Generation Gap: Honda Prelude Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 10/14/2015 at 22:13 • Filed to: Generation Gap, Honda Prelude

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Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.

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I seem to be running quite late today on Generation Gap today so please excuse me but seeing as the cycle has run back to Japan again I figured it was prime time for another sporty coupe of the 80’s and 90’s...after last time’s RWD I6 Supra, this week is the FWD I4 Prelude, which was known for many years as one of the few vehicles on the American market with 4 wheel steering; however, which generation appeals to you the most?

The options:

First Generation [1978 - 1982]

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Second Generation [1983 - 1987]

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Third Generation [1987 - 1991]

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Fourth Generation [1991 - 1996]

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Fifth Generation [1996 - 2001]

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yitznewton > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:21

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I don’t know much about any of them, but I voted Mk3 because those were around when I was first becoming interested in cars as a kid... and FOUR WHEEL STEERING!!

My organ teacher gave me a ride once in his Mk2. I remember it being the strangest seating position of any car I had experienced to that point... seats on the floor, and legs straight out in front of me.

Amoore100 > yitznewton 10/14/2015 at 22:24

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Wow, you must have had a really interesting organ teacher!

jariten1781 > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:24

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3rd gen. Best gen. Had mechanical 4wd and the best visibility ever. Still my favorite car I’ve owned (also has a 2nd and 4th gen)

Alfalfa > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:25

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I’ve always like the styling of the mk3. The mk5 shares a lot of the same styling cues I like, but no pop-up headlamps.

Amoore100 > jariten1781 10/14/2015 at 22:25

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Now I want one.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:26

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Third because popups.

yitznewton > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:28

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Haha yeah, he had less interesting cars after that I’m afraid. He’s apparently a pretty hardcore model railroad guy also.

http://thenews.choate.edu/article/musics…

dogisbadob > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:29

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The 4th gen has that awesome dash!

Amoore100 > Alfalfa 10/14/2015 at 22:29

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Especially compared to the somewhat frumpy Mk2...

dogisbadob > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:29

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