Honda PRELUDE (1992 - 2000)
MODELS COVERED: Fourth generation Prelude March 1992 to 1997 (2.0 Coupe / 2.2 4ws VTEC Coupe / 2.3 4ws Coupe)Fifth generation Prelude June 1997-2000 (2.
0 Coupe / 2.2 VTi Coupe)
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BY JONATHAN CROUCH
The early 1990s were glory days for
Honda. On the Grand Prix circuits, their years of domination had sent rival manufacturers back to the drawing boards. Yet for all the money spent projecting a race-bred image for the company, buyers continued to think of Hondas only as common-sense cars. The Prelude coupe was supposed to change all that.
It didnt and the result is that it makes a tempting proposition on the used market.
Whether you choose a fourth or fifth generation model, the same thing comes as standard unusual styling. The latest design is, in fact, quite conservative, until your eyes reach the headlights. Some go so far as to call them ugly, but coupes are by nature a personal choice.
Prices for the 1992-97 series Preludes start at about £2,000. These will be 92J-platers with the 2.0i-litre engine. A 95M should be closer to £3,300.
The cheapest youll see a 96N will probably be around £3,800. If you prefer the 2.3 with four-wheel steering, then expect to pay a minimum of £4,200 for that N-plater. The high-performance VTEC 2.
2-litre versions also have four-wheel steering, with prices starting around £3,000. These 93K-reg cars are fairly scarce - you may have more luck with later models. The last versions wore 96N plates and these start at about £4,400. The most recent Preludes start at about £5,200 for a two-litre on 97P plates and go up to about £9,000 for a 2000 Sport Motegi on an X-plate.
Budget £6,100 to £5,800 for a 2.2. Automatic adds £300-£500.
You should have no problem with the latest-shape models but on newer cars, check for exhaust damage (replacement is expensive). Also look for bootlid rust, occasional problems with flaky paintwork and scuffed alloy wheels. Some examples may have malfunctioning air conditioning. A full service history is essential.
(Approx. based on a 1996 Prelude 2.0 - ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £220, an exhaust system is about £300, front brake pads are about £52 whilst those at the rear are around £50. A front headlamp is about £210, an alternator about £295, a radiator about £160 and a starter motor about £245.
On the move, the Prelude can very quickly shed its hairdressers car image, particularly if youre in a VTEC or VTi version. These flagship versions feature Hondas variable valve timing engine and the noise it makes is great particularly in the case of the earlier VTEC unit used on older cars. The 2.3-litre old-shape model is also a surprisingly popular fleet drivers companion, though the power steering is a little light.
The 2.0-litre models are really for posing only.
An under-rated coupe. The VTEC and VTi models are among the finest sporting two-doors you can buy.
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