Well im in the market for a car since my 98 grand prix gt has shit the bed ...I was looking at Acuras and Lexus but im thinking about getting a Prelude instead. Im tryin to find a 99+ what should I look for ? What can I expect out of it reliability performance etc... also what should I be paying I saw a 01 with 72K on it at a local dealer for 12,900 but I think they are up to take offers is this a good idea???

 

Yea try to get a 99-01. They claim to have 5 more hp and the front grill looks nices.

 

The 5th gen Ludes are known to have weak shift forks that result in 5th gear and reverse grinds. A friend of mine had his replace a couple of times under warranty, but the problem still showed up.

 

I've had my '01 since day 2 of it's life (first day was putting on OEM skirts all the way around), currently have 86k on it and never had this problem.

 

I have 135,000 miles and have owned it since it was brand new as well.... the transmission is as good as it was the day I bought it (clutch too)

 

I bought mine in 99 and had no problems at all even with mods (neuspeed/headers/evo/aem intake). I am considering selling mine which has 80k. I have a SH in premium white. NICE CAR all around!

sean in TX

 

I can honestly say that is the first time I've heard of that.

Anyways, back on topic....
Evaveli, there really isn't much to look for. The Prelude came as a "Base and a "SH" The SH has a system called "ATTS" which in short makes the car handle really well , but is kinda a pain to work on and a lot of engine and suspension parts for 97-01 not fit the Sh. Other than ATTS, the SH doesn't have much the base doesn't. Also, the base is a wee bit faster.

As far as reliability goes, the Lude is top notch. If you get that one you're looking at make sure you change the timing belt and water pump at about 90k(fatory recommendation). I'm sure you'll like the Prelude way more than the ol' Pontiac.

 

Three friends have all had 97+ Preludes over the past few years and all of they have had a 5th gear grind to varying degrees. There's even been documentation in automotive publications about it, so don't roll your eyes at me.

 

Be that as it may, I've never heard of such a thing either. There are only 2 major concerns over the 5th generation Preludes: the sportshift auto transmissions are not very reliable, and the ignition switch recall for 1998-2000 sportshift models only. Other than that, they pretty much have a clean record.

Evaveli, that is a very good price for an '01 with 72k. If it's a sportshift auto, have it checked by a mechanic you trust and if you do buy it, have the fluid and filter changed immediately. If it's a stick, drive it off the lot right then . The Prelude is a very rock solid car. Like I said, I have 135k on mine, and I've driven all but 21 of them. Just keep up with oil changes, and it should go and go.

Great performance, BTW..... when you really get the feel for the car is in the twisties. It purrrrrs when you keep up the revs, and it's really not a bad highway cruiser for a sports coupe. If you keep it out of VTEC, you can expect about 25 mpg (use premium only). If you do live in VTEC alot, you'll be visiting the gas station alot, too .

It's up to you if you like to modify it alot with the skirts, wings, wheels, exhaust and intake, etc...... but I prefer not to. The only thing I have on mine is a K&N filter. Everything else is OEM stock. Right down to the tires, brake pads, belts, and oil filter. Honda is Honda, and I have no intention of messing with success. If you want to mod, there's plenty of stuff to do so with.

 

5th gear grind is true all yah have ta do is be carefull, honda eat up the punishmeant you can put on them but their still a machine plain and simple and all machines eventually have problems if you mistreet them. Honda's are top of the line in the import market in my mind and besides the NSX and the 2000 i always thought of the prelude as hondas muscle car, big front end big engine loads of tourque. I always thought of it like, that i would love to swap an accord v6, change the car to rear wheel drive and mold an old corvette 427 hood to fit, i think it would be hillarious. Buy the lude the third greatest car in hondas b and h series lineup