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 191 through 200 of 428.00

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  Great Car - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By quickkaw - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Had my Prelude for over 5 years with 55000 and then totaled it by hitting a guy that ran a red light. Crashed very well at 40 miles per hour, both bags deployed. This car holds its value well! Only problem I had was an emissions sensor LED go off and the dealership could not find any problems. (Cost 88 dollars for them to tell me nothing was wrong!)Looking at cars and I might get another one!

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  Best $ Ive ever spent - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Sweet P - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The Prelude is GREAT!! The front seats keep you from sliding while handling crazy curves in the road. The long digital dash gives it a space-age look. The availability of after market parts is good too.

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  The best Honda Coupe - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Doc_Honda - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over a year and a half. The seats are very comfortable, yet they still hold you still in a sharp turn. The engine is quiet when you want it to be, and when you get up into the higher RPMs the engine lets out a wonderful distinctive growl. The handling is superior compared to any car in its class, yet the car rides very smooth. I have driven this car hard everyday for over 71,000 miles without a single problem. The sound system is the best I have ever heard in a Honda... and I should know... I own 5 of them (89 CRX DX, 97 Acura Integra GSR, 02 Civic EX Cp, 89 Accord LXi, and this 98 Prelude).

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  Automatic trans...bad idea - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By PJBurr - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, but big mistake buying an automatic trans. Bought car in April, trans burned out in June, Im in my late 30s so the car is stock and I drive normal. Honda replaced the trans under warranty, told me it was around $5500. Too bad, should of bought the 5 speed

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  2001 Honda Prelude SE - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By DriverEd - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Car handles great on stock wheels/tires and stock suspension. Only complaint is I shouldve gotten the 5-spd. The automatic just does not do this engine justice.

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  Outstanding Performer - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By fast gramps - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I have used my Prelude SH as a long distance commuter (250+ miles one way) over mountain passes. It corners incredibly and is incredible on ice and snow. Seats are very comfortable even for a 56 year old frustrated wantabe sports car racer. I get an honest 30 mpg in the summer and it drops to 26 mpg in the winter (oxygenated gas in our area). The only draw back for someone my age is that it is low to the ground and getting hard for me to get into and out of--but that is why it handles sooooo great! I really love the car. If it was a convertible it would be perfect. Honda was crazy to stop making Preludes.

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  PRELUDE review - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Arif Ukani - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car to own, especially if you are an import enthusiast.

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  Needed Work But I Still Love My Prelude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By ilovemyprelude - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Prelude new. It has been a great car, however I just spent $3K on a re-built transmission at 75,000 miles and the moon roof just started to go last weekend. I still receive tons of compliments on the car and have had several offers to buy it. In fact, when I was shopping around for the transmission work I had three offers to buy it. Everyone says the V-tech is fast, but it seems a little slow to me. I dont get great gas milage either. Its been a great car and I still love it, but I am a little disappointed with the transmission.

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  Best Car Ever - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By ManoMan - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The Honda Prelude is one of the best cars to come out of Japan. EVER!!!!

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  i am prelude_cRazed - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By prelude_crazed - November 18 - 2:00 am

  i love preludes the looks the power an everything just that they weigh too much and tht little room in the back