-Great looks
-Great interior
-Cool digital gas and temp. gagues
-Good engine
-Handles good
-Legendary Honda reliability
-Engine can be modified with tons of aftermarkt parts.

-Noisy valves
-Back seat is just for show

I would defenitly recommend a Prelude. I like the 2.3, but the VTEC is what its all about. Hondas in general are well built, reliable cars. The Prelude is no exeption. The engines can be modified in many ways. The car comes from the factory with some restrictive parts, but you can easily find aftermarket parts for it that will solve that problem. It came with a standard power sunroof. It looks kinda goofy from the outside when its all the way back. The power antenna is nice, but if you have your radio on before you start the car, it will go back down when the engine is cranking, and once the car is running the antenna will go back up. I never understood why they did that. If you treat it good it will keep its value, and last for a LONG time. So if youre in the market for a sporty car thats fun to drive, and will outlast many other popular sport compacts, then you should check out a Prelude.

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1993 Nissan Altima. Prelude is sportier and has a much better interior.

This is my second Gen5 Prelude (the first being a 97 base model Prelude) and I have no complaints about the car whatsoever. It's a great car in stock form, but is evolving into a higher performance machine as modifications are continually being added (lots of bolt-ons, some JDM components, new wheels, and possible forced induction in the near future). I love this car. Plain and simple.

Buy the SH if you want the performance edge in handling and if your pocketbook can handle it. If you want the option of getting an automatic Prelude - which I would never recommend because a 4-speed semi-auto tranny cannot take full advantage of the H22A4's power characteristics - get the base. Either way, it's a killer car.

Handling, ride, overall performance, drop dead good looks

Rear seat room but that is not why you buy this car

I aid around 26,000 for this car I waited two and a half months for the type SH after the regular model was introduced. I loved the car and would recommend it two anyone without a family or if you own another car preferable a family hauler. There are no weaknesses with this car when considerring what you are buying it is the best handling car under $30,000. I would like to see the engine from the S2000 dropped into one of these to see how it does. With that six speed transmission and 45 extra horses the prelyde would be unstoppable.

I give this car five stars across the board because you get everything that is advertised when you buy this car.

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Honda Accord 1998, nissan 240sx,

Quiet at speed; fast; agile; fun to drive

rattles; torque steer

Like a roller coaster for the road, the prelude VTEC is thrilling every time that power cam slides into action. This is my second prelude (paid 16000, 43K on the car at the time), the first was an '85 which I owned for three years and ended its life with over 191,000 miles (and still ticking). Its is truly another world that the 10 years between them makes. However, the new one still carries the reliability and fun to drive appeal as the old one did. The rattles in the old one seem to have carried over as well, unfortunatly--but the music the engine sings above 5000 rpm makes the rest of the world seem unimpressive, and that makes up for any rattle.

If you are considering the Prelude as a possible choice for purchase, do yourself a favor and buy (or at least test drive) a VTEC model--and make sure you experience the amazing surge of power and sound that only a VTEC engine can offer. I offer a huge grin after each ride.

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1985 prelude

Jewel of an engine, handling, no options necessary, lots of legroom, solid stock stereo.

Not a lot of headroom, gets squeaky in winter.

A wonderful all-round GT. Exterior is conservative, but very handsome once you adjust to the "wide-open" headlights. Clean, uncluttered interior makes it easy to go about the business of driving. Best handling front-driver that I've ever had the pleasure of owning. Not the fastest thing on the block, but it has no real weaknesses. Mine has a real rattling & squeaking problem once the temperature drops below about 40F. Considering performance, reliability, and standard amenities, this car is a solid value at list price, and can be had for much less thanks to low demand.

That said, keep in mind that this car has the standard sports car "problems": It is essentially a two-seater and it has limited carrying capacity. If you can't live with a small car, don't get a Prelude.

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This car has proven extremely reliable. Other than scheduled service and one minor temperature problem, everything has worked perfectly from day 1. Also, the car handles extremely well. I have a 5 speed, and I love taking those curves in 3rd gear at 50. My friends at work know this, because this car has earned me 2 speeding tickets now. Freeway driving at 80mph is very smooth. Here's another cool feature: lots of trunk space for a car this size and a panel that one can remove connecting the trunk and backseat (very helpful for transporting skis). Another thing, the stereo is awesome. 4 speakers with separate bass/tweeter. When I was shopping around for cars, I remember the prelude as having the best sounding "stock" stereo. Much better than the integra's stereo, for example. While I'm on the topic of the integra, let me say that the Prelude drives much better than the integra any day of the week. Most people who consider one also consider the other, and let me recommend Prelude

