is there any well known problems for the 5th gen preludes? (bb6)

for example, the 6th gen accord are infamous for their automatic tranny problem, does the prelude have something similar?

Im planning to get a used 2001 Prelude with only 44,000 miles. Its an automatic so Im assuming its the base model (dont know if SH came in automatic) What kind of problems or stuff should I be looking at? Im also planning to take the car to a mechanic before I purchase it but I thought I do some research first.

btw, this car is clean inside and out, leather, power everything, everything was kept stock, clean title. KBB value for this car is 14,900 for private party but I think that is kinda too expensive for a 6 years old honda but on the other hand, it does have low mileage......what do you guys think..... ?

ive seen some pretty beat preludes with over 100k+ miles going for 9000 bucks.

 

dont get an auto.

 

dont get auto waste of money? look around and find a clean 5mt

 

I dont know how to drive stick not planning to track, drag or anything......just a daily driver.

trust me, ive seen some really clean mt ones going for cheaper with low miles also but...i was never taught how to drive a manual....

so is there any notorius problem with the prelude besides it being an auto?

 

then learn. Its not hard.

you will regret getting an auto the instant it starts slipping.

 

ive drove a manual a couple of time but was never formally taught how to drive it. I did pretty good but I dont think I should be buyin a manual yet.

I can learn how, problem is I dont know anyone with a manual car thats willing to let me drive.

and what do you mean by 'slipping'? is that when the transmission feels like it has no power going to it? i drove alot of automatic cars and it feels like that all the time.......

 

its when the transmission physically slips and jolts. NOT good. It means you are about to spend money on another tranny, a 5speed swap and rebuild it.

 

To answer the original post the autos also have a tendancy to blow up. *shrug*

 

so is this common in the automatic tranny? time for me to hunting for another car.......its going to be automatic whichever car I choose. I really wish I could get a manual car, its cheaper and more reliable I guess but Im not to the point where I can confidently drive a manual yet

 

If you've driven a manual, you'll be fine.. If you can do it, that's it. You'll become more confident over time. It's really not a big deal..
When I got my Prelude it was the first time I had driven a manual, and I bought the car before I learned..

I was just down in Tucson over the weekend teaching my girl's younger brother to drive a manual. He just got a older single-cab Toyota Pick-up 4WD with a 5spd for his first car. Second vehicle I have ever driven that was manual and I had no problems. Granted, it was different, but not so much as to give me problems.
He stalled the first time trying to start it from a stop and the second time he got it. It's very simple, no biggie, and much much more exciting.. That and it's not as "much work" as people like to say..

= Auto + Prelude =

= Manual + Prelude =

 

ok so i did some quick search for automatic preludes and it seems like most of the automatic problem was happening on the 97-98 preludes (same transmission as 2001?)

and it seems that honda has an extended transmission warranty on 2000+ preludes so if anything happens, I guess im covered?

Sorry for being so resilient to your guy's advices though...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MLBZ521 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you've driven a manual, you'll be fine.. If you can do it, that's it. You'll become more confident over time. It's really not a big deal..
When I got my Prelude it was the first time I had driven a manual, and I bought the car before I learned..

I was just down in Tucson over the weekend teaching my girl's younger brother to drive a manual. He just got a older single-cab Toyota Pick-up 4WD with a 5spd for his first car. Second vehicle I have ever driven that was manual and I had no problems. Granted, it was different, but not so much as to give me problems.
He stalled the first time trying to start it from a stop and the second time he got it. It's very simple, no biggie, and much much more exciting.. That and it's not as "much work" as people like to say..

= Auto + Prelude =

= Manual + Prelude =
</TD></TR></TABLE>

but wouldnt I look like an *** if i went to test drive someone's manual car and he finds out im not very adequate with a manual yet....anyone willing to teach me in the bay area? i can treat you to a few drinks at the bar or something

 

Manual drivers are very elitist

I wouldn't be surprised if Honda attached a year limit to the 100k warranty as well. But I forget the details.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A Blue Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Manual drivers are very elitist

I wouldn't be surprised if Honda attached a year limit to the 100k warranty as well. But I forget the details.</TD></TR></TABLE>

its 7 years or 100,000 miles extended warranty, my question is does that mean my warranty is void in 2008 before i reach 100,000 miles?

 

best bet that i did when i bought my Si bring a friend that drives stick and have them try it out. or if u have a mechanic, ask him to take it for a spin, i mean u should be bringing it to your mechanic anyway for a once over.

 

don't those recalls cover trannies ffs?

 

Orrr get a 4th gen prelude with an auto tranny.

 

ahh man just get a manual tranny car. i just bought a '00 base w/ a 5mt (very well taken care of, one owner car by the way) and its one of the easier cars ive driven. if youre not confident w/ driving a mt, give it 2 or 3 days of driving around town and you'll have the hang out it.
trust me you will NOT regret it.

plus i find autos boring on on-ramps

 

I will sell you my 2000 base prelude 5 speed pearl white. Only 60K miles.

KBB is 14k stock. I will sell it for a little less.

 

I see you're from the bay area. There are lots of hills and crazy traffic there. If you don't feel up to a manual, that is your decision. I highly reccommend manuals. Since it is such low mileage, I would immediately flush the fluid and use Honda ATF. Do that once a year or every 10k and you should be fine. You don't sound like you're going to be beating on it, thats good. Honda doesn't make a bad automatic or the world's greatest either.

 

any automatic 5th gen is a time bomb

 

a little update.

ive abandoned the prelude route and decided to pick up a beater '96 coupe civic for around 2500 in good condition, clean title and MANUAL so i could learn to drive it. my friend is a mechanic and knows how to drive manual so he will be testing/checkin the car out for me. the civic has only 104k miles so I feel it could last for at least 1 more year and then, when im confident enough, i'll be buyin a manual prelude.

thanks for the advice guys, i appreciate it. this route seems way better than buyin an auto prelude.

 

honestly dude if you're just buying the civic to learn stick you're making a mistake.

Just get the lude, you'll learn quick. Its not hard at all man.

 

Under my financial condition and consulting with my mother (im only 21 living away from home for college, shes going to be shelling out the money for my car, I will be taking care of the insurance and gas money), she seems hesistant to give me 14k for a daily driver car at first but finally decided to give it to me anyways. you guys shouldve seen the look on her face when I decided not to buy the prelude

she seems more happy and relief to hear from me that Im willing to drive a 2500 car (at the same time, i could learn to drive a manual for once) for a few years.

and now that I think about it, im not buyin this civic just to learn how to drive stick, it will be my daily driver for a few years. ive been living in the bay area for almost 3 years now and since day 1, ive been takin public transportation to school and work. now that Im transfering to UC Davis, I really need a car to drive back to the city during the weekend to visit my family. a little downgrade to a used civic doesnt seem so bad to me. the prelude can wait another day I guess.

 

thats a good decision dude