honda preludes pros and cons?
01-20-2013, 08:52 AM
#1
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
honda preludes pros and cons?
im selling my ej6 pretty soon and i want a 4th gen lude non vtec h23 hopefully i run into a vtec if im lucky and i dont know much about preludes either so if you guys can help me out here about the pros and cons of a 4th gen prelude that would help me alot.
01-20-2013, 11:16 AM
#3
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
Pros: Great looks, great handling, good power stock, not as common as other Honda models.
Cons: Age, Weight, not as easy to find parts as Civics or other more mass produced Honda models.
Cons: Age, Weight, not as easy to find parts as Civics or other more mass produced Honda models.
01-20-2013, 11:19 AM
#4
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
01-20-2013, 11:40 AM
#5
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
All sorts of little bits and pieces 
Actually aside from the drivetrain, my car is fairly stock and simple, just suspension and a few odds and ends thrown in there.
Enginewise, I am currently running an H23 VTEC, handbuilt by me, Skunk2 valvetrain and PRO1 cams, ebay header, Thermal exhaust, cheapo DC Shortram, Tuned on Hondata S300, and a bottle of laughing gas in the trunk.
This next year it is getting some breathing upgrades, and hopefully the year after it is getting yanked for a fully built engine and big turbo setup, and will probably be pretty much retired from street use.
Actually aside from the drivetrain, my car is fairly stock and simple, just suspension and a few odds and ends thrown in there.
Enginewise, I am currently running an H23 VTEC, handbuilt by me, Skunk2 valvetrain and PRO1 cams, ebay header, Thermal exhaust, cheapo DC Shortram, Tuned on Hondata S300, and a bottle of laughing gas in the trunk.
This next year it is getting some breathing upgrades, and hopefully the year after it is getting yanked for a fully built engine and big turbo setup, and will probably be pretty much retired from street use.
01-20-2013, 01:12 PM
#6
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: RVA
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
Pro's in my opinion are what was said above plus the reactions you get everywhere you go. Civics say 'pull me over' to local law. Accords say 'baby on board' and generally preludes are seen as hot rods. Stock or not.
Con's. What was said above along with little to no backseat room for humans over 7 years old, parts getting harder to find and have lower resale value. Well that's a plus if you're buying.
4th generations are not as popular as 3rd and 5th. That makes parts a bit easier to come by and more bang for your buying buck.
I love my 3rd & 5th. But the 4th my son owns is my favorite to drive.
Con's. What was said above along with little to no backseat room for humans over 7 years old, parts getting harder to find and have lower resale value. Well that's a plus if you're buying.
4th generations are not as popular as 3rd and 5th. That makes parts a bit easier to come by and more bang for your buying buck.
I love my 3rd & 5th. But the 4th my son owns is my favorite to drive.
01-20-2013, 01:15 PM
#7
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
All sorts of little bits and pieces
Actually aside from the drivetrain, my car is fairly stock and simple, just suspension and a few odds and ends thrown in there.
Enginewise, I am currently running an H23 VTEC, handbuilt by me, Skunk2 valvetrain and PRO1 cams, ebay header, Thermal exhaust, cheapo DC Shortram, Tuned on Hondata S300, and a bottle of laughing gas in the trunk.
This next year it is getting some breathing upgrades, and hopefully the year after it is getting yanked for a fully built engine and big turbo setup, and will probably be pretty much retired from street use.
Actually aside from the drivetrain, my car is fairly stock and simple, just suspension and a few odds and ends thrown in there.
Enginewise, I am currently running an H23 VTEC, handbuilt by me, Skunk2 valvetrain and PRO1 cams, ebay header, Thermal exhaust, cheapo DC Shortram, Tuned on Hondata S300, and a bottle of laughing gas in the trunk.
This next year it is getting some breathing upgrades, and hopefully the year after it is getting yanked for a fully built engine and big turbo setup, and will probably be pretty much retired from street use.
Trending Topics
01-20-2013, 01:17 PM
#8
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
Pro's in my opinion are what was said above plus the reactions you get everywhere you go. Civics say 'pull me over' to local law. Accords say 'baby on board' and generally preludes are seen as hot rods. Stock or not.
Con's. What was said above along with little to no backseat room for humans over 7 years old, parts getting harder to find and have lower resale value. Well that's a plus if you're buying.
4th generations are not as popular as 3rd and 5th. That makes parts a bit easier to come by and more bang for your buying buck.
I love my 3rd & 5th. But the 4th my son owns is my favorite to drive.
