How many miles are too many on the Lude??? - Honda Prelude Forum

lviii · 01-30-2010, 06:54 AM

Hey guys - need some advice on buying a new-to-me car. I was going to look at a couple of Ludes soon -- a 95 SI with 175k and a 00 SH with 177k. I'm also looking into finding a CRX SI. Whatever I buy will be a 5spd - I'm going to pay cash and budget is only like $5k or so. Would you avoid high mile Ludes like the plague or what??? BTW - I tend to stay stock and the car will be my daily driver. I'd appreciate any tips on what you would do and why. Thanks.

LV

pIERCE · 01-30-2010, 01:31 PM

When you get tired of the car, or the car gets tired of you(aka stops running properly).

Oh, wait. Well, you could probably get a better deal than a 177k mile car for $5k.

evil0re0 · 01-31-2010, 06:41 AM

my girlfriend picked up a 99 SH with 130k for only 5k! keep looking!

i picked up my 99 base with 156k for 5k also. i now need a new motor. the ludes like to leak and burn oil

be sure you take it to a mechanic to do an inspection. its worth it.

Sleepe00 · 01-31-2010, 06:49 AM

i picked up a 98 lude base with 160k for $2500...it was a steal because i got it from a pringo girl and you know she dint beat on it.. and and she had payper work to show they wer all highway miles cus of her job...stock and clean of rust...keep looking and for 5k yea you should get a well looking car try looking at auctions good place to find good deals to but also lemons jaja

lviii · 01-31-2010, 12:38 PM

Thanks guys!!! Great advice and points to think about as always. I will wait on the better deal.

dontbuyprelude · 02-02-2010, 05:45 PM

i picked up my 01 sh with 107k miles for 5500. it had the reverse lockout problem and the guy didnt know what to do. after i had it for i bit i fixed the lockout and wala i got a decent deal huh? PO ftw. makes me laugh bc he said he searched online for a solution and couldnt find anything.

evil0re0 · 02-03-2010, 05:51 AM

Just a suggestion. If the timing belt and water pump have not been done, I would have those done soon. It would be about time to do it.

lviii · 02-04-2010, 03:21 PM

Anyone have an opinion to offer on this Lude? I am looking for a 4th gen VTEC model to drive around for the next 2-3 years, but can never find one close to me here in Virginia. It may or may not be my daily driver if I get it. I know way more about 5th gens, so any advice would be appreciated.

95 VTEC w/ 189k

95 HONDA PRELUDE VTEC/SR-V

indylude18 · 02-04-2010, 04:19 PM

I wouldn't buy it. Too many miles and the vomit inducing beige/black interior. That's not to mention that used car dealers that advertise on craigslist are usually pretty shady.

My advice, given the location of that craigslist add, would be to look at Ohio craigslist pages. There are a bunch more preludes for sale over there than here in Indiana.

lviii · 02-06-2010, 09:41 AM

I've looked all over - really tough to find the 4th gen VTEC models anywhere near me, especially ones that are between stock and tastefully modded. I also rarely see 4th gens, especially VTEC models, with low miles so I think I'm going to take a hit there anyway. I will give it the TLC needed to get it where it needs to be. The money required to get the car where it needs to be won't likely approach/top previous car payments, so that's why the mileage isn't as alarming for me as it would normally be. Hard not to heed someone's opinion who's actually close to the car's location . . . so I guess the search continues . . . . . anyone with a 4th gen VTEC model for sale feel free to PM me if your asking price is reasonable and you're near VA

jackmp32010 · 02-09-2010, 11:15 AM

Yeah man keep looking. Sometimes you find some decent deals on craigslist

red92si · 02-09-2010, 11:29 AM

I would look for the nicest 4th Gen Si you can find and with the money you save by not buying a VTEC model right off the bat you can swap in a H22 anyway.

mooncaller · 02-10-2010, 11:40 AM

Uh, you can do better.

I got a '94 Prelude Si for $2800, no rust, clean, stock, leaked oil and needed a new AC compressor, charge, and condenser. A bit of work, some elbow grease, and maybe $600 and that car was working great, until I let my sister drive in KY and she crashed it. But 170,000 on it initially.

Since I like the Preludes, and am a bit crazy, I picked up a slightly vandalized and idle issued '93 Prelude VTEC which I am now restoring. '94 runs well, but looks like trash. ;93 is a project, but, soon to have both working well enough, and then over the summer make one good complete Lude out of the two. Paid $900 for the '93.

But yeah, shop around, you can do much better.

aboone78 · 02-11-2010, 12:50 PM

my 97 has 170k and its had a few minor problems but running strong