Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Nothing like dropping the clutch at 4000 and not feeling the tires hop. The SO-3s made me realize that, with the stock rubber, the Prelude's acceleration was primarily limited by traction and not torque...
I was planning to polish (Klasse) my Prelude this weekend, but it is going to be another rained out weekend. Maybe sometime Sunday is supposed to be nice.
So sometime next summer I'm going to be in each of you necks of the woods. I'll be venturing to the Detroit Metro area for the first time when my friend who lives in Bloomfield Hills (or somewhere near there) gets hitched. I also have a friend who just got engaged the other day who's fiancee's family is from the Syracuse area (her Dad is the Mayor of some town & owns a car wash up there).
Sphinx99: Don't get me started on Volvos. All I have to say is "be afraid, be very afraid." The seats are comfortable though.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I'm sorry to hear about the tragic and heartless attack on your innocent Prelude. How deep is it?
The Volvo was returned and the Prelude too has returned. The shop did an outstanding job--the finish is perfect. The car is so much more alive than the Volvo, dynamically. That said, there are two features from the Volvo that I suddenly miss. One is the aforementioned seats--they are truly incredible. In retrospect, they may be the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. Yes, that Mercedes CL500 did have more ways to adjust them, and I know some high-line luxury cars have ventilated seats, but this one just seemed... perfect.
The other thing I missed was the fuel economy digital readout--both instantaneous as well as average economy. These were surprisingly useful. Once I noticed them I found my driving habits changing (rather abruptly!) as though I were playing a game on the way to work, trying to see if I could set a new MPG high. I have a feeling that had this little electronic gizmo been in my Prelude, I'd be getting 5mpg more just to driving more... economically. This will be a must-have feature in my next car, no matter how big its engine is.
I'm selling my beloved '95 Prelude SE. She's in great shape (new tires, new brakes, new exhaust, MINT condition). 61,000 miles, leather, alarm, automatic. Located in the Fort Lauderdale area. Please email Kimmeelynn@yahoo.com for more info and pics. Asking $9000
One thing I did notice is that it takes our H22A Powerplant quite a while to cool down. I polished the decklid, spoiler, trunk, rear end, then had breakfast for 30 minutes, did the roof, and the reast of the body panels and the hood was still too hot to polish. I left it up for about 30 minutes and it finally cooled down enough for me to polish and wax.
I have a bottle of Klasse All In One up at my parents' house somewhere but couldn't find it (I've only used it maybe twice). So I went and bought the above mentioned Meguire's. It was easy to use and gives a great shine.
Sphinx99: Those little trip computers are great. It is probably the one feature I miss most from my Saab. Avg fuel economy is a cool one to play with (along with Avg speed), but my favorite (and definitely a guy thing) is the Distance To Empty readout.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Too bad the Prelude isn't like my sister's Civic EX. She gets close to 40mpg. Moreover she only drives a handful of miles to work each day, so she literally refuels once a month. If you ask her when was the last time she got gas, a confused look appears on her face and she starts talking about previous months and holidays in an effort to remember. It's crazy.
Prelude truly does grab attention when polished nicely - since it came out of the shop (nice detail job) I just notice a lot of heads turning. As for the perception of the car being more responsive when clean, I feel the same way and I think it's psychological. I think what happens is that I put in a huge effort cleaning up the car (say, four to six hours) after which my muscles are kind of worn out. Then I take the car for a drive and the car "feels" responsive because now it's moving without my limbs having to do much other than turn the wheel and press a pedal. I say this because I notice the same thing when driving home from the gym after a hard workout--the car simply feels like it's gliding more, accelerating harder, pivoting more gracefully and doing so with less noise.
Here's a basic question: when shifting, should I depress the clutch pedal *all* the way down? I find that I can shift if I push down the pedal only halfway or so, so I just do that - I can fire off quicker shifts that way. Don't know if it's healthy...
The Distance To Empty readout is an approximation based on what the computer thinks you've got to go based on your driving style and the amount of fuel left in the tank. When my Saab read 0 miles to empty I could still drive another 3-4 miles.
