3rd gen (88-91) prelude

[skinny]

hi, i have just seen one of these on the road and love the look, i'm seriously thinking about getting one. everything i have read so far sounds very positive...

any hints, tips, buying guides or owners clubs etc?

tia!

edit: just foudn preludeuk.co.uk

Edited by skinny on Thursday 13th November 11:37

[MrMoonyMan]

Hi there - they're very good cars.

Missus is on her 3rd now. 4ws is mechanical and IMHO better to use than the later electronic systems. Don't bother with the EX model. If you've ever found a hens tooth you may manage to find a JDM one like her latest. Manual ones are also rare. They did a facelift late '89 which is shown by the grey/red rear lights - these have different gearing and are better on the motorway. Don't park close to kerbs and turn the wheels.

What else did you want to know?

[skinny]

thanks for the info. are there any common things to look out for like known areas of rust?

i've seen one for sale, it's an '89 - i'm thinking that would be on carbs, or might it be injection?(have emailed seller waiting for a reply).

also, the UK cars and imports are normally the same apart from the usual, air con, e/windows etc?

cheers

[MrMoonyMan]

The main areas of rust on them are the rear arches (give those a really good look over and waxoyl ASAP if they're good) although the sunroof edges, sills and boot floor can go but the arches are usually first.

Both the cars below are fuel injected and have the 4WS which is a must or there's no point in getting one!

This white one looks tidy

If this white one had come up a year or so ago I might have bought it for t'missus as it does look very tidy. Is this the one you have contacted? If you do decide on this before this weekend I have a full leather interior (with uber rare rear headrests) you could put in it.

This is the revised 3rd gen

The later car will have cruise control and a rear wiper as standard and this one has leather too.

Both cars will have electric windows/mirrors/sunroof as standard. The electrics and engines are v. reliable although do check when the cambelt was last done and if it is longer than 5 years make it a priority.


If you haven't driven a 4ws before take it for a good drive to get used to it - takes a while but is ultimately good fun and can also be really handy for u-turns and parking but as I said don't move the wheels if you are against the kerb. The 4ws is designed to counter lift-off-over steer and I have tested this feature to, and beyond, it's limits quite a few times.

So which one have you been e-mailing?

[skinny]

thanks for the info - it was the first one that i had enquired about - after looking a little more at these cars, i think i can now spot the fuel injection box at the back of the engine

and thanks for the offer, but i'd probably be looking to fit some sparco sports seats if i went for it - migth end up with some interior to sell myself!!

[EvoBarry]

I've had two of these in the past, great cars at the time, a little outdated nowadays of course. Nice cruisers though, and you can hustle them along reasonably well if you can drive round the inherent understeer

Mine did several trackdays and the 'Ring btw, very stable handling even at high speeds. I would certainly put better seats in yours though, the standard ones don't offer much support.

The other chap has covered most points really, rust is the killer with these. I'd agree about the 4ws too, great system that doesn't fail, unlike the electronic ones on later models.