Nothing fits in the back seat except a bag of groceries. In a pinch I have tried putting adults back there, but they always have severe cramps and their muscles are asleep after 10 minutes back there. Also, my temperature control broke sometime around the 3 year mark. Instead of a sliding dial, I now have two settings: "$#@!$#@ cold and $#@$##$ hot." It's a real pain to turn the dial to hot, then it heats up so fast, I have to turn it to cold. Then it gets cold, so I have to turn it to hot. This goes back and forth, back and forth, every 3-4 minutes, on long trips. Even more frustrating - I took this to a dealer and he told me everything was working fine. #$@@#$@$#@$@#$#. Luckily I live in California so much of the year I don't need any temperature control at all. One last minor weekness. Don't buy this car if you are over 6'1". I am 6'1" and my head has about 1/2" clearance from the roof. Occasionally when I hit a speed bump (especially the way I drive), I hit my head on the roof. It never hurts, but it is a minor inconvenience. But if I was 6'4", I really would not want to drive in this car.

I bought this Honda Prelude SE 1995 brand new in '95. So far it has given me very few problems, and I've enjoyed driving it on a daily basis. I paid $20,600 after heavy negotiation.

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Integra, Pontiacs

Amazing handling, great reliability and decent fuel economy. The engine is also amazing, especially near the 6700 RPM redline.

The cable actuated shifters suck when trying to rip a real fast shift, but otherwise are OK. The brakes will overheat and fade if used aggressively and repeatedly in a short time, a very frightening experience. Small rear seat and low trunk height make carrying extra passengers and luggage a pain.

Overall a great car, especially for the price. Compares very favourably to a BMW 318iS, and the new Preludes with 195 HP would be a great match to a BMW 328 iS. Try to find a Prelude that uses rod shifters, my 83 and 86 had them and they were much nicer to shift, especially when driving aggressively. Unfortunately I don't know which years used rod actuated shifters and which years used cable actuated, but look into it if you are buying a five speed. Also buy some good performance tires for your car, what ever model you drive, tires make an unbelievable difference in ride, handling and control. I have Bridgestone Potenza RE71's and I just love them. I recommend this car to anyone who wants a reliable, efficient, great looking sports car.

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83 and 86 Preludes, BMW 3 series

Performance, handling (best handling car under 30k) and looks.

back seat is cramped, girlfriend says passenger seat is uncomfortable.

This is the third Prelude SI I have owned (88,91,99). In general the car has to many strengths to be ignored. I bought my 99 through Sams's club buying program and got it below invoice with the sports shifter. I recommend the sports shifter for anyone who has to deal with stop and go traffic. The sports shifter is a pricy option (1k at invoice price) and it does take away from the cars 0-60 time, but when your stuck in traffic what does the one second matter. The car has great brakes and corners like its on rails. You should be able to pick one up at or around invoice price, if not keep looking! The car is not for everyone, but I wouldn't have anything else for the money.

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none

Performance, Handling, Interior/Exterior styling. 1992 - 1996 Prelude rules. New Preludes are too heavy and front lights are ugly. This car can outhandle anything and all I did was lower it a bit.

Miles per gallon. I don't care what Honda says, but i'm not getting more than 17 MPG... City!

This car, when driven properly, can smoke nearly anything on the street. It handles better than anything once you drop it a bit and get better tires. Performance is awesome, styling is good, sound system is good (in Si and Vtec models). AWESOME CAR!! If you don't got too much dough and want the best Honda after NSX, S2000, get a 1996 Vtec. It smokes the sh*t out of the new Preludes, GSR's, and all other jap sh*t. It smokes any American V6 and below. Funny it takes the japs a mere 4 cylinder to kill AMerican V6's, and some V8's. It KILLS DSM. heck, I've raced GST and smoked the sh*t out of it, and i'm running stock!! and I only got Si. hehehe.

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Integra GSR, Civic EX, Camaro Z28, Pontiac Trans Am, BMW M3

Overall lasting quality, well-designed interior, price, comfort, handeling is supurb, solid-shifting.

Clutch has some issues, rattles the whole car if you don't give it enough gas, heard from several people that this is a design flaw. If anybody knows of a good aftermarket clutch I can put in let me know.

Overall a great car, everything fits together right. Not the fastest car on the road, but hey, it's a '91. I'm looking forward to buying a new SH if I ever get 'nuff money. Oh, and if you are looking for a 3rd gen. and find a 4ws model, go for it...they're awesome to take out and do u-turns just for fun.

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'92 240sx, '95 MX-6