Con's. What was said above along with little to no backseat room for humans over 7 years old, parts getting harder to find and have lower resale value. Well that's a plus if you're buying.
4th generations are not as popular as 3rd and 5th. That makes parts a bit easier to come by and more bang for your buying buck.
I love my 3rd & 5th. But the 4th my son owns is my favorite to drive.
01-21-2013, 05:42 PM
#11
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-22-2013, 09:07 PM
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
I have a 5 speed 1998 5th gen base model.
Pros:
- Amazing car to drive every day. I get excited to drive it every day.
- Great handling especially when you add strut bars (even better with an aftermarket sway bar (have yet to buy one)).
- Can take curves and corners at better speed than the other car I drive
- Rev happy (7,400 redline)
- SiR S-Spec interior (but expensive, yet so sexy) (JDM only)
- H22 power
- Sexy factory colours
- Easy to work on and repair
- Great car club communities (BBA and BBATB)
- Sexy body and amazing curves (5th gen, but I like the 4th gen too)
- K-series, J-series engines swaps in this car don't require hood cutting unlike the Civics, Integras, CRXs
- Don't see too many Preludes on the streets.
- Engines are cheaper than the torqueless bitch series engines.
- Torquee engine
- Great output from factory
- I personally don't regret buying a 5th gen Prelude.
Cons:
- H22 doesn't really respond to add-ons
- H22 not really that good for all motor unless you have deep pockets
- Factory seats are too firm (at least for me)
- Even though we have back seats, I wouldn't recommend using them
- Parts are not that widely available in performance and exterior/interior like the Bitch series and Integra/Civics
- FRM sleeves like the S2000, better off re-sleeving them
- Automatic 5th gens are pieces of ****. The automatic transmission was poorly designs. You should only buy the manual version, else go get a bitch series car or swapping an automatic k-series into it.
- JDM interior and other **** tend to be expensive more for the Prelude due to rarity.
- Shift linkage tends to be bad
- H22 tends to leak oil, so you need to keep maintenance up on all of the possible oil leaks
- When doing a clutch job. It's a pita to get the transmission in such a tiny space.
- It's not RWD
(ducks)
- Cupholders being in a crappy spot. So don't bother drinking in it unless you get a shifter extension.
- Age
- Weight
- People try to race you every time even if you're factory stock (Well for me they try to race you, had Dodge Charger, Grand Am, 6)
Pros:
- Amazing car to drive every day. I get excited to drive it every day.
- Great handling especially when you add strut bars (even better with an aftermarket sway bar (have yet to buy one)).
- Can take curves and corners at better speed than the other car I drive
- Rev happy (7,400 redline)
- SiR S-Spec interior (but expensive, yet so sexy) (JDM only)
- H22 power
- Sexy factory colours
- Easy to work on and repair
- Great car club communities (BBA and BBATB)
- Sexy body and amazing curves (5th gen, but I like the 4th gen too)
- K-series, J-series engines swaps in this car don't require hood cutting unlike the Civics, Integras, CRXs
- Don't see too many Preludes on the streets.
- Engines are cheaper than the torqueless bitch series engines.
- Torquee engine
- Great output from factory
- I personally don't regret buying a 5th gen Prelude.
Cons:
- H22 doesn't really respond to add-ons
- H22 not really that good for all motor unless you have deep pockets
- Factory seats are too firm (at least for me)
- Even though we have back seats, I wouldn't recommend using them
- Parts are not that widely available in performance and exterior/interior like the Bitch series and Integra/Civics
- FRM sleeves like the S2000, better off re-sleeving them
- Automatic 5th gens are pieces of ****. The automatic transmission was poorly designs. You should only buy the manual version, else go get a bitch series car or swapping an automatic k-series into it.
- JDM interior and other **** tend to be expensive more for the Prelude due to rarity.
- Shift linkage tends to be bad
- H22 tends to leak oil, so you need to keep maintenance up on all of the possible oil leaks
- When doing a clutch job. It's a pita to get the transmission in such a tiny space.
- It's not RWD
(ducks)- Cupholders being in a crappy spot. So don't bother drinking in it unless you get a shifter extension.
- Age
- Weight
- People try to race you every time even if you're factory stock (Well for me they try to race you, had Dodge Charger, Grand Am, 6)
01-22-2013, 09:26 PM
#14
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MS, USA
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
well said. I have had every prelude there was post 83 base,s,sh,and si. And I loved everyone of them. Outside of the s2k and nsx its the only sporty from the ground up vehicle Honda has ever made. Ok si civics and s type acuras kind of fall in there, but none handle like a lude, feel as nice inside, and look as good outside without being added to. Another feature native to ludes is dark interior and nice instrumentation. Good luck with finding a 4th gen Si that hasn't been modded/ rodded. They are out there but getting harder to find.
