Description
Ultra rare 4th generation 1996 Honda Prelude, high spec 2. 3i automatic with electronic 4-wheel steering. Genuine low mileage of 68, 750 miles (approx), owned by myself for many years and very well maintained. Before me, it was owned by a dentist's wife for nearly all of its life.
It recently had a service, gearbox fluid flush, brake fluid flush, new Yuasa battery, new front brake discs and pads. It had a new cambelt about 5, 000 miles ago, along with a four-wheel alignment. It's a Honda though, so has been boringly reliable over the years and not needed much at all! The tyres are all good Continentals in the correct size, and the alloy wheels were refurbed to Japanese-spec diamond-cut finish about 5 years ago – and the car has largely been stored since.
This car drives beautifully, thanks in no small part to Honda's electronic 4 wheel steering system. Its 4 speed plus overdrive autobox, with sports mode, is smooth and responsive. The 2. 3 litre 16v twin cam engine is a jewel, and pulls strongly. The brakes and suspension work as they should – which is very well.
The Prelude has been dry stored for almost all its life, which is why it hasn't rusted to bits like nearly all other 4G Preludes in the UK. The metallic teal blue paintwork is generally excellent all around with a bright shine and no swirls. There are a few minor patches in the usual Prelude places – small 'blebs' on the rear arches, and slight bubbling around the rear washer nozzle and sunroof. Almost all of the paint is very good though, and is way better than almost all other 4Gs I've seen. At the time of writing this, the car has a full 1-year MOT with no advisories.
The interior is very good, super clean and with the original Honda face-off stereo radio/ cassette player that still works very well. The superb fluorescent 'light up' dashboard works perfectly and is a striking thing to look at. The seats are all in excellent condition with covers on the front to protect them. All electrics work as they should, except the electric aerial. The driver's door window doesn't work because it needs a new regulator fitting – but the motor is fine. The cruise control works perfectly, as does the electric sunroof. Very few examples of this car exist anymore, and even fewer in this condition and low mileage. It is a basically a very clean, well cared for low owner car that didn't end up being a boy-raced. It's huge fun to drive, even by modern standards. I am sadly selling as I have too many cars, and need to fund a Jaguar XJS restoration. Viewing by appointment near Devizes, Wiltshire (near M4, A303).
