1998 Prelude passing 318k milestone ... - Honda Prelude Forum

350is · 06-02-2011, 07:59 PM

Hello all,
Just want to share with all prelude owners, my original 1998 prelude base automatic now reaching 318k miles and still running so smooth as brand new. I bought it brand new from dealer when it first hit the showroom Oct 97 right on my birthday since then I drive 100 miles a day commuting to work. Almost 14 yrs now & it is still running smooth and responsive. The car never has any problem except regularly synthetic oil change, trans oil change, parts maintenance & replacements at major interval (100k x 3 ). The trans was rebuilt at 275k miles. I remember when replaced the oem suspension w/ eibach pro system at around 150k miles it was the best thing I have ever done. Car has improved its handling and aerodynamic. At 90-100 mph on freeway, car feel so smooth just like sucking down the road as it goes faster. My goal is to keep this classic car pass over 400k for my experiment and hobby.
Just love this car !

pIERCE · 06-02-2011, 08:20 PM

Wow man, see there are some exceptions to the SS trans, and you are one of them. Really glad to hear stories like yours man, keep going!!!

lilredlude · 06-02-2011, 09:29 PM

cool

bouckarooo · 06-02-2011, 09:50 PM

Yes man!! good for you, that is great you love you honda so, i hope you can squeeze a million miles out of her!!

ludev5 · 06-04-2011, 03:01 AM

gives me hope......i have a 98 base ss as well..my lude has 130k.....congrats

mid9pitstop · 06-04-2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350is

Hello all,
Just want to share with all prelude owners, my original 1998 prelude base automatic now reaching 318k miles and still running so smooth as brand new. I bought it brand new from dealer when it first hit the showroom Oct 97 right on my birthday. Since then I drive 100 miles a day commuting to work. Almost 14 yrs now & it is still running smooth and responsive. The car never has any problem except regularly synthetic oil change, trans oil change, parts maintenance & replacements at major interval (100k x 3 ). The trans was rebuilt at 275k miles. I remember when replaced the oem suspension w/ eibach pro system at around 150k miles it was the best thing I have ever done. Car has improved its handling and aerodynamic. At 90-100 mph on freeway, car feel so smooth just like sucking down the road as it goes faster. My goal is to keep this classic car pass over 400k for my experiment and hobby.
Just love this car !

With no doubt, she must have been taken good care -

I bought 1997 base 8-9 months ago from an old woman who, I later found out, had abused her Preluded badly to the point it asks for a quart of oil for every 300-400 miles I put in -

In a different, but related, subject, do you have any suggestion or trick how to keep the Prelude to stay in shape and perform well as yours?

Regards,
mid9pitstop

350is · 06-04-2011, 05:31 PM

well, first of all i don't use prelude as a street racing and abuse it. I'm too busy enjoying cruising on freeway daily w/ sunroof open especially summer time now

No doubt this is 90% of the reason for the car still drive and feel the performance of the engine as new at this mileage. Secondly, the prelude w/vtec engine burn oil more than many other cars out there so keep an eye on adding oil to full mark to keep the engine have full fluid at all time on the track. I use mobile1 synthetic 5w30 from around 100k till now and change the trans oil every 3 oil changes to keep the trans assembly operate in clean "red" viscosity look oil instead of dirty "black" look. The engine still sound quite and the trans last good untill 275k. And yes all other misc parts like timing belts water pump replace at approx 100k ez mark. Well that how the car still run good w/o losing any power. I think the 5th prelude with near 200hp power is still one of the best classy look car in its class today

Mark304 · 06-08-2011, 03:23 PM

Good job taking care of your car! Hope I can get that many miles on my 97 base ss auto.

Honda4Life · 06-08-2011, 04:30 PM

Do you ever or did you ever really use the sport shift mode?

It's amazing to hear you got 275K out of the tranny before problems.

E-Money · 06-08-2011, 05:19 PM

in for pics

350is · 06-09-2011, 12:27 AM

No, i don't use the ss sport mode or rarely use that's why it last that far. I knew it at begining so it's just my plan. The 5th prelude at round late 97 was one of the first few cars on the market have that early ss design from F1. If today I get the lancer evo w/dual twin clutch then I might use it; Oh well I got the new is350 auto @300hp w/ paddle for my weekend time. The IS auto trans is better but ofcourse can't compare to any manual out there.

Honda4Life · 06-09-2011, 12:35 AM

Thanks for the response. I figured it wasn't harly used for it to last that long.

2 more quick question, how often did you have the trans fluid changed? Did you ever have it flushed or just drain and fills?

350is · 06-10-2011, 12:07 AM

I just drain it out and refill since I do it often for every 2 to 3 oil changes some where around 15k miles.

Honda4Life · 06-10-2011, 01:01 AM

Thanks again for the answer. I figured that to be the case as well.

This should be a lesson to other owners of auto 5th gens out there how to get the most out of what is known as the "ticking time bomb".

I'm glad your still enjoying your Lude after all these years.

350is · 06-11-2011, 01:30 AM

prelude is best commute car ev man! just love honda vtec engine to death ....

Shimee · 06-11-2011, 02:05 PM

The sportshift mode has NOTHING to do with transmission failure. I bought a 97 auto for my first Prelude, which came from an older couple. Needless to say they never used sportshift mode and at 20k miles it was already having issues.