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:
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Best car I have owned. - 1991 Honda Prelude
By Alexander Martis - June 12 - 2:00 amI found this one in excellent conditions. It has been very reliable. I have had three cars, a Ford, a Nissan and this one. The Nissan Sentra was brand new and it was a nightmare almost from the moment I bought it !!! Once I test drove the Prelude, I knew from that moment that it is real car !!! With proper maintenance it will run practically forever.
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best sports coupe - 2000 Honda Prelude
By sean lee - June 11 - 2:00 ambest car honda ever made
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Best car...EVER - 2001 Honda Prelude
By Cachase1 - June 10 - 2:00 amI have owed many cars. I have owned an 87 Prelude. I sold it with 459,000 miles on it, never had a major problem. I now have a 2001 Prelude SH. I put 80,000 miles on it already. I love it. It is by far the best car ever made by Honda.
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History will not repeat itself - 1993 Honda Prelude
By Mark Liu - June 7 - 2:00 amWhen Honda came out with the original prelude, they were determined to make it one of the best performing vehicle they had. And so did they. They put some genuine effort to make the car stand out to build an awesome reputation of a reliable, high performance car. The quality will not repeat itself. It surely one of the best theyve ever made. Especially with the style.
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After 10 yrs I STILL love this car. - 1992 Honda Prelude
By Carie - June 5 - 2:00 amIt just passed 150K miles & has required minimal maintenance & few things have worn out! I testdrove a new Prelude last year & it felt almost EXACTLY like my 10 yr old one. Ive usually replaced a car every 2 yrs until I bought this one. I bought a new truck last year, but kept my Prelude as I couldnt give it up. I expect to see it hitting 250K at some point.
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Incredible Car - 1996 Honda Prelude
By Hookedup Honda - June 4 - 2:00 amThis car has been a custom heaven for me. All I have done is change the front bumper and put on some 17inch aluminum wheels and I get more people asking me what kind of car it is than I did when I had a Camry with $2,000 worth of body work. The layout of the car is basic, so all of my stereo modifications have been simple to install and design
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Wirt - 1992 Honda Prelude
By Wirt - June 1 - 2:00 amDont stop making this car!
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Chriss Review - 1998 Honda Prelude
By cklein6 - May 31 - 2:00 amI love my Prelude. I would definately buy another one if they were still being produced next year.
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Great for the $ - 2001 Honda Prelude
By sassylude01 - May 30 - 2:00 amA great car for traveling or whatever! Great gas mileage, too. Dont buy it without the spoiler - it makes the car! This car definately does not get the attention that my 92 model Prelude that I previouly owned, but is definately a good buy for a sports car.
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A great car even after 5 years - 1997 Honda Prelude
By arad - May 29 - 2:00 amI thought this was a great looking car from the first I saw a preview in one of the auto magazines. Had to wait 3 months to try one at the Honda dealer around Thanksgiving 1996. Bought the 5th one the dealer had in stock in January 1997. Have had zero problems with this car. Mine is somewhat unique inn that they stopped making the Eucalyptus green with the 2 tone interior after the first year and went to the generic "Ford Explorer" forest green with the black interior. My 2 tone tan/black is cooler and classier. The car is great under all conditions except snow.
