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 151 through 160 of 428.00

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  Great Car - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Prelude Lover - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new, 7 years ago. No problems to report. The car still looks and runs like new. My partner bought an Integra a few months prior to my purchase. Shes currently looking to replace the Integra - although the Prelude and Integra are very, very similar the Prelude has been a much better car.

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  Great Car - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By iggy5050 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The Prelude is a very reliable and fun to drive car. It looks great even by todays standards and always gets compliments. Its over 13 years old now, and it runs perfectly as if new. As soon as I test drove this car, I knew I had to buy it.

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  Having fun in a lude - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By FLBoi - July 14 - 2:00 am

  With all my friends into sports-compact cars and the illusive street racing scene I wanted something original and able to be built apon. My anwser was the Honda Prelude. Fun and reliable and many options on the street scene. Quick and exciting.

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  Bring back my baby Honda! - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Liquidfender - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic car, ive been searching and waiting for my Honda Prelude for the last six years, and finally, finally, I managed to locate one that suited my desires. Though I had to travel over four hours to pick it up, well worth the wait.

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  1995 Honda Prelude VTEC-Coupe (Black) - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By VTEC-R - July 11 - 2:00 am

  One of the Best Performance cars I have ever driven!!!

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  A Driving Pleasure - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By 98Prelude - July 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive. It has a powerful engine, handles great, and has a very nice sound system.

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  Sports car w/GREAT reliability - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By ebp lude - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Owned it for over 3 yrs since new. It has not failed me once. Its classic styling (esp. the headlights) grow on you. 200HP is not high for todays stds but power isnt everything. It is such a well-rounded sports car that does everything well, with handling being its best attribute. If you want a FUN and exciting car to drive w/good utility and great reliability this is it.

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  Porsche Quality Honda Price - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By Gulfstream - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Prelude is a brilliant all around sports car. Its fun to drive (especially when the VTEC engine kicks in), and can get you from 0-60 quite quickly. It offers most of the technology that you find on Porsche Boxers without the Porsche price and the mechanical quirks that Porsche has. You will give up head room (fine for me at 5 7" not so great for someone over 6) and its not a "family car." Everything is "race-tuned" so dont expect a "down comforter" type ride. The "fun" factor will make up for this.

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  Best Car I have owned - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By tdsd - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Bug eyed Sprites, MGB, TR4,Lotus Turbo Esprit, 1964 Mustang, Dodge 1967 R/T, and many other performance cars. I worked for a Mercedes and BMW dealership picking up cars for service. I drove almost every model they make. I can only say the my 1999 Prelude is more fun to drive than any other car I have owned or driven. It is just fun.

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  Great Car - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Bobo1 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing and after 50K miles, absolutely no problems! Everything is still in perfect condition and feels like Im driving a new car. Please bring back the lude with a 6speed shifter and more HP.