Faults:
Right CV boot torn.
Right CV joint damaged (halfshaft replaced by me just two weeks ago).
Front disc brakes warped.
Silver paint heavily oxidized.
Loads of rust.
Valve lash loose (adjusted by me recently).
Ignition timing 0 deg. (TDC)(adjusted by me to 10 BTDC a week ago).
Fuel filler line corroded (dealership will fix in a week due to a 1992 recall).
Right rear tire losing air.
Spark plug in cyl. 4 completely melted due to detonation caused by retarded ignition timing (all four plugs replaced by me two weeks ago).
Failed emissions first time on CO at cruise, dealership cleaned carb floats, passed second time easily.
General Comments:
I bought this car on July 2 at 10:30 p.m. It seemed like a good deal at $1,500. Little did I know about all the problems which came with it.
I test drove it, but I was too foolish to go more than once around the block. At speeds over 30 mph, the front disc brake warpage is apparent. It vibrates to the point of coming apart. Also, the fact that I didn't get to look at it until the night completely hid the oxidation in the paint. The previous owner had no idea of all the mechanical problems, but that's okay.
Oh, and when I test drove it, it ran okay, but it did seem kind of rough. After taking it home and looking under the hood a few days later, I realized cyl. 3 wasn't firing!! Merely caused by a loose spark plug wire.
Even though this car has its share of problems, I don't really mind. I enjoy working on cars, and a car this old should be expected to have many problems. I have most of the major ones fixed, namely the timing and CV joint, but the paint is the next thing. I'm currently in the process of stripping all of the paint from the hood--by hand. I'm using 220 grit sandpaper on a wooden block, wet.
I really love this car, since it is the first year of the second generation Prelude. I believe it is the only year without a computer, and mine doesn't have air-conditioning, an added plus. If anyone has any info about the '83 Prelude, please e-mail me at cocacola443@netzero.net
19th Jul 2001, 19:20
I'd have to agree wholeheartedly with you there. My '83 Prelude was far and away the best vehicle I've ever owned. Mildly modified with a set of 60-series street radials on aluminum wheels this car handled like it was on rails. Lightweight and nimble, with a truly delicious 5-speed, every mile behind the wheel of this machine was great. I even entered the novice class of the local Solo slalom races for fun a couple of times. It was a hoot posting times that beat the guys in the Corvettes! I drove the thing anywhere and everywhere, which is saying something when you live in northern Canada and enjoy camping and fishing in remote locations. Mine had 308,000 kilometres on the clock when I traded it in (approx 200,000 miles, for you Yankees out there!) and was only just starting to smoke. I would have done the motor work and kept it another 13 years, but the infamous body cancer had a hold of it.( thank you, Canadian winters!) My wife and I still miss it, after 3 1/2 years..: (Our other car was recently a Dodge Caravan (see comments on that link as well), which only served to emphasize the incredible quality of my Honda.