RE: SOTW: Honda Prelude

[DarkBlakk]

I was never that keen on the shape of these back in the day, but the years have been kind to it.

Another good shed

[Zippee]

I had an identical one to this barr the tasteless alloys and exhaust and I loved it. Mine was a 94 UK spec model that I sold 6 years ago to fund my first TVR, bullet proof, reliable, comfy and decentish handling - if I weren't in the process of moving house right now I'd buy this one as a station car like a shot.
Biggest killer on them is rust, especially around the rear arches.

[Dagnut]

Did many miles in a JDM 2.2....to nose heavy horrible under braking... massive understeer...not a good drivers car imo.

[chazwozza]

Oh how I so wanted one of these but in the end I couldn't live with driving a FWD so I bought a 200SX instead, biggest regret was never test driving one as now there don't seem to be many good ones around, even to have as a run about.
I have heard that the lightened and higher output JDM spec cars are very good and would still consider one....

[bogie]

had a light BB4 version about 12 years ago for 60K miles, did a few mods, easy 200bhp car, nice n reliable, good VFM...now downside really....dont buy one for a track toy of course, but fine for cheap, quick, good looking coupe

[soad]

Very dated inside but suppose that's expected. Do agree that car's shape looks good though.
In fact, I wouldn't mind one of those one day

[With these feet]

Doniger said:

johnpeat said:

Interesting choice - and it seems to be a UK model (there are a TONNE of imports and most are nasty) too.

I looked at 2 of these when I was fishing for a cheap runabout - in the end it's lack of practicality (the back seats are comedic) killed it rather than the car itself - but they drive well and hide their age too.

PLEASE don't believe the bullst about VTEC systems being bulletproof and never failing tho - I had a VTEC engine which pinked and knocked FROM NEW and even Honda factory engineers couldn't resolve the problem so that's a myth which needs putting to bed pronto (not to say this car suffers any such problem - just that the 'bulletproof' Honda thing IS a myth).

Chinese whispers...it's the actual VTEC mechanism they claimed never failed under warranty, not the entire engine - and I think it only covers the original DOHC VTEC, not the newer iVTEC.

I dearly love these cars - had two, and would have another tomorrow if I could find a good one, but sadly they are very few and far between.

Plus what model was it in? Not a UK built model by chance was it??

Swindon cars are no-way near as well put together as US/JPN models.
I worked for Honda when this Prelude was the current model. How we all loved to PDI these for the road test afterwards...

Im not bashing Honda either, Ive got a CL9 Accord and an '89 Rex..

[Nathe]

I used to have a red BB4 JDM 2.2 VTEC until I bought a house in 2007 (I say red but the paint fade on these can be pretty bad so it had started to turn pink ).

Great car that didn't skip a beat in the 2 years I owned it, only downside was how comically small the cabin space is compared to the overall footprint of the car. The boot can take a single suitcase at best, the back seats are only good for people with no legs and the glove box was so small I was unable to fit 2 DVD cases in there The dashboard is legendary though and sweeps around both the driver and passenger with enough buttons knobs and dials to make you feel like you're piloting light aircraft!

I still miss this car today (even with the impracticalities it), the surge of speed offered by VTEC in 2nd made my drive to work an event every day instead of just another boring commute.

Would love to own another at some point.

[Deluded]

Can get a 5th gen for really not a lot more. Fantastic, underrated cars.




That was mine for a while. Loved it!

[soad]

/\ Looks far better with leather seats/trim.
What are they like on the juice? Not too bad? Assuming you don't push the Vtec too much

[fwaggie]

Love Preludes.

Had every single revision bar the very last one.

The only reason I gave up with them is the Milton Keynes Honda dealer is so bloody useless (QwikFit stylee "Oh, you need a full set of discs with those pads too" which lasted < 250 miles before massive judder set in and they then refused to sort out - avoid at ALL costs)

If I could find a decent indy Honda garage around here I'd consider another.

Always remember my Mk 4 2.2 VTEC 4WS, 3 up, racing around town leaving a Sierra Cossie for dead round the bends and matching it on the traffic light dash

[Nathe]

My old steed, on one of the few days it looked clean(ish!)

[stuckmojo]

Vic Cooper said:

Never been a fan of the jap interiors, but I quite like the shape. Would be a motoring icon with RWD I guess.

Edited by Vic Cooper on Friday 31st December 00:56

I agree with you on that. I would be quite awesome

[kambites]

A friend of mine had one of these (a JDM import, if that makes any difference), and I didn't really fit in it - I couldn't even sit particularly comfortably in the passenger seat, and driving it was torturous after a while.

Definitely one for the midgets amongst us.

[Gizmo!]

If I ever need a shed I'll be looking at one of these. Style: none. Torquesteer: amusing. Worthwhile gadgets: debatable.

Velour: was it ever really the future?

[pSyCoSiS]

Not my cup of tea, but I understand the appeal.

Love the dash.

Hate the interiors.

And those chavvy alloys spoil it (and defninitely not worth the £300 extra), so best keep it with the original rims.

Happy New Year to all.

[fwaggie]

kambites said:

Definitely one for the midgets amongst us.

I'm 6'5" and had no problem fitting. Also found the seats nice and comfy.

Did your friends car have aftermarket seats or those bead seat covers or something?

[kambites]

fwaggie said:

kambites said:

Definitely one for the midgets amongst us.

I'm 6'5" and had no problem fitting. Also found the seats nice and comfy.

Did your friends car have aftermarket seats or those bead seat covers or something?

Nope all standard.

My legs didn't fit, there just wasn't enough distance between the seat and the pedals, even with the seat right back. I'm only 6' but I do have quite long legs for my height.

[Escort Si-130]

To be honest this car looked rather BORING. Never liked it when it came out and still dont really like it. Major let down was the frontal, grill headlamp styling and the rear tail lights looked st and utter boring. The version Prelude before this with the pop-up lights looked better.
They seemed to be popular with some people of a certain race.

[gib786]

boomboompow said:

I have a soft spot for these, mainly because it was the first car with a decent bit of clout you could afford in the original Gran Turismo

Same here, which is why I was chuffed to bits when I picked up a 2.2 vtec import up for £400 a few years back in the exact same spec/colour as the car I had on the first GT game. It was on 120odd thousand miles but still had a fair bit of grunt. Plus I could hoon it without worrying about what happened to it given the low purchase price. Getting passengers into the back was always funny, especially a few mates who were 6ft +. I still regret selling the old girl