Hi guys,
I'm about to get a new used car for myself. I'm a NEWBIE here and would like to get some opinions from you guys. I'm looking at a 92' Honda Prelude Si. It's an automatic and has everything, i.e power door lock, power sunroof, etc. But the problem is the car has 130,000 miles. How reliable a Prelude is? Is there a lot of problem with 92' Prelude?? My main concern is the transmission and engine.


Thanks for any input.

 

I'd be concerned cause' the transmission is an automatic.... ewww.

 

By the way, how could one tell if it's a Si model or S model?

 

Doesn't the S have a SOHC engine? I wouldn't buy the automatic unless you plan on swapping it out to a five speed. The engine should be good, but I'd check things like the timing belt, water pump, cv boots, interior lights, exterior lights, etc. Alot of things can break by 130,000 miles.

 

Yeah, don't get an automatic, and make sure its an SI, NOT an s...unless you plan on doing an engine swap.

 

SI will have a dual tipped exhaust
S has a single tip

By the way, the S model SUCKS....only should a woman own one

 

Don't buy a prelude unless it has a stamp on the engine block, right by the header on the left side "h22a1" or "h22a" Ack and never get an automatic, eighs more, more to fix and slower.

 

I totally agree. I have a 92 s w/ 123,000 and it's a five speed. I couldn't wait to save up enough to get a vtec, so now I'm going to swap w/ the h22a. I have had no problems at all so far, just that now and then some very quiet, yet distinct to me, not very sever "issues" w/ my tranny. You won't regret anything about this purchase except that it's not a vtec and it's auto "eewwww!!!"

 

The way you can tell an S from an Si is that the S has no sunroof and the Si has the sunroof. And an H23 isn't necesserily a bad engine. Just because its not a H22 doesn't mean it not as good. If your looking to turbo the engine, H23 is probably better because the turbo doesn't interfere with the vtec. and I BELIEVE the H23 has more torque than the H22. Someone will need to confirm me on that one.


[Modified by buh_buh, 10:22 AM 11/7/2001]

 

Try to go 93 w/ vtec - H22A engine.

 

*BUZZZZZZZZZZZz* Wrong. The S still has the dual tips on the muffler. My woman owns one... er.. DID own one I guess. She wrecked it this weekend and we'll see if it's savable.

If you have power door locks then I'm 99% sure you have an Si. Look under the hood though, and to the left of the exhaust manifold you will see a place that should say H23A. Thats an Si... if it says F22 then you are getting an S model.

 

" SI will have a dual tipped exhaust
S has a single tip"

not true

an S will have hubcaps, no power locks (usually), and not say DOHC on the valve cover.




[Modified by JDM LUDE, 11:42 PM 11/7/2001]

 

And we have a winner. The only reason I didn't mention the hubcaps is that it's very easy to slap a set of Si or VTEC rims on there. Much easier than power locks.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the Si doesn't actually SAY "DOHC" on the motor. I'll go double check myself.