1997 Honda Prelude from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing - just other people who keep crashing into it, wasting my no claims bonus!

Engine is pretty fine, does make a great noise when revved hard, although I am told it's nothing compared to the 2.2 VTEC! Plenty of power, but the auto transmission saps this down so it gives not too much more than the average two-litre manual. Still beats these though...

Gearbox is okay, fairly sporty for an auto, sports mode letting you hold each gear higher (and burn more fuel!).

Handling is pretty awesome thanks to the electro-hydraulic 4 wheel steering system - first time hitting a roundabout hard, you get the feeling that you've just lost the back end, but then the rear wheels steer the opposite way, and to use the cliche, it goes round like it's on rails. That said, if you provoke it hard, it'll understeer, but thanks to that intelligent 4WS, it will never, EVER oversteer!

Interior is okay, nice blue lit up dash (which you either will or won't like...), comfy sports seats, and FAR less interior space than a car of this size has any right to offer. With the front seats in a comfy position for the average sized driver and passenger, they are touching the cloth-lined bench of a back seat, so don't even think about rear passengers for any long journey. However, this means that boot space is good for this type of car, which is one advantage.

For a FWD coupe, this does pretty much all you could want it to - has all the looks, but is (relatively) insurable too, and has a reasonable turn of speed and inspirational handling to boot, as well as the now legendary Honda reliability.

However, as a sports car, it's upsetting that some well conceived family hatchbacks (Golf GTi 2.0, Peugeot 306 XSi, Seat Leon 20V, even the Zetec engined Ford Focus) can out-do it in terms of speed AND handling through most everyday driving situations.

The 97 Prelude US version does not have four wheel steering. It has automatic torque transfer system.

The instruments on the 97 and later Preludes are conventional needle gages with backlighting.

Generally, the comments indicate he refers to the previous generation Prelude.

After the faint praise.

He also states:

"However, as a sports car, it's upsetting that some well conceived family hatchbacks (Golf GTi 2.0, Peugeot 306 XSi, Seat Leon 20V, even the Zetec engined Ford Focus) can out-do it in terms of speed AND handling through most everyday driving situations".

Car and Driver mag tested every sports car under $30K in handling, and found the Prelude #1. The comments relative to obscure Eurocancars outrunning AND outhandling can't be refuted easily, but I doubt the contention, and if there is a Peugeot faster and better handling than the Prelude, my entire knowledge base will need to adjust.

I think you have the 4th generation Prelude... do you have a traingular shaped rear lamps.

Hi.

It's the guy who wrote the original review... at what point did you think I was talking about a US model?!? Your comments and attitude above offend me, especially as it is clear from the start that I am UK based, so "car and driver" magazine comments are NOT VALID for this review.

The UK 97 Prelude does indeed have 4WS... I can tell this by looking at the back wheels when stationary...

The dials are indeed backlit blue... when did I say otherwise?

As for your Peugeot comment... have you ever driven a 205 1.9 GTi? Or indeed a 306 GTi-6? Or a 405 Mi-16? Of course you haven't... coz you're NOT BASED IN THE UK! If you want to try one, why not fly over here and try my standard unmodded '92 205 1.9, and see if it's faster than an auto 2.3 'Lude...?

Comments from Americans about UK cars are utterly invalid in the context of the info this website provides.

Listen buddy, I am in the UK, I used to have a 205 1.9GTI pug. Sure, they handle like go-karts, but they are no way as quick as a 2.2vtec prelude, not a chance.

Read the review before you start passing comment - it's about a 2.3 'Lude, not a 2.2. I refuse to get into a slanging match, but the Prelude is NOT a sports car, regardless of engine, much as people love to think it is. Honda have one seriously sporty line away from the S2000 or NSX, and that is the Type R brand, and they've even managed to devalue that with the so-so Civic.

Prelude is a sport car (or you wanna say it's a family or economy car). Shame on you. I used to have the 2.3 auto. It's quick and 4ws makes it a perfect sports car (well, I ain't talkng 'bout ferrari and porsche, etc.)

To the original author? From what you've stated in the original review it sounds as if you have the 4th gen prelude (triangular rear lights) and yes they did come with 4ws and a 2.3 engine. This model is quite underpowered, and yes it probably isn't a real 'sportscar'

If you wanted a prelude with a more sporty feel you should try the 2.2 VTEC. Its in an entirely different league.