Used Prelude Help!!! - Honda Prelude Forum

zeylude · 03-10-2010, 06:10 PM

Great to see so many Prelude owners,just registered on this site ,and this would be my first post ...Need some help Guys !!!!
I live in Ukraine and i am planning to buy a 5th gen prelude with manual transmission maybe a 97 /98 ... we dont have much of these amazing cars here and i just saw two up for sale ,a 97 2.2 manual (91570 miles)and a 98 type sh (105000) there are a few 2.0 manuals too but i want to go for the 2.2... After getting some info over the internet , i guess buying an automatic transmission isnt such a great idea specially if im going for the 2.2.. Well my questions to you guys are:--

1.Honda parts are kinda expensive here, wat do you think i should look for before purchasing the car?

2.If i do need replacement parts, which one are more likely in need of replacement on a 91570 / 105000 run cars?

3.I will try to find the parts here in ukraine (might have to make a trip to kiev),but incase i dont find the right ORIGINAL parts,any suggestions as to how i can get them shipped overseas?

4.I will be showing the car to a honda mechanic before investing but is there any thing in particular i need to check before buying the car...?

5.Keeping the above 4 points in mind ,wat do you suggest a 2.2 Base or Type SH?

Appreciate all the help i can get

...Thanks

Kronn 98SH · 03-10-2010, 06:33 PM

I'm surprised you have the option to purchase USDM Preludes in Ukraine.

1. Timing belt/water pump and clutch.

2. See #1.

3. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

4. See #1 and #2. Also check the typical items for any vehicle.

5. Which do you prefer? A car you can turbocharge or a car you can drive like a maniac on curvy roads? However you answer, the stock SH will always look better.

lilredlude · 03-10-2010, 06:46 PM

what he said ^

but i vote base. since its hard for you to get parts, its one less system that could malfunction to have to deal with. you could always go LSD with the base.

zeylude · 03-10-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

I'm surprised you have the option to purchase USDM Preludes in Ukraine.

1. Timing belt/water pump and clutch.

2. See #1.

3. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

4. See #1 and #2. Also check the typical items for any vehicle.

5. Which do you prefer? A car you can turbocharge or a car you can drive like a maniac on curvy roads? However you answer, the stock SH will always look better.

Thanks for the link will check it out now

I just hope there are'nt any hidden repairs, people here in Ukraine normally tend to maintain there cars well due to running costs and bad economy but im not sure if they do have all the servicing documents in order,i will also need to check if they responded to the 2-3 recalls made by Honda...
I like the SH but if there isnt too much difference apart from the ATTS then i dont mind going for a BASE...I guess im gonna be using the car for normal day to day driving university-home-weekend drives ,not too much tuning till i get the essential work and replacements done (will try not to get excited everytime the vtec kicks in

) ) but this is gonna be my first car and something i will always remember so initially i do have a few slight mods in mind headlights, OEM logo's, A pioneer double din unit (avh-800bt or something) ..
The Car costs about 8500$ Im keeping another 1000-1200$ incase of repairs... Hope its enough...Wats with the oil issue in the VTEC how often and wat kind do i need to replace? Also i saw a DIY for the timing belt..damn thats a pain!!! im gonna let the servicing guys take care of that

TheJGB-2KTypeSH · 03-10-2010, 08:43 PM

I have helped many fellow 'luders in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, UK (England), Ireland, Latvia, Polamd, & Canada get parts that are too expensive or unavailable in their own countries. I also know a Honda dealer parts guy in Japan (who speaks English) for JDM stuff too. So keep that in mind anyone on here from outside the US.

I would go with the SH (that is what I have so call me biased if you wish)

pIERCE · 03-11-2010, 12:42 AM

If you are looking for less problems, then try the Base model.

If you are willing to cope with the possible issues and want a better handler, get an SH.

TheJGB-2KTypeSH · 03-11-2010, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pIERCE

If you are looking for less problems, then try the Base model.

If you are willing to cope with the possible issues and want a better handler, get an SH.

What possible issues? I have owned my 2000 SH for over 5 years. I haven't had any issues with it other then the performing the following general maintenance items -

new tires
pads and rotors front & rear
oil changes
plugs
cap & rotor
plug wires
air filter
cabin air filter
EGR port cleaning (code 80 P0401 the only CEL I have ever gotten)
new battery
3 wheel alignments
drain & fill tranny & ATTS
coolant drain & refill
PS fluid flush
brake fluid flush
1 headlight bulb
timing & balance belt + auto tensioner (only the 97 & 98s experienced failure)
2 valve adjustments
valve cover gasket
dizzy o-ring
VTEC solenoid gasket
cam seal
front upper and lower ball joints (both sides)
RR wheel bearing
oil pan (stripped drain plug threads)
TSB for rear shock knock (shorter collars)
I have never experienced the so called 5th gear grind

I bought it with 60,887 miles. It now has 145,300 on it.

