please help! strengths and weaknesses of a prelude!

[kcokla]

considering buying a prelude, more precisely, a 91 si jdm spec prelude!

prelude owners tell me what you think are the strengths and weaknesses of a prelude?
whats good about it ? why? what makes it sucky?

thanks :)

[Petronas]

I actually own a 91 Series II AUDM spec Lude...

Positives -
- 4WS, awesome fun, and really "tries" hard to balance the body roll/under-steer.
- Build quality, these cars are really built to last and still feels up to date - Most evident in the interior.
- Classic styling
- Engine loves to be revved
- Pedals are fantastically positioned for heal and toeing.
- Comfortable driving position, very low and very 'laid back'. The position in my opinion is very driver focused (Not as much as say the 4th gen Prelude or Supra for example) but still all the little things are in the right place.
- Car isn't too heavy at around only 1.1Tones
- Huge sunroof/moonroof

Negatives -
- The B20A (AUDM) isn't all that powerful
- Engine bay is a nightmare to work in, clutter heaven
- Rust is an issue in 3rd gen Preludes
- Body roll + Under-steer (Still pretty good for a stock setup in a car nearly 20 years old)
- Back seats are a tight squeeze
- Series II gearbox's have really short gear ratio's - Honda said this was for greater acceleration speed but I just find it annoying...

[kcokla]

thanks petronas,
you said there is a rust issue, can u specify where in particular it is common that i should look for?

-
guys in general just want opinions on preludes, doesnt need to be a 91, etc etc,
i drive a eg, and feel comfy in my little eg but when i look at preluddes it feels like id be driving in a wide and long coupe that will be hard to park as it looks huge!

[dicko]

I owned an 89, and whatever you do, make sure you purchase a manual. The auto gearboxes in these (and pretty much all Hondas) are notorious for carking it, mine lost second at around 175,000km.

[JSpec3]

considering buying a prelude, more precisely, a 91 si jdm spec prelude!

prelude owners tell me what you think are the strengths and weaknesses of a prelude?
whats good about it ? why? what makes it sucky?

thanks :)

which 91? 4gen or 3gen? Some 4g JDM's came out late in 91.

[Petronas]

thanks petronas,
you said there is a rust issue, can u specify where in particular it is common that i should look for?

-
guys in general just want opinions on preludes, doesnt need to be a 91, etc etc,
i drive a eg, and feel comfy in my little eg but when i look at preluddes it feels like id be driving in a wide and long coupe that will be hard to park as it looks huge!

Umm rust... Well from my research before I bought my 3rd gen ppl said that the car was just prone to rust anywhere... Something about Honda not doing something... Thats all I know..

Well I just drove my 3rd gen today (As I havn't sold it yet - Link to the sale thread below) and I'll tell you it's a very easy car to drive. THe steering is the lightest I have ever felt and the car just loves to be thrown around.

The car feels HUGE and boxy compared to an eg or ek that's for sure, all Preludes do (To me anyway). Two of my mates who have driven my 3rd gen (One owns an ek the other an eg) have complained about how boxy and big the 3rd gen is.

Parking... Dun even think about parking mate... It too easy with 4WS and couple that with the super super SUPER light steering you'll be parking your car in spaces only big enough for a matchbox toy car...

Overall the 3rd gen is a much easier car to drive than my 5th gen prelude. The 3rd gen has lighter steering, lighter clutch and softer suspension. The 3rd gen I think had the enthusiast as well as the business man in mind while later versions leaned towards the enthusiast more.

Heres the link to my Prelude sale thread -
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94409

[Sir_vtec]

My mate owns an '89 model and my opinions are:

Pros:

- Pretty fuel efficient engine (atleast to me it is)
- 4WS improves handling
- Still reliable even for its age
- Low hoodline
- Good mid-range power and torque

Cons:

- No VTEC >.< (what I hate most, yes you can do the H22 swap but its a crap load of money)
- Hardly any aftermarket support (although thats slowly changing due to the 3rd gen community on www.preludepower.com)
- Cluttered engine bay

But thats from my experience, hope that helps.