01-23-2013, 07:49 AM
#16
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
I have a 5 speed 1998 5th gen base model.
Pros:
- Amazing car to drive every day. I get excited to drive it every day.
- Great handling especially when you add strut bars (even better with an aftermarket sway bar (have yet to buy one)).
- Can take curves and corners at better speed than the other car I drive
- Rev happy (7,400 redline)
- SiR S-Spec interior (but expensive, yet so sexy) (JDM only)
- H22 power
- Sexy factory colours
- Easy to work on and repair
- Great car club communities (BBA and BBATB)
- Sexy body and amazing curves (5th gen, but I like the 4th gen too)
- K-series, J-series engines swaps in this car don't require hood cutting unlike the Civics, Integras, CRXs
- Don't see too many Preludes on the streets.
- Engines are cheaper than the torqueless bitch series engines.
- Torquee engine
- Great output from factory
- I personally don't regret buying a 5th gen Prelude.
Cons:
- H22 doesn't really respond to add-ons
- H22 not really that good for all motor unless you have deep pockets
- Factory seats are too firm (at least for me)
- Even though we have back seats, I wouldn't recommend using them
- Parts are not that widely available in performance and exterior/interior like the Bitch series and Integra/Civics
- FRM sleeves like the S2000, better off re-sleeving them
- Automatic 5th gens are pieces of ****. The automatic transmission was poorly designs. You should only buy the manual version, else go get a bitch series car or swapping an automatic k-series into it.
- JDM interior and other **** tend to be expensive more for the Prelude due to rarity.
- Shift linkage tends to be bad
- H22 tends to leak oil, so you need to keep maintenance up on all of the possible oil leaks
- When doing a clutch job. It's a pita to get the transmission in such a tiny space.
- It's not RWD (ducks)
- Cupholders being in a crappy spot. So don't bother drinking in it unless you get a shifter extension.
- Age
- Weight
- People try to race you every time even if you're factory stock (Well for me they try to race you, had Dodge Charger, Grand Am, 6)
Pros:
- Amazing car to drive every day. I get excited to drive it every day.
- Great handling especially when you add strut bars (even better with an aftermarket sway bar (have yet to buy one)).
- Can take curves and corners at better speed than the other car I drive
- Rev happy (7,400 redline)
- SiR S-Spec interior (but expensive, yet so sexy) (JDM only)
- H22 power
- Sexy factory colours
- Easy to work on and repair
- Great car club communities (BBA and BBATB)
- Sexy body and amazing curves (5th gen, but I like the 4th gen too)
- K-series, J-series engines swaps in this car don't require hood cutting unlike the Civics, Integras, CRXs
- Don't see too many Preludes on the streets.
- Engines are cheaper than the torqueless bitch series engines.
- Torquee engine
- Great output from factory
- I personally don't regret buying a 5th gen Prelude.
Cons:
- H22 doesn't really respond to add-ons
- H22 not really that good for all motor unless you have deep pockets
- Factory seats are too firm (at least for me)
- Even though we have back seats, I wouldn't recommend using them
- Parts are not that widely available in performance and exterior/interior like the Bitch series and Integra/Civics
- FRM sleeves like the S2000, better off re-sleeving them
- Automatic 5th gens are pieces of ****. The automatic transmission was poorly designs. You should only buy the manual version, else go get a bitch series car or swapping an automatic k-series into it.
- JDM interior and other **** tend to be expensive more for the Prelude due to rarity.
- Shift linkage tends to be bad
- H22 tends to leak oil, so you need to keep maintenance up on all of the possible oil leaks
- When doing a clutch job. It's a pita to get the transmission in such a tiny space.
- It's not RWD
(ducks)- Cupholders being in a crappy spot. So don't bother drinking in it unless you get a shifter extension.
- Age
- Weight
- People try to race you every time even if you're factory stock (Well for me they try to race you, had Dodge Charger, Grand Am, 6)
01-23-2013, 07:51 AM
#17
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
please give specific reasons i heard the no vtec h23 had good power and torque with 160hp and i know weight and everything else affects that but i bet if i do some weight reductions it might put some more power to the ground.but yes ur right vtec puts down more power. 
