Want a prelude, is this one any good? - Honda Prelude Forum

ACMONSTER · 03-07-2002, 03:10 PM

Hi, i am a 16 year old looking for his second car. My first was a Ford Probe GT, and was very unreliable, and had a lot of problems. I'm looking into Hondas for their reliability and reputation. I think the prelude would be best for me. I live in Michigan and am having a hard time finding many preludes for sale under $6500. I have found a 1993 prelude S, with 136,000 miles on it, nothing else special. Its listed for $6000 but i know it is not worth that much. The owner is selling it because he found a 1995 VTEC prelude. Anyway, what are your thoughts on this car, and what cars would you reccommend? I want a 2 door 5 spd. Is this too many miles? What should i be worried about? Thanks, Sorry for all questions,
Adam

red92s · 03-07-2002, 04:35 PM

In all honesty, that is waaaaay to much for a S model. I way overpaid for mine, but they just go for a lot down here in ATL. Now, I'm considering an engine swap. . .it would have been a lot cheaper to buy the car with a better engine. There isn't really anything wrong with the S model (thats what I have); just remember it aint gonna be fast as lightning. . .it's basicly an Accord with a much better looking body.

Crate · 03-07-2002, 04:44 PM

6k? for a S? and 137k miles??! WAAAAAY too much.. i paid 8k for my Si, its a 93 w/ 125k miles.. (i paid a tad more... because it already had dc intake, shortshifter, eibach sprints, ingall camber kit and apexi n1 exhuast... it was worth it to me)... but you can find a Si 92-93 for 6500.. keep your eye out.

ACMONSTER · 03-07-2002, 04:49 PM

Thanks, i figured that is way to much, so, do you think i should just wait for another car? Try to talk him down? Wait for an Si? and also, how is the reliability? If that car has 136k miles, should i be worried?

Crate · 03-07-2002, 05:38 PM

i'd wait.. you will want something better then a S eventually.. unless your just getting the lude to be a daily driver and just.... not break (as your ford did)...then i'd talk him down...

S = same engine as accord... so it will last you forever assuming you following the basic rules.. oil change, and maintance schedules.. and that goes for ANY honda engine.. Si or Vtec.. my engine has 137k miles on it actually... and it runs as strong as ever. =]

*JUST make sure the timing belt was changed and the engine was taken care of... it should run fine for a lot longer

red92s · 03-07-2002, 06:03 PM

I'd hold out for an Si. . .unless insurance is going to be a problem. When I first got my prelude, insurance on an Si was about $300 more per year.

wnaplay12 · 03-07-2002, 06:11 PM

I was in your shoes not to long ago,I had been looking for a prelude for about 3 months,and the only thing that came around were high priced,over miled abused cars.It wasn't until last week that my patience payed of. I purchased a 1992 si for 4,000 with 89k miles. my best advice is to be patient. they will come around

92sleeper · 03-07-2002, 07:08 PM

Yes be patient because if you settle for something your not crazy about you'll probably find an awsome deal on exactly what you want right after you buy the first one. Thats just how sh*t happens

G_Loc · 03-07-2002, 07:10 PM

heh, i must be lucky. my old car broke down on a friday, i found a nice prelude that afternoon, went to go see it saturday, convinced my parents by sunday, and had the car by next wednesday, lol.

anyways, my 93 Si cost $4500, but its exterior was in bad shape, dents, paint fading, sunroof rusting. ~$1500 to fix everything it and u cant even tell the car ever had a ding on it. had 114,000 miles when i got it

Brady92/4WS · 03-07-2002, 09:31 PM

i robbed this old lady, my 92 4ws with 107k miles on it for 4000, only problem was one little spot of honda rust on each wheelwell.

Mr.Squeeze · 03-07-2002, 11:05 PM

check auto-trader.com you should find a lude there

some canadian guy · 03-07-2002, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wnaplay12
I was in your shoes not to long ago,I had been looking for a prelude for about 3 months,and the only thing that came around were high priced,over miled abused cars.It wasn't until last week that my patience payed of. I purchased a 1992 si for 4,000 with 89k miles. my best advice is to be patient. they will come around

WTF WHERE DID U FIND THAT?

And hey dose anyone know the best places to find good deals on ludes here in Vancouver (or the area around here)?

Sean

brendon2k · 03-07-2002, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wnaplay12
I was in your shoes not to long ago,I had been looking for a prelude for about 3 months,and the only thing that came around were high priced,over miled abused cars.It wasn't until last week that my patience payed of. I purchased a 1992 si for 4,000 with 89k miles. my best advice is to be patient. they will come around

Good steal

Fast&furiuslude · 03-07-2002, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wnaplay12
I was in your shoes not to long ago,I had been looking for a prelude for about 3 months,and the only thing that came around were high priced,over miled abused cars.It wasn't until last week that my patience payed of. I purchased a 1992 si for 4,000 with 89k miles. my best advice is to be patient. they will come around

Exactly. my si with 78k and mods below for 6100!!

WOT247 · 03-08-2002, 02:10 AM

yeah i got my '93 vtec for $5000 out the door it had 140k on it when i got it. body isn't in great shape but it works for me

red92s · 03-08-2002, 08:57 AM

Yeah see, I got ripped. . .92 S with 90,000 for $7,000 (this was two years ago). I dont feel that bad, because they are kinda rare around here, and the body and interior were basicly mint.

wnaplay12 · 03-08-2002, 02:37 PM

I found it on the AutoTrader, here in Miami.

ACMONSTER · 03-08-2002, 08:13 PM

Ok, athough i am not crazy about this car, it is like one of 2 ludes available in my area, the other has 165000 miles on it and is a 94 SI. Its selling for $6500. Anyway, the guy brought the price on the S, down to $4500, there is a small spot of wheelwell rust, and the hood has got chips all over it from pebbles 'n Sh!t on the freeway. Personally i cannot stand a chipped hood, it looks horrible. Anyway, should i go look at this car, maybe see if i can talk him down further? Or wait. I am trying to get a car b4 the end of the month.

Windwalker · 03-08-2002, 09:45 PM

Patience is a virtue, good things come to those who wait, the early bird catches the worm, all you need in life is a cold women, a hot beer, and a half-hour to fix em both...

From the sounds of things, I did ok on my 92S-133,000 miles, Si Rims, new Euro TAs, most everything works(antenna, some dash lights don't)slight fading-it's red sooo, a couple minor oil leaks-oil pan, clutch master. CV boots with 1 small crack.

Walked out the door for 3,000.00

Which was only 175 more than what someone else's insurance had to pay me for my 89 Accord LXi coupe with 154k on it. A parking lot accident and my Accord was totaled out, granted I had just spent 1800 bucks to have the engine completely redone on the Accord (10, 000 miles prior to the accident)
I got to keep the Accord for 375.00, needs FR fender,door, side marker light, fender liner, (bumper doesn't need replacing), and of course some paint-any buyers out there????

I think I traded up rather nicely

shadowZZ · 03-09-2002, 12:56 PM

I wouldnt bother with the prelude S cause i have one and im spending more than i expected to covert it to Vtec and it has too high milage than what you could find