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 361 through 370 of 428.00

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  Fun Car! - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Super-boi - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 97 Prelude used in 1998. It has had zero problems so far. It is still a joy to drive every day. The handling is just superb for a front wheel drive car and acceleration is strong. I drove mine cross country one time and sat in the car 14 hours a day. The seats felt comfortable driving across entire states non- stop. Very refined. The engine is docile and refined when idle and cruising yet makes awesome sounds when pushed. The VTEC is amazing. Less buzzy than an Integra and better handling than all the other sport coupes out there.

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  DOHC VTEC - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By danduv - July 6 - 2:00 am

  For all of you that have the VTEC prelude, you know that it is way better than any other. performance is better than mustang gts, and gas mileage is as nearly as good as a civic. does it get any better than this? yes it does. reliablity is just as good as any other honda!

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  Its gone - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By hipster - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a new prelude 3 years ago and it was a great car except for one thing, it burned a quart of oil every 1,000 miles since the day I got it. My dealer contacted honda and they said that was acceptable (refused to do anything,even though I was a loyal customer for the past 15 years). Even my service rep thought that was bull. I just traded for a mini cooper.Goodbye honda!

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  Love the lude - 1996 Honda Prelude
  By The Forsaken - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I always loved the styling of the 92-96 preludes, I dont care what edmunds says. I bought mine with about 88,000 miles on it. Over 100,000 now with no problems at all. A fast car with an insanely wicked stock growl. oh and its curb weight is 2,866lbs NOT 3,866 as stated in one of the other reviews. Its not a freakin Camaro for crying out loud.

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  PreludeSE - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By JohnL - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I love this car... handling.. acceleration. integrity... well built.. Ill keep this car for a long time. nice leather interior also.

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  Not to Shabby!! :) - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By P. H. - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Have used in a roadrace application. Still very durable and dependable. Good high speed stability. Great every day driver, good balnce between suspension handling and comfort.

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  Best car under $25K - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Jim U - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Best car under $25K. Too bad they stop making it.

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  Fun, fun, fun!!! - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By now-a-prelude-man - June 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun car I have ever driven. The engine gives very good performance and the car corners like a dream.

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  coulda, woulda, shoulda! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By oxygen177 - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that I purchased brand new at an excellent price (19500+ttl). I only have 2400 miles on it and already I hear squeaks from the back of my car & the transmission is acting up, this is going in the shop tomorrow. Believe it or not I really wish I had purchased a mazda protege ES, fully loaded you can get this baby at 15k it is very peppy and has lots of power upfront. I do love my prelude though, the sunroof makes it perfect. have fun with this baby

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  prelude review - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By ron page - June 12 - 2:00 am

  we love the prelude, fun to drive. sporty, and also has very good performance....