buying a 5th gen prelude - Honda Prelude Forum

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 05:57 PM

I'm buying a used 5th gen prelude automatic , and i just wanted to know if anyone has one or know any of the problems, associated with it ?

Honda4Life · 08-31-2011, 06:02 PM

The transmissions are a ticking time bomb and are not the most reliable Honda automatic trans. 99.8% of owners will say to find a 5spd and stay away from the auto's.

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 06:09 PM

i do not plan on racing or anything , just love the preludes and always wanted one , do they still have those problems if I'm only a casual driver ?

S-LudeDan · 08-31-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafy fool

i do not plan on racing or anything , just love the preludes and always wanted one , do they still have those problems if I'm only a casual driver ?

yeah, 5th gen trans are faulty, no matter how casually you drive. Honda even extended the warranties on them back in the day. If you want a bulletproof auto trans lude, get a 4th gen. Those trannies last longer than anything else on the car.

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 06:38 PM

well i would really like a 5th gen, just like the look of the car better , so the manuals do not have this problem ?

S-LudeDan · 08-31-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafy fool

well i would really like a 5th gen, just like the look of the car better , so the manuals do not have this problem ?

no, the 5th gen manual transmissions are some of the best ever built

minilogoguy18 · 08-31-2011, 07:13 PM

Supposedly the late year autos and if the car has had a replacement they're more reliable but early year 5g models that are still on their first trans are probably gonna **** the bed at any minute.

Lude_13 · 08-31-2011, 08:33 PM

Remember to get an inspection done before you buy it.

nvroutgund · 08-31-2011, 08:46 PM

You're smarter than me... I didn't ask around before I bought my automatic. Stay away from them. Get a 5spd.

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 09:14 PM

well the thing is that i don't know how to drive stick , but i supposed i can learn , are the manuals easy to drive ?

PreludeNmphs · 08-31-2011, 09:30 PM

Learn how to drive a stick... you'll be glad you learned. Believe me you will need to drive a stick one day and will be happy you did.

If you must have an auto, just be aware you probably will have to repair it. I had to rebuild mine at about 165k miles and I have driven on the rebuild for about 14k with no problems. My rebuild cost 1700.00. I was quoted a OEM factory replcement for 4200.00.

You've been given the Best advice - get a stick.

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 10:10 PM

so what would be the best year , or does it even make a difference?

Honda4Life · 08-31-2011, 10:49 PM

Personally I would look for a 99-01. There is a few differences between them and the 97-98.

2 quick ones for you the grill and the interior seat covering. There's more though. Knowing what I know now, I would look mainly for an 01 but I'm still happy with my 99.

rafy fool · 08-31-2011, 11:11 PM

i found a 00' for 4,900 , "supposedly" 7500 miles on it 5spd , from the picture it looks good and im planning on taking it to a honda dealer to look at it , anyone thinks that i might be getting ripped off?

PreludeNmphs · 09-01-2011, 05:45 AM

7500 miles?? Sure you don't mean 75K? Picture? Go see it before you do anything else. It may be riced out and cost you the price of the car to make it driveable again.

S-LudeDan · 09-01-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafy fool

so what would be the best year , or does it even make a difference?

any year. Many will tell you to stay way from the SH models. The ones that have ATTS. I don't hate on SH, but I'm also not a big expert when it comes to motors and stuff.

minilogoguy18 · 09-01-2011, 06:06 AM

^The thing with the SH is that it comes with an somewhat active (electronic controlled) clutch type differential that well really is actually cased outside the transaxle. It changes torque output to each wheel using input from various sensors to help with cornering. The problem is that it doesn't do jack when it comes to driving in a straight line and it really adds weight to an already heavy car. It's filled with ATF and uses wet clutch packs that can and will eventually wear out like an auto trans clutch pack(s).

SH is great in an AWD car but for a FWD I'd take a mechanical LSD any day, as would anyone who's owned a car with a helical or quaife.

Lude_13 · 09-01-2011, 04:11 PM

You can take manual driving lessons at drivers schools for pretty cheap usually.

Solid · 09-06-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafy fool

I'm buying a used 5th gen prelude automatic , and i just wanted to know if anyone has one or know any of the problems, associated with it ?

Don't. It is an automatic and will grenade.

caaraa · 09-09-2011, 01:17 AM

Remember to get an inspection done before you buy it.