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 201 through 210 of 428.00

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  Awesome Car - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By SevynDaze - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Wow... thats all that really needs to be said. For one, the car is WAY ahead of its time in exterior styling...and I for one, like the interior as well. Now lets talk performance. I paired the already fire-breathing V-TEC engine with Greddy Power Extreme exhaust and AEM cold air intake. Let me tell you..the car dynos 213 HP and I only spent like $700. The first-gear torque is downright scary. And the sound is amazing...especially when the V-TEC kicks in at 4900. When the V-TEC kicks in you can hear and feel it...which makes it really fun to drive. The car has nearly 150k miles on it and I have had no problems whatsoever!

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  Honda Preludes rule - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By hossy - November 7 - 2:00 am

  Anyone who buys this car will love it i promise you this car is not only fun to drive but will last and they run great.

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  Nothing Better! - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By nandini - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I have always trusted Honda cars, but the Prelude!!! Oh Lord! it is a DREAM. It hugs corners like you wouldnt believe living in the Bay Area I have to cross bridges constantly. Although the Prelude is considered a smaller car the design of the car makes it possible to drive right though the wind on the briges and no more shaking. Even though it is a sports car I actually feel safer because it is heavier and the aerodynamics are prefect for driving in high wind ares. I feel sorry for those who are foolish enough to drive anything else! This is a car I will keep for the ages! THANK YOU HONDA!

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  Honda Prelude SI - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By JJcatchem - November 2 - 2:00 am

  The best cornering car ever with the 4 wheel steering. Amazing car to drive, great power and response.

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  Its the small things that add up - 1990 Honda Prelude
  By ansaphone4 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  For the first year of ownership, the only major thing that went wrong was my alternator. The wiper motor went last October and getting that fixed cost $300. Now I think the fan motor is going because the vents soetimes do not work at all. Additionally, within the past few months the moonroof has taken to leaking, or rather, pouring water if the car has been standing in the rain and then you go to drive off. I think it is time to move on although I love my little car and shes never let me down performance or reliability wise.

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  Honda Lude Review - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By wkaisers - October 27 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car and a shame Honda stopped production of the Prelude. A great used car and fortuneately for prospective buyers, good deals are out there for low- mileage Preludes.

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  Great Car - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By AZLUDE - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Best Car on the road fast anf fun what else can you say.

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  Once is never enough - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By beartraper - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 97 Lude when it was new and loved it for two years. I later needed more room so I traded it in. Now that Im looking for a used second car, Im back. I bought a oo model and its like going back in time - just as I remembered. Im amazed at how this car has held its value. Its a timeless design that will never look old and the best sports coupe in its class. Add in the reliability and theres no competition for this car.

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  Everything you need - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By monkey - October 15 - 2:00 am

  In stock form, my prelude has answered every challenge ive put to it, from twisty mountain roads, to auto-xs, to passing big rigs on 2 lane roads. The tight suspension makes driving anything less intense as my prelude impossible, and despite the lack of real torque numbers and a sub-15.0 sec quarter mile, im sure many lude owners would agree that it doesnt matter how long it takes to get to 60, 70, or 80 m/hr, its how the BB6 performs at such speeds. Now that the lude undergoes a transformation (aftermarket LSD, rear sway, suspension, and wheels/tires) im expecting even more from my beloved BB6.

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  Got me through college - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By wato22 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car, Im at 180000 on the original everything and it still runs strong with a $4000 kelly blue book value, I only got it for 6K! great on the gas, (but 93 gas only,and if you dont play with it in the vtec too much.) Great on the highway and a fun car to drive. Never really raced it, only to prove a point. (See Fav, Features) Super car for a responsible young adult.