The CV boots are ALL ORIGINAL
The clutch is ORIGINAL
all suspension parts are ORIGINAL (except the front ball joints)
the shocks are ORIGINAL
the exhaust is ORIGINAL
the AC charge is ORIGINAL

This has been the most TROUBLE FREE car I have ever owned.

Kronn 98SH · 03-11-2010, 01:32 AM

150k on the original clutch? Are you waiting for it to go out?

dontbuyprelude · 03-11-2010, 01:33 AM

id have to agree with theJGB, i have 115k now on my sh and absolutely NO problems with atts. my brother had a 98 sh with about 95k on it and also, NO problems. i mean its not like you have to guess whats wrong with atts unit, it does have problem codes (which i have never experienced

)

pIERCE · 03-11-2010, 01:55 AM

I was referring simply to the ATTS unit giving someone ****, or needed to swap the motor or replace it for some reason. That's all, really.

TheJGB-2KTypeSH · 03-11-2010, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronn 98SH

150k on the original clutch? Are you waiting for it to go out?

yes I am. I have already bought ALL the parts
OEM disc
OEM pressure plate
OEM TOB
OEM flywheel
OEM tranny mount
OEM clutch master
OEM clutch slave
OEM rear main seal (mine is not leaking, but changing it anyway while in there)
OEM MTF & ATF
new axle nuts
new ball joint castle nuts and cotter pins
Honda DOT 3 brake fluid

Mitchell flat rate for a Rear main seal R&R is 8.6 hours on an SH (.3 hrs more then just clutch)
so I am not looking forward to it, but I am ready (unless it goes out on me while out of town/state far from home)
I also will take the tranny to a shop to install these new carbon synchros
SYN-109 Prelude H22 1-5 Carbon Synchro Set - Synchrotech Transmissions Inc

I also am planning to do the PS/AC/alt/timing/balance belts, water pump, & auto tensioner at 150K and I have already bought everything OEM for that too (I also got all of the seals for that side of the motor just in case).

When I do that I am also considering pulling the head to get redone -
guides, seals, valve job, hondata intake gasket, cometic or OEM head gasket, install my Honda engine block heater, tap the EGR ports and install bolts, change my fuel filter, and the oil cooler o-ring and oil cooler base o-ring gasket (they aren't leaking but they probably will soon) while in there.

lilredlude · 03-11-2010, 10:43 AM

my atts threw codes all the time. yes, they can be fixed, but with his limited ability to get parts, its one less thing to fix.

zeylude · 03-11-2010, 04:52 PM

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions and info people i really do appreciate it,not many people in Ukraine who i can discuss these details with in English ,speaking Russian's a real pain!!!!

Any Idea how much i would need to keep aside for replacing the
1.ATTS unit
2.Timing Belt
3.Clutch & Fly wheel
4.Water pump
5.Anything typical for a used Prelude ?
6.How do i check for Oil leaks , what do they mean and how do i fix it?

zeylude · 03-11-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJGB-2KTypeSH

I have helped many fellow 'luders in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, UK (England), Ireland, Latvia, Polamd, & Canada get parts that are too expensive or unavailable in their own countries. I also know a Honda dealer parts guy in Japan (who speaks English) for JDM stuff too. So keep that in mind anyone on here from outside the US.

I would go with the SH (that is what I have so call me biased if you wish)

Thanks I'm sure it would be great help to contact the Honda Guy... I'll keep this in Mind once i buy the Prelude,which would be i guess in a month or 2...

lilredlude · 03-11-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeylude

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions and info people i really do appreciate it,not many people in Ukraine who i can discuss these details with in English ,speaking Russian's a real pain!!!!

Any Idea how much i would need to keep aside for replacing the
1.ATTS unit
2.Timing Belt
3.Clutch & Fly wheel
4.Water pump
5.Anything typical for a used Prelude ?
6.How do i check for Oil leaks , what do they mean and how do i fix it?

1. no idea
2. 600-1000 USD
3. depends on clutch + flywheel - 400-500 USD with the cheaper parts
4. should be done with #2
5. 3rd + 5th are the 1st to develop grinds
6. jack it up, slide under it and look at areas like oil pan, oil filter, transmission. pull out the dipstick and make sure it doesn't have any burnt marks on it.

zeylude · 03-13-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilredlude

1. no idea
2. 600-1000 USD
3. depends on clutch + flywheel - 400-500 USD with the cheaper parts
4. should be done with #2
5. 3rd + 5th are the 1st to develop grinds
6. jack it up, slide under it and look at areas like oil pan, oil filter, transmission. pull out the dipstick and make sure it doesn't have any burnt marks on it.

Thanks
Well I think i can manage some new parts for it (Clutch, Flywheel,Water Pump,Timing Belt etc) Spoke to the owner guess Im gonna see the car this week ..Planning to take a mechanic along...

1.Apart from the spares ,i just hope the owner didnt thrash the motor too much, Coz if the engine blows i'll be in real trouble.How do i check for engine wear or damage?
2.Is there anything in particular i need to ask the mechanic to check with regards to the engine ,transmission ,suspension etc ?