I'm looking at buying a 93 prelude vtec with 135k miles on it. I'd really like to buy it, but i am in school and can't afford something that is gonna be breaking down on me often. I know no car at this mileage will be perfect, i expect to replace few small things here and there. I'm mainly wonder about the tranny and engine. I was hoping people who know more about these cars could tell me more about their reliability at this mileage, i know civics can easily go much more mileage that this. What about the prelude vtec? any info appreciated thanks

kai

 

The engine should be just fine if it was recently serviced with a new timing belt, water pump and a few other pieces. If the seller has the service records you can verify this or just have it done again for your own peace of mind. Check that the transmission does not leak where the axles go into it and that it shifts smoothly in all gears both upshift and downshifting. Change the lube in it along with the brake fluid and hydraulic clutch. You also want fresh coolant in the radiator; this will be done when the water pump is replaced.
Otherwise, the car should be just fine. You can search for more specific things here on the site-good luck and enjoy.

 

You should be fine as long as you do all the matienece that is required. Changing oil, changing spark plugs, plug wires, maybe run some Sea Foam through it, ask if the timing belt has been changed, maybe change the tranny fluid

 

i got a 93' Prelude vtec with 147,xxx miles and its running strong. I hit vtec maybe 3 times a week. Just got to matienece it once in a while like any other car.

 

never heard of a bad problem with the h22's, I have heard and have experianced problems with an h23 such as a spun rod bearing, me and 3 other fiends have had spun rod bearings in h23s. h22 all the way

 

I got my prelude vtec with about 130,000 miles on it and its still running strong...the guy had all the receits for everything...but it had altezza's on it!!! bah...thank god for stock tail lights

 

H23's only spin their bearing if they are abused.

H22's will last forever if you maintain them and not abuse them often. They can take abuse, but flooring it on a daily basis will not help in prolonging engine life.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">H23's only spin their bearing if they are abused.

H22's will last forever if you maintain them and not abuse them often. They can take abuse, but flooring it on a daily basis will not help in prolonging engine life.</TD></TR></TABLE>



The H22 is made to be romped on. It likes VTEC.

But seriously, just carfax it before you buy. Check it to see any signs of modifications.

 

my old prelude vtec i bought with 206,000 miles on it. ran strong and i had no problems with it til the day i crashed it

 

From my experience, it will run as well as the weakest part, that in the VTEC models is the auto tensioner on the timing belt. I made it 144,000 before that quit, and that's with LOTS and LOTS of VTEC.

SoOHigh: VTEC 3 times a week??? Wow, that motor must be like a virgin......I've got 3 VTEC hits by the 4th shift.

Edit: Ok, after the motor has warmed up.

 

I have a auto h22 and I hit vtec everytime I hit the road. Just doesn't feel right without hitting vtec, unless there is a cop around of coarse. Yeah it will burn gas and oil faster but what the heck.

 

I got a 95 Lude 166K miles on it, the engine is strong as hell, sometimes I think the motor is blessed man.

You won't have any problems with the motor assuming is in good condition and like everyone said maintenance is the key. Check about the timing belt & water pump & check that tensioneer.

Now if I have to call out a weakness....The H22 tranny...I have a couple of friends with H22s and almost all of them have problems with them including my self.
So really check out that tranny for any grinding and hard to shift problems. Good luck...