advice on a prelude

[tipota]

i was at an auction today, and there as a 95 prelude SI with 100k miles on it. i dont know anything about preludes, and have never been interested, but i test drove it for the hell of it. i was definatley impressed at how the car flew!!! the car ended up selling for 1850, and i backed down from buying it because i know nothing about preludes. can anyone giv eme any advice on what to look for in a plelude, and any problems they might have?

[tipota]

oh another thing, how do you recognize different prelude models? i only assumed it was an SI beacuse the engine did not write vtech on it and it had anti-lock brakes.

[Zachp911]

Originally Posted by tipota

oh another thing, how do you recognize different prelude models? i only assumed it was an SI beacuse the engine did not write vtech on it and it had anti-lock brakes.

well on the Type-SH Preludes they come with the oem kit from Honda, thin 5-spoke wheels and ATTS, versus a base model Prelude doesnt. I dont know too much about earlier model Preludes.

[92_prelude_si]

92-96 models have the same body styles. The si and the v-tec are similar except for the engine. I think the types s (SOHC) is the only one that comes with hub caps. 1850 isn't bad at all for a 95.

[honda_racing101]

And the base model 92-96 has smaller brakes.

[Gohan Ryu]

Normally a 95 Si in good condition goes for around $3000, unless there's something seriously wrong with it or if it's a salvage title.

What to look for in a Prelude? If you like the body style just look for a color you like. A 4th gen (92-96) Si has an h23 engine (160hp), a 4th gen VTEC has an h22 (190hp). ALL 5th gen (97+) Preludes have h22's rated between 190-210 hp. 5th gen Prelude SH has 4 wheel steering.

The only problems I've heard about is the factory timing belt - they get old fast and when they slip it's major overhaul time.

There is also a base model 4th gen w/ an f22 engine (also 160hp) but I don't know much about them.

[honda_racing101]

Umm actually gohan ryu the 5th gen SH DOESNT have four wheel steering. Some fourth gen. have 4WS but 5th gens dont. Also, the f22 engine isnt rated at 160 hp, it has 130hp I believe.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by honda_racing101

Umm actually gohan ryu the 5th gen SH DOESNT have four wheel steering. Some fourth gen. have 4WS but 5th gens dont. Also, the f22 engine isnt rated at 160 hp, it has 130hp I believe.

Sorry - I was thinking ATTS but I wrote 4WS - I should have proof-read it before I hit SUBMIT.

But the F22 (JDM, so I guess it's moot) is rated at 160hp, the F22a1 is the 135hp version.

[honda_racing101]

Yeah the JDM F22 is 160 but the base model USDM lude doesnt have that engine it has the F22a1 and like you stated its at 135hp.

[tipota]

how do you detect the different models though? i saw this car at a dealer auction and am wondering what things to look for at the lot.also, how do you tell the difference between a base and SE model? i know the SE is DOHC, but where would it state that on the motor?

[honda_racing101]

You eould identify models by looking at it. Espcially the engine. Base-sohc f22a1. Si-DOHC H23. VTEC-DOHC H22 VTEC. also the VTEC ludes have a VTEC logo on the back of the car. And for SE, I think they have a few special colors as well as a tan interior. And the SE also uses the DOHC H23, same as Si.