get your freak on with any number of cheap classics from the VTEC era, like this 2001 Honda Prelude offered for $3,450 in Rock Hill, SC via craigslist. This post is part of DT's 2016 Birthday Celebration of 100 cars; enjoy the ride!

Honda Conversion: 1969 Austin Mini VTEC

The original Austin Mini seems to be a regular recipient of Honda VTEC power, probably because the original BMC A-series engines aren't the most powerful things on the planet, and (more importantly) the little Honda motors just fit.  Find this 1969 Austin Mini VTEC offered for an undisclosed amount of money, located in Pheonix, AZ via craigslist.

VTEC Screamer: 1970 Mini with Honda Power

It is a cool autumn day and you decide to take a drive in your vintage British built Mini.   You don your favorite plaid golf cap, slip on a pair of well worn driving gloves, and fire up the old gal.  After warming up the engine you scoot down the road to your favorite set of essess on the way to a nice coffee shop.  Entering the turn you brake hard to get the front end to bite, turn in and mash the right pedal to the floor and calmly wait for rpms to build --WHOA! the steering wheel violently jerks in your hand, both front wheels leave black lines on the pavement as the engine bounces off its revv limiter and you understeer dangerously into oncoming traffic...what just happened?  Oh yeah, you forgot that you picked up this 1970 Mini with VTEC Honda power offered here on eBay bidding for $15,100 reserve-not-met with one day to go, located in Woodbridge, VA.

5k: Front Driver: 1999 Honda Prelude

The fifth generation Honda Prelude was sold in North America between 1996-2000 with a high revving 2.0 liter VTEC equipped inline-4.  Prices dropped soon after they were released and the folks who could afford them committed all manner of atrocities in the name of sport compactedness. The likelihood of finding a stock and original Prelude is like finding a girl without a lower back tattoo at a Linkin Park concert.  Find this stock and original 1999 Honda Prelude for $5,800 in Chino, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Brian P.