The alternator on my '98 Prelude is going bad, and the dealer quoted me $411 bucks for a new one. So, what I want to know is, what is the earliest model with the same alternator because $411 is a little much.

 

i would go with a 97-98 alternator. try ebay, or a local parts store like NAPA or something.

 

My 97' alternator just went bad the other day. My local autozone had remans for $149 + core charge. I found a genuine honda one for around $320 online, but there was no way I was going to pay that much for an alternator.