1987 Honda Prelude 1.8 EX from Belgium - Comments

Mechanically extremely little has really gone wrong. Nothing actually...

For the rest however:

*Driver's seat sagged and seat cover worn.

*Various bits of interior trim broke -the light switch stalk, the passenger door handle, the hazard warning light button gets stuck,...

*Boot lid lock broke.

*Rust, rust, rust and rust. I've driven a complete (wet) summer without rear seat, because water was leaking in 'somewhere'. Guilty one appeared to be a rust hole in the passenger door gap.

I bought this car in 1994 when it was seven years old. From the start I decided not to spend anything on keeping it in showroom condition -I was just going to drive it and enjoy driving it.

I did however have it serviced at a Honda dealership, which wasn't really expensive as mechanically nothing ever went wrong (and as I didn't care for interior trim wearing badly and those rusty patches appearing all over).

Bought secondhand, they're dirt-cheap and extremely reliable! They'll drive on and on and on and never break down.

Fuel consumption is very acceptable, starting at about 8l/100km and up to 12 if driven at really silly speeds.

The Prelude isn't a sports car. It's more of a cool cruiser with secure handling, smooth performance and excellent comfort.

Handling is fun, but more safe than sporting. It's not that handy through the bendy bits. It's completely at home on long fast curves.

Two months ago (oct 2003) at the age of 16, it finally went to Honda-heaven after failing MoT. It was still running on it's original shocks (!).

Mr MoT wasn't impressed...

Finally the reparation-costs would have exceeded it's emotional value.

Belgium calling again-

seems I forgot the things which really hooked me on my Prelude:

*The steering is very direct, I guess between 2.5 and 3 turns lock to lock.

*Operation of the 'box is a real delight. I've driven a lot of new cars, but none has ever given me the same mechanical feeling when changing gears. Clutch & accelerator are relatively heavy compared with moderns, but just féél that gear slot into place!

*And of course -once seated, I could stay there for ever. Extremely comfortable driving position.

Hey, I have an 1987 Prelude as well, and it gets me by. It is the most comfortable car I've ever driven, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The car started out viper blue, and is now viper red equipped with a hood scoop, rear spoiler and I chopped up a mustang body kit and put it on, and now Its been nicknamed the red dragon. Also, I'm looking for engine upgrades, if anyone knows what I can and cannot slap in my baby, let me know, dragon184@hotmail.com

thanks.

Peace.