Push that clutch all the way to the floor. It may seem like a little extra work, but I believe it is less wear on the clutch itself.
himiler comments?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Tirerack has S03s in 205/50/16 for $138 each plus $30 in shipping - about $600. I really don't want the expense of a different set of rims (what are good light rims, $300+ a piece?!) and the stock ones look fine.
Will I need an alignment done with these tires? What is the process I should follow with the Prelude?
From owners of this tire (himiler or blacktalon? I know one of you has these), what do you think of this review from tirerack:
Vehicle: 2001 Honda Prelude
Location: North Syracuse, NY
Driving Style: Average
Driving Condition: Mostly Highway
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 7.00 out of 10
Review Submitted 2002-12-26
These tires must be part bloodhound, because they hunt all over the road for every rut and groove, despite the fact that my car has a Quaife LSD. When warm, dry traction is prodigious, but watch out for uneven breakaway once the limit is reached. Not much good on wet pavement, but resistant to hydroplaning. Ride can be somewhat harsh and noisy, depending on road surface. Wear is excellent for tire type. Overall, an excellent tire, but I may have been expecting too much from it. I was much more satisfied with the overall performance of the Dunlop SP 5000 -- although its an all-season with with less ultimate dry grip, it rode and handled better in the wet and dry, and offers more reassuring performance at the limit.
Also, is there anything that can be done with the stock tires that have < 20k miles on them? Junk? Can they be sold for pennies to someone in need? Should they be kept around? (Don't know how I'd store 'em but....)
Any thoughts would be welcomed...
That reviewer's experience is very different from mine. My SO-3s provide excellent handling on both wet and dry surfaces. There is a slight, but noticeable, tendency to follow grooves, but nothing that I find objectionable.
I've only put a few thousand miles on the SO-3s, so it's possible this could change with more wear, but I found the other (very positive) reviews of the tire much more in line with my experience.
I haven't upgraded my brakes -- the stock brakes work great, especially with the SO-3s -- so I can't comment about that...
Sorry ... no NTB locations were found within 100 miles of Zip code 48375.
2001 Honda Prelude 2 Dr Type SH Coupe
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $16,446 $18,246 $19,907
Optional Equipment $0 $0 $0
Color Adjustment
Silver $73 $81 $88
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 48375 $99 $109 $119
Mileage Adjustment
20,000 miles $406 $406 $406
Condition Adjustment
Outstanding $695 $731 $817
Total $17,719 $19,573 $21,337
Certified Used Vehicle $21,987
It wasn't nearly that high a few months ago.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The dry grip and response gets better as they near the wear bars, but the wet traction has gone away (thank goodness for my LSD).
I like the cornering grip, but the noise on all but new, very smooth pavement has grown tiresome. I think I'll be running a set of Dunlop SP9000's next -- they give up some dry grip but wear a bit better, are sharper in the wet, and offer better NVH qualities. They're also 40% cheaper than the S-03.
What to do with your RE-92's? You might be able to negotiate a deal with whatever shop will be mounting and balancing your new tires to get a credit for them ($25 a tire might be a good deal). You might even be able to trade them even-up for the tire swap charges. Worth a try -- the worst thing anyone can say is "no."
Don't be afraid to use one of the recommended installers on the TireRack Website. They're always a safe bet. Get the 4-wheel alignment, too, since you want to get all the use possible from the tires you just paid for.
If someone offered you that $21.9K TMV, I'd be inclined to suggest you take it.
BTW, what kind of Prelude do you drive (color, trim)? I have a white 99 base. If I see you around town I'll flash my lights or something.
I used to take my car to Graeves, but the last time they used an impact wrench on my wheel locks. They were on so tight that I broke my "key" when I tried to take them off. I ended up spending $200 cutting them off and replacing the nuts. I will check out Vipre. Thanks neighbor!
http://www.drivechicago.com/reviews/display.asp?id=95&year=19- 99&make=Honda&model=Prelude+SH
The final two sentences sum it up so well!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I also saw a Civic that had what appeared to be S2000 tailights which I thought looked really cool compared to the usual Altezzas that seem to be the 'norm among the import tuner crowd.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I just bought a pair of S03s! Report forthcoming next week sometime...