01-23-2013, 07:54 AM
#18
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
well said. I have had every prelude there was post 83 base,s,sh,and si. And I loved everyone of them. Outside of the s2k and nsx its the only sporty from the ground up vehicle Honda has ever made. Ok si civics and s type acuras kind of fall in there, but none handle like a lude, feel as nice inside, and look as good outside without being added to. Another feature native to ludes is dark interior and nice instrumentation. Good luck with finding a 4th gen Si that hasn't been modded/ rodded. They are out there but getting harder to find.
01-23-2013, 04:28 PM
#20
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
Just buy one then you'll see. The engine doesn't really matter they can all be monsters if you know how to build them. You can always do a swap if you don't like it.
01-23-2013, 04:39 PM
#21
Honda-Tech Member
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
More Pros
-Seats designed by Recaro (at least on 3rd gen and 4th gen)
-Sunroof came standard on every single Prelude ever made (except the Motegi Edition 5th gen I believe, because racecar)
-27 to 31 mpg, to as low as 15-22 mpg if you like to hear vtec and/or you're in need of major tune up
-Depending on conditions/driver, can run 14 second quarter mile times. Lowest i've seen for stock 4th gen is a 14.5, stock 5th gen a 14.7
Other cons
-Gas mileage not as good as other honda's (crx, sol, civ, teg) but trade off is you get POWER!
-Uses premium fuel due to higher compression motor, also Honda designed it so it gets more power/fuel economy with premium.
-H22 automatic timing belt tensioner's prone to failure causing bent valves, to use these past 100k miles is a gamble. Fixes include $90 for H23 manual tensioner conversion kit, or $100 for Kaizenspeed replacement tensioner.
-RUST
-Seats designed by Recaro (at least on 3rd gen and 4th gen)
-Sunroof came standard on every single Prelude ever made (except the Motegi Edition 5th gen I believe, because racecar)
-27 to 31 mpg, to as low as 15-22 mpg if you like to hear vtec and/or you're in need of major tune up
-Depending on conditions/driver, can run 14 second quarter mile times. Lowest i've seen for stock 4th gen is a 14.5, stock 5th gen a 14.7
Other cons
-Gas mileage not as good as other honda's (crx, sol, civ, teg) but trade off is you get POWER!
-Uses premium fuel due to higher compression motor, also Honda designed it so it gets more power/fuel economy with premium.
-H22 automatic timing belt tensioner's prone to failure causing bent valves, to use these past 100k miles is a gamble. Fixes include $90 for H23 manual tensioner conversion kit, or $100 for Kaizenspeed replacement tensioner.
-RUST
01-24-2013, 01:08 AM
#22
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
97 5th gen prelude here.
Pros- long sleek race car body
- great leg room for front seat
-sh version handles like the bat mobile (seriously)
- still a fairly rare car, iv only seen maby 5 or 6 in all my driving these past 4 months.
- sunroof!!
- great torque
-factory engine runs like a champ even when cylinder #3 is running at 45lbs compression!
- always lots of engine swap options.
- very decent trunk space for a sports car ( managed to fit a 47 in TV in the back just fine with the seats down
- does freaking awsome In the snow as long as you have momentum obviously.
- brakes grab like a champ ( at least mine do )
- again handles like the damn bat mobile. In my opinion SH all the way. It may harder to find parts and may loose a few hp due to ATTS. But the handling difference is an upgrade in it self. (SH stands for super handling)
- it's a honda so more than likely if you don't total it will be around long enough for your first born will driving it to high school.
Cons- rattles
Backseat is small but I still car pool and fit friends back there.
Less common add ons
Expensive to rebuild due to vtec system ( from my knowledge, still learning here)
Rust in trunk very common due to taillight water channels being bad
Medium sized fan base so not loads of info but its defiantly manageable
Moar rattles
Pros- long sleek race car body
- great leg room for front seat
-sh version handles like the bat mobile (seriously)
- still a fairly rare car, iv only seen maby 5 or 6 in all my driving these past 4 months.
- sunroof!!
- great torque
-factory engine runs like a champ even when cylinder #3 is running at 45lbs compression!
- always lots of engine swap options.
- very decent trunk space for a sports car ( managed to fit a 47 in TV in the back just fine with the seats down
- does freaking awsome In the snow as long as you have momentum obviously.
- brakes grab like a champ ( at least mine do )
- again handles like the damn bat mobile. In my opinion SH all the way. It may harder to find parts and may loose a few hp due to ATTS. But the handling difference is an upgrade in it self. (SH stands for super handling)
- it's a honda so more than likely if you don't total it will be around long enough for your first born will driving it to high school.
Cons- rattles
Backseat is small but I still car pool and fit friends back there.
