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Comments
WOW! I didn't realize how many miles you put on a car! I guess that's a testament to Honda quality, durability, & reliability.
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
If you're just taking the bra off the clean it or the car, then no, the snap screw (and affiliated parts) can remain installed.
You're very welcome!
Xpel sent me an e_mail saying they doubted it could be done for that.I guess in Texas they charge big.
I get lower prices on service and parts at the Honda dealer than the Acura dealer where I bought my Type S.
Acura dealer 108 miles away(none in Maine)I was told to call them for oil filters.Honda says the engine is the same as CRV. So Honda's got my business.All warranty work I'll drive to NH.
Congrats on finding a helpful Honda dealer locally. Here in Syracuse, the Acura shop charges $70/hr and the Honda shop $48/hr. The service manager at my Honda dealer tells me that they service Integras and TLs all the time.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Ever been to Cosimo's On Union in Newburgh? Easily one of the best bistros in the state.
Did you ever get your car's bra problem resolved?
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
Yup, 17 is good to go! Smooth as glass in most places, all the way to I-81.
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
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
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Good to hear he wasn't seriously hurt.
First there is the rattle from the left front suspension area that the dealer can't find (of course), which sounds like a 1977 Chevrolet Impala with 100,000 miles on the odometer. If I wanted that effect, I could have picked up the old Chevy for thousands less.
At 2,000 miles the front rotors were so warped that the steering wheel was vibrating in my hand when I stopped while coming down a hill. And no, I'm not an aggresive driver, nor do I live in a mountainous area. The dealer, of course, would just resurface them, which means that they would start to warp within another 2,000 miles. I thought I'd be smart and have the Honda dealer installed Honda-approved cross-drilled rotors on the front. The vibration is still there...the service manager says the "old pads have to conform to the new rotors. This should take about 7,000 miles." Well, it has been 3,000 miles since I had the new rotors installed, there has been NO improvement in the vibrations or pulsations, and I'm getting tired of waiting for the "pads to conform to the rotors." Again, if I wanted crappy brakes, I could have bought that 1977 Chevy...
The rotors on my 1996 and 1999 Civics were prone to warpage, but I figured that since the Prelude is (supposedly) a performance car (not to mention a more expensive one), Honda would install tougher rotors on it. Even the Civics went more than 2,000 miles before the rotors had to be resurfaced!
Last week I tried to use the accessory plug in the dashboard - and promptly blew a fuse. Not only did the accessory plug not work, but neither did the dome lights. And to further add to the effect, when I tried to turn the dome lights on, the radio would cut out.
Turns out the factory installed a fuse that was too small. I guess we, as Americans, can take comfort in knowing that Japanese-made Hondas are not superior to American-made ones. Japanese workers can be just as sloppy as their American counterparts.
This week I used the accessory plug again - and it worked. However, when I later started the car, the "check engine" light came on. Whether they are connected, I do not know. Yes, I always make sure I turn the gas cap until it clicks at least three times, and I always fill it up with premium gasoline. So now I have to get up early on Monday morning, drive to the dealer, and see if the car can be serviced that day. I'm already thinking about unloading this dog...
Prelude-SH uses what kind of fuel, sphinx/anyone else?
My Mie-made Integra is one fine car, but I wouldn't worry too much about getting an Ohio-made model. (I definitely think Mie is a better place to sightsee than Ohio, too.)
GRBECK - Sorry about the problems you are having. I've had my SH for 4 years and the only problem was the timing belt tensioner. Don't give up on it yet. Get through this stuff and enjoy your ride
As for the car itself, aside from the problems - it's okay, but now that the initial thrill of owning a new car (and a sporty one, at that) has worn off, I can see why it didn't make much of a mark in the market. And it definitely does not have the charisma that would make it worthwhile to put up with this kind of nonsense.
verozahl: Yeah, aren't I the lucky one?
It sounds as though the car had some serious wear right off the lot, or you picked up a rare find - a Prelude lemon. Like others I'd stick with it for a while - these problems are *not* typical for the Prelude, and eventually you notice that its charm is in its improved handling and precision over more charismatic vehicles. But, if you feel the experience is already tainted, then by all means dump the car and look for an appropriate replacement. (With, hopefully, a good 5-speed or 6-speed!)
My Integs had more torque in 1st and second and wasn't as knotchy.(synthetic MTF next)
Honda doesn't get it. The Prelude should of never been replaced by the RSX.)IF that was their intention.)
sphinx99: I try not be aggressive with the brakes. The service manager told me that these rotors would better resist warping. I figured that instead of fighting with the dealer over replacement rotors (or merely having them resurface the rotors), I would just go with the cross drilled rotors. Around town, in very low-speed situations (25 mph and below), the new rotors do give a better feel through the pedal. Otherwise, at higher speeds, the vibrations are still there, because the "pads haven't conformed to the new rotors yet," according to the service manager.