It might take you a little bit to learn to trust the tires' grip, but once you do...well, have fun!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I met my Mom for dinner. She also had her car serviced today. She was none too happy when she found out that I get an Accord when I service my Prelude and she gets a 4cyl (2.0) Jetta when she has her Audi A6 serviced:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I'm glad to get out of that Accord. The only thing I liked about it was that it soaked up bumps that my Prelude usually crashes over. I'll take the bumps as long as it comes with our Prelude's steering/suspension combo.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
CAR AND DRIVER (p81 July 2003) had some interesting things to say about the TSX as it compares to the Prelude.
"As far as handling characteristics, the TSX is reminiscent of the dearly departed Honda Prelude, a multiple 10Best winner and champion of our "Best Handling Car under $30,000" (June 1997). Each posses a point-and-shoot mentality that allows you to drive the snot out of it with little fear of getting bit in the [non-permissible content removed], and each inspires more confidence the faster and harder it's driven."
Have either of you gotten you hands on a TSX to see what it really drives like.
Reading excerps like that make me somewhat angry that once we sell our respective Preludes, we can never (never say never) own another. So enjoy your cars guys!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
There's a bunch of fore/aft pitching under hard braking/throttle, and the car feels much taller and heaver (which it is). I'm used to my LSD, so the TSX started understeering right away, and the tail could only be coaxed out with trail braking. It's very composed (read: heavy) feeling at 80MPH-plus, but the steering is a bit twitchy off-center and lacks feel. The ride over rough surfaces isn't much better than the Prelude, and the noise levels are pretty close (taking into account that I have a CAI).
The engine is nice, but it's no real improvement on the H22A4, and it doesn't rev as quickly or as high. Also, the power peak is closer to the redline than in the Prelude, which means more shifting. I live to shift, but it felt like I had to constantly keep shifting and pinning the gas pedal just to feel like I was getting anywhere. Throttle respones is good, as it should be in a 6-speed, but you really have to work the engine and tranny hard to stay "on boil." It became tedious after about 10 minutes.
The AT car is a dog. Feels like being attachted to the end of a tired rubber band that hasn't been pulled back far enough. You keep waiting and waiting, and then the car upshifts. With a V6, it would be the best Buick ever. Yawn.
The interior is a mixed bag: nice design overall with material quality matching that in the Prelude, but I don't like leather, and there's actually less head room than the Prelude (a bit more hip and shoulder room, though). The dash cowl is much higher than the Prelude, and visibility over the hood is non-existant -- I couldn't get the seat up high enough for my tastes. I felt like I was looking out of gun slits.
The TSX is a good value for the luxury bits -- dual-zone climate control! Just what you need in a car barely bigger than a Civic! -- but I don't get the ad copy which heralds it as "A new level of performance." Sorry, but the car barely meets the standard set by the '93 Integra GS-R.
The Prelude was one of a kind. The TSX is different, but doesn't compete with its intended competitors (325i, A4, IS300, C230, etc.). If I wanted a sports sedan, for a couple of thousand more than the TSX, I'd snag a G35 6MT of an off-lease 328/330i.
Tonight was beautiful. I drove the Prelude down into the city with the roof open and the windows down. I expect the roads to be bad later when the 9:00 showing of 2Fast2Furious lets out:) so I'm in for the night. Besides, I've got to work tomorrow; 7:30AM sharp!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Get yourself a Prelude w/ a manual transmission. Even if you can't drive stick yet, you'll learn and you love it!
Here are just a few of the (many) things I love about my Milano Red 2001 Prelude Type SH: The car's handling is absolutely amazing. I take corners and exit ramps way faster than the posted speed limit. The steering is nicely weighted and transmits excellent road feel. The interior is nice anjd simple and typical high quality late 1990's Honda. I love the creased and angular lines of the Prelude. I love the fact you don't see too many Preludes on the road. Acceleration is good enough to get you into trouble. The car has a nice weight to it compared to other Sport Compacts (Eclipse, Integra) which give it a great highway ride. Did I mention the handling is incredible...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
As long as you never drive thru standing water that is higher than the centerline ofthe front wheel, you'll be fine. Even if you do get into some slightly deeper stuff, as long as you keep the throttle closed, it's ok.
