My CR-Z has been a wonderful car for the last 16 years but I've been ready to move on for a bit. The paint is failing, there are new leaks to track down every few months, suspension needs overhauled, hybrid battery is surely EOL soon, will need a water pump and potentially AC compressor soon, driveshaft could fail at any point and is impossible to find... I just have anxiety driving it now. I've been car shopping for the last week and have never felt so indecisive in my life. Literally right as I started seriously car shopping my key started becoming unreliable and won't turn after I insert it. It keeps getting worse. It was like the CR-Z is jealous and petulant about being replaced soon.

Two days ago I test drove a Prelude. No junk fees, no markup. Loved it but I've been a manual driver my whole life and I remember on the drive reaching for the shifter and pushing in the nonexistent clutch coming to a stop and realized I'm not 100% set on it despite it being an otherwise great car and an awesome replacement for the CR-Z.

Last night things came to a head. I test drove a lightly used Integra Type S, absolutely loved it, and ran some numbers. Still a little high for me despite being 10k off of new MSRP, comes with the original summer tires and I'd need to spend $1300+ replacing right away, running costs would be inflated (eats brake pads, drinks premium fuel at an accelerated rate, etc.). I also have an S2000 already and do I really need two performance cars? (alright, I kind of would love that and the ITS would be an incredible, versatile daily I could take to the track without needing a roll cage, it's got a lot of positives).

Told them I needed to sleep on it and walked out, then spent a half hour trying to start the CR-Z with no luck.

Out of desperation I got out and walked into the Honda dealer next door. Maybe this was a sign I thought. Then I realized they had a white Prelude with a black interior and no markup. Let's do it I said. I'm desperate, I've got work in the morning, I'm 40 mins from home and stuck here. It was 8:30pm, they were closing up at 9. I could get home and worry about the CR-Z the next day (not worth trading in, $420 scrap vs at least a few thousand bucks to a Honda nerd privately).

Started the paperwork and the finance manager came out looking like he was about to tell me something bad. I was already approved for everything through my bank so I was confused. I had just gotten my license renewed earlier that day and only had my old one with a hole punch and the camera card and receipt from renewing it. I'm legal but I technically do not have a valid photo ID. He said the car couldn't leave the lot without a valid photo ID to transfer the title and I won't get that for 4-10 days (RealID is mailed).

Walked out because I still couldn't get home even if I bought the car. Ended up taking an hour and a half of trying every single possible trick and finally got the key to turn and got home super late last night.

Woke up to a rumor the tariffs were going to be axed and now it's not a rumor. I was just joking with my friend about it last night, with my luck they'll axe the tariffs the second I buy a Prelude at inflated prices. Almost thankful for all that bullshit and disappointment from last night.

Any idea of what this looks like for Japanese made car prices? Am I going to be able to buy a Prelude for $38k sometime soon? Or a cheaper Type R? Is it worth fixing the CR-Z and keeping it going for a while longer while all the politics and logistics pan out? Official fix is rekeying it, probably going to be $900+. There are some janky cheaper fixes I can work on and I can just drive my S2000 around for a bit while I sort that out, thankfully I've got a backup car. Just not ideal with nearly bald summer tires and potentially salty roads after this weekend's snowstorm.

What a ride, I've never felt this indecisive.

If I do end up in a Prelude, white or black? I love them both.

Tariffs were just ruled unconstitutional. Cheaper Prelude/Type R when?