As with any used car you should inspect it thoroughly before making an offer, but if you find nothing wrong you should have no problems with it. I don't know of any concerns that the 1997 model would have that the 1998 or 2001 didn't. They were all very reliable. The engine is not much different from the 1996 VTEC model, either, so it's not like '97 was a completely new car from the ground up. Just sheet metal and interior design. They even used the same clutch as the 4th gen. VTEC models. You should be fine.

Just a personal preference, but if it were me I'd try to find the honeycomb grill off the 1999-2001 models to replace it. Looks better than the plain horizontal strips.

 

There were a few TSB's for the 97's that the later 5th gens didn't ahve or had less of. There was a problem with the interior door handles, 5th gear grind, front ball joint, and there was one other thing I remember. Anyway if the owner took care of the car they've probably been taken care of under warranty and if they haven't broken by now they're probably not going to.

I agree 100% about staying away from the SS models.

 

I agree, i dont like the 97 one too much either. Know where to get a replacement?

 

Ebay, junkyard, or last resort, dealer. I'd use a dealer only if you really want one and have exhausted all other options.

 

www.hondaautomotiveparts.com isnt cheap but is typically cheaper than going directly to a dealer

 

You might be able to find someone to trade their 99+ for your grill. I traded mine because I actually think the 97-98 grill goes along better with the car.

 

If you want to get an idea of what Preludes are going for check out Edmunds Used Car Guide and Blue Book. Blue Book is what dealers go by because it tends to list higher prices than the other used car guides. Sometimes there's a $1000-$2000 difference from the Blue Book to other guides But you're going to be hard pressed to get a dealer to come down that far.

You can access those guides online, but I also recommend going to a book store and checking out the printed versions because the prices listed there may differ.

I also have the impression that the value of fifth generation Preludes has gone up over the past few months. The problem is that these cars are relatively rare and there's some demand for them. Dealers know this and they take advantage of it.

I recommend you keep looking. I think they're asking too much for that Prelude, but the car is probably in flawless condition. Someone above mentioned an S2000 going for about the same. I would use examples like that as a comparison because you can also find Preludes for $7000-$8000, but that just means they have high mileage or someone beat the hell out of them.

I saw a 2001 Prelude with 3000 miles for $16,000. But it had a salvage title. Apparently the car was used by the dealer for test drives and someone crashed it with like 50 miles on the odometer. The car only had front end damage. The dealer couldnt do anything with it, because they could no longer sell it as a new car, and it didnt qualify as used either. So this autobody shop took the car and fixed it.

They did a great job. The only thing I noticed was one hose out of place. But accidents tend to have a way of affecting a car in ways you cant see. And I'm pretty sure the frame must have suffered some sort of damage.

Anyway, I recommend you do some research. Anyway, those are my 2 cents...