Japanese Performance Magazine - BUYER S GUIDE HONDA PRELUDE (91-96)

Japanese Performance Magazine (Jan 2003 Issue 24) - BUYER’S GUIDE – HONDA PRELUDE 4 th -gen (91-96)

Once upon a time, the only way to describe the Honda Prelude was as the cautious coupe. It was a car appealed directly to the more mature motorist. As cool and retro as those original Prelude may now look, at the time they were the coupe equivalent of sensible shoes. Then the fourth generation Prelude arrived in 1991/92 and, suddenly, we had a fantastically focused sports car. What a surprise.

First of all it looks the part with its aggressively sporty styling. Then there are the brilliant engines, the most interesting one a rev-happy 2.2-litre with VTEC technology, but all models share a truly talented chassis. Anything else? Well yes; they’re extremely well built, then there’s the sophisticated engineering and comprehensive equipment spec. Reliability is not an issue provided all the service stamps are in the book, especially as the Prelude has consistently proved to be one of the most reliable coupes you can own.

Cornering is never less than flat and secure, with seemingly endless amounts of grip. The Prelude is a revelation on the road and always feels very well balanced, whether you have the version with electronic four-wheel steering or the ‘normal’ type. Both work extremely well. The Prelude is more than a match for any front-wheel drive chassis in its class.

The best Honda engine is the 2.2-litre VTEC and, with its variable valve timing technology, it boasts 183bhp, able to slingshot the coupe to a top speed of 140mph and a 0-60mph time of just over 7 seconds. At lower revs there is little punch available, but wind the revs up to 5000rpm and experience an explosion of power as the VTEC extra valve lift come into play.

There are two other engine sizes available. The non-VTEC Prelude 2.3i with 158bhp remains a potent and refined enough unit for most. It manages a top speed of over 130mph and will sprint to 60mph in under 8 seconds. The 131bhp Prelude 2.0i is less exciting, reaching 60mph in just over 9 seconds, but that capable chassis still makes it fun to drive.

The Prelude sold strongly enough in the UK for there to be a large enough pool of cars to choose from. Indeed, some of those original grey-haired (or blue-rinse) owners who have spared no expense in maintaining their Preludes are the ideal source for used examples. However, many have also come into the country through the grey route and offer the enthusiast some interesting alternatives, some with lighter weight (but lesser equipment specification) and close to 200bhp engines.

If you’re looking to pick fault with the fourth-generation Prelude, it’s the packaging that comes in for criticism. As a two-seater it works well enough, but rear-seat passengers are going to suffer from cramp almost as soon as they get in, and an awkwardly-shaped boot hampers practicality.

Some people may also take exception to the weird LED-lit instrumentation. Calling it confusing is an understatement, so it is a good job that you are distracted from all that by the exhilarating driving experience. A 1994 interior revamp changed things for the better, but not significantly, so the facia remained an oddity. You do get used to it, apparently.

In spite of these minor quibbles, the Prelude remains one of the best mid-size coupe buys on the market. It may not be as overtly sexy as some, but, with VTEC power, it’s far more exciting to drive than you might imagine. So don’t be fooled by the image; fourth-generation Preludes really are young at heart. They’re also very affordable to buy and not that expensive to run, returning very good economy.

WHAT’S WHAT

UK Spec Prelude April 1992 2 + 2 Coupe front-wheel drive launched with 2.0- and 2.3-litre engines, equipped with catalyser. Double wishbone suspension with anti-roll bars. 2.0 has ABS, central locking, tilt adjustable power steering, electric sunroof, plus front reclining seats with memory. 2.3i also features electronic four-wheel steering, 15in alloy wheels, driver’s airbag and cruise control. Auto optional on both versions. February 1993 2.2 VTEC launched with four-wheel steering, driver and passenger airbags, body colour sunroof, door mirrors, front and rear spoilers, plus blue tinted glass, air conditioning, ABS and cruise control. Manual five-speed only.

April 1994 Mild facelift Preludes with clear indicator lenses and restyled dashboard with backlit LCD dials on 2.2VTEC and 2.3i. Space-saver spare improved boot space, also front centre console box replaced rear storage box. New nine-spoke alloys for the 2.2VTEC and 2.3.

Japanese specification Preludes All Japanese domestic market Preludes have climate control, retractable mirrors and most have cruise control as standard. Otherwise the major differences and options are as follows:

ABS brakes were very rarely fitted, and most JDM cars do not have leather trim. 4WS was optional in Japan but standard for UK-spec 2.2 and 2.3 models.

The following options are sometimes found on JDM Preludes but were never available for UK-spec cars: traction control, limited-slip diff, six-speaker DSP stereo, automatic gearbox optional on 2.2 VTEC, but some say this is not well suited to the engine, so best avoided. Also, there is a 2.2 non- VTEC model available in Japan.

There are all the usual Japanese spec differences, from the small registration plate holders, to kph speedos. These may well have been changed by the dealer or importer. Also, some of the suspension components differ from UK models.

THE MARKET PLACE

Prices are remaining strong for UK specification 4th generation Preludes. However, the market is flooded with JDM imports and these are significantly cheaper. According to the Honda Type R Club, the most worrying recent development is a number of dealers passing off the Japanese 2.2Si (non- VTEC) as the 2.2 VTEC, so read the ‘what to look for’ section very carefully.

