Honda is a Japanese automaker that produced the Prelude from 1978 to 2001. The two-door coupe, which was produced across five versions, was mostly based on the Honda Accord. Honda used the Prelude to launch its Japanese retail sales network, Honda Verno, with the model’s global introduction following soon after.
When the fourth-generation Integra was introduced in 2001, production of the Prelude came to an end.
Toyota had a trademark on the term “Prelude” at first, but Honda was granted permission to use it. Along with the Accord, Quintet, Concerto, Jazz, and Ballade, Honda employed a series of musically related vehicle names at the time, and the Prelude fit within that concept.
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Is a Honda Prelude a vintage vehicle?
Everyone recalls the Honda Civic, Integra, S2000, and NSX, but aficionados frequently overlook the Prelude, a neglected classic.
If you’ve long been a lover of 1990s JDM vehicles, chances are that you’ve occasionally wished you could build a Civic/Integra. Actually, it’s not at all a bad thing. Hondas from the 1990s have a large aftermarket following and are renowned for being entertaining vehicles on both the street and the racetrack.
Let’s face it: The NSX, S2000, and aforementioned Civic/Integra platform are always the top choices when discussing tuner Hondas. The Honda Prelude, on the other hand, kind of went unnoticed as its more compact brothers commanded attention. The Prelude has several hidden abilities that many are unaware of, and these are the things that people have forgotten about Honda’s underappreciated classic.
Honda Preludes are speedy cars.
To unlock the engine’s full 158 lb-ft of torque, though, you must crank the large four-cylinder past 5250 rpm when Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing and lift system finally engages and shifts to its higher-lift cam profile. Horsepower peaks at 7000 rpm, and the redline is at 7400 rpm, but if you keep your foot on the gas, the engine will spin up to its 8000 rpm fuel cutoff. When driven hard, the Prelude can sound and feel like a first-generation NSX for the masses. Despite its VTEC theatrics, the vintage Prelude is not as speedy as it seems. The Type SH will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds at the test track and complete the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds at 90 mph. A 5000-rpm launch causes some wheelspin. These numbers are about the same as those we set twenty years ago, but they are about a half-second slower than those of a 2019 Honda Civic Si, which has a new turbocharged engine that doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to provide full force.
The fifth-generation Prelude and other Hondas from the turn of the century are examples of vehicles that contributed to the brand’s development of a reputation for cutting-edge engineering, performance, and quality. Back then, they topped our comparative tests, and many of them often appeared on our list of the 10 Best Cars. It’s simple to see why after driving this brand-new Prelude Type SH for a week. No, it isn’t up to modern standards, but in many respects, it did so by establishing the norms of the day. What other interesting vintage vehicles do you have stashed away in dark places, Honda?
Do you classify a Honda Prelude as a sports car?
With limited slip differential, the Prelude improves on its longstanding reputation as a capable sports coupe. The technology, which is included with the Honda Prelude Si States, gives drivers more torque and grip in slick driving conditions like snow, ice, and rain, enhancing their confidence when carving corners.
The limited-slip differential distributes power to the other wheel in order to reduce wheelspin and provide additional traction when a slick surface causes a driven wheel to lose grip and transmit torque to the ground.
The popularity of the Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was among the best-selling vehicles for the Japanese company from 1978 until 2001. The Toyota Celica and the Mitsubishi Eclipse were directly challenged by this sporty coupe, which was loosely based on the Accord. The Prelude continued Honda’s practice of giving its automobiles names based on musical themes.
Has the Honda Prelude VTEC?
Honda debuted the Prelude’s fourth generation in Japan in 1991 and on foreign markets the following year.
Honda only produced the Prelude for five years, but even so, the car was a fierce rival to other coupe cars on the market. The automaker used the same platform to build it as the fourth-generation Accord but incorporated the well-known VTEC engines.
Do Honda Preludes have RWD?
Drive is front-wheel only in the Honda Prelude.
FWD cars typically have an engine and transmission located transversely at the front of the car, sending power to the front two wheels, which pull the car forward on their own. Only the rear wheels of a car with rear-wheel drive receive power from the engine.
What should I look for in a used Honda Prelude coupe?
The Prelude is typically reliable, and Hondas are known for their dependability. However, there have been some issues with the automatic transmission. The 2.2-liter engine models suffered the most, and full breakdowns weren’t unusual. The cost of replacing the unit is high.
The coupe has undergone a few recalls, so it’s important to confirm that the necessary repairs have been made. Steering joints may deteriorate and, in the worst scenarios, may fail and result in a complete loss of control. The ignition system had a malfunction as well, which may cause the car to stall.
Honda stopped producing Prelude; why?
Your inquiries concern the Honda Prelude. The car has solutions. Here are some of the most often asked Prelude questions and their responses.
Is the Honda Prelude a good car?
Yes, if you’re okay with design and technologies that are at least 20 years old. Every Prelude generation was built when Honda was at the peak of its game, and it was evident in the production quality, engineering, and dependability. Drive a pristine Prelude till the wheels come off of it if you can.
Why did Honda stop making the Prelude?