I bought mine from http://www.coximports.com
They're an honest shop, and ship quickly. Make sure you buy an AEM if you get one. (Mine's blue, but a polished one would be great with your red paint.)
Would you say that the effect is more or less pronounced between summer and winter, or is it roughly the same?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The new tires should be swapped in tomorrow or the day after, depending on when I can find time to take it in. I'm quite anxious to see what the effect is.
At the local Panera (bread/bakery place) I was with a friend at a table chowing down some soup and bread, and two almost obscenely cute young women at the table next two us were fawning about the silver Prelude parked out front, how they want a car like it, wondering about what kind of car it is, how much it might cost. I had the biggest grin on my face the entire time but I didn't say a thing. The only downer was when one of them said, "you know I think one of my friends has seen one before and said it was a Mitsubishi." EEK! The Mitsubishi Prelude! *sigh*
Oh well, it beats what I get from a lot of gas station attendants. "Sweet car man, what kind of Civic is that!?" In parts of the country where the Prelude is uncommon, it gets a *lot* of attention. It routinely turns heads of drivers in Boxsters, BMWs of all shapes and sizes, and every single one of the Cobras out there. The only drivers totally and completely unaffected by the Prelude's presence are Corvette drivers. Those guys (and gals) seem to be unaffected by anybody's presence. Must be that engine! I can envision a Z06 driver turning to the right, seeing a Ferrari, and saying, "eeeeh... it's not even a 11 second car."
But the el-cheapo interior pieces, lousy fit & finish, electrical gremlins, and transmission woes I can do without:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I don't have the bypass valve because I don't have to worry about flash-flooding or lots of standing water in my area. Also, the BPV requires you to cut the CAI tubing (a real shame) and may negate some of the airflow benefits (flow rate) of the CAI. I've seen cases where the BPV allowed fine dust or grit into the throttle body -- the section of CAI tubing between the BPV and TB gets dirty on the inside. Without a BPV, mine stays dust-free.
Ultimately, it's up to the individual. As long as you keep your wits about you and avoid deep puddles, you won't need the BPV.
Here's a link showing a CAI install on a G5 Prelude. I found it to be pretty useful.
http://www.ntpog.org/mods/fifth-intake/fifth-intake.shtml
AWD Prelude? Naaahh, too heavy. The only things the Prelude ever really needed were a sixth gear, 20 more HP and RWD (or at the very least, a factory LSD).
As long as the car has been serviced, don't be afraid of a Prelude with miles.
Good luck in your search!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I'm enjoying the Prelude. I'd say that done up nicely it's now getting more attention than I got (top up) in the S2000, although a convertible always is going to be sexier when you can drop the top. I've seen exactly two Type SHs in the last 12 calendar months.
himiler: I agree with you on the cult status for the Prelude. Give it a few more years so the car gets even more obscure. Maybe that'll mean better (than usual) resale down the road. I just hope it doesn't make theft of the car go up. If my car got stolen, there is absolutely nothing (that I can afford) that I'd want.
A bit OT, but I think the upcoming BMW 1 series is going to be a cool car, lightweight, RWD, BMW Handling, along with a high revving 4cyl or small I6. I saw a small shot of the new Legacy Turbo (in black)...that looks like a cool car. 250hp & AWD, not too shabby.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The Legacy is looking nice, though. My only concern is the long-term durability of the 2.5L block -- they are known for developing cooling problems at around the 90K mark. Subaru won't acknowledge it, but it's a manufacturing defect. What a shame if it causes trouble in the STi, and everything else that uses that engine. (I've got my fingers crossed for my Impreza 2.5.) Unless Subaru has revised the casting, there are going to be more sorry owners to join the growing number of Outback and Forester folks who have had to buy new engines.
Sphinx -- How're those new tires?
And just so you're up to speed, there is no "current" Prelude. It's been discontinued, due to its lack of appeal to fashion-focused people and its higher than class average price (superior hardware doesn't some cheap).
Are you sure you're not thinking of the Celica, Eclipse, or V6 Mustang? And I do see a lot of women (young and old) in the Toyota Matrix...I hear they're really good for fetching groceries.