hi- i'm pretty new to the whole import modifaction deal. I've had a 4th gen maxima ever since I've been driving, but I want a prelude real bad. I've been looking at other cars in the general pricece range, but I think that a prelude would fit me best. I've seen 5th gens going anywheres from 6000-9000 ish. I'm looking to get a 97 lude, primarily stock, a few mdos wouldn't hurt. How much do you think I could get one for from a private seller?

 

oh yeah- and is this the best board to discuss preludes? i've searched google and there are some other pretty crappy prelude specific websites. :P

 

Yeah, you came to the right place, and welcome aboard! :wavey: As far a 5th gen Preludes go, in the under 10k price range you'd be looking at a 1997-99 base model. Over 10k for any Type-SH in good condition and generally any 2000-2001 model. It all depends on mileage and condition. Things to look for are timming belt noise, a grinding if 5th gear (manual models if someone who is terrible at driving stick and never changed the fluid) and problems with the SportShift automatic - I don't recomend even looking at a SS auto. There were big problems with them on 1998-2000 models, they may have been recalled or something, I don't remember. But I advise you to get the stick shift. Other than that, they're rock solid cars. I love mine. I haven't had a problem and it's got almost 100k. Just change the fluids when recomended, change the belts before 90k, and they are fantastic cars.

 

you absolutely want a 5spd. autos trannies tend to die very suddenly. the 97 has more little issues than the later models.

some other boards:
www.honda-tech.com: good for very technical discussions, though sometimes there's some bs

www.prelude-online.com: $6 to join, but worth it. good info nice folks good classifieds, very little bs/drama.