Comments: 1-15, 16-18
The automatic radio antenna is sticking now.
The knob came off the temperature control.
I've owned my 1990 Prelude SR since 1993. I loved it so much that I had it shipped across the country by train when I moved.
I had the original muffler in it until I moved to Ontario and had to finally replace the muffler last year.
Other than that, this car has been very impressive.
It drives GREAT! It has lots of power (although I don't know the horsepower).
Every time I pull into a service station to fill up, the attendants want to know if I'll sell my car.
I rarely see SR's and I'm not sure what the difference is between SR and Si for instance, but it must be a little rare.
All I know for sure is that it's been a wonderful car and I'll be very sad to part with it when I do.
The SR is canadian and the Si is american.
I've asked extensively about the SI SR models and the best result that Iv'e found is that SI means sport injection, SR means sport racer, buy the way I have a 90 SR 4WS,very rare car,congratulations. Info on this model is very limited why because it's rare. 1990 model is very different than any other model, I'm still looking for info on this car, mysterious!! Peace!!
Hi.
I am planning on buying a 91 Prelude SR, the only complaint from the owner is it burns oil. Is that a usual thing for prelude? Otherwise the car is good, with minor rust. It passed emission testing with flying colours.
My 90 Prelude SR takes about 1 liter of 5W-30 every month,sometimes a little longer depending on oil changes and how the car is driven. I'm not sure what oil is best, I've been using Penzoil which seems to work just fine. I've also thought of putting 10W-30 in my next oil change to me 5W-30 oil seems very thin, but I'm gonna ask the Honda dealer about that. I wouldn't be to concerned about the oil usage although I do recommend to keep all fluids checked every week, make sure to check the ATF level!! the dip stick is a bit hard to get at first, it's almost hidden.
Iv'e seen a lot of Preludes drive just fine with many miles on them. I would go ahead and buy the Prelude a little rust can be fixed and the oil should be of no concern,just keep up the maintenance a lot of people have new cars and don't worrie about that stuff. Just treat you Prelude good and good things will happen,Enjoy the ride! Peace.
As was mentioned, SR is the Canadian version, and Si is the American version. As for the horsepower (hp), well they vary. If you have the 2.0L Si (88'-91') then it has 135hp @ 6200rpm. Now, if you have the Si (90'-91') then it has 140hp @ 5800rpm.
I also read about "oil burning", well, if your Prelude has a "B21A1" engine, then it will at some time, burn oil. This engine was more of an experimental engine from Honda. This engine has to have oil changes every 3,000 kms. I know that it says change the oil every 10,000 kms on the engine sticker, don't go by that. If you want to keep your "B21A1" from burning oil, then do the correct oil changes at 3,000 km intervals.
Lastly, I have a 1990 Honda Prelude SR. She has the infamous B21A1 engine, and she burns some oil. The fact is, I am the 3rd owner of this car and I have done 2 oil changes since I bought her over 2 months ago (just over 255,000 kms). She now has just over 257,000 kms on her and she drives awesome.
I have lots of plans for her, including engine swap, suspension, paint job (she has rust and faded paint), etc. I only paid $1500 for her, and I am glad that I did.
If you have any questions about your Prelude, then check out this site and hopefully your questions will be answered. The site is preludepower.com. (you have to register, but it is free)
That engine is famous for burning oil. Experimental means that the block has reinforced metal for the cylinder walls which makes the rings worn faster. If you change you rings, you'll get another 100000 miles without any problems.
I don't know about the 3000km oil change, but I heard it before. It just doesn't make any sens that it will make that big of a difference now anyway... if you rebuilt your engine, you'll better be off swapping it for the SI STATES engine only available from Japan.
Have fun with that car...
My honda prelude sr is also burning oil. I have been wondering what to do might rebuild motor it omly has 170 000 kms. but I also know the is this website www.jdmsource.ca has v-tech engines don't know if it fits in my car?
My '91 Prelude SR needs the clutch and transmission and one CV joint replaced : (and it also burns oil like no other, I go through the 4 litres of oil in 1,000 km it ridiculous.
I also have a 1990 Honda Prelude SR, but I haven't had much of a chance to drive it because I haven't gotten it registered yet. I'd like to know a little bit more on this car.
I just got a 90 Prelude; it seems very old and has a few bumps cuz the previous owner was in a minor crash, and the engine is at about 180k miles.
The radiator died not long ago, and I am planning on getting it fixed. Does anyone think that it is worth spending a little less than a $1000 to replace the broken parts with such mileage?
I read that the engine can last "forever" if I maintain it, and I have been maintaining it for as long as I can remember, but I doubt it will last when I drive it on a highway... the rpm reaches about 4500 @ 80mph.
I have a 90 Prelude SR. I saw in one book that the HP was 125, though, wiki says 140???
Mine also burns oil like the above posters. I always thought I was the only one. It only has 188000km so far. I once went 220km/h with it on the highway, though, doubtful it would do those speeds now. The factory muffler sounded real nice, especially when you started the engine, sadly, that's a thing of the past now, with aftermarket non-performance exhausts. The car has great acceleration, and it always surprises people when they get in it.
I'm putting 10W30, at least once a month. Winter months are worse. My antenna is also stuck. And the little door that hides the buttons for the clock has long been gone, though I still have the door. It is not the 4WS model. It also doent have power locks, though it has everything else, including A/C, which, obviously, has never worked since I bought the car, used.
Hey all
i have got the 90 prelude si states and I have no problems with the oil burn its done 299000 ks and its no prob knock on wood haha I love to drive it the si states is only avalible as a import from japan and was only a limited number made its pretty much the cream of the 3rd gen prelude with all the extras such as ABS 4ws ect if you are looking at buying a prelude I suggest looking out for thiis model google si states very good read
happy drivin
mr t.
Hey every one I recently bought a 1990 prelude Si states.
The car came with a newly rebuilt engine, a new radiator, new brake rotors, calipers, pads. It also has new springs & struts. also a new exust system. The cluth is new. It also ha power windows power stirring, sun roof, a/c, heater. New 18" rims and tires. I got this car for $3,500.00 do you think It's a good deal. for me it was at the time. I would like to put some after market parts to make it a bit faster. what do you al think?
Well I have a 90 Prelude 2.0 SI. And I bought it for $2000. and ended up putting close to $8000 to fix everything that had broke on it. Replaced timing belt, radiator, powersteering pump, alternator, transmission, and muffler. And just a few little things as well. But, now it's starting to make a clacking noise when I start it and even when I was driving it the other day. I'm guessing it's due to low on oil, and I know them engines are good for burning oil. But, I put 2 more quarts of oil to fill it, and the noise got worse, and then the car completely turned off, and was not starting, so I'm guessing something may have broke, I'm not so sure yet tho. Can anyone help me out?
I have a 91 Si b21a1 engine.. yes it's 140-145hp.. mine has 225,000 miles on it.. I bought it for 2,300. Since then I put in:
New radiator
Alternator
Clutch slave and master cylinder
Fuel pump
Fan relay switch and housing
All new radiator hoses
Thermostat
New distributor cap rotor and wire/plugs
Still needs the timing replaced, and main seal done.. doesn't burn oil, but leaks some 1 quart every 2,500 miles, still needs or sensor and crank angle sensor.
I would still recommend this car.. it's fast, fun and very reliable!
Esp the 5 speed manual.. BTW the b21a is the fastest stock engine in the 3rd gen Si models..