Prelude vtec = ricer?

I want a 2000 Prelude and might as well get the vtec with 5 speed manual or I will eventually regret it. But for some reason i hear a lot of people take **** for having vtec's. I don't want to be a ricer. I want a nice looking prelude with power under the hood without getting the label as a ricer. What can I do to my car to improve performance without ruining it originality. Thanks for all opinions