New Honda Prelude

[onewhippedpuppy]

As a child of the ‘80s the Prelude was always a sport compact icon, but I never had the budget to get one. I loved the early ‘90s Si with rear wheel steering and pop up headlights, and a roommate in college had a 2000 that was a superb car. I was super excited to hear that a new one was coming, but I’m not too sure about the end result.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-2026-honda-prelude-is-a-fun-civic-hybrid-or-a-slow-type-r-thats-prettier-than-both

I actually don’t mind the styling, I think it’s got a little of the old Prelude vibe. But it has a 200 HP hybrid with an ICE generator motor, and a fake gearbox that does fake shifts. It also has the Civic Type R suspension and brakes, so that’s a positive. Based on the price in Japan it’s thought that Honda may list it for over $40k, which puts it in the midst of some pretty damn good sporty cars. Sort of a confusing product, I wish they had made it a pure throwback sport compact, just like the original.

[KNS]

This looks just like the '89 I had, wish I still had it! I'm not sure how the new Prelude will do, sport coupes don't seem to have the same popularity they did 30 years ago. It seemed like every manufacturer had a sport coupe in its line up. If the new one doesn't have a manual trans then it's a no-go for me.

[slow&rusty]

I was initially excited about the new hub-bub on the new 'lude, but the pictures and the styling just do not tug at me like the earlier generations with the pop-up headlights or even the final generation with the fixed headlights.

200hp doesn't sound all that exciting either.
In a world full of monster SUVs, trucks and oval shaped appliances, we are fortunate that car manufacturers offer sports cars, so I really applaud Honda for that.

We'll so how it sales.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by KNS

This looks just like the '89 I had, wish I still had it! I'm not sure how the new Prelude will do, sport coupes don't seem to have the same popularity they did 30 years ago. It seemed like every manufacturer had a sport coupe in its line up. If the new one doesn't have a manual trans then it's a no-go for me.

I wanted one of those so damn badly when I was in high school. They held their value way too well though.

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

I was initially excited about the new hub-bub on the new 'lude, but the pictures and the styling just do not tug at me like the earlier generations with the pop-up headlights or even the final generation with the fixed headlights.

200hp doesn't sound all that exciting either.
In a world full of monster SUVs, trucks and oval shaped appliances, we are fortunate that car manufacturers offer sports cars, so I really applaud Honda for that.

We'll so how it sales.

I think 200 HP would be fine if they made it small, lightweight, and affordable. Like a Honda Miata. But this really doesn’t sound like that.

[berettafan]

yuck! it's clear the history of model names is ignored these days.

[stevej37]

Been hearing prices of near $40k also.
I would have to drive one before considering it.

[stevej37]

I drive my 98 every week, except in the winter....115k miles.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I drive my 98 every week, except in the winter....115k miles.

That would be near the top of a short list of cars that I would love to have in my garage. Stock, SH model, manual transmission, preferably forest green.

[stevej37]

^^^ I bought it new and it's been in the shop once since then.....for the timing belt replacement at 110k miles. It was supposed to be replaced at 75k. Never any problems with the car.

There was another one near me in forest green....agree, nice color. They are rarely seen now.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sadly like most Japanese sports cars of the ‘80s and ‘90s they were destroyed by Fast & Furious teenagers.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

That thing is hideous. Having owned an 89 CRX Si and my brother an 87 Prelude Si, one that I had a put a new engine in for him because he's an idiot, those years were, for me, one of many pinnacles in automotive design history. I miss my Si a lot but with a good one at $10K+ these days...

Like the Aztec, I have to wonder how these things get through internal design authorization steps. All they had to do was modernize the late 80s-91 Prelude for a sure winner.

[Cairo94507]

I like that design - sorry. I would prefer it with 250 HP and all-wheel drive though. I can't stand the fake sound and shifts in any car. I also think every new car should come standard with auto-fold mirrors.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

closing soon. Mine was yellow.

1988 Honda CRX Si 5-Speed

[Paullparts]

This takes me back a bit… I remember a couple of guys at my high school had early ‘90s Preludes with the pop-ups, and those cars always seemed so far out of reach for me at the time. Funny how they’ve held their value even back then, like you mentioned. Makes me curious to see how this new one stacks up in the long run.

[Por_sha911]

Fake engine sounds. Fake automatic transmission shifts. No problem only if I can pay for it with fake Monopoly money. Otherwise, a hard NO.

[faverymi]

If it's not better than the current GR86 it's not going anywhere.

We track one and it's sooooooooo fun.

Not interested in hybrid battery operated toys

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by faverymi

If it's not better than the current GR86 it's not going anywhere.

We track one and it's sooooooooo fun.

Not interested in hybrid battery operated toys

In my mind that’s what it should have been. A Honda version of the Miata or GR86/BRZ.

[stevej37]

The dash and controls look exactly the same as my Civic SI
The vents are the same...but shorter. No sunroof wouldn't bother me...I have one in my Prelude and Civic, and hardly ever open them.