Alright guys, looks like I've finally found a good Honda forum with people who actually know what they're talking about. So I'm in the market for a 97-01 Prelude, my budget is $7,000. I've read the Base vs. SH faq, and I wouldn't mind swinging for a base 5spd or an SH, but I will not under any circumstances buy an auto. I've pretty much decided that this is the perfect car for me while finishing college, my brother has a 98 auto and I absolutely love it - despite it being an auto. This is where I need your help - in the 100k miles range, what are the things I need to look out for? What are the Prelude's common problems, how expensive can repairs get, etc? I wish I could find a used Prelude buying guide that lists all the problems, but that doesn't seem to exist. Any advice is appreciated, and thanks in advance .

 

Don't get an auto, they are slow. I havent owned my lude long enough to have any problems, but you could check the basics.

Rust by wheelwells, trunk?
Compression check
Timing belt changed?
Radiator
Good maintenance?

 

CV boots
Syncros
Ignition Recall

 

see if autotensioner was replaced or swapped with h23 manual tensior. they love to go out. just replaced mine.

 

balljoint recall also.

 

I wanna bring this thread back from the dead... looking at a 2001 SH with 50K miles for about $15K. Good price? Anything I should look for, besides what has been covered? Would you guys choose the SH over a new base RSX (that also costs $5K extra)? Thanks!

 

gear synchros.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RusBear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wanna bring this thread back from the dead... looking at a 2001 SH with 50K miles for about $15K. Good price? Anything I should look for, besides what has been covered? Would you guys choose the SH over a new base RSX (that also costs $5K extra)? Thanks! </TD></TR></TABLE>
ya, its a good price.. also depending on the condition of the car, and what area ur in. i bought a 99 base lude with 110k miles on it, but it had a new motor and tranny for 11k. besides the 2 recalls, look out for leaky trunk...
O, and by the way, an SH would..
1) smoke the crap out of a base RSX
2)looks way better..
3)and.. is just all around better. especially for 5k less.

if ur gunna get a RSX, make it a typeS or, its a waste

 

speeding tickets

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raylude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">speeding tickets </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol... thats a good point..

 

Heh... thanks guys... tickets would be a problem... got 3 in the first month of owning the last car that I bought... and that was a '93 del Sol

 

DAMN..u got 3 tickets in a del sol??? ya, ur really gunna be screwed with a lude...lol. unless it was a B16 del sol,,, my friend has one, and it goes pretty good, for a civic...

 

Nope, D16Z6, baby

Take note: if your car's color is brighter than the sun, the cops will notice ya!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RusBear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nope, D16Z6, baby

Take note: if your car's color is brighter than the sun, the cops will notice ya!</TD></TR></TABLE>

LMAO!! ill keep that in mind..hahaha