Unfortunately, the Prelude’s semi-high price tag drastically reduced sales at the conclusion of the fifth generation as Honda’s premium alter ego Acura gained popularity. Only 58,118 units of the fifth-generation Prelude were sold in the United States, as opposed to the 336,599 that were sold during the third generation.
Will the Honda Prelude come back?
At this moment, it is quite improbable that the Prelude will ever again be produced, especially as Honda starts to devote more money and attention to Acura. The current Civic Type R or Honda Accord Sport should be a good fit if you’re looking for a speedy, high-tech Honda. Additionally, if you have the extra cash, the impending Acura Type S sports sedan/coupe will probably rank among Honda/best-driving Acura’s vehicles to date.
Is the Honda Prelude a sports car?
Although the smaller, more agile Acura Integra might have a slight advantage, the Prelude is unquestionably not a sports vehicle. The term “sports coupe” would be more appropriate.
How is VTEC put to use?
In essence, the VTEC system blends high-RPM performance with low-RPM fuel efficiency and stability. Additionally, the changeover happens smoothly, enabling consistent performance across the entire powerband. The engine computer manages the switching process between the two cam lobes.
What Honda models are the fastest?
World’s fastest Honda vehicles
- #1. Honda NSX Type S (age 21).
- #1. Honda NSX (16-).
- #3. Honda Civic Type R (20-21) (FK8)
- #3. A Honda Civic Type R (17-20) (FK8)
- #5: Honda Civic Type R (15-17) (FK2)
- #5 Honda NSX (02-05) (NA2)
- #5. Honda NSX (1997–2002) (NA2)
- #5. Honda NSX (1995–1997) (NA1)
What value do preludes have?
The popularity and price of Hondas have drastically decreased as a result of more recent models, like the Honda Acura Integra, being produced since 2001.
The 2001 Honda Prelude was priced at about $25,000 when it was first released. A used Prelude is now available ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. The latter will provide greater quality, lower mileage, and likely the best edition. The Prelude is most likely the ideal Honda two-door coupe if you’re shopping for one. They are currently rather economical and can be simple to remodel and restore.
In conclusion, the 2001 Honda Prelude was an excellent vehicle for its time. It stood out among the other Honda Preludes because it had cutting-edge features that none of its rivals offered. If you enjoy classic cars from the aughts, it is now reasonably priced and worth the buy.
Are Honda Preludes worth anything?
For $370 a month, a Pre-Owned 1989 Honda Prelude Si is also available. The body is a very 80s-style blue, and the engine is a 2.0L I4 FI. It has a four-speed automatic transmission and 79,755 kilometers on the odometer. According to Sanford Honda, the vehicle just underwent an inspection and complete detail.
Prices for other 1989 Honda Prelude Si cars listed for sale on Bring a Trailer are rather affordable. In August, a Prelude with 30,000 miles sold for $11,000. Another one with 84,000 miles was sold for $8,000. A yellow Prelude with 65,000 kilometers is among the priciest options offered in 2021. $21,000 was paid for this one.
Although the dealership’s inventory of cars appears to be in decent condition, why are the pricing so high? The fact that Bring a Trailer appeals to such a small group of fans usually causes people to demand outrageous charges. Are there a lot of Honda Prelude fans in North Carolina?
Honda produces any RWD vehicles?
Hondas with RWD do exist. The Honda S2000 and Honda NSX are two real “big hitters” in Honda’s RWD lineup, which is rather small.
One of the most adored two-seat roadsters of all time, the Honda S2000 is renowned for its superb handling and high-revving engine (with one of the highest outputs per litre of any naturally aspirated engine in history).
It truly is an excellent “riff on the traditional roadster recipe” (RWD, naturally aspirated engine, manual gearbox). As a result, Honda S2000 prices have been rising; if you’re considering buying one, check out our buyer’s guide for the Honda S2000 here.
The first and second generation NSX are another well-known pair of RWD Hondas. One of the top vehicles of the 1990s, the first generation NSX was Honda’s response to the world’s Ferraris and Lamborghinis. For more details on this outstanding supercar, read our first-generation Honda NSX buyer’s guide here.
In general, other RWD Hondas belong to the Honda “S family of compact roadsters (primarily produced for the Japanese domestic market).
The Honda Beat is one example.
The Honda S500, S600, and S800:
Additionally, there was the Honda Vamos, a Kei truck from the early 1970s that was resurrected as the Vamos Hobio in the late 1990s:
As you can see, Honda’s RWD lineup was never that diverse outside of the Honda S2000 and original NSX.
Prelude SH: What does that stand for?
Honda included its then-new ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System) differential together with firmer springs, dampers, and fatter anti-roll bars to create the fifth-generation Prelude, which is more agile at cornering. SH stands for “Super Handling.”
A naturally aspirated 2.2-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine and a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission are found under the hood of the vehicle. 200 HP and 158 lb-ft (214 Nm) of torque are claimed to be produced, with VTEC coming on around 5,200 rpm.
It’s quite impressive to see the Honda in such pristine shape considering how long it’s been since it went off the assembly line. The interior is a true journey down memory lane, replete with 1990s velour-like seats and the thin-rim Honda four-spoke steering wheel, while the exterior paint radiates that deep sheen as if it were brand new. The nostalgia is so strong here that you nearly can smell it.