Faults:

Shortly after I bought my Prelude, the alternator loosened up, the cause being, the previous owner put one of the tightening bolts in backwords. After correcting that little mistake, I drive like a charm.

General Comments:

I purchased my 1989 Honda Prelude, about a month ago, and to this day I look forward to driving it every chance I get. It is extremely quick off the line, it handles superbly, and I love how it looks. My Prelude is race car yellow, I am plan to put white Integra Type R style rims on it, drop it two inches, and replace the amber blinker and tail lights with white ones. The only problem is I can't seem to find the white tail and corner lights anywhere, if anybody knows where I might be able to find them I would appreciate it immensely if one could email me at Collinator02@hotmail.com. My Prelude is the car of my dreams, until I can afford a Ferrari Enzo, and I would encourage anybody else who might be considering buying one to go ahead. You will have no regrets.

Faults:

Antenna was broke when I got the car. Easily replaced. (Cost only $8)

Speedometer works every now and then, usually when cold.

General Comments:

With regular maintenance (i.e. brakes, change oils, etc.) this car, as well as any other Honda, will last forever.

Not as quick as my '89 Accord LXi, but handles and drives much better.

Plenty of room for me (I'm 6ft. 2in.) and for one of my friends, but if one more of my friends tries to fit inside it's very uncomfortable as there is absolutely no leg room in the back seat. My seat is within an inch of touching the back seat.

The car looks nearly perfect inside and out. Car is very sleek and sporty looking.

I highly suggest getting new wheels and tires. The stock ones are ugly and don't grip very well (only about 5 in. wide).

When I drive this car to school I don't feel at all embarrassed even with all the new Mustangs and sports cars.

Faults:

Air Conditioning: Required new compressor at 185,000km.

Timing Belt broke at 220,000: Whole New Engine was required, although this problem was caused by general lack of maintenance. (AU $5200)

Aerial broke.

General Comments:

It took only one drive of a Honda Prelude for me to decide it was the car for me. It wasn't orginally what I was looking for as I wanted to get a MR2 with a mid engine layout. However test drives of thoses where disappointing and a 5 minute stint in the Prelude swayed my direction immediately.

This car is the best car I have ever driven. I shopped around for 5 months to find the perfect example.

Now I have a company car, and now my Prelude has become my weekend toy. It now has 17" rims, CD/MD player, completely rebuild motor (from mainly new parts), 2 1/4" exhaust system and extractors.

The cars cornering and braking are incredible, and the acceleration is pretty quick. The 4WS can be tricky to get used to, particularly when driving the car to its limits, but the turning circle is tiny. The only down side of the Prelude is the front wheel drive, if only Honda made it rear???

Parking is a breeze, you can see the corners of the car and the 4WS means parallel parking is done most times by driving in forwards!

Once you drive one... you will be hooked!

Buy it for:

Handling

Acceleration

Parking

Fun

Safety

Reliability

Fuel Economy

Engineering Quality.

Don't buy it because:

Front Wheel Drive

Cost of Spare Parts.