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 61 through 70 of 428.00

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  best Honda ever - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Erik - December 20 - 1:09 am

  Prelude is the best honda ive ever driven. Love the HP, love the way the VTEC screams from 5200 up to redline, feels like ur in a formula-1 car. Good brakes, good mileage on freeway, excellent handling. very exciting car, would recommend to anyone.

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  what a beauty - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By hawaiicoq - December 17 - 2:56 pm

  This car is beautiful, its design asks nothing of way more expensive cars, this car is elegant and sleek.It handles like butter. Just one of the great cars of all times, too bad Honda stop making it.

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  Great car for everything - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By Brian - November 29 - 10:39 pm

  Though my Prelude was purchased as a daily driver, I later began driving it on local road courses and learned what the car was really about. Handling, speed, and comfort. The car has held up very well and still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it! I actually bought an old Accord so I wouldnt have to drive the Prelude in the winter in effort to preserve the its current condition.

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  I love my Prelude Type SH!! - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By hardrock75 - November 14 - 2:31 pm

  I purchased this car used from an owner who had done all of the routine maintenance (oil changes, etc) on time , at the Honda dealer in Kirkland, WA. The auto had 42,000 miles when I purchased it in Mar, 2006. No "dings" and no apparent mechanical problems. It had an excellent stereo (Alpine. I recently replaced the original equipment tires (205-50r 16) with 225-50r 16s and like them more. I have driven back and forth from Las Vegas NV to Seattle WA 3 times and averaged 28.9 MPG-at an average of 70+ MPH! I drove thru Oregon (US 395) which is a fun highway for a sports car and had a ball! So far, I have had no problems to report and I have changed the oil as required.

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  Love my Lude - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Silver_97 - November 9 - 10:06 am

  I bought my Prelude a few months ago. It was very well maintained. Apart from a few flaws on the hood which look like someone spilled brake fluid... It was nearly perfect. I have had no mechanical problems. No problems at all for that matter, and this is a 10 yr old car! The interior is very comfortable, and I have no rattles. Very fun when vtec engages!

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  Great Car - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By Jesse - October 31 - 6:40 pm

  This has been a fun car to drive. It handles better than any car I have ever driven and it can move pretty quick for a 2.2 L engine.

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  bring back this car man!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By john - October 15 - 9:41 pm

  always wanted one, got a fictus green ss auto, and although a manual would have been a first choice i am still impressed with the auto, leather seats were a nice perk, the vtec is an animal and i would not trade her in for anything else. a sexy car to look at and to drive. the prelude hates to drive under sixty mph and you can hear it under the hood. once on the highway shes happy. domestic cars look out!

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  Awesome 4WS - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By ludebay - October 12 - 7:53 pm

  My uncle bought this car back in 1994. Its a 1991 Honda Prelude SI with 4WS. I felt in love with the car when I heard that it was 4WS. He then sold it to me for a very nice price. =) The handling on this car is awesome and you can feel the acceleration when you hit on the gas. The 4WS is very handy when making U-Turn and parking.

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  not bad - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By jhawk901 - July 2 - 11:54 am

  Had this car for about a week, and im pretty satisfied. Awesome handling, vtec, sportshift. I just dont like the premium fuel and the old interior.

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  Wow - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Jason - June 14 - 10:58 pm

  Youre in a front wheel drive car... You floor it at the light and make your left turn with your foot to the floor, yet there is no tire squeal and the car just pulls you through the turn with a serious growl, you steer even harder left and the back slowly starts to kick out. Is this car rear wheel drive or did Honda truly fix front wheel drive understeer. The latter. Every front wheel drive car should have ATTS! So much fun to drive!