Last Gen. Prelude

[aero]

I think a few people on here have them. How do you like them, and what are their downsides?

I may be able to fetch a 97'ish one for pretty cheap.

It has:
front end damage... bumper, bumper support, hood, fenders
dent in the trunk
124k
lowered, cai
looks good otherwise

for a pretty reasonable price, with a salvage title of course. Not sure how much money I would be willing to spend on one, but just wanted to get some opinions since I have only driven the 92-96 ludes. I am thinking 2k wouldnt be a bad number, but we will see.

I figure 1k in parts, maybe a little more, paint and bodywork I can do myself and be 3-4k into it totally for either a new ride, or just something to make a grand or so on.

Damn, guess it would need headlights too. Anyways, what ya'll think about them.

[AccordWarrior]

Honestly, I think 2K is a little low. Maybe its just because a 93-96 'lude VTEC is selling for 4-5K around here with silly miles. Granted it's not crashed, but the 97+ hasn't dropped into the 6K range as far as I've seen.

All the write-ups I've read about them (Car and Driver road test, long term test, handling test) loved the car. They said in 98 that it was the best handling car under 30K.

Sorry that this info doesn't help all that much, but its all I've got.

[aero]

Honestly, I think 2K is a little low. Maybe its just because a 93-96 'lude VTEC is selling for 4-5K around here with silly miles. Granted it's not crashed, but the 97+ hasn't dropped into the 6K range as far as I've seen.

All the write-ups I've read about them (Car and Driver road test, long term test, handling test) loved the car. They said in 98 that it was the best handling car under 30K.

Sorry that this info doesn't help all that much, but its all I've got.

Well, car is from an insurance auction... explaining the low cost. Almost got a 2005 s2000 from there about 2 months ago but it went over what we wanted to spend (8000)... went up to like 8400.

I figured they handled nice. Guess I will just wait and see what happens.

[91_accord]

i think the price is ok.......but if u are replacing the headlights they cost $600......a few months back my friends dad bought a 98 at a salvage auction for 2,800 all it nedded was headlight, bumper and hood......but i guess it depends where you get them.......

[deckeda]

Would be helpful for a bodyman to inspect it first. Hidden damage would kill you.

Also, don't forget that when it comes time to sell, that old salvage title will forever drag down the value of it --- so don't expect to fix it purty and then sell it "for what it's worth".

[i97supratti]

GO for it. The Type SH was one of the best handling cars for under 30k. I assume you're getting the Base prelude? You can't beat the price.

[JaK FRoSTWhiTE]

That generation Prelude was solid inside and out and engine wise.
The only one that came with alot of bugs were the 97 models.
But after 98 they were flawless.

I checked the Honda records and there is only one recall on them.
Some ball joints wore out prematurely, causing the suspension to collapse.
Well, that there is a reason to get ES bushings all around.

My only bad opinion is that the rear view from the driver's standpoint is very annoying.

[Laguna7]

I know a chic with a 98 sh.... Problems on that one so far is the tranny is going out, and the Left radius arm snapped in half.... It has alittle over 130k. Not to say it's a bad car though.... I would buy one if I have the chance... after all it's still a honda...

[maroonaccord2.2]

I can tell you that my bud has a '97 SH Prelude, and there are problems with the ECU's with the SH models. The ATTS unit in the SH (active torque transfer system) has it's problems. Sometimes for no reason at all, the system makes corrections, and the car can seem to have a life of it's own. If it's a non-SH model, then no worries....

[gloryaccordy]

These cars seem nice. Someone in my neighborhood is selling a red one dropped w/a CF hood and gunmetal OEM rims. For what you would pay for a quality one you could get something better though like a BMW...