Faults:

The whole cat-back exhaust system broke.

The flex-point on the headers broke.

Battery terminals rusted over and needed cleaning.

Oil pan was leaking badly and I was burning about 1 gallon of oil a month.

Clutch slave cylinder was getting a leak at 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car isn't all that quick until you hit the VTEC and then it just takes off.

Handling could be better, but it's not all that bad.

My friend who is 6'4 doesn't fit very well.

Awesome dash that is spread out across the width of the car.

Leather seats are very comfortable and offer very good support when racing.

Faults:

At 145,000 miles there was a problem with the fuel lines overheating in the summer.

General Comments:

This car is for people who like to drive fast. Although just a four-banger, this car has some serious speed. In the lower rpm range, the speed is moderately quick. As you approach red line, the VTEC kicks in and you feel pushed back into the seat.

While domestic cars may have more horsepower for the money, they can't match the Prelude's handling and reliability. The extra cash up front is definitely worth it in the long run.

My car is 9 years old and still gets comments wherever I go. Most people think it is a '99 or '00. The body style is aggressive, but not over-done. The interior is amazing. The black leather seats, although a little worn by now, look and feel awesome. In my '96 Accord, by back would start to hurt after longer drives. In the Prelude, I feel I could drive all day. The dashboard is very unique. The digital displays are extremely bright and go across the whole dash. When I first bought it, I would always forget to turn on my lights at night because they are always lit up very well.

Faults:

An intermittent fault with the 4 wheel steering system became apparent soon after I got the car. Honda dealer diagnostics concluded the 4WS control unit was faulty. £1,600 for a new one! Luckily the car was still under warranty.

There is some unnerving brake judder when braking at high speed (over 100mph). It appears this is quite common with this model, and can usually be rectified with a de-glaze and clean of the front brakes.

Otherwise nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

Okay, so maybe you're thinking of buying an affordable coupe with a bit of go. You're looking at Toyota Celica, Vauxhall Calibra, Audi Coupe? Well look no further than the 4th generation Honda Prelude. Tastefully anonymous and understated, yet a thoroughbred beast with performance and handling to trounce any opposition in it's class.

Mine is the 2.3i manual. Which I consider to be the best of the three models available (well I would, wouldn't I!) The 2.0 is adequate, but not inspiring. The 2.2 vtec is the fastest of the three, and is an awesome motor, but needs winding up to get the full force of the vtec system. The 2.3i is 0.6 seconds slower from 0-60 than the vtec, but it feels like it'll do it all in 4th gear!

The handling is superb. I don't know why Honda's 4 wheel steering system isn't on every car! It truly is a revelation at low and high speed, giving the car exhilarating poise and balance however hard you push it, and a turning circle better then my old Mini!

The exterior styling looks great, but it isn't just for looks. It's lightweight, low and wide because the performance and handling brief dictates it. Interior is functional and comfortable for two, but no more than two! The back seat is a token gesture.

All in all it's a great car. Turbo's and V6/V8's may be sportier, but this is a practical, affordable everyday car that will guarantee a grin every time.