General Comments:
No driver's side seat memory, unlike my old 1990 Prelude. This is very annoying.
Lack of front headroom if favoured driving position is close to wheel. OK for drivers that sit back. Was better in old model.
Poor rear/blind spot visibility. Again, much better in the older model.
No rubber protection strips down side of car. This is not a fault, but beware in shopping center car parks.
Sings beautifully in Second and Third gears, but needs more push earlier. Can feel apathetic at lower revs. Engine lacks Euro character, though by no means does it sound industrial. Compensates with high rev Variable Valve Timing scream. Techno, but still nice.
Feels less connected with the ground than old car, although limits are much higher. Perhaps feels a bit rubbery - it's stance on the road isn't as rewarding as it might be.
Turning circle is terrible, a great irony when comparing it to the last two models, which were exceptional in city environments due to their Four Wheel Steering systems.
Nevertheless, inspires confidence in wet or adverse conditions. Can keep with supposedly faster cars over the right terrain. More fun at high speed (unfortunately, given the proliferation of speed cameras here). Takes repeated thrashings well and rewards driver input.
Excellent quality all round. A class above other Japanese cars. Never looks or feels cheap from any angle.
The climate control is excellent and well implemented. The paint quality is very good. The wheels on my car are quite beautiful alloys, specific to the VTi-R model I believe.
Gearchange and clutch action are taut, although nowhere near as crisp as an S2000 say.
A bit too much tyre noise at speed - perhaps tyre change would help.
The ATTS (available on the top model - Active Torque Transfer System) is designed to correct some of the inherent limitations of front wheel drive. Its effects are noticeable and beneficial when driving in a spirited fashion. It does add a small amount of weight to the car.
Fuel economy is fine for a sports car -hard driving reduces economy of course, but not excessively.
There is no lumbar support, yet on a recent trip (1000 km each way) I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort over a long distance. Excellent.
Styling has aged better than expected.
Power steering can sometimes load up when turning at low speed - I have heard other Prelude owners complain of this.
Extended Warranty (2yrs) offered by dealer was probably expensive given the car's obvious reliability, but still cheaper than General Motors Holden's equivalent Commodore offerings. (I think $450 Australian Dollars from memory)
Service is again a cut above other Japanese manufacturers. Car always washed and presented in tidy condition.
Car has been discontinued now - not sure of the effect on resale of that development.
Note that I have only done 20000 Km in 5 years of owning this car; so long term faults are unlikely to be evident.
Nevertheless based on my experience with earlier models and my evaluation of this car, I would say that exceptional long term reliability is assured.
Quality approaching BMW at a price far less, in Australia at least. A car with some real character, elegance and sufficient speed. Brilliant medium distance point to point car - a pleasure to own.
2nd Aug 2005, 11:25
I just got my 1999 Honda Prelude. It's Jet black with black seats. I really love this car. I got it from the dealership where I work (LUXURY MOTORS Downers Grove, IL).
I really think the oil should be checked every 1500 miles due to the V-TECH burning a little oil. Other than that minor issue the car can be driven with no concern. I have seen these cars in the hands of all kinds of people, young, elderly, and of course the lead feet street runners, the one thing I can say is that they will all have trouble free driving.