Anybody want to buy my Prelude?

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
12/02/2013 at 08:30 • Filed to: None

1987 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si | 5-speed manual | 180,000 miles | Power locks, sunroof, and windows | Located in upstate South Carolina.

The Good:

Really lightweight and handles extremely well for a FWD car.

Zero structural or frame rust

Body isn't completely wrecked, haha.

Transmission and clutch are awesome. Crisp and smooth.

4 new tires with less than 2,000 miles on them.

No missing mechanical components.

Completely stock with no modifications.

Takes multiple engine swaps (B16, B18, B20) with very little trouble.

No electrical issues aside from the headlight motor wiring and cruise control.

New brake pads and fluids all around.

Newly replaced corner indicators.

The Bad:

Not running at the moment. Needs a head gasket and possibly needs to have the head shaved.

Some slight body rust that's been sanded down and primed over.

Needs a driver-side windshield wiper coupler.

Trunk lid has a slight leak. Haven't bothered to sort it out as it's not really severe enough to merit the effort.

Slight fender damage on the rear right.

Cruiser control non-functional. I don't use C.C., so I never bothered looking into it.

Needs some new speakers, haha.

Needs a replacement rear right tail light cover.

Interior isn't in the best shape, but also isn't a total loss, haha.

Headlights need to be rewired. Switch is good and motors are good, but the wiring somewhere along the way has a short or break.

Could use a paint job and some new upholstering on the seats.

Dash has some slight cracking.

Basically, it's a perfect candidate for a LeMons car, project, or restoration. Priced accordingly at $499, which basically just covers the cost of the tires and repairs I made on it. I like this car a lot, and if I had the money I would keep it and build it up like it deserves. But money is tight right now and I really need the cash so I can make the necessary repairs on my Audi. Were it not for a coolant hose breaking (which I have since replaced), the engine in the Prelude would have never overheated and it'd still be running today and I would be asking more than double what I am right now.

I hate the idea of having to sell it, but I'd rather see it go to a good home with a fellow Jalop than to some random stranger on craigslist.

DISCUSSION (30)

YSI-what can brown do for you > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 20:39

I would buy this and turn it into a super duper track monstering machine! Buuuuuuuuuuuuut, I don't haz monies.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 20:40

I would, but 1. No money and 2. No place to put it!

Bytemite > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 20:43

Your car seems like it's in fair condition. Maybe you can part it out and make some more money off of it. But you probably want someone giving it the love it needs and nursing it back onto the road.

Desu-San-Desu > Bytemite
12/01/2013 at 20:47

Yes to the second option. 2nd generation Preludes are hard to find these days, especially stock ones. I'd hate to see it get dismantled just because I couldn't find anyone with a spare $500, lol. If that's the case, I'll just hang onto it.

LeadfootYT > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 20:52

I would honestly love to. Swapped or fixed (head gaskets just take time, IIRC), it would make an awesome daily. My only issue is location (for a car that doesn't run - otherwise I'd totally drive it back) and the fact that I already have three cars (including a daily). But damn. Your car was one of the cars that made me start looking for that generation Prelude.

Desu-San-Desu > LeadfootYT
12/01/2013 at 20:53

How far away are you? U-Haul car-tow dollies aren't too expensive, lol.

LeadfootYT > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 21:07

Yeah, I know. I'm up in VT, though, so it'd be a hike. And if I didn't have an E24 project car that's awaiting paint and body work as we speak, I would happily jump on this. I should really stick with one project at a time...

Desu-San-Desu > LeadfootYT
12/01/2013 at 21:09

Oh, Vermont, eh? I love Vermont. I miss living up that way.

I can imagine you'd love to jump on this, as rust-free 80's sports cars are pretty damned rare up there, haha.

LeadfootYT > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 21:13

I love it here haha. It feels great to live here, even if the salted roads put most fun cars out of commission for half the year.

Exactly! Plus I love Hondas from that era, with their techno edgy dash layouts and funky steering wheels, and all the bizarre technology they stuff into the higher-end models. And the 2G 'Lude is just such a clean car, and would look amazing dropped on quality coilovers at a usable height, and with some polished BBS reps and a lip.

Desu-San-Desu > LeadfootYT
12/01/2013 at 21:32

Or Enkei92's in either gold or black. Dat machine lip! Dat basket weave!

LeadfootYT > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 21:45

Oh yeah, forgot about those (used to looking for BMW wheels and having to ignore nice 4x100 stuff like the Enkeis).

mattoverdrive > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 21:48

How soon do you need it gone? I probably wouldn't be able to buy it before the end of January. What's considered upstate SC? Is it near Greenville? My wife has family there, and it's only about 3 hours from Knoxville.

Desu-San-Desu > mattoverdrive
12/01/2013 at 21:52

Ideally I would need money before then, yes. The issue is that the Audi needs tie rods before I can do an alignment and I'm getting tires put on it tomorrow, so the longer it goes unsold, the longer I go with a bad alignment. Then again, it's not going anywhere unless somebody else buys it, so potentially it'll still be here by that time, haha.

And it's currently in Easley, SC. About 15 minutes from Greenville.

Desu-San-Desu > LeadfootYT
12/01/2013 at 21:52

I like BBS' and all, but they're kind of heavy and a little played out down here. I'm pretty close to the BMW plant, so I see BBS wheels EVERYWHERE down here.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 23:16

Kinja'd!!!

Good god the Tacoma has gotten HUGE.

Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Desu-San-Desu
12/01/2013 at 23:39

Looks good & I would consider giving it a home in my stable beside my 5th Generation Prelude. I would be more interested in it as a project car than a LeMons racer personally (I have a '98 Eclipse being prepped for that purpose at this very moment - head gasket & computer personally). But, alas I moved from Raleigh to OKC two years ago. I knew that was a mistake, exactly for this reason.

But I will say this, you have it priced to sale. I will mentioned this to my boys back in NC if they are interested.

Also, really want to make sure it gets a good and loving home you should talk to these people around Charlotte.

Steve's Import Honda - 'Honda God" The Oracle Itself. Born in America but yet understands how a CVCC engine works. Lisa answers the phone & tell them the Kaufman's sent you. He might be able to find an enthusiastic buyer. Steve has 40 years experience on Honda's and every 'classic' Honda owner with a few hundred miles around Charlotte knows and uses him. 7203 Campground Rd. Denver, NC (Lake Norman Area) 704-483- 5005. He still gives me free advice over the phone 1,200 miles away.

Beaver's Honda Salvage - 9455 Smith Rd. Kannapolis, NC 28081. (704) 932-8690 It's a very sad, sad Honda museum littered with hundreds of people's worst days of some Ricer's fucking mistake (they ruin such nice things). This Fall I was clipped by a Wrangler running a red light at full speed in my 5th Gen. Only the handling on that car saved me from eating a Jeep bumper to the side of the face, but Beaver's saved the car from being an economic loss. I couldn't find a yard within 150 miles of OKC that hand a Prelude in stock. But Beaver's does international business actually, & shipped me a whole assembled rear suspension and bumper for $300 plus $200 in shipping vs. $2500 in new parts. Only thing that made fixing the car economically viable. Hey, I might be crazy enough to repair a 15 year old Prelude, but I am not crazy enough to put on new parts. Took the insurance check & the keys, and the body shop could refurbish the quarter panel rather than replace since it was bent, not crumbled or creased. Popped out a couple door dings, too. She looks & runs like new.

How can I get in contact with you? You could drop me a line at EricDKaufman@gmail.com so I can contact you if I hear anything from my friends.

Desu-San-Desu > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
12/01/2013 at 23:43

Email sent. :-)

Clown Shoe Pilot > Desu-San-Desu
12/02/2013 at 12:18

I've campaigned one of these in LeMons. It took us 3 engines to finish a race. We were up for heroic fix but then decided completely wrecking the one good block we had left wasn't worth it.

Desu-San-Desu > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/02/2013 at 14:11

The A20A3 was never really designed to be raced for hours on end, lol. Hence why I'd probably consider swapping in a B-series engine were I going to keep it.

MountainCommand > Desu-San-Desu
12/02/2013 at 22:46

But you cant! Youre the only other lude owner here! =(

MountainCommand > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
12/02/2013 at 22:47

A fellow 5th gen owner!

Desu-San-Desu > MountainCommand
12/02/2013 at 23:07

But I can't afford it... :-(

You could, you know, buy it and save it from a slow, leaf-covered death... ;-P

MountainCommand > Desu-San-Desu
12/03/2013 at 12:29

I would. I even have the cash too. But for the extra amount of money involved in the logistics of getting it back to NJ..., i have to stick with my plan of buying a beater truck.

I hate seeing a prelude die a slow leafy death as much as the next guy. But i gotta think logically.

Also, put it up on preludepower (the forums). Im sure youd get someone wanting to give it a good home. Everyone there is a prelude enthusiast, obviously.

Desu-San-Desu > MountainCommand
12/03/2013 at 21:42

NJ? For some reason I'd thought you lived in NC...

MountainCommand > Desu-San-Desu
12/03/2013 at 21:45

I wish i did. But i suppose my NY prelude meet pictures and my NJ prelude meet pictures may have been confusing. NY NJ NC... But i organized the tristate oppo meet. So i cant explain any confusion on that one hahahah.

Plus if i was, i would have made you go to the East coast prelude meet. They go camping out there for a weekend with about 20-30 prelude owners.

Desu-San-Desu > MountainCommand
12/03/2013 at 21:52

I'd have been so embarrassed with how much of a fixer-upper mine is, haha.

MountainCommand > Desu-San-Desu
12/03/2013 at 22:07

Dude, if you see the other enthusiasts with preludes, youd fit right in. Everyone has more respect for the 2nd and 3rd gens (1st gen gets the most haha). In any condition. Its rare that they even come to a meet, so when one shows up we all gawk over it haha.

Never be embarrassed in front of other lude owners. Were not the typical honda people. Having a prelude (imo) is like a secret club haha. You are one of a select few, and most people who drive them, know what they drive (especially an older one).

I wish you'd keep it, but i understand if you cant.

Desu-San-Desu > MountainCommand
12/03/2013 at 22:10

I wonder how they'd feel if I bit the bullet and threw a B-Series motor into it. Blasphemy or brilliance?

MountainCommand > Desu-San-Desu
12/03/2013 at 22:31

Theyd love it! Obviously we all know they are underpowered. Every prelude is for the most part. If you put an H series in, theyd love it even more. You might become one of the "reference" guys haha.

but i think an h22 is too big for the 2nd gen...

Some guys have done K swaps, and even J swaps. J swaps are rare though.

Desu-San-Desu > MountainCommand
12/03/2013 at 22:38

Yeah, the H22 is too large. And the K20 is a little more than I'm willing to spend right now. I'm thinking B16A if I can find one.

Also, I'm reserving the K20A2 for the 1st gen MR2 I plan on buying, haha.