Faults:

Well I bought the car, and it had a shake and the rotors were warped. Put all new brakes on it, then the rear calipers needed to be replaced.

The valve cover started leaking, then it developed a vibration at 3200 rpm, which is very hard to figure out what the hell is causing it.

Now it has a bent wheel, and pulls like a b****.

It also is very uncomfortable to drive with its lousy seats and awful riding suspension.

Never buy one.

General Comments:

Only thing good about the car, and the reason I bought it, is that it gets 30 mpg.

Faults:

Not much since I've owned it; just the usual things.

Clutch replaced a few months after owning.

Brake pads fell apart (crap green stuff).

Distributer failed.

Coolant temperature sensor failed.

General Comments:

One of the best cars I've ever owned.

Very quick for what I paid; even quicker than my Celica GT4 ST185. and more reliable.

Also a lot quicker than most modern performance cars like the Mazda RX8 for example.

This is the second Prelude I've owned, and to be honest I would deffo get another.

Faults:

Where do I start?

Since I've had it:

142,000km: Balancer pulley fell off in the engine, causing the timing belt to be stripped and have to be replaced.

143,000: Oxygen monitoring sensor.

144,200: Speedo sensor.

145,000: Balancer belt snapped and had to be replaced with the timing belt (which got damaged) again!

152,000: Crank shaft snapped in half and has done some damage to my valves.

Faults:

CV boots needed replacing.

The Four-Wheel-Steering system is known to disengage on occasion and cease working (No biggie, just means it handles like a regular non-4WS car).

General Comments:

I have owned this car for approximately a month, and I feel I have been able to put it though its paces in that time.

My model is the 'Si-VTEC', it is the Japanese spec and sought after 'BB1' grade with the H22A engine, LSD and a factory traction control switch. Basically the FLAGSHIP and most desired model.

I have some mixed feelings about the Prelude, it seems like a drivers car with its aggressive, low slung wide-body, powerful engine, and 'cat like' handling, but then the interior suggests otherwise with the gauges spread all the way across the dash, away from the driver...

Around town the Prelude, if driven sensibly, can be considered economical and even I suppose, boring. But if you want there is excitement waiting, it hides just beyond 5000RPM and its name is 'VTEC'. Meet your new best friend. If you feel the need, like I did when I was pulling 70KPH (cliff-side) around a winding mountain range, VTEC is more than willing to give you an extra 17% HP and sends you deep back into the drivers seat.

Now, despite the fact that I drive an Automatic, just a simple flick of the 'sports' mode button changes the gear changes at a higher RPM giving you the feel of a Manual with the laziness of an Auto. Just be expecting to pay the price at the petrol pump.

Certain models (such as mine) come with Four-Wheel-Steering (4WS). This basically gives you 'super-turning' and improved cornering. It was originally used on race cars and really does add value to the overall driving experience. Whether it be during maneuvers at high-speed or low-speed.

So now we come to the bottom-line, should YOU buy one? I would say yes with a, but...

The car is a looker and there for a 'puller'. It is practical, yet thanks to VTEC it has the option of being impractical, and for this I give it my two thumbs up. So overall it is a GREAT car (and now for the, but/s) BUT, despite it having 'four' seats, due to the cramped conditions in the back, it really is strictly a two person vehicle, and without VTEC this car loses a whole lot of fun-factor.

In closing I suggest that you purchase this car but only if you have one girlfriend and you can find a one with a VTEC engine.

A SOLID 8/10.

Peace.

Paul.