1987 Honda Prelude EX 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Unprecedented in looks, performance and style

Faults:

Little has gone wrong.

Maybe wheel bearing is worn now on one side.

Wear on driver's seat - not surprising though.

Some rust by the sunroof.

General Comments:

Superlative car.. the best I have ever owned or driven, and I have owned many.

I have even bought another, which I garage, and am also looking at another in France next week.

They drive superbly - like a real sports saloon - low on the ground - fast - unbeatable handling and steering.

I drive my wife, son and friend crazy, extolling the virtues of this MK 2 Prelude, from its looks to its performance.

I pay about £350 for each one... would I trade it for a £15,000 new car... no. Really, no!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2011

7th Sep 2013, 17:09

I drove a new 1986 Honda Prelude S when it was, well, new. In late 1988 arsonist thugs in Oklahoma City targeted the apartment complex (in a nice neighborhood) and the radiant heat caused the car to explode quite nicely, just in time for cameras to capture the event for the evening news.

I always missed that car. It remained my favorite car over the next 25 years of adult driving. After I graduated law school, the comparisons included Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. But I always missed the Prelude.

Recently I located and purchased a 1987 Honda Prelude Si with only 58K miles on it. Obviously the prior owner took excellent care of it. All the mechanicals are in flawless condition, the exterior paint is original and shiny, and the interior is almost flawless.

The point of this response is that my memories served me well. This 1987 Prelude Si is still an AMAZING automobile. I sneak out in it every chance I get. No, my wife does *not* know I purchased it yet...

If you can find one in excellent condition (they appear somewhat regularly in the USA on eBay and classic car auction sites), or if you are interested in restoring one, I do not believe you would be disappointed. But... avoid the cars with rust. Mid-80's Honda automobiles fall to rust as quickly as Superman succumbs to Kryptonite.

1987 Honda Prelude 4WS 2.0 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Won't find a better 2 door

Faults:

Bought this car without roadworthy because it seemed to be in mint condition.

After taking to my mechanic, he found that the air con no longer worked, needs full replacement.

It's leaking power steering oil; another full replacement needed.

The muffler had a hole rusted through it, and the previous owner had cut through the metal framework of the car to install the rear speakers, which required patching up work.

Boot latch does not work either.

General Comments:

Handles superbly, better than any late model Toyota or Ford, despite being 22 years old.

The 4WS makes parking so easy, and it's a great feature to show off to friends; they were amazed when I first showed them how the back wheels also turn.

Inside is quite small, and I feel very sorry for people that sit in the back seat.

The actual hand brake lever is quite large, which means that there is no centre glove compartment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2010

14th Sep 2010, 10:59

I have a 1987 Honda Prelude and wonder if it possible to convert it to the 4WS?

14th Sep 2010, 21:00

"I have a 1987 Honda Prelude and wonder if it possible to convert it to the 4WS?"

Even if it were possible, which I doubt, it would never be worth the money you'd be investing in a 23 year old car. You'd be better off looking for a low mileage example of a 4WS Prelude and picking that up. It would surely be cheaper.

23rd Feb 2011, 08:42

THE BEST CAR ON THE ROAD. I love my Prelude. I have had it for 20 years. I won 6 cups on track. It never skids.