1989 Honda Prelude Si from North America - Comments

Had the left drive-shaft boot replaced.

New exhaust center pipe, probably due to driving on roads salted in wintertime.

A/C is officially dead, don't care to replace it.

Car seems to have developed a 'snore' ie low-end vibration noise at around 2500 RPM for just a second or two, no big deal.

What can I say? I love this car.

I was supposed to trade it in when we got our mini-van and at the last minute I balked and kept it.

Road response is excellent, cornering great, acceleration good especially at +3000 RPM.

After 12 years the engine still ‘purrs’ at 4000 RPM just like it did when new.

Also kids love it since they can play in front seat (no airbags!)

I have an 89 prelude si 4ws, and one thing I can tell you is that rattle/snore at 2500 RPM's is actually the 4-2-1 header, on the 2 pipe. the 2 pipe consists of a "pipe within a pipe" what they are doing is the inside pipe is rattling against the outside pipe, all you have to do is take it to a shop (or do it yourself) and get the inside pipe welded to the outside pipe, thus eliminating any chance for more vibration, which can cause problems when you try to re-sell the car. a shop should charge about 40 bucks to get this simple thing dealt with, for more information and pictures about this specific problem, go to http://www.ludespeed.com/ it's in that site somewhere, Very easy to locate.

I have a 1989 2.0S and I have the same low end rattle for just a split second. I wasn't sure what it was, but maybe I'll see about the welding of the pipes. My car has 238,000 miles and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

I recently bought a pristine '89 Prelude Si after my old Corsica got smashed. I don't know if cars are still made like this, but they should be! For a relatively heavy car, I'm amazed by the amount of power I get, and the thing's as solid as a BMW. My co-workers scoffed at me when I told them what I had bought (I drove exclusively American), saying I was driving a rice-rocket. Let me tell you, there's little relation between my car and those crappy looking Civics that are more plastic than metal. In my opinion, its one of the best (and most affordable, assuming you find a nice one) luxury/sport cars on the used-car market.

I just purchased a 89 Prelude si and besides having a hard time finding parts I am very impressed with it's performance. It had a leaky injector and a small engine fire when I picked it up for nothing, but it has been well worth the trouble. It now is close to cherry condition with power windows, sunroof, CD player really fun car to driver. I have had fun making some of the newer "rice rockets" like the ford focus and neons with the loud exhaust look really bad. Hope you all enjoy yours as much as I do mine. If anyone knows where I can still get performance parts for it please e-mail me at No_Illusions@charter.net

You guys are geniuses. I just bought my Prelude this week. The acceleration is very satisfying, and the steering is just what I'd expect from the car model with the best handling in the world for under thirty thousand dollars. I could go on. I also have a second generation Rx-7 which unfortunately doesn't run at the moment, but I think the Honda Prelude competes very well for my preference in cars, even against the rotary engine! (Not that I don't also strongly endorse the Rx-7) PGM-FI using DOHC is more than enough!

I just recently bought a 89 prelude 2.0s, car drives pretty good, but I recenty started getting a pinging or rattle noise from the engine, it doesn't make the noise while in park or neutral, its only in drive or reverse, I've search the engine while in drive to locate the rattle with the E brake on, but no luck to locate the source, I've changed the spark plugs, no luck though, I was wondering because this car is dual carburated if there is a level somewhere in the engine compartment that I can adjust, because I believe both sides of the carburetor are not putting the same amount of gas into both sides, Help would be much appreciated, Other than that the car is very reliable and very well built.Shane@fnbiznet.com.

I received my '89 2.0Si Prelude from my grandfather, almost not willingly! I love this car to death. I did have to replace the radiator at about 209,000 miles because I ran the car overheated about 5 miles to my parent's house. Incidentally, there is no difference (that I can notice) in performance after I made that stupid mistake. I had to replace a couple of hoses within the last 3,000 miles (I'm up 215,000), though that's probably due to the engine overheating that day.

One problem I have now is that from time to time the car decides not to start. It turns over fine, but it just won't run. But if I wait about 10 minutes, it starts up as if there were no problem at all. Well, yesterday I got stuck at work because it never started (after 25 minutes). It seems to happen in hot/humid weather. Is this a sensor, does anyone know? email me SpiffCheeseCo@hotmail.com. Other than that, I love this car and will drive it till I have to put it to rest eternally. I am too tough on it, but it is the best car I have ever owned, and treats me very well. I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could find somebody selling one! Simon B.

I have an '89 Prelude 2.0s model (carb) When I first purchased the vehicle, it had a slight pinging sound when I would reach higher RPM's for example, when starting out in first. Anyway, now there is a lot of smoke coming from under the valve cover. The vehicle sputters and hesitates a lot. I removed the valve cover to check things out, and all I could see (in my infinite Japanese car knowledge) was smoke coming from a few small holes toward the front of the valve assembly. I really love this car however and would like to get it back on the road again asap. Could anybody help out? It would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 1990 Prelude 2.0s (carbs) and ever since I have had it the thing will not idle after it has reached operating temp. I have seen gas leek out of the side of the carbs. I am told they need rebuilding. That would do it if you could find someone who would be willing to do the impossible! I have had it to a Honda dealer and they said we won't work on those, but when we did we just put new carbs on and trashed the old ones. The price was a mere $1350.00 for the pair. (If you can even find someone). I would prefer to have someone do the job for me because it sounds like a vacuum nitemare. I want to keep the car because it only has 128k on it and drives like new. Where can I go for help? Also, the gas milage is horrible!

First of all, I hope to answer the question about the smoking under the valve cover. You mentioned that it runs poorly, and given the mileage, I would suspect a burnt or sticking valve. If you're a Do it yourself person, buy a compression gauge from Autozone. remove all 4 spark plugs and screw in your gauge where the plugs go. crank the engine for about 10 seconds. and do this on all 4 cylinders. If you notice on or more cylinders very low in compression, there's your problem. (Expect to see between 120psi-150psi or more).

I bought my 89 Prelude Si 4WS from California reluctantly, after being unable to find a 4G63T Mitsubishi worthy of tuning. Needless to say I'm very happy to have bought it. I've only done minor work to it, and just recently ported and polished the head at home. The power is tremendous and at even the most insane speeds, I can't lose control! If anyone has a spare 4WS speed sensor (the rubber solenoid is leaking into my trans, which I bypassed) email me please. Shane_Gina@peoplepc.com.