1986 Honda Prelude Si 2.0 SOHC

Summary:

Very hard to find, especially in good shape

Faults:

In the past year of ownership I have replaced:

Master cylinder.

Front brake pads.

IAC valve.

Timing belt.

Plugs and wires.

Driver's side front axle.

General Comments:

I bought this car in 2012 from the original elderly owner. It had 87,xxx miles on it. It is in excellent condition and was garaged all of its life. The paint and interior are like new.

I haven't seen a 2nd gen Prelude in many years, so it seems that I have the only one in my area.

It's a fun car, but with only 110 HP stock, don't expect a fast car.

They do handle well.

I have to remind myself sometimes that this car is almost 30 years old, because it drives and handles like a much newer car.

I found this car on Craigslist, and really didn't want an automatic, but once I looked at it, I had to buy it. The automatics aren't known for longevity, but I have read that if you change the fluid every year, they will last. I use the current synthetic Honda trans fluid, which is like $8 a bottle.

The seats are very comfortable and look nice. Mine have absolutely no wear or fade, and feel like they would have in 86.

The stock radio isn't bad, but my equalizer will sometimes come and go when hitting bumps.

The A/C doesn't blow cold due to a leak in the system, but I only drive this car on nice days and nights, so it doesn't matter. I have another car that I use for daily use, to keep the miles low on this one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2013

1986 Honda Prelude Si 2.0 SOHC

Summary:

Love it!

Faults:

The usual items have gone wrong; alternator, battery, radiator, etc. Nothing major though. It has been very reliable!!!

General Comments:

Purchased right out of high school for $500 U.S. Can't beat it!!! Owned for 4 years now, and love it.

Getting about 30 MPG right now. 2.5 weeks on a tank.

Handles well, but wish there was a little more power, which I will make happen here in the future. Dual Webers and a Ford EDIS!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th September, 2012

1986 Honda Prelude Si 2.0 FI

Summary:

I would recommend this car to anyone

Faults:

Automatic transmission failed at 189,000 miles, not because of the quality of the unit, mainly because the original owner never replaced the tranny fluid.

General Comments:

This definitely does not feel like a 23 year old car with 190,000 miles on it. A rare rust free example.

Interior quality the best of any car that I have owned, and I have had a BMW 528e and a Porsche 944 in the past, so that is saying something. Everything works as it would have off the dealer's lot. Something that cannot be said for the 2004 Hyundai Elantra my wife drives.

Excellent seats.

Having owned older; an older Saab, BMW and a Porsche, I am amazed at how cheap this car is to maintain. Anybody who says Honda's are expensive to maintain has never owned anything European.

Bought this to replace our second car, which was a 1988 Honda Accord LXi with 295,000 miles on it and a fair amount of rust (actually the person who bought that car, which has the same engine as the Prelude, is still driving it to this day). We like this car so much that we had it gone over (new axles, timing belt, water pump, etc.) and it is now the car we take on most of our vacations.

Excellent handling. Not quite as precise as the Porsche 944 (but darn close for front wheel drive) at high speeds, although the steering is not as heavy as the 944 was a low speeds either.

My only complaints is that I wish it were a 5 speed (especially when had to get the automatic trans replaced) and it is not exactly the easiest car to get in and out of, especially for my taller friends.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd July, 2009