I guess my disappointment stems from my previous very good experiences with my Civics (aside from the rotors). I wanted an affordable sports coupe, and there aren't many left on the market. The Acura RSX was a little too tightly strung for my tastes...very noisy, with a ride that bordered on harsh. It seemed like a car built for the 20-year-old tuner set.
The Toyota Celica is, to my eyes, rather unattractive, while the Mercury Cougar has many niggling problems. Also, I didn't relish the prospect of getting a Cougar serviced at dealerships more used to dealing with grandpa's Town Car. Judging by their placement on the lots, most Lincoln-Mercury dealers already regard the Cougar as an orphan. Granted, the Prelude is already gone, but it did fit well into the Honda lineup and Honda dealers should keep Prelude owners happy on the chance they will trade for an Accord coupe. There really isn't anything else in the Lincoln-Mercury lineup for current Cougar owners, so I don't think dealers have a real incentive to keep them happy. They'd rather focus on selling grandpa one more Town Car.
The Dodge Stratus R/T and Chrysler Sebring LXi are available with a five-speed and a V-6, plus they are the best looking coupes this side of a Mercedes E-Class. Unfortunately, judging by the posts on Edmunds.com, they still have quality control problems, and I've heard very few positive experiences from people when they deal with their "five star" Mopar dealer.
Moving up, the Pontiac Firebird is so over-the-top it's almost a joke, while the Chevrolet Camaro gave me the impression I was driving a bathtub. The dashboard alone seemed to stretch for a few feet. Plus, neither is a paragon of quality.
The only real competitor, in my view, was the Ford Mustang GT coupe. I felt comfortable in it, and I loved the sound and performance of the V-8 and five-speed. Unfortunately, I would be paying a good $500 more a year in insurance over the Prelude and the interior materials were nothing to write home about. (Forget the V-6.) And, of course, we all know that Fords are more troublesome than Hondas. At least, that is what I DID think. I'm beginning to wonder...
So, I bought the Prelude and it's off to the dealer AGAIN tomorrow morning. Boy, I can hardly wait...
What's left on the market currently is the Celica, RSX, and Tiburon. Did you consider a 6-cyl Tiburon?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
As for the Tiburon - thanks, but no thanks.
nyccarguy: This dealer has been good to me in the past, so I'm inclined to be forgiving. The fuse and "check engine" light are not the dealer's fault. As for the rattle...it's intermittent, so it is difficult to track. With the rotors - I probably made a mistake in jumping to the cross-drilled rotors. Once again, I don't blame the dealer for the initial rotor warpage. I blame Honda for using cheap rotors on what is supposed to be a performance car. Believe me, I've quizzed the service manager (who used to live five doors up the street from me) about the dealership's service procedures (tightening the lug nuts, etc.), and he seems to know what should and should not be done.
As for the other stuff, if the dealer is treating you and your Prelude well and addressing all of your concerns to your satisfaction, I say stick with the 'lude.
No car is perfect (including mine), but at least you've got a better shot at a having a car that lasts and perfoms over the long haul when you own a Honda.
himiler: Yes, I was reminded of that last night when a friend of mine described the total failure of the air conditioning in her Cavalier...at only 69,000 miles. She was quoted a repair bill of $1,600.
Actually, it was not the brake or roter, instead it is the tire/wheel that is not aligned properly. There are 2 ways to fix this: 1. get it aligned/replaced. 2. Rotate the wheel from front to back.
I worked late, so I didn't get the chance to talk to anyone when I picked up the car. After the 4th I left for vacation and didn't return until Sunday, so I'll ask him when I take the car in for the oxygen sensor replacement. Whatever he did, the brakes worked beautifully from Harrisburg to Ocean City, Maryland and back.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Is the technician correct, or should I anticipate that the SS transmission suffered some long-term damage?
Thanks much for your insights.
Kenneth
I would go back to the place that changed the tranny fluid and explain to them what happened. Maybe get them to sign something acknowledging the fact that they put the bolt back on wrong (yeh right, like that'll happen.) But, it's worth a shot.
-Josh
If the Honda tech had suspected any real trouble, I doubt that they would have wasted any time in trying to sell you a tranny service or partial rebuild, the charges for which the shop that left the drain plug loose would be responsible.
As long as you're not currently noticing anything odd perfomance-wise, there's no need to worry.
I recently bought a used Prelude (97 base, 68K mi., black, 5-spd, leather, no spoiler) for $12.1K, in Los Angeles. This is in the same range as Edmunds/Kelly's (+-$200), but I wanted to see what people thought about the deal, I am not really sure how accurate the blue book values are.
Over the last couple of weeks, I noticed that the moonroof seems to be rattle/shake when I open it, but this happens about1 out of 3-4 times. Has anyone else seen this, and is it something simple like a lube issue that I can fix? Also, the car rattles and makes some sounds when I go over speed bumps (only if I go somewhat fast, though), is this common?
Overall, I love the car so far. Always wanted a prelude, great to finally have one!!