Honda Prelude

Price Paid:  $3000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
1995 Honda Prelude SE

Summary:
This is a very good car, I have no complaints other than the fuel. Its a car that gives you more for your money than any other Honda in its class, and likely any other car at all in its class. The SE (non-Vtec 2.3 liter) is faster than many sports cars on the road, and pulls low 7's 0-60. But the high point is its handling. If you want a straight line ricer, this car is not a good pick, because thats not what it was built for. If you want the most out of it, you need to know how to drive, there is no safety system to save you if you screw up. Its bare bones, ABS is the only real safety option.

Strengths:
Extremely precise handling, high speed ability, good pedal and steering feel, Good low end Torque. Sporty styling, solid gearbox and engine, and easy maintenance.

Weaknesses:
FWD, Premium fuel only, low MPG, useless back seat, small interior.

Similar Products Used:
Honda Accord, Honda Civic

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from London

Year / Model Reviewed:
1995 2.2 VTEC

Summary:
This is the best car I have ever owned - it looks fantastic from the outside, and its actual performance more matches the aggressive style of the car. The VTEC engine is quite civilised below the 5200 mark, but savage once you get beyond it - sounds very good as well. Corners like its on rails and has put the fun back into driving. The interior is comfortable, but rear seats are for joke value only (who cares) - the dashboard has a very cool 80's style spacecraft feel and makes you feel very important! In short - an absolutely great car that will outperform any boy racer and a good deal of supposedly superior cars - especially fun when BMW drivers try to dust you off the lights (it can easily leave a BMW 525i behind) - Buy one immediately!

Strengths:
Does exactly what the hype says it does.

Weaknesses:
Economy

Similar Products Used:
Rover 220 coupe

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from jim coleman honda

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 honda prelude vtec

Summary:
I think the prelude vtec is reliable. I have 200,000 mi on mine doesnt leak anything runs smooth a bit rough on the back roads. headlights work great at nite, transmission is responsive at all power bands.

Strengths:
good power after 5500 rpm,good handling have 200,000mi still reliable no problems nice stereo good paint quality

Weaknesses:
none that i can see or complain about

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from Roseberg Honda

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 VTEC

Summary:
NIce car when I first got it. I've owned HOndas before and this one was definitely the best. Strong motor but IT IS a headache monster. Stock stereo is weak and rear subwoofer ridiculously expensive to replace.
Overall build quality good, but reliability not so good, especially mechanical stuff. How so?
Well, there's a reason why Honda doesn't use the H22A anymore. This motor was built with major flaws.
Timing belt tensioning system is pathetic. Hope you never have a problem there, because 1 slip and you are on your way to "Bent Valve City." Engine loves gas, fuel economy is not that great. Even with perfect maintenance (trust me, I have) engine will just lose it's seals gaskets and other stuff. Fuel line is sickeningly weak...better get a Honda guy to remove the fuel filter or you WILL be buying a new fuel line.
Oil pump (at least on mine) died at 132K miles, unheard of in a Honda. It is expensive to replace and where it's located is just stupid (should've been designed to be electrically driven, I think).
Rear seat is a joke, but makes a useful backpack storage area.

Strengths:
Build quality, unique style.
Strong motor for 2.2L inline 4
Handles very well, brakes are pretty good.
Paint quality way better than current Hondas and plastic quality inside second to none.

Weaknesses:
See above, but reliability is just average, and engine design needs work. Engine is way too complicated for what it does and parts are very expensive for the VTEC.

Similar Products Used:
Acura Integra GSR
Honda CRX
Honda Accord

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $25000.00 from Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 Prelude SH

Summary:
While I think the car was overpriced, I loved the car. It was a blast to drive. Incredible handling capabilities given its FWD platform. Proved to be reliable - anything that went wrong was due to my modifications. Prior to my supercharging the car, it wasn't all that fast. It was quick but this car didnt' belong on the dragstrip to begin with and wasn't meant for straightline racing, what Honda is? Canyon runs, winding backroads are this car's home. Anything with a curve to it. The interior was small but slightly larger than the previous generation. The dash design was rather bland and not much to look at, but at least things were within easy reach, easy to read. This isn't a luxury car though so I can't count the interior design against it really. The engine was solid as was the 5 speed transmission. Again, this car was just fun to drive. It could keep up, handling wise, with more expensive RWD sports cars.

Strengths:
Solid engine and 5 speed transmission. Handling, handling, and handling especially for a fwd car. This car remains one of the funnest cars I've ever driven. It deserves my recommendation if anyone is looking for a fun, sporty and reliable secondhand car.

Weaknesses:
Boring interior. Small interior. Useless backseats. Overpriced (but holds its value very nicely).

Similar Products Used:
1996 Ford Explorer. 2004 Audi A4 1.8t. 2004 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6MT, 2004 Subaru WRX Sti, 2001 Nissan Maxima SE, 2002 VW Passat V6, 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo