Got a few questions about 5th Gen Prelude before I buy it.

[SuperAkuma]

Well I got a chance buy a 5th Gen 97 Prelude for about $3,500 or so. The car is my wife's friend. He bought the car with 10K on it at a salvage title. Right now the car has about 120k on it and he said he never had any major problems with the car.
I know I made a post like this a few months ago but I am making it again because I finally have the car now. He is letting me drive the car for a few days before I buy it. Before I buy it I have some questions to ask about the car. I know for the price it is a really good deal if the car can take me to 200k. I will use the car mainly on the street for work which is about 10 miles away.

I drove the car home today about 100 miles back. The car felt fine at a glance. But one thing that felt weird was how high the RPM was at 70mph. At 70mph, the RPM was around 3,500 and at 80mph it was at 4,000. It seems a little bit high compared to my current car and all of the other cars I had in the past.(08 CRV, 04 Corolla, 03 Sentra, 98 Civic). I know Honda makes high revving engine so is it normal to be at 3,500RPM going 70mph?

When I picked up the car the right front headlight was out. I replaced it with a new one and it was fine. I also noticed that the front left signal light was out because it was blinking fast. I didn't change that light because it was dark and I don't know how. One thing that I notice is the side markers on the front does not light or blink on either side. Is that normal?

The plastic trim on the outside window, it seems to be cracking from normal wear and tear. How hard and how much is it to replace something like that?

The only issue that he said that the car had was the oil burning issue. He said that it is "normal" for that car to do that and I just need to check the oil level every once a while. Is this a common problem with a 5th gen prelude?

Tomorrow I am taking the car to my cousin who works on Honda cars on the side. He will check out the car for me. Is there anything that I should pay attention to? Any known common problem with the 5th gen prelude that I should double check?

If all goes well I will be a new owner of a 5th gen prelude.

[chanluder]

it's true about the oil consumption. nothing major problems on mine since i'm FI. i get 25 mpg.

[PreludeBB6]

Originally Posted by SuperAkuma

I drove the car home today about 100 miles back. The car felt fine at a glance. But one thing that felt weird was how high the RPM was at 70mph. At 70mph, the RPM was around 3,500 and at 80mph it was at 4,000. It seems a little bit high compared to my current car and all of the other cars I had in the past.(08 CRV, 04 Corolla, 03 Sentra, 98 Civic). I know Honda makes high revving engine so is it normal to be at 3,500RPM going 70mph?

Nothing new here, its normal.

When I picked up the car the right front headlight was out. I replaced it with a new one and it was fine. I also noticed that the front left signal light was out because it was blinking fast. I didn't change that light because it was dark and I don't know how. One thing that I notice is the side markers on the front does not light or blink on either side. Is that normal?

theres a screw that holds the signal light in place. Its located at the side, its sorta hard to see you need to lay down and point a flash light through side of the air dam to locate it. I don't think side markers blink, i think...

The plastic trim on the outside window, it seems to be cracking from normal wear and tear. How hard and how much is it to replace something like that?

Yeah i dunno why the window side trim wears out so fast compared to all the other rubber/plastic trim. I just use some Mother's back to black to keep it from getting worse.

The only issue that he said that the car had was the oil burning issue. He said that it is "normal" for that car to do that and I just need to check the oil level every once a while. Is this a common problem with a 5th gen prelude?

yes it burns oil, its not uncommon for the engine to use up 1 quart before 3000 miles

Tomorrow I am taking the car to my cousin who works on Honda cars on the side. He will check out the car for me. Is there anything that I should pay attention to? Any known common problem with the 5th gen prelude that I should double check?

Have a full timing belt job been done yet? if not you should do it asap, also remember to get the auto-tensioner replaced when doing a T-belt job cause they have a tendency to go bad and cause bent valves.

[SuperAkuma]

Another question about the side market, you said it don't blink, does it even turn on?

[SuperAkuma]

I guess I will be the new owner of a 97 Prelude. I took it to my cousin, he checked everything and gave me a thumbs up. Everything looks great, car is well maintained, with all of the records. He even said the car is over maintained which is a good thing for me.

The only issue that he found was the 3rd gear grinds if I take it past 5k. Other then that, it is fine.

There are some paint damage on the front bumper and the plastic part on the window. The paint chip is pretty big but its not a big deal for me.





Overall the body is very clean

[gansedrifto1]

Originally Posted by SuperAkuma

I guess I will be the new owner of a 97 Prelude. I took it to my cousin, he checked everything and gave me a thumbs up. Everything looks great, car is well maintained, with all of the records. He even said the car is over maintained which is a good thing for me.

The only issue that he found was the 3rd gear grinds if I take it past 5k. Other then that, it is fine.

There are some paint damage on the front bumper and the plastic part on the window. The paint chip is pretty big but its not a big deal for me.





Overall the body is very clean

the wheels are backwards. make sure you get to change them back on the next oil change or something

[SuperAkuma]

wow thanks, I didn't even notice that. At first I didn't even know what you mean until I googled some of the image of the prelude.

[97mexprelude]

Wow, for that price you can't complain great buy.
any engine pics?

[tienlude]

also, the gears are like that, in case u havent noticed the car winds out at 7200, so 3 or 4 grand really isnt anything.

[G2IntegraGS-R]

Originally Posted by gansedrifto1

the wheels are backwards. make sure you get to change them back on the next oil change or something

Thats the first thing I noticed. Shit, for $3,500 thats not bad at all.

[PreludeBB6]

Originally Posted by SuperAkuma

Another question about the side market, you said it don't blink, does it even turn on?

yeah it suppose to light up when you have your lights on

[chanluder]

make sure you lower that car. looks like 4x4

[SuperAkuma]

Originally Posted by chanluder

make sure you lower that car. looks like 4x4

The car is pretty low already at least in the front. I crapped it a few times already. I know what you mean by the 4x4 looks though, the wheel gap is hella big. I am thinking I can kill that with bigger rims.

[1998typesh]

$3500. is the owner retarded? buy it asap!