When the Prelude first arrived on our shores in 1979, it seemed like everyone in my neighborhood suddenly bought one. The car’s virtues included sporty looks, great visibility from the cabin, bucket seats, a moonroof as standard equipment, and good handling thanks to four-wheel independent suspension. The first-generation Prelude engine produced only 72 hp, but that was about to change for the better. Second-gen cars were delivered with a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter injected four-cylinder (“Sport injected”, or Si), good for 100 to 110 hp. Today’s example has notched 127k miles under one owner on its 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and it’s available here on craigslist for $12,000. The car is located in Issaquah, Washington, and Curvette sent us the tip – thanks!
Honda had accumulated a modicum of sports-car expertise before introducing the Prelude, but those previous models – the S600 and S800 – were lightweight roadsters sold only in its home market and Europe. The front-wheel-drive Prelude was based on the widely sold Accord, with its mechanical bits wrapped in sporty compact bodywork and its interior given upscale appointments. This example has been well-maintained: it was recently serviced, and the timing belt was replaced 1800 miles ago. The tires are days old. The seller notes that the brake fluid should be flushed, and the drive belt needs renewal. The car’s underside presents well, given its age and miles, and it comes with the original window sticker, manuals, warranty book, and three keys, including the valet key. We could wish it had a manual gearbox, but the four-speed automatic was a desirable extra-cost option back in the day.
Honda aimed high when it designed the Prelude’s interior. The seats are well-bolstered and upholstered in deep-pile velour. That moonroof we mentioned was the first of its kind provided standard on a Honda production car – and buyers loved it. This car’s equipment works well, from the air conditioner to the cruise control.
The second-generation Prelude was restyled to accommodate its larger engine, retaining the low hood line. It was also given pop-up headlamps – all the rage in the late 1970s/early 1980s. (These work well.) This example’s paint, rubber, and lenses all look great, and the price is close to market, possibly a bit on the high side given the automatic and its mileage. But if you have in mind collecting a Prelude, better hurry – prices are trending up. This low-mileage example sold for $79k about three years ago, while others with mileage readings in the 20k-35k area will sell for $25k. Have you ever owned a Prelude?
I had found a red 1989 prelude but my father wouldn’t let me buy it. He found a black 89 si prelude that had a large dent in the back corner, the right fog light was broken and missing and the moonroof glass was cracked and when it was closed the moonroof tracks collected rain water and leaked inside. Yet my father said it was better than the red one. Never forgave him for convincing me and I will never buy a car sight unseen again!
Nice car and per the add they have already done the timing belt. This car will easily hit the 250k miles my only concern would be finding other basic maintenance parts as time goes on it’s going to be expensive to maintain as cost of parts continue to go up to stupid high prices