Less common add ons
Expensive to rebuild due to vtec system ( from my knowledge, still learning here)
Rust in trunk very common due to taillight water channels being bad
Medium sized fan base so not loads of info but its defiantly manageable
Moar rattles
01-24-2013, 08:29 AM
#23
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-24-2013, 08:30 AM
#24
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
More Pros
-Seats designed by Recaro (at least on 3rd gen and 4th gen)
-Sunroof came standard on every single Prelude ever made (except the Motegi Edition 5th gen I believe, because racecar)
-27 to 31 mpg, to as low as 15-22 mpg if you like to hear vtec and/or you're in need of major tune up
-Depending on conditions/driver, can run 14 second quarter mile times. Lowest i've seen for stock 4th gen is a 14.5, stock 5th gen a 14.7
Other cons
-Gas mileage not as good as other honda's (crx, sol, civ, teg) but trade off is you get POWER!
-Uses premium fuel due to higher compression motor, also Honda designed it so it gets more power/fuel economy with premium.
-H22 automatic timing belt tensioner's prone to failure causing bent valves, to use these past 100k miles is a gamble. Fixes include $90 for H23 manual tensioner conversion kit, or $100 for Kaizenspeed replacement tensioner.
-RUST
-Seats designed by Recaro (at least on 3rd gen and 4th gen)
-Sunroof came standard on every single Prelude ever made (except the Motegi Edition 5th gen I believe, because racecar)
-27 to 31 mpg, to as low as 15-22 mpg if you like to hear vtec and/or you're in need of major tune up
-Depending on conditions/driver, can run 14 second quarter mile times. Lowest i've seen for stock 4th gen is a 14.5, stock 5th gen a 14.7
Other cons
-Gas mileage not as good as other honda's (crx, sol, civ, teg) but trade off is you get POWER!
-Uses premium fuel due to higher compression motor, also Honda designed it so it gets more power/fuel economy with premium.
-H22 automatic timing belt tensioner's prone to failure causing bent valves, to use these past 100k miles is a gamble. Fixes include $90 for H23 manual tensioner conversion kit, or $100 for Kaizenspeed replacement tensioner.
-RUST
01-24-2013, 08:32 AM
#25
B*a*n*n*e*d
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: honda preludes pros and cons?
97 5th gen prelude here.
Pros- long sleek race car body
- great leg room for front seat
-sh version handles like the bat mobile (seriously)
- still a fairly rare car, iv only seen maby 5 or 6 in all my driving these past 4 months.
- sunroof!!
- great torque
-factory engine runs like a champ even when cylinder #3 is running at 45lbs compression!
- always lots of engine swap options.
- very decent trunk space for a sports car ( managed to fit a 47 in TV in the back just fine with the seats down
- does freaking awsome In the snow as long as you have momentum obviously.
- brakes grab like a champ ( at least mine do )
- again handles like the damn bat mobile. In my opinion SH all the way. It may harder to find parts and may loose a few hp due to ATTS. But the handling difference is an upgrade in it self. (SH stands for super handling)
- it's a honda so more than likely if you don't total it will be around long enough for your first born will driving it to high school.
Cons- rattles
Backseat is small but I still car pool and fit friends back there.
Less common add ons
Expensive to rebuild due to vtec system ( from my knowledge, still learning here)
Rust in trunk very common due to taillight water channels being bad
Medium sized fan base so not loads of info but its defiantly manageable
Moar rattles
Pros- long sleek race car body
- great leg room for front seat
-sh version handles like the bat mobile (seriously)
- still a fairly rare car, iv only seen maby 5 or 6 in all my driving these past 4 months.
- sunroof!!
- great torque
-factory engine runs like a champ even when cylinder #3 is running at 45lbs compression!
- always lots of engine swap options.
- very decent trunk space for a sports car ( managed to fit a 47 in TV in the back just fine with the seats down
- does freaking awsome In the snow as long as you have momentum obviously.
- brakes grab like a champ ( at least mine do )
- again handles like the damn bat mobile. In my opinion SH all the way. It may harder to find parts and may loose a few hp due to ATTS. But the handling difference is an upgrade in it self. (SH stands for super handling)
- it's a honda so more than likely if you don't total it will be around long enough for your first born will driving it to high school.
Cons- rattles
Backseat is small but I still car pool and fit friends back there.
Less common add ons
Expensive to rebuild due to vtec system ( from my knowledge, still learning here)
Rust in trunk very common due to taillight water channels being bad
Medium sized fan base so not loads of info but its defiantly manageable
Moar rattles