RE: Spotted: Honda Prelude Motegi
Thursday 14th March 2013
Did you, perchance, wake up this morning and find yourself harbouring a notable penchant (Is that what you call it Scrof? - Ed.) for a mid-range Japanese coupe being sold by a Radio 1 DJ at a cheerfully random price? Yes? Of course you did. We’ve all been there. And that being the case, boy, have we got a treat for you.
Unloved at launch but more accepted today?Dan's Gallardo Spotted on Tuesday might have been one of our more prestigious choices, but today's is at the opposite end of the scale. For the princely sum of... er... £2,456, thisHonda Prelude (complete with 'V-tech' engine) can be yours. It’s a fifth-gen model, the last Prelude ever made and arguably the least-loved, a fact that can be attributed largely to its looks. The big, square headlights gave the front end a faintly surprised look which, together with a slightly anodyne profile and tail end made it something of a let-down after the swoopy fourth-gen car. Fortunately, time has dulled the effect somewhat, and today the last Prelude’s shape seems somehow fuss-free and uncluttered - perhaps even elegant - rather than dull and boring.
Faux wood: always a winner. Or something.So, is its reputation deserved? Well, if any car's going to defend the honour of the later Prelude it'd have to be the Motegi limited edition. So named for the twin-ring circuit that’ll be familiar to lovers of Japanese motorsport (and anyone who’s ever played Gran Turismo), it was based on the standard 2.2 VTi, which in post-1999 guise meant 200hp from a 2.2-litre H22A8 engine. It was a close relative of this powerplant, the 212hp H22A7, which went into the Accord Type-R; in other words, the Prelude VTi was no slouch, with official figures putting the 0-60mph time at a highly respectable 6.7 seconds and the top speed at 142mph. The Motegi version added a bodykit that gave the car a welcome hint of visual aggression and lowered sports suspension that made it less of a grand tourer and more of a sports car, even if it couldn’t quite live up to the dynamic benchmarks set by its Type-R siblings in the Honda range. 17-inch wheels that, despite whiffing slightly of cheap Halfordian rims, were in fact genuine Honda items, completed the picture.
2.2 good for 200hp and 0-60 in 6.7This example’s mileage is on the high side at 128,000, though admittedly that’s about average for a car of this age, and with Honda’s <insert reliability cliche here> VTEC engine backed up by a full Honda history, it shouldn’t be an issue. There are plenty of toys, too, with heated seats, climate control, cruise control and even a few slivers of syntho-wood coming as standard. What’s not to like? OK, maybe the syntho-wood, but besides that? Sure, it might not scintillate as much as an Accord, Civic or Integra Type R, but with arguably more handsome looks than the former two and a lower price tag than the latter, this particular Prelude makes a decent case for itself.
Spotted: Honda Prelude Motegi
Is this less sought-after Honda an unsung hero or an also-ran?
Unloved at launch but more accepted today?
Faux wood: always a winner. Or something.
2.2 good for 200hp and 0-60 in 6.7
Probably isn’t the same Sarah Cox, mind. Not least because the famous one spells her name Sara these days.
HONDA PRELUDE 2.2 VTI MOTEGI
Engine: 2,157cc 4-cyl 16v VTEC
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
Power (hp): 200@7,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 156@5,250rpm
MPG: 28mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 234g/km
First registered: 2000
Recorded mileage: 128,000
Price new: £25,035
Yours for: £2,456
See the original advert here.
Discussion
i had one of these in dark grey before it sadly got written off - imo it can be a great looking car just with the right set of wheels and lowered a fraction. silky smooth engine too.
have a golf gti now but it's not quite scratching the same itch, and i've been keeping an eye out for another prelude. strong money for this red one tho.
have a golf gti now but it's not quite scratching the same itch, and i've been keeping an eye out for another prelude. strong money for this red one tho.
The same reason that the Germans now make sport backs/GT etc out of the core A5/A7 3 series/5 series, when they already have coupes.
MonkeySpanker said:
Often wondered why Honda made the Accord Coupe when they also made the Prelude, or vice versa. 
Had a Gen 4 Prelude, lovely car, comedy rear seats & not much boot space but that's not really the point.
Loved THAT dashboard
Had a Gen 4 Prelude, lovely car, comedy rear seats & not much boot space but that's not really the point.
Loved THAT dashboard
The Accord coupe and Prelude were, atleast, trying to be different things.
The Accord coupe was the luxury wafty barge coupe. Big engines (200hp v6 auto only...) with a comfy interior and softer suspension. The Prelude was the "sporty" big Honda coupe. Good handling with revy 4 pot engines.
Defo should be closer to shed money. I sold my immaculate 2000 5th gen with 80 something K on the clock for £1600 a good few years back. Even then you could pick them up for under 1k. 2.5k is dream money.
The Accord coupe was the luxury wafty barge coupe. Big engines (200hp v6 auto only...) with a comfy interior and softer suspension. The Prelude was the "sporty" big Honda coupe. Good handling with revy 4 pot engines.
Defo should be closer to shed money. I sold my immaculate 2000 5th gen with 80 something K on the clock for £1600 a good few years back. Even then you could pick them up for under 1k. 2.5k is dream money.
I seriously considered one of these (and test drove two) before I bought my EP3 civic. I've always preferred this shape, although it never really felt that fast, perhaps due to its GT nature.
Seems a little over priced at the initial asking price compared to other prelides, though I don't know how rare these motegi versions are and its till a lot of car for not much money!
Seems a little over priced at the initial asking price compared to other prelides, though I don't know how rare these motegi versions are and its till a lot of car for not much money!
TristPerrin said:
I seriously considered one of these (and test drove two) before I bought my EP3 civic. I've always preferred this shape, although it never really felt that fast, perhaps due to its GT nature.
Seems a little over priced at the initial asking price compared to other prelides, though I don't know how rare these motegi versions are and its till a lot of car for not much money!
All that is different with the Motegi is the body kit. Admitedly, they do look much nicer with the kit on but there is no other difference between the Motedi and the standard car.Seems a little over priced at the initial asking price compared to other prelides, though I don't know how rare these motegi versions are and its till a lot of car for not much money!
I've just this week retired mine - old age has driven me into an Accord again. Bought it 8 years and 85k miles ago, intending to have a laugh for a year or two, now I'm heartbroken it has to be retired. It still runs like a sewing machine but I might put it at the bottom of the garden as an ornament, as my neighbours in France do, because it still pleases me.
Incidentally, at one time we had the Prelude and an Accord coupe - the coupe was better made and had useable back seats but was an uninvolving drive. We bought the Prelude for a bit of fun on weekends and trips.
Years ago I had a series one and a half twin-cam Prelude - that was a hoot as well.
Incidentally, at one time we had the Prelude and an Accord coupe - the coupe was better made and had useable back seats but was an uninvolving drive. We bought the Prelude for a bit of fun on weekends and trips.
Years ago I had a series one and a half twin-cam Prelude - that was a hoot as well.
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