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 141 through 150 of 428.00

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  SWEET....Collectors Car to Be - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Roboy - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I dont understand why Honda quit making the Prelude. The profile is very sporty. It is strong,with near 200hp from the DOHC, 16 valve, VTech 4 cylinder engine. The low profile tires and the suspension system make it stick like a race car in a tight corner. Handling is superb and the 4 wheel disc brakes will flat stop you.The overall quality is what we have come to expect from Honda. The price was right for the upper end performance of the 2001 Prelude

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  AWESOME RIDE! - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Dont Speed, Fly Low - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for fun, sporty all- time transportation. It drives just as good at 98,000 miles as it did at 150. Its a perfect fit and cups your body on the smooth, lickedy-split fast turns. Rides just as comfortably at 60 mph as 130 mph and I love my manual transmission with the added bonus of the vtech growl.

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  SH....The best - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By h22vtec - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I love my car.Ive had it now for about four months,it has been great.When buying this car you recieve:Style,quality and great performance all in one package.I have yet to see a car like this.When i say that i mean a "non" base turbo car.Sure the WRX,Evo are quick,but the turbo made those that way.This car is awesome w/out the turbo.But im am going to purchase a turbo so i can join the leaders.This will send me up about 100- 125 horses....Gotta luv it!

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  The best of the best - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By lude000957 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  The 1993 Si VTEC model is the quickest prelude ever produced. It handles like a dream and the VTEC exhaust note is oh- so sweet. The factory Recar seats hold you firmly in place while the OEM 7 speaker stereo plays. This car is for the most part, automotive perfection. To top it all off, its 12 years old and has 106k miles on it. If youre considering this car, just keep in mind that they are very expensive to own and maintain. However this more than pays off in having the pleasure of driving the fastest Honda branded 4cyl coupe ever sold in the US.

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  NOTHING IS PERFECT... - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By KRITTYD - August 30 - 2:00 am

  COULDNT ASK FOR MORE FOR THE PRICE!

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By munk - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Loads of fun to drive.

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  Perfect TEN - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By turbosupra18 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for a fun and reliable car and it was worth every penny. I recently sold it for a bigger car, but the Prelude drove as good on the last day as it did on the first. I did the basic maintainence plus some basic mods. I got 28mpg in the city .. not too many other cars with 200hp are gonna give you those numbers. BUT buyers be careful, there are alot of poorly maintained preludes out there. Ive seen many prelude "street racers" (<-- oxi-moron if you ask me) completely trash their car.

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  I bought it new...still love it. - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Mary Smith - August 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my lude new 12 YRS ago immediately after seeing one.It was obviously love at first sight.Id never kept a car for more than 2 yrs before the Prelude, but I just wasnt able to find another car I liked more at upgrade time. We now have a 2003 Altima as we needed the room, and a 2004 F250 for the hubby (and me!), but I REFUSE to let go of my Prelude. With 175K miles its now needing a few things, but is still a blast to drive. I really wish Honda had not discontinued the Prelude - Id get another in a blink. Its been a very abused car from my post-college (read broke) days that just keeps on ticking. I like my Altima. I LOVE my Prelude.

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  Love it... - 1996 Honda Prelude
  By Adrian P. - August 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car and im lovin every minute of it. My Prelude: www.cardomain.com/id/pelka

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  Why did Honda stop making these? - 1996 Honda Prelude
  By makeemagagainhonda - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Been driving this car for 8 years. Recently replaced radiator and repaired the ABS, but other than that no problems at all.Cant think of any other actual repairs that have had to be done, just kept on the regular maintenance schedule. This is my second Prelude. Kept the 1st one 8 years as well.