1989 Honda Prelude 16 Si 4WS review from Australia and New Zealand

Cam belt replaced when we bought it.

Rear oil Seal.

Drive shafts.

Seats have started to wear.

Headlight raising switch.

What a fantastic car! When you read the above, please remember that this car has now done 260,000 kms (161,500 miles).

We replaced the cam belt as the previous owner, when quizzed about the cam belt said "what's that?" Oh dear, we said, better safe than sorry.

The rear oil seal went after 230,000 kms. We replaced the drive shafts at the same time, as the left one had begun to knock. Please note, this was after 230,000 kms. I regard this as extremely minor maintenance on a car of this age and mileage. Our mechanic charged us $850 AUD inc. parts (about $650 USD).

It has only let us down once, when the headlight raising switch failed. I have since heard that this is a common fault, and that it is very rare to find this model of Prelude still with the original switch. The RAC repairman had us going again in 20 min, though, and it was replaced for $40 AUD at our local auto electrician's.

They are the negatives, now for the positives.

What a car! It literally handles like it is on rails. The 4ws system is intuitive, unobtrusive and "just works". The brakes are unbelievably powerful. It gets 8l/100km (30mpg) consistently, and more on long trips.

It NEVER goes wrong. EVERYTHING still works in the way intended. The cruise control is the best I have ever used. The auto box is as good as a manual - and I NEVER thought that I would say that about ANY car.

It lacks some torque when compared to a V8, but there is more than enough power to get you into serious trouble with the Police. I have had it up to 180 km/h often, and there is much more on offer. This car can really get up and boogie. It can cruise all day at 160 km/h (100 mph). I cruise across the central plateau of our State at 150 km/h - and that's on bumpy, twisty road.

The ride quality is unbelievable for something that goes around corners like this. Every passenger comments on how smooth and quiet it is. Honda really DID get it right. We have owned many sports cars. Very few of them went around corners even 80% as well, and NONE of them rode like the Prelude.

To sum all that up - fantastic, affordable fun. I am now so thoroughly spoiled by this car that I am having real trouble finding a car to replace our aging Mercedes. I judge everything by Prelude standards, and find them all extremely lacking.