Looking to buy a 4th or 5th Generation Honda Prelude

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HappyFace

HappyFace

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
6,265
5
81
I currently own a 93 Acura Integra and although it's a great car, it has nearly 150k miles and is starting to show its age. Some rust, broken windshield wiper motor, minor oil leaks...

Summers nearly here and I feel its a good time to trade in for a better ride. No, not planning going rice. Maybe some new rims and tint.. possibly intake and exhaust. So far the Prelude looks like an excellent used car, and can be upgraded fairly easily for better looks and power. Here's a Black 1997 I've been looking at. How much should I expect to spend? Any other cars you could recommend in the same price range? Any Prelude owners have input?

Thanks! :)
 
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TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
5,575
0
0
I would reccomend against the automatic on the preludes. They have rather high failure rates. The manual will last you considerably longer on the prelude.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: HappyFace
I currently own a 93 Acura Integra and although it's a great car, it has nearly 150k miles and is starting to show its age. Some rust, broken windshield wiper motor, minor oil leaks...

Summers nearly here and I feel its a good time to trade in for a better ride. No, not planning going rice. Maybe some new rims and tint.. possibly intake and exhaust. So far the Prelude looks like an excellent used car, and can be upgraded fairly easily for better looks and power. Here's a Black 1997 I've been looking at. How much should I expect to spend? Any other cars you could recommend in the same price range? Any Prelude owners have input?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

I loved my '99 SH. I would highly recommend getting the SH if you can as the handling is really phenomenal.
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,599
126
i drive a 97 base...

don't get an automatic, those trannies are worthless

and for that matter, most of the 5spd trannies on the preludes are worthless too

when you're buying the car, make sure no gears grind, cuz if they do you're fuct (esp 5th)

upgrading looks, easy ;)

upgrading power, don't bother

prelude has very very very little potential because it's such a fatass. but i <3 the way my car drives

any questionis feel free to ask ;)
 
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TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
5,575
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
No, not planning going rice. Maybe some new rims and tint.. possibly intake and exhaust.
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I thought you weren't going rice?
Click to expand...

intake and exhaust doesn't have to be rice, as long as it is tastefull, and not some 1090308520567" exhaust tip. Rims are eyecandy, likely to get stolen (more so than stock wheels), and tint is imo, more of a functional thing to me.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,118
613
126
Originally posted by: Mwilding
note - VTEC stickers don't always mean the engine has it... ;)
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:p In this case it does:p (well, at least 5th gen)

Prelude engines aren't well tuned from the factory honestly. They run rich in the top end. Leaning that out gets some decent gains. I agree you aren't going to get huge numbers. The stock header is already about as good as it gets. Intake could use a little work along with the manifold (take it apart and pull out the butterflies that activate/deactivate secondary intake runners, they seem to hurt power). If it ever comes out there's a Skunk2 mani that should give some nice gains.

Turbos are kinda tricky but Greddy does have a kit for the 5th gen (quality stuff there).

And definitely don't get an auto. With this engine it'll feel like you're driving an Accord. You have to wind it up to have fun. And as previously mentioned, the autos aren't very good.
 
X

x RiSE x

Member
Apr 8, 2004
149
0
0
If your looking to get a semi quick car, i wouldnt recommed a lude! If yah like your integera so much, why dont u look for a newer used GS-R? they are pretty quick. Or a first gen neon r/t but they are hard to come by :) OR save another 3,000 and get a used SRT-4 they are going for around 13,000 used!
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,118
613
126
You're comparing a NEON to a prelude? You're nuts!!! Prelude totally outclasses it, period.
 
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Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
2,041
0
0
I own a 93 Prelude VTEC but I would recommend the 5th generation if it's a daily driver. It's more refined and easier to live with but not quite as fun as the 4G VTEC when pushed hard.
 
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poopaskoopa

Diamond Member
Sep 12, 2000
4,836
1
81
I paid 14.3k for my 2000 Prelude 2 months ago. 35k miles. Auto though :( In my defense, I didn't have the time to test drive every car I wanted to... Stay away from Honda's SportsShift(automatic transmission) if you can. If you decide to go with auto, make sure it's 2000 or newer. Warranty on the transmission on 1999 or older is 36k miles, but 2000/2001 models are covered up to 100k miles, IIRC. It's a fun car to drive around, but it's not a 0-60 burner by any means. I'm not a big car guy, so (other than not going manual) my biggest complaint about the car is that the car stereo is weak. It's horrible. 5th generation Preludes also require premium fuel.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
I'm looking for the same car...depending on where you are, $10K will get you a low-mileage 97 or typical 98. Check out preludeonline.com and browse the FS forum, maybe someone has one in your area. Or at least talk to some people in your region and get to drive one that's had some work done to it.
 
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