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 41 through 50 of 428.00

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  The Wife Loves It - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By nokingbutchrist - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought it used with 40K for wife. Car now has 240K and has only had two problems. First, a bad balance shaft seal dumped all the oil. My wife still drove it for 30 minutes in temps of 98 before stopping! Another seal blew a month ago. The wife drove a 100 miles before engine seized. YET, the wife still wants it so a new engine is going to be put in. A/C stinks.

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  Automatic trans...bad idea - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By PJBurr - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, but big mistake buying an automatic trans. Bought car in April, trans burned out in June, Im in my late 30s so the car is stock and I drive normal. Honda replaced the trans under warranty, told me it was around $5500. Too bad, should of bought the 5 speed

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  Needed Work But I Still Love My Prelude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By ilovemyprelude - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Prelude new. It has been a great car, however I just spent $3K on a re-built transmission at 75,000 miles and the moon roof just started to go last weekend. I still receive tons of compliments on the car and have had several offers to buy it. In fact, when I was shopping around for the transmission work I had three offers to buy it. Everyone says the V-tech is fast, but it seems a little slow to me. I dont get great gas milage either. Its been a great car and I still love it, but I am a little disappointed with the transmission.

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  Its the small things that add up - 1990 Honda Prelude
  By ansaphone4 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  For the first year of ownership, the only major thing that went wrong was my alternator. The wiper motor went last October and getting that fixed cost $300. Now I think the fan motor is going because the vents soetimes do not work at all. Additionally, within the past few months the moonroof has taken to leaking, or rather, pouring water if the car has been standing in the rain and then you go to drive off. I think it is time to move on although I love my little car and shes never let me down performance or reliability wise.

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  LUDES RULE - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By gatorfan69 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Just upgraded from 97 auto to 00 SH model. Base model is nice, but SH is a must for true performance. The SH offers dramatically improved handling and whips corners as fast as the driver can handle. The car has ample power, but anything could use more power. Add some bolt ons for a few more horses. Love the styling (the headlights grow on you), but interior is a bit bland, and can be unconfortabe for a taller person. Good gas mileage unless you push into Vtec on every gear. Could use a 6th gear for better hwy mileage. I have some worry about my clutch already making noise at 44k mi. But I bought it at 40k, and I dont know how it was treated.

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  Not to shabby - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By Eric Blum - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is not bad for the price.I just feel that for the way it looks it needed a bit more power. I feel the looks are the hook and sinker for this car.

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  4 Years is enough - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By dg280zx - July 29 - 2:00 am

  My 01 model runs like the day I got it after 52,000 miles. The only quality issue has been the drivers side window which makes a thud when going up. No squeaks or rattles though. It cruises along fine at 80 but can be a bit noisy since its a 4 cylinder. It is not a drag racer but it accelerates very quickly once you get the revs up. Requires premium fuel every fill up. You also have to drive the Prelude 100% of the time because of its tight steering and you will feel every road flaw because of its tight suspension. Its been a fun few years but I will probably trade it in a year or so for a six cylinder that can carry four adults and has modern amenities.

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  97 HONDA PRELUDE - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By DAVID - July 18 - 2:00 am

  MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. IT HAS BEEN A OK CAR. WE HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT. SINCE NEW WE HAVE PUT 2 RACK AND PINIONS,TRANSMISSION,AND HAVE HAD SERVICE LOOK AT THE SUN ROOF MANY TIMES FOR SLOW OPENING.

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  Too many problems - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By GunnerV - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I am the only owner of this car and Ive had nothing but problems. Ignitors, air conditioning, brake cylinder, transmission (x2), paint fade, leaks. It had regular maintenance at the dealership. I have finally had it! Its on the used car lot. I bought a Nissan.

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  Civic Si on steroids - 2000 Honda Prelude
  By speedbird - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Most of the problems I had were really my fault (like trying to roll down the window when it was frozen) My biggest complains are a couple of noises from the engine that the Honda dealer says not to worry about. The clutch sometimes slips and makes a griding noise. The clutch is kind of hard to press. I keep getting check engine light, dealer says everything is ok. So far the only money I have put in the car is for oil changes and I have 51000 miles. The interior looks like a 1980s Honda Accord, but its built strong. Forget about the 2 seats in the back. Dont buy it if you are more than 6 feet tall. Its a Honda, but its not indestructible.