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 281 through 290 of 428.00

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  Great Handling but not very quick - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By fishboy - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This car feels like it is on rails going into a turn. It is the best handling car I have ever driven and can do some amazing things even in the rain. The ride is very nice, not jarring. Having driven V8 engined cars exclusively prior to this car I do miss the torque of a strong motor. The 2.2 puts out a lot of power for its size but that power doesnt come on until 5,000 rpm. It is hard to get a good launch off the line because you either spin the tires or you end up waiting for the rpms to hit the vtec range. Not a great straight line vehicle. The engine is very smooth even up the 8,000 rpm fuel cutoff.

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  Prelude Power - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By Prelude Driver - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a 95 Acura Integra GSR. The GSR was a fun car to drive. Excellent gas mileage. Fast. Redline at 8k rpm. Lacked torque from 0-40 mph...smaller engine 1.8L Prelude kicks butt. No need to replace shifter. Lots of power with 2.3L engine. Handles like its on rails. Not us much aftermarket parts like GSR but theres enough parts to go around. I miss the high rev 8k rpm. Wish I had the 2.3L engine with the GSR body.

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  Got LUDE!!! - 1990 Honda Prelude
  By azbanshee44 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Just bought it with 167,000 on it. Passed emissions with flying colors. Runs very strong.

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  Well worth every penny - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Mrmatt85 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a 92 Si and Im loving every minute of this car. Whenever Im not driving it Im waiting for the next time I can go out and cruise. I love the handling and the power is great for a four cylinder. The enterior design is very spacious in the front but horrible in the back. I love the electronic fuel and oil gauges. The sunroof is a great addition. I could go on forever about what a great car this is, buy one if your considering it, you wont be dissapointed.

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  fun in the summertime - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By hunypi - February 5 - 2:00 am

  fun little sports car.miss it so much.would buy again ..

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  Great handling, but not enough power! - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Street Racer - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Prelude SH, it grips on to the road like a lion hunting for its prey, but runs like a buffalo. Too heavy and not enough horse power to support its weight. I drive my prelude 7 days a week, averaging 90 miles a day, and I drive it hard. Only problem with the car, engine makes flapping sound between 1200-2300 RPM. A common problem for prelude engine. My previous 98 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs-T had better performance with less price tag. If you want great handling car, Prelude SH is the one for you.

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  owner - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By gemini0229 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  best car Ive eve owned

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  93 Honda Prelude - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By xtcboy - January 26 - 2:00 am

  The cars body is really a fine peice of work from the inside out, its almost brand new looking from the inside. One problem might be the engine when it comes to dependable, once it breaks down it can be quite a bit of a problem,. other than that handling just like a porsche targa, if you got good 16 or 17`wheels.

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  1993 Prelude Si - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By KW93LUDE - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Great car ride is low makes u feel apart of the road "True Sports Car"

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  unbeatable performance/reliability value - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By chuckyr - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Want a car that doesnt look like every other boy racer yet fits four, handles as well as any front wheel driver, is fast, gets decent mileage (when youre not blasting around), and is 100% reliable? There is no better choice.