10th May 2001, 13:06
I have the same vehicle, and I've had to get very little done to it (it's at 170,000 km). My car has no rust, and drives beautiful... You just had bad bad bad bad luck...
26th May 2001, 01:05
I have a 1988 Si 4WS and have never, ever had a single engine or transmission problem in the seven years I've owned the car. However, I have had problems with body rust exclusively in the rear quarter panel. Nevertheless, a really fun car to drive. Sorry you've had such bad fortune with your car.
6th Jul 2001, 21:32
We have had a 1988 Honda Prelude for 7 years. We bought it used with 24K on it. Now it has 98k on it.
This is my first Honda and I'm not that impressed. It has had the right axle replaced twice, the A/C has been repaired 3 times, the radiator replaced, had the timing belt and water pump replaced as maintenance items??? At 90k. The transmission makes a loud noise in park after shifting from reverse, the sunroof leaks buckets, and speaking of buckets, it's a rust bucket too. I have owned over 40 cars, this isn't the worst, but far from the best.
4th Oct 2002, 15:05
I have a 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS. I love this car!!! It's so much fun to drive. It does have a bit of rust and body rot, but that's what patch kits and putty are for. It has 172,000 miles on it and its never let me down. Although, it's not that great in the rain or snow unlike my old '84 cavalier. But when this one goes I'll be pretty upset and I'll try to find another one just like it!!! Don't give up on your Prelude!!!
30th Oct 2002, 10:47
I have had a 88 prelude for three years. The car hasn't given me any big problems, just little things.
27th Oct 2003, 13:36
I have a 1988 prelude that hasn't gave me any real problems yet, but I think I have a rod knocking, but other than that the only money I have put in to it was for new rims and tires, cold air intake, spar-co racing seats, and an exahust.
20th Apr 2006, 23:51
My prelude 1988 SI has over 421K original engine... either you didn't treat it right or... some how it just happened to be one out of the thousands of preludes produced that has problems, but I think I'm going with the first choice :P.
25th Jan 2010, 23:34
I agree with the rust. Mine is rusted on top, sides, and back. Many of the rust spots have eaten their way entirely through the body. I used to spray the spots with a rust killing agent, but have given up since it has taken over the entire car. It is weird because the area that I drive in does not use salt on the roads. Too bad, because other than the rust, I love my Prelude!
19th Jan 2001, 14:42
I have a 1988 4WS Prelude, it's my 6th Prelude, the first of the 3rd generation. It's a great working car and very reliable. It is autocrossed every other weekend during the season. It's the best Prelude I've had. My advice to you, as I am a motor vehicle technician, who has worked for Honda, is to check the meaning of the words preventive maintenance.