Hello guys I am starting my look to buy a Prelude just wondering if there are any years one should stay away from? Anything to watch for or any options that are not good/good?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Stay away from auto tranny 5th Gens. I would recommend the 4th or 5th Gen. I prefer 4th Gens but get whatever you like.

Both models are very reliable.

 

stay away from all automatics..
also try and stay away from 3rd generation preludes that have the frm sleeves but no updated rings (b21a motors 1990-1991 only)

to add to your search: i looked and looked for a reasonably priced 4th gen 4ws model. it was worth the wait.... good luck.

 

So is there anything wrong with the automatics any problems or is just 5sp better?

I prefer the 5 speed!

Thanks

 

Anything wrong with Auto's?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr.Speed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anything wrong with Auto's?</TD></TR></TABLE>

On the 5th Gens, they go out quite a bit. In addition you lose more power to the wheels through all the drivetrain. There's a sticky around here somewhere about it. I made the mistake of buying an Auto. It's been rebuilt once, and now it is slowly going again. Good luck on your search, and just stay with a 5 speed, especially if you prefer one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fade22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On the 5th Gens, they go out quite a bit. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Also on Accords and TL's too.

 

I have a 94 Prelude H23 Auto with 140,xxx on it and the tranny still shifts fine It's a little sticky with the downshifting sometimes and the shifts probably aren't as tight as they used to be but it's doing damn well for an auto prelude with that many miles

 

Honda's in general don't have very good Auto Trannies.

My friends 6th gen V6 Accord has tranny problems, other friends 5th gen SS has tranny problems, and others too.

Besides, manuals are so much more fun to drive and get better mileage

 

Well, if you go with a 4th gen, get to know the different interiors because they changed it in 93 and again in 94. The 94-96 is the best; I basically avoided 92 for this reason. But if your favorite car is a 92, it's pretty easy to just change out the weirdness to a later year. Also there are two different alloy wheel designs, so pay attention to that.

Mechanically, I don't think they changed the 4th gens much over the years, if at all.

Dan

P.S. The only reason to buy an auto would be to save its soul by doing a 5-speed swap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cashis Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda's in general don't have very good Auto Trannies.

My friends 6th gen V6 Accord has tranny problems, other friends 5th gen SS has tranny problems, and others too.

Besides, manuals are so much more fun to drive and get better mileage </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yea, my dad's CL type s has the ss auto and it sucks, its been recalled numerous times and replaced every time. Honda just wants everyone to stay away from autos

 

yah to give me .02 on 4th gens... keep in eye out for rust on the rear panels and on the sunroof for the older years...

and if you can... try to get a slightly newer one.. like even a 93... so u don't get that whack center console... or if u can afford it or find one, a 94 so u can get the nice cup holder center console, el-gauges and ur ac will the be R134a instead of the R-12... someone please correct me if im wrong on the year/specs for that tho hehe