HOW MUCH TO PAY

£2000 1991 VTECs from the classifieds £3000 Going rate for good early VTECs, both import and UK cars from dealers £4000 ’94-‘95 VTECs £5000 2.0 UK cars with full history, but a sound mid ’90s UK VTEC would be a better bet. £6000 Late UK 2.3s £6700 Top money for a P plated UK-spec 2.2 VTEC

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Air conditioning Make sure that it works; it is as simple as that. Some evidence of service or re-gas of the system in the last few years would be reassuring. Often a non-working unit merely needs re-charging with gas, but that could cost around £100.

Radiator The Prelude seems to have more cooling-related problems than other Hondas, the suggestion being that the open design of the grille means there is more chance of damage. A new radiator costs around £150 from an independent radiator specialist or a ‘core’ for £100.

Bodywork The Prelude is very well built and anything less than tight panel gaps suggests poor repairs after an accident. Early examples can occasionally have rust on the bootlid and also some flaky paintwork.

Sunroof This can rattle while driving if the runners have not been properly greased. The sound is a kind of tapping/knocking which seems as if it’s coming from the rear of the car. Engine The great news is that there are no known internal problems on any unit. However, uneven idle between 900 to 2000rpm suggests that the idle control valve is either sticking or damaged and, if at fault, will have to be replaced. Also high fuel consumption and uneven running may mean that the oxygen sensor is faulty. The item itself costs over £400 from Honda, so check specialist parts suppliers for a second-hand part for considerably less. The bearings on the shaft of the distributor can fail. In extreme cases the friction which is generated from the shaft rotating with worn bearings can destroy the inside of the distributor. That is a worry because a new distributor from a dealer is £450. Specialists and dealers can replace worn bearings.

Wheels Many cars, like this one, will have been fitted with after-market wheels. That’s no bad thing, but if it’s a grey import and has wheels fitted in Japan, check for damage as a replacement may be impossible to source.

Clutch Master Cylinder Some owners indicate that this component can have a short life, as little as 30,000 miles. So, if gear selection is a problem or the pedal seems sticky/jerky when lifting your foot off the clutch, then the cylinder may be going. Also check for fluid at the back of the pedal, which indicates a leaking seal. The item is costly at over £130.

Steering (Apologies: there are some obvious mistakes here) The twin-turbo models (We wish!) are equipped with four-wheel steering (active from 31mph) and permanent four-wheel drive (again, wishing!). The steering should feel reasonably taut. This is a complex system and, if bushes are worn, it could prove expensive to fix.

Suspension There are no weak spots, apart from the normal wear and tear of bushes and dampers. However, the point has been made that the set-up for Japanese specification Preludes is different so that, if one component needs replacing, all four corners may need to be changed to suit.

Brakes The rear discs and callipers are a frequent source of problems on all models. The callipers are prone to seizing and the discs tend to rust badly.

Engine Identification It is important to identify which unit is under the bonnet, especially on grey imports. The easiest way to check is to look at the engine itself – if it has ‘DOHC VTEC’ stamped on the cam cover then it’s a 2.2 VTEC. If it just has ‘Honda Motor Company’ and the H logo then it is either a 2.2 or 2.3 DOHC non-VTEC. Also, check the VIN plate for the engine code – the codes are as follows (the first 3 digits are the important ones)

H22 - 2.2-litre VTEC F22 - 2.2-litre non-VTEC F20 - 2.0-litre SOHC H23 - 2.3-litre DOHC

SPECIFICATION

UK Spec

Prelude 2.0 i Engine: 1997cc Power output: 131bhp at 5300rpm Torque: 131lb ft at 5000rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual/Four-speed auto Weight: 1240-1265kg Length/Width/Height: 4400/1765/1290 Max speed: 126mph 0-60mph: 9.2 Prelude 2.3i 4WS Engine: 2259cc Power output: 158bhp at 5800rpm Torque: 154lb ft at 4500rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual/Four-speed auto Weight: 1280-1305kg Length/Width/Height: 4400/1765/1290 Max speed: 134mph 0-60mph: 7.7

Prelude 2.2 VTEC 4WS Engine: 2157cc Power output: 183bhp at 6800rpm Torque: 156lb ft at 5300rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual Weight: 1315kg Length/Width/Height: 4400/1765/1290 Max speed: 140mph 0-60mph: 7.1

Prelude 2.2 Si Engine: 2156cc Power output: 158bhp at 6000rpm Torque: 148lb ft at 5000rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual/Four-speed auto Weight: 1210-1230kg Length/Width/Height: 4400/1765/1290 Max speed: 134mph 0-60mph: 7.7

Prelude 2.2 Si VTEC Engine: 2156cc Power output: 197bhp at 6800rpm Torque: 161lb ft at 5500rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual/Four-speed auto Weight: 1240-1290kg Length/Width/Height: 4400/1765/1290 Max speed: 140mph 0-60mph: 7.1

MILESTONES

1991 Prelude launched in Japan April 1992 Launched in UK February 1993 2.2i VTEC launched in UK April 1994 Minor facelift September 1996 discontinued