Overview & Reviews

The Prelude is totally redesigned for 1997. A base model is available with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, but the top-of-the-line Type SH model, featuring Honda's new Active Torque Transfer System, can only be had as a manual. Both the base and Type SH Preludes feature last year's VTEC engine which produces 195 horsepower for 1997.

• Limited headroom. The interior is less exciting than the one found in a 1987 Accord.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 42.00

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  love at first ride - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By dillon - January 7 - 8:25 pm

  If you can find one manual and in good shape , buy it . You wont regret it . Bought with 130k now at 156k and abused the mess out of it all the time and all Ive had to replace was a shifter cable (800). Love everything about it besides back seats but hey its a coupe.

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  Theres not another car I want more. - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Heather - March 8 - 12:11 am

  I bought my car used w/ 75,000 miles already on it. It is now at 239,000 w/ the bottom end rebuilt at 100,000 due to driving through high water. It is still reliable & all features work. I absolutely love the styling/appearance & I cant find another car that I like as much to purchase. When it finally dies, I think Im just going to put in a new engine & transmission & keep driving. By far, the best vehicle purchase Ive ever made.

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  1997 Type SH - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Jerry - July 30 - 5:33 pm

  I purchased my type SH new in 1997. I just put a new clutch in at 239,500 or so miles. The interior is like new. I need to address some very minor rust on rear wheel wells and that is all. I had to extend my clutch petal by an inch or so to make the car more comfortable. Other than that I love this car. It is so comfortable and fun to drive and gets 26 MPG at very aggressive driving speeds. If you can find one that has been taken care of buy it.

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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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  5th Gen lude, Honda hits another homer! - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Chris - February 26 - 6:13 pm

  I owned an 87 Prelude that was tons of fun, drove several friends 3rd and 4th gens, and this week finally got behind the wheel of a 5th Gen... my own :) I just picked it up last week and the first time behind the wheel i was instantly grinning over that classic prelude feel. My car has 139000 miles on it and seems to run and handle like the day it rolled off the line. The styling has caught my eye everytime Ive seen one for the past 10 years, but with other car projects always in the works, I never had an opportunity to buy one. Better late than never tho, at least now I get a chance to enjoy what Ive been missing! Great looks, great handling, great power! Too bad its the end of an era

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  Amazing Vehicle to Own! - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Lance Richards - August 4 - 6:55 pm

  My Prelude is just un-describable!! I purchased this car with 119,000 miles on it and it performs like it has 19,000. Its amazingly clean and will last me years to come! So go out and buy one A.S.A.P you wont regret it!!

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  One of the best car Honda came out with - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Pha - July 17 - 3:11 pm

  This is the car I wanted ever since it came out in 1997. Now I finally have one. I use to have a 92 civic hatchback vx with a swap and it cant even compare to my prelude. The prelude handles better, looks better, and has the power all in one. I get compliments on it all the time. Its not a car you see everyday on the road. And its not a car everyone has like a civic, integra, or accord. Buy one you wont regret it.

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  Lude View - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Kayla - June 13 - 1:47 pm

  This car in my opinion is wonderful. If you take care of it, not many things are going to go wrong over the years. I mean yes the interior isnt the most stylih around,but if it bothers the owner that bad they can have it modified. Sometimes the parts tend to be a little more pricy that others, but all well worth it, i mean again it is a Honda. The gas is good, but it takes the most expensive kind, which burns slower and lasts longer! Overall...I LOVE my car!

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  Very Underrated - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By freuger - June 8 - 11:57 pm

  I recently bought my Honda Prelude and it is by far the best car Ive ever owned. Stock Preludes are decent to look at, but when you stick a good looking body kit on, this car gleams. I have had so many compliments on this car that sometimes I literally have to excuse myself from them in leiu of having to leave! Stock, this engine pushes out 195hp and from a 4 banger! Just imagine what a super charger or turbo and some bolt ons could do to this, a turbo alone could probably push it into the 300hp range. Stock exhaust sounds great on this machine, and the limited slip differential tranny makes this car have the smoothest shifting in any manual Ive driven. You wont regret buying a Prelude

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  Great Car - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By Prelude Lover - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new, 7 years ago. No problems to report. The car still looks and runs like new. My partner bought an Integra a few months prior to my purchase. Shes currently looking to replace the Integra - although the Prelude and Integra are very, very similar the Prelude has been a much better car.