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 311 through 320 of 428.00

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  one great car - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By silver_prelude - November 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car since it shipped to United state, been taking good care of it since then. The mileage on my car reads 109K as of November 2002. I do every recommended scheduled maintainence and my car never betrayed me. Definitely a good commute car, heck, its even a good touring car Ive driven it across U.S. (SF to NY) twice and got no problem finishing my trip. This car embodies great performance and excellent fuel economy. A great choice for younger car buyer. But like all sports car, Honda Prelude has little back seat space and tiny little trunk space. Definitely not an ideal transportation for a group of people.

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  Fun FUN FUUUN! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By GregM - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Excellent power from VTEC engine, will easily cruise at 160 kph for extended periods. Will accelerate to 240 kph+ top speed with ease. Very stable and quiet at high speeds. Cornering ability is excellent with extremely precise steering. Beautiful styling, sleek, very distinctive while avoiding tacky swoops and flares that plague this segment. Canadian SE package includes leather seats - heated!, heated mirrors , type SH wheels, carbon fibre dash trim is very nice! Love the leather! Excellent transmission, smooth and precise shifting. Brakes are top notch and very fade resistant. To drive this car is to have a permanent smile on your face, so much FUN!

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  Prelude - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By Prelude Si - November 8 - 2:00 am

  The only thing i would change is I would put a Limited Slip Deferential on it.

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  The Honda Prelude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By MichaelWee - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is a fine sporty car, and is inexpensive. They have great handling and are built well with good safety standards. I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  93 lude Si - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By Chad F - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Great reliablity, fun as hell to drive, with enough kick to spank most cars out there. Extreamily versitile, I used mine during the winter in the northwest with out any problems, even up on the ski hill. Seats are quality for factory, and the lumber support is nice. So far the car has gone 100 thousand miles with out any big problems at all. Also, living in an area with snow 5 months out of the year, i have not had ANY problems with rust.

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  Better than my 2000 Corvette - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Eric Armstrong - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I had an 87 prelude and it was the best overall car I ever owned. It wasnt the fastest or best looking but it had quality, reliablity, was sporty. the only thing to make this car better would be to have more power, no pop-up headlights and ABS. I sold my POS 2000 Corvette because of all the problems I had with it,the dealers and Chevrolet. I will never ever buy another US made car. As soon as I took my 2001 Prelude out for a test drive I loved it. I love that feeling and have more confidence in a car like that. The fit and finish of Honda makes American cars look like a couple pieces of sheet metal bolted together.

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  You gotta get a lude, dude! - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By EK - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Si lude with a little under 100K. Ive only had to replace the timing belt (preventative maintenance) and get some oil leaks repaired. I now have over 120K on my car. I absolutely love it!! This is the funnest car Ive ever driven. I recently test drove the new Accord EX V6 and the new V6 Altima (I thought I needed a bigger car). My 92 lude would run circles around both of these vehicles so Im sticking with my lude. Recently, I saw a car ad for a 95 lude priced at $12,000 (the ad said Rare car)!! Amazing! Youd have to fight me for my mine.

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  99 prelude - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By SPEED200 - October 24 - 2:00 am

  awesome car, fabulous pick up and once that tach hits 5200...hold on to the wheel...car takes of like a rocket

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  Lude is good! - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Steva - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Its a fun car, great handeling, good torque, solid built. I have the 4WS and it makes tight turns much easier, but its just another thing that can go wrong. I have had the car for 11K miles and the besides the regular maintainence I have had some electrical things go out and it cost $150 to fix, not bad. Sometimes when I turn the car off for a few minutes and turn it on again the 4WS light stays on ( which means that there is a prolem with the 4WS) so I turn the car on and off a few times untill it goes away. The rest of the car is realiable and should last a while.

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  Love After All These Years - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By chefjefe - October 18 - 2:00 am

  My Lude has been with me for 4 years now. 70K miles later, I still get giddy every time the tach winds past 5,200 rpm. I have added a AEM intake, stainless header, and SuperSprint Exhaust, which has added to the fun both power and sound-wise. The acceleration and handling are still there, and the car is as stylish and comfortable as ever. A true winner!