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 21 through 30 of 428.00

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  Love My 93 Prelude Si 4WS - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By 5speedguy - March 5 - 11:40 am

  Bought my red 5 speed in June 2005 with 129,000 miles on the clock. I now have 150,000 and I just love this car. I like the punch, the great corner- carving ability and the looks. Each time I walk past the car I just have to smile. I know the 4WS makes the car heavier and therefore slower than the VTEC, but the handling is so great it is worth it. I soon intend to use it as a track day car (while continuing the "daily driver" duties.)

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  1998 Honda Prelude - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By rusty_toes - March 1 - 8:12 pm

  Purchased the car just under a month ago, and am still impressed by the overall quality of this Lude. The 5th gen is by far better looking than the 4th gen. Most the editor reviews will tell you the interior and exterior are lacking on the 5th gen. I could not disagree more! If nothing else, choose the 5th gen over the 4th because the 5th comes stock with vtec. I am not impressed by gimmicky features, and this car has none of those. It is a sports car. If you want something with plenty of room, get a 4 door accord. the Prelude I own has just over 110,000 miles on it, as far as I know it has not had any major mechanical work done.

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  Its my 2nd Prelude! - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Dana - December 23 - 4:48 pm

  No one believes my car is a 97! I try to keep it in great shape and definitely keep it serviced. If only I could keep those SUV folks from running me off the road since they dont see me "down here", life in my Prelude would be perfect! But what am I to do when its time to retire this one, since Honda pulled production?? Hopefully that day wont come anytime soon...

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  honda prelude si 2.3 - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By justin - November 17 - 6:53 am

  all and all its a good first car but if speed isnt important to you then its a great car.

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  Nearly ten years old, yet Fantastic - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Matt - September 12 - 4:02 pm

  I got this car 2 years ago with about 97k miles on ,but it felt new. The one thing that cost my attention was its unique look compared to other hondas. I bought this car for about 8k and for the price its probably the most rounded sports coupe(except for maybe an integra gs-r). The 2.2l vtec engine runs strong and pushes this car to 60mph in about 7 sec, Car and driver did it in 6.7! This car is very fun to drive daily and handles very well. EPA mileage seems low ,but it depends on driving. I achieved. about 25-26 city and 30mpg highway(5spd.) This is great for a first car and even for a weekend car.

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  Nice sportscar - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By SD Rider - August 27 - 1:24 am

  My GSR was stolen ended up with this. Decent acceleration. Need suspension kit to push its limits. Need new wheel/tire package 16"rims on 205/45/16 v-rated tires are all you need. Plenty of aftermarket parts (but more expensive compared to gsr/civic parts).

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  Quit whining! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Joe - July 1 - 1:05 am

  Look folks, this is a sports car, and a four cylinder. The trunk has to be small, it has to be low to the ground, it cant carry four people properly! It is incredible at what it was meant to do which is move you with zest and smoothness. The handling is excellent, the engine very polished, visibility is great, and power features distinguish this car from the others. I always get comments and offers on the car. It has served me well in town and on long trips. It feels great the faster you go, makes all the right sounds, and gets all the looks. Yes, it uses 93 octane fuel exclusively, and it does so to maximize the power it produces if you dont, youll burn out O2 sensors!

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  If you find one, BUY IT!!! - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By Erik - February 22 - 8:32 pm

  I bought this car with 36,000 miles on it, and it was in near perfect condition. It now has 110,000 miles on it and runs almost as good as it did then. Outside of normal routine repairs or changes such as brakes, tires, oil changes, & tune-ups this car has never had any major repairs. I only just recently had to change a broken radiator, but if thats the worst of it, Im happy. The body could be better because it has a tendency to rust in the rear quarter panel, but almost everything else about this car is perfect. I will never sell this car if I dont have to. I would rather spend the money to keep it forever. I only wish I could have found an SE model with a V-TEC and manual trans.

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  fast n fun - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By nateg - December 23 - 4:11 pm

  Ive had this car for a little over a year. Its a lot of fun to drive (10). Good straight line power and one the best handling cars Ive ever driven. 80,000 miles and feels very solid. It has lots of low end torque for a honda, and is amazing when in VTEC. Very good ride when considering how good it is around the twisties. However its not without its faults. My engine uses oil, makes my white bumper black. Bad timing belt tensioner design. "Get r done" interior (no frills). This car hates cold weather. The normally buttery smooth 5 speed notches into gear, and the interior and front suspension creeks when it gets below freezing. It doesnt get around in the snow very well either for a FWD.

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  1998 Honda Prelude - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By ereimer98 - September 12 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my Prelude with 42K miles. Has been a problem free nice commuter car and has needed very little maintenance over the last 4 years that I have owned it. It still drives and looks great at 125K miles and should keep on going. It is the Honda engineering that makes these cars seem to outlast most others. Good performance while still very reliable few complaints overall while owning this car.