The fifth generation Honda Prelude was sold in North America between 1996-2000 with a high revving 2.0 liter VTEC equipped inline-4. Prices dropped soon after they were released and the folks who could afford them committed all manner of atrocities in the name of sport compactedness. The likelihood of finding a stock and original Prelude is like finding a girl without a lower back tattoo at a Linkin Park concert. Find this stock and original 1999 Honda Prelude for $5,800 in Chino, CA via craigslist. Tip from Brian P.
The 5th generation Honda Prelude appeared at the tail end of the sport compact boom and was a decently fast car for its day, but totally outclassed in performance a few years later by STi/Evo/Mustang GTs. Chalk it up to front wheel drive outliving its performance promises, but the Prelude is still a decent driver for someone on a budget.
The Prelude is powered by 2.2 liter H22A4 inline 4-cylinder engine, good for 195 horsepower, but that is only when VTEC kicks-in-yo. Actually the H22 does have a surprising amount of torque at low rpm and the VTEC setup helps the off idle performance as much as it helps high end power.
The Prelude offers a decent driving experience and will age much nicer than something like a Cobalt (plus you won't die in a fiery crash). You sit low to the floor, the shifter is buttery and steering is precise.
See another stock and original VTEC equipped Honda? tips@dailyturismo.com
I have right now sitting behind the shop this cars type-s(or whatever the Honda gods call it) twin. Its been poked in the right front which set the airbags off, mangled the bumper cover, rebar, fender, hood, headlight and put a slight crease in the rad support. Its got similar mileage and no rust which is rare for these in this place. I may just find the parts and drive it as they are growing on me. And best of all only $1000.
ReplyDeleteStock and original, except for the cold air intake, aftermarket shift knob, faux carbon fiber trim, and sticker on the rear window.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's all relative but a better description would have been "relatively unmodified."
This is really picking some nits. All that stuff can easily be reversed in a couple of hours. I saw those four photos before reading the writeup and the first thought that came to mind was - you guessed it - how remarkably stock and original the car appeared.
DeleteBeing in CA, the seller *will* have to return the car to stock in the engine bay in order for it to pass smog visual unless s/he A: "knows a guy" or B: has a "C.A.R.B." sticker/plaque on/near the intake with a legit EO number (or the ever present option C: live in a county that doesn't require smog, if you can find one).
DeleteIf the seller doesn't have it, budget a hundred or so for a stock intake, that's all I'm saying.
Speaking of Preludes, has anyone ever driven the four wheel steering models?
ReplyDeleteThey are very fun and I would guess rare?