Overview & Reviews

Introduced in 1979, the Honda Prelude was the company's first attempt at building an exciting car that still held true to the core Honda values of intelligent design and reliability. Over the next two decades, the two-door sport coupe would become the primary performance car in the Honda lineup. Although it was outfitted with relatively powerful engines in later generations, the Prelude was not a muscle car. It was built around handling and drivability, while providing enough power to remain competitive.

Over its life, several new technologies for Honda were pioneered on the Prelude, such as fuel injection, four-wheel steering and Honda's Active Torque Transfer System. The Prelude was also the first Honda model to get VTEC, the company's variable valve timing engine technology.

Though the Honda Prelude was very popular throughout the '80s, consumer interest waned in the '90s. Eventually, the Prelude was trapped in an under-$30,000 no-man's land. For a sporty front-wheel-drive coupe, it was just too pricey, and it didn't have sports car looks or a sufficiently premium feel. By the turn of the millennium, the sport coupe market was a shadow of its former self. Honda dropped the Prelude without a replacement after the 2001 model year. As a pre-owned option, however, the rewarding and reliable Prelude merits serious consideration from driving enthusiasts on a budget.

Most Recent Honda Prelude

If you're searching for a used Honda Prelude, you'll likely be encountering the fifth and final generation, which was sold from 1997-2001. It was larger and heavier than any of the previous models. It was also the most dynamic. There were two trim levels: base and Type SH. Both got a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with VTEC and a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was available as an option on the base model. Initially, the engine put out 195 horsepower, but in 1999, Honda bumped maximum power up to 200 hp in the manual-transmission models.

Both trims were equipped with a generous array of standard features that included 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS, cruise control, a sunroof, air-conditioning and full power accessories. The main difference between the base model and the Type SH was the addition of Honda's Active Torque Transfer System, an electronic system that distributed torque to the outside drive wheel in cornering situations. Its purpose was to minimize understeer and thus mimic rear-wheel-drive cornering characteristics.

In road and comparison tests, our editors found the Honda Prelude Type SH to be one of the best-handling cars in its class -- truly a driver's car. It was nimble and well balanced, while also maintaining a decent amount of ride comfort. There was just enough engine performance to be sporty, with the VTEC four performing a Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation in feel and sound above 5,200 rpm. Zero-to-60 times were in the low 7s. In 1999, the Prelude won Edmunds.com's Editors' Most Wanted award for Best Sport Coupe ($10,000-$25,000). In 2000, it won again for Best Sport Coupe.

Despite being a great-performing car, the Honda Prelude was lacking in other areas. The interior boasted high-quality materials and construction, but it lacked the visual pizzazz buyers had come to expect from a car with a $26,000 price tag. Honda maintained a conservative approach here, filling the cabin with a monochromatic color scheme and Accord-like gauges and controls. The front seats, though comfortable, weren't available in leather and had limited adjustability. The rear seats had minimal legroom. The fifth-generation Prelude has aged well, however, as that restrained interior design now seems classier and less dated than brash designs like the contemporary Toyota Celica.

Past Honda Preludes

The other Honda Prelude one should consider is the fourth-generation model, which was sold for the 1992-'96 model years. A complete overhaul of the previous model, this Prelude was slightly shorter, much wider and a far better-handling car. The S trim featured a 135-hp 2.2-liter SOHC four-cylinder. The Si had a 160-hp 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder with a healthy 156 pound-feet of torque. From 1993 on, the fourth-generation Prelude could also be had in range-topping Si VTEC trim, which brought a 2.2-liter 190-hp DOHC four equipped with Honda's electronic variable valve timing (VTEC) system. A four-wheel-steering system was available in 1992-'93, though only on the Si model.

In general, the fourth-generation Prelude earned favorable commentary in reviews at the time. It offered excellent handling, and nearly all who drove it liked the power of the VTEC-equipped engine. Criticisms were mostly directed at the car's odd interior design. A sweeping blacked-out instrument cluster extended across the entire dash, and few found the mix of analog and digital gauges appealing.

User Reviews:

Showing 131 through 140 of 428.00

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  the best used car - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By vtec - March 14 - 4:51 pm

  Bought my prelude as a used car. The car was 7 years old with 100000 miles. I owned it for 50000 miles had to fix 2 things, the oil pan and the clutch. This car is super fast and handles prefectly. Took it to the tracks pulled a 14.9 1/4mile with no performance parts. The car hangs like a dream, I have drifted going 70 miles an hour was able to keep control no problem. If you find a good deal BUY THIS CAR.

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  02 Accord EX-V6 to 01 Prelude base 5spd - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Hwani - February 23 - 3:51 pm

  97-01 Prelude (5th generation of prelude) is a great car overall. It is stylish, yet sporty, and its got some punch to back it up. 200hp/155tq, its a great H22A4 engine. However, vehicle is too heavy for its kind (3000pds). Handling is still one of the best out there, ATTS is great too, but known problems need to be carefully reviewed. Interior is too out-dated, however, it is simple and easy to use as sports car supposed to be. Rear seat/Trunk space is useless, but hey, its not a family grocery getter sedan. If you are in the market right now for a reasonbly priced, reliable, stylish and powerful sports compact that will seperate you from others, this is the car for you.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By Pete - January 26 - 7:49 pm

  Today (1/26/05) is my fifth anniversary with this car. It has 50,790 miles, and hasnt given me a minutes trouble. 24 mpg minimum, and a lot of the time it gets 26.5 mpg. I think its a very attractive car, perfect for short commutes. My only gripe is that it is not a very comfortable car, its noisy, and the ride is a little rough. I can last 30 minutes at a time before I feel the need to get out and stretch. Ill be trading for something more comfortable and more useful. This is flashy personal transportation that handles well. Enough room for a weeks groceries in the trunk. No room in the back seat for adults, so forget it, just fold the seat down and leave it that way.

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  Its getting better - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Caligrl369 - December 18 - 11:26 am

  Performance is great for a 4 banger, it seems I cant get the "just right" setting for the driver seat, has no in between. Gas mileage is pretty good if you dont use the gas hard all the time. It is a BLAST to drive the cornering and handling is soooo comfortable, what a rush. Interior design takes time to get use to. Exterior looks great the back seems really high for the front. Now reliablilty, let me say Im disappointed, had heater core, radiator, thermostat, and several hoses blow in 3 back to back days, check engine light stays on no matter what. electrical issue galore. Just she has a mind of her own, that is for sure.

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  Farewell to an old friend - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Bob - December 14 - 2:59 pm

  I bought my 2001 Prelude to replace the 1985 Prelude Id owned for 14 years. Obviously Im a big fan of Preludes and was disappointed that they have now been discontinued. This version of the Prelude is a bit larger and has much more power. Other than that, it is surprisingly similar to the old one. But after all, why mess with success. Its an incredibly fun car to drive and handles extremely well. I never had any mechanical problems with my first Prelude, and after 3 1/2 years have had none with this one either. About the only downsides to the 2001 Prelude are in the area of fuel economy both the fact that it runs on premium gas, and that mileage per gallon was only average.

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  A Good Car, But Very Overpriced - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Dw2 - November 13 - 10:53 pm

  I wrote a review on this car over 2 years ago since that time I have put 55k on it, and, granted I drive it very hard, the car is showing its age. Honestly, this car is good, but Euro cars (BMW) can walk circles around it in terms of comfort and performance, and, sadly for the Prelude, cost about the same. The adage of Hondas being cheaper to repair than other brands is a myth, in the last year I have put in an A/C Compressor ($1050), and a clutch ($1000) parts are obscenely expensive, and the car is nearly impossible to work on. This car is a fun, and it handles awesome, but is too expensive and uncomfortable, especially with a 3-series available for the same money.

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  1st Honda, finally! - 1996 Honda Prelude
  By n_stemp - October 2 - 2:00 am

  1st off this forum has been VERY helpful to me. I researched ALOT of cars for hrs upon hrs and I had no doubt that I wanted a Honda, I found a few preludes, on line, and the one I purchased was 400 miles/8 hrs (round trip) away from where I live! I made trip to test drive and fell in love, bought it right there on the spot! I had to have a friend drive me back to pick it up on another day. This car is VERY fun to drive, Ive been in my Dodge intrepid (95 3.3 ltr) for 4.5 yrs, it is more comfortable.. but thats to be expected. I test drove 3 NEW hondaa (05 accord, 04 civic ex, 04 civic lx) and this car (96!) out peerformed all 3! new cars dont have the balls anymore.. fuel efficiency?

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  Excellent sporty car! - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By Honda/Acura gal - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Had this car for 11 years before handing it off to my husband who drives many miles with it everyday. Excellent car! 136,000 miles now and still going strong. Spoiler and sunroof makes it. Fold down rear seat nice for moving items. One little rust spot on rear quarter panel and if not for that, looks brand new and still receiving compliments on it!

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  It Just Keeps Going! - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By Spirited - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 127000 miles on it. The car has been amazing. Nothing but normal service needed at 176000 miles. Runs great. I have never added a drop of oil Fun to drive. The car is driven every day and this includes a good bit of stop and go driving. Amazing vehicle. Only problem is a bit of paint fading from sitting out in the open all theise years.

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  fun car - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Yeuk Chun Lee - September 20 - 2:00 am

  this is a fun car to drive.although the price might be little high, but everything is worth it.