I'm going to look at one today, and I was wondering what to look for. All I know right now is that it's an 89 Si 5 spd for about $3000. It looks pretty clean, but I don't know mileage, maintenance, mods, etc.
Any help?

 

click on hondaprelude.com in my sig.....you should find plenty info there..But heres what i can think of
1.check speedo cable
2.check cv joints
3.seat belts sucks (i have harnesses)
4.make sure sunroof drainage pipes are clean....i learned the hard way.
5.see if all the lights work in the dash.

But as far as aftermarket stuff...its hard to find stuff but its out there.
Just dont get the weapon cRap intake its awful.
Anybody else got any info??

 

to be completely honest with you, they are great cars, but not for that price. you will hear a lot of people saying those cars have the worst motor ever because of rod/stroke ratio, but that's crap. they are great beater cars, but don't pay 3 grand for it. i got mine for 600 bucks, there is another one for sale down the street for 500 bucks. they are both in great shape and could have easily gone to someone who would have paid 3 grand for them, but you would have to be kind of a sucker to buy one at that price. if you really want a prelude and have at least that much money to spend, use it as a down payment on a newer model, like 94-01. and get a vtec.

 

Well, I'd like to! But my situation is my insurance dropped me after my wreck. The only company that will write me a policy is Progressive, and they want almost $300 a month (I WAS paying $89 a month) for just a Civic EX.
I HAVE to buy something outright. I'm also looking at a Saab SPG, but they're a maintenance nightmare.
I got the Prelude talked down to $2500, and looking around here (autotrader, newspapers), that's pretty much in line with what other Preludes (3rd Gen) are going for. Believe me, I'd rather get something newer with more potential, but the market is DRY right now, and I have to get something ASAP. I still have my standards, but I may have to take what I can get.

 

Wait until you find exactly what you want - you will know when you see it. I did, I couldn't be happier, other then the fact people are trying to steal my car from the money I put into it - damnit...

 

I wish I could wait, but I'm in desperate need of a car. I have to commute almost 20 miles in to work every day, I have no way of getting around, and bumming rides from my brother just sucks!
Plus, the used car market is ridiculous right now. $4000 for a 92 Civic EX with 120,000 miles? $7000 for a 93 Miata with 180,000 miles? $4000 for a 93 Escort? An Escort?!?!?! Just go to autotrader and ender area code 71913 and see what you find! Or the Arkansas Democrat Gazette classifieds! It's crazy, man! Just crazy...

 

Well, as a commuter car; a prelude runs great!

 

dude, prelude Si insurance will be about the same as civic EX if not higher because the prelude is considered a sports coupe eventhough it's older. if insurance is your concern but you still want something sporty you should look into CRX DX or HX and do a swap. that's what i'd do. also civic EF DX.
if you have $3000 to spend you may want to look for a 92-95 civic hatchback. you can find one for about that much, then save up for a swap.

 

Well, the problem was, to clarify, that I had to get FULL COVERAGE on the Civic EX because it was a 2000 model, and I was going to finance it. I'm buying this car outright, and will just get liability.
I drove the Prelude yesterday, and it's pretty strong. It needs new shocks, springs and probably bushings, and the muffler is getting a little rusty, and there are a fe wplaces the body shop will need to work out (a good sharp crease in the side from another car door).
No leaks, everything works (except the trip meter), the sunroof doesn't leak, the steering is true, tires are good (but cheap, no-name). I'm having my mechaninc give it a thorough going over in about an hour.