DRIVEN: 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0i - Honda's All Wheel Steer Superstar

Today on the channel I am driving an often overlooked great from Honda's back catalogue - the Prelude. This third generation car is notable for being one of the first on sale in the world with an all-wheel steering system.

Today, these are a relatively affordable classic - but are they worth buying?

#Honda #Prelude

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[michaelisaacson]

When this car debuted in the States, the Road & Track road test included a quote from the Honda engineers who were very proud of the fact that their hood ('bonnet', if you must) was lower than the contemporaneous mid-engined Ferrari Mondial...and the Prelude's had an engine under it.

[unituseven]

I own two 3rd gens 88 and 89 23 year's ownership, love it always ♥

[BobyourUncle]

Best car I've ever owned, I had a '91 without the 4ws and it handled like a dream. I seriously miss it :)

[Im_a_Flightless_Bird]

Absolutely love my third gen. Bought it as my first car at 16 and still have it 4 years later. Absolute joy of a car, the amount of compliments you get in it is just astounding.

[MusicAnimeNSX]

I had one (1989 Yellow), and out of 30 or so cars I own since, including NSX (1995/2003), 2014 Ferrari California, 2019 Giulia QV, 4 different S2000, Integra GSR, 2 gen 5 preludes, etc, I have always kept my eyes open for another clean third gen prelude. Can never find one but the search continues.

[super_hondas]

Thanks for doing such a great review of my car James. The Prelude has for so long been overlooked, but your review will bring its existence to a whole new audience as well as sparking nostalgia in those who have owned and/or loved these cars previously

[gaby]

That example looks mint! Super clean well done to the owner.
Someone give this man the next 2 generation to review.

[markwalton]

I always loved the look of these, I would say I prefer it with the larger wheels and suspension. The interior typical Japanese but those seats are glorious. 150bhp is not a bad output in its day. The Astra GTE and Clio Williams had similar outputs and were classed as Hot hatches.

[lrs]

Absolutely love the Prelude, there’s just something about them. Would love to own one some day

[Pippobri]

I have one too, GET STRUT BARS IN THE FRONT AND THE BACK!!!! It completely changes the feeling, best car I have ever drove

[BlackLines]

I had a 4th Gen 2.2 VTEC import with the H22A engine - a BB4 model without the 4WS ... if the rust hadn't eaten it I would still have it too because it was a lovely car to sit in and the first car I didn't get bored of. The "space ship" dash? Just a great, comfortable and fun place to be.

[byhsu]

One of the most beautiful Hondas made.

[iaincrozier]

You have just made my day..owned a white one virtually the same..just different wheels. Loved it but got some hairdressing jibes at the time.
Great car.

[DisjointedR]

I had the previous generation, a 1987 Prelude in white. D131 RMB. Loved it - the performance, the pop up headlights, even the stock wheels. And yes, it did have a rust problem.

[R-Tap]

Loved these back in the day, along with the much lesser spotted Accord Aerodeck.

The owner has it hoovered to PERFECTION. Good to see. Detail.

[onecookieboy]

I knew I guy who had one of these and he was proud of the fact that several people had asked to be let out of the car while they were a passenger because he cornered so fast, many years later he still maintains that it's the best handling car he has ever owned, and he has had a few!.

[manjedfredson]

I had this car (manual) as a company car in 1988/89 (Sydney, Australia when I was 26yrs) and was a complete joy to drive even myself being 6ft 6inch! The 4WS steer system was something to get used to but such a great feature put to good use continually. It made overtaking at top speed effortless and tight turns was never a challenge. I miss that car but certainly its looks have not stood the test of time. Frankly I pretended my white prelude back in the day was the Miami Vice Testarossa !!! Now I have a BMW 2010 E64 650I. Thanks for your review!

[katzicael]

I My Prelude much! I loved it so much I had 3 - all JDM imports to NZ, One from 1989, One from 1995 and one from 1998. All 4WS and the later two had VTEC.

[stylinvibez]

I suggested this exact video to u by email a while back when u were asking for suggestions (properly lowered 4ws 3rd gen & 5th gen). I’m so glad you did it and I hope it brings the status of the car up because it is truly truly underappreciated. I have both fifth GEN and a third GEN four wheel steer and I love them to pieces and I’m sad that nothing today compares to the brilliance of this car overall. I really really really hope Honda someday can find the gumption to make a new current model one that mimics and echos all of the great points about this car.

[BM_PAZ]

My family had a succession of Preludes starting from the 1970's up to this model in the video. The last one, before it was stolen, was an automatic in a silver/gold colour.