1988 Honda Prelude Si 4ws 2.0

Summary:

Honda makes the best cars in the world

Faults:

I bought this car with a blown head gasket $400, fixed the head 400 and timing belt, rear upper control arm bushings seem to be a common repair around 180000 miles.

The temp sensor in the radiator was bad and the stereo was non existent. I found another car for 100 for spare parts... and now the car hauls ass.

General Comments:

I have fallen in love with LUCY. The 4 wheel steering is an amazing engineering feat. When you are in a tight corner you can push the car harder with no bad results..

140 mph; I have not tried this yet. I will lower the car 2 inches, add bigger sway bars & strut tower bars, 15 inch wheels & 50 series performance tires... this should complete my midlife sports car crisis cravings...

The car is amazing in its stock form. I can't wait to see how much performance can be hidden in this amazing engineering feat... Honda makes the best cars in the world, and the 88-91 Preludes are right there with the Acura NSX as the worlds most reliable performance cars... THANK YOU HONDA...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th May, 2009

19th Aug 2013, 00:32

I have had my 1988 Prelude 2.0 Si 4WS since I bought it new -- that is 25 years ago -- and it is indeed a marvelous car.

The handling is superb. It beat out every expensive sports car (Lamborghinis, Ferraris, etc) in a slalom test.

The ergonomics is also superb. The 5 speed transmission is a dream, shifting smoothly up through 100 mph plus. Downshifting is a pleasure. I never use the brakes coming off the interstate onto a cloverleaf.

EPA estimates for this car are bad, very misleading. I consistently get 30 MPG at 70 mph highway and 22 MPG mixed city and highway.

The only major problems:

1) A rear steering box defect, steering box replaced and never a problem since. THE REAR WHEEL STEERING CAN BE LOCKED IF NECESSARY. ALSO NOTE THAT THIS 3G PRELUDE IS THE ONLY 4 WHEEL STEERING CAR WITH A MECHANICAL LINKAGE in the world. The next generation Prelude came with a computer driven real wheel steering.

2) At 50,000 miles the water pump froze and snapped the timing chain, and this blew the engine, so that needed new valves and a re-milled head (this was covered by my insurance).

3) After 130,000 or so and 15 years, it needed a new power steering pump and some other things.

ONLY COMPLAINTS:

1) A LITTLE UNDERPOWERED, BUT WORK ON THE CAR OR REPLACING WITH ANOTHER ENGINE MODEL CAN FIX THIS. I HAVE FOUND AMSOIL to be the best oil for this car. You can feel the difference in maybe 10 HP more power.

2) The A/C is a bit weak.

In short, if you love cars, and can work on them and do not have much money, LOOK FOR THIS CAR!

In reply to 19th Aug 2013, 00:32

6th Aug 2015, 00:47

You bet, AMSOIL is absolutely the best. You can FEEL the difference with AMSOIL right away. It must give the car an extra 5 hp.

1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS 2.0 DOHC stock

Summary:

Road course with 4WS sweet

Faults:

Power steering going because of leak, but a bottle of Lucas power steering fixed it.

Hoses are expensive.

Needs a hood; mine is a little crinkled.

Has rust, but fixable.

General Comments:

Very good performance. 3rd gear tops out at 88mph without pushing to red line. NO stability issues until you hit 130 mph then it starts to lift. Drive safely please.

I have already broken 2 drivers side outer axles. 5th gear 6200rpm is 130mph, red line is 7200.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2009

1988 Honda Prelude Coupe 4WS 2.0 si

Summary:

The BEST car ever made!!

Faults:

Nothing at all!!

General Comments:

This car is the best car I have ever owned!

It is fast on take off and high end.

With 4 wheel steer it is almost impossible to slide the car off the road!

If I had the chance to buy another car like this, I would in a heartbeat!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th March, 2009