1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS from North America - Comments

10th Dec 2002, 11:15

"A Fully Equipped Honda Powerplant"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Rotors were found to be warped, probably due to the older woman who owned it before me. Installed cross drilled rotors and metal matrix brake pads.

Seats are experiencing usual wear. i.e. Fading color.

Usual rust has formed below the gas tank and underneath each quarter panel. Probably due to the fact I found pounds of compacted dirt and sand underneath them after removed. WARNING: unscrew and clean underneath your quater panels one time a year, as moisture and dirt are perfect conditions for rust formation. You may save yourself loads of money and increase resale value of your car.

Paint on hood wearing away. Honda did not place the hood correctly, it gets extremely hot when running during the summer, causing paint fade and severe damage to any clear coat.

The "In car shower" many prelude owners experience is the result of trapped dirt and dust in the sunroofs drain channels. A flexible, soft rod needs to be worked down the channels and hot water poured down the channels. *Warning*: channels are rubber, any puncturing of these tubes may result in further, costly problems.

General comments?

Despite the three minor problems stated above, this car is excellent and with new tires it's 4 wheel steering radius is intriguing.

Couple of mods and this car is a excellent powerplant and very fun to drive.

It offers a panoramic view from all angles and is unique enough to stand out in a crowd.

I will definitely buy another prelude in my lifetime, but I will seriously miss the 4 wheel steering.

Honda got it right with these preludes, and they continue to do it right.

Parts wear they don't break. Change your timing belt every 50,000 miles, tune-up every 25,000 and change the oil every 2,500. You'll be glad you maintained it when you trade it in or resell it to a private party.

Safety may be of a concern, as the driver only sits above 6 inches from the asphalt. It tops out at 132 MPH and could use more low end power.


9th Oct 2003, 00:05

I have a 1988 prelude Si 2.0 4WS ALB

This has been the worst car ever I've had, after putting 4 Automatic gearboxes in it myself I'm sick of it. I hope this is the last one I will have to install. I've been told the O'rings in the Autos go if anyone else has this trouble.


3rd May 2004, 08:14

I have a 1988 Honda prelude 2.0 Si with 4ws Id Have to say I love this car and I wouldn't give the world to it althought I do experience some of the problems you've had it still doesn't change the fact that this car is one of a kind and It will always remain my favorite car...


4th Apr 2005, 12:18

This is my first car and I love it. I have Experienced the water coming in on your head after it has rained from the sunroof also.


1st Apr 2006, 19:00

I have a 1988 prelude SI 4ws that I got for 650 bucks from a tow yard and it is really fast I smoke all kinds of newer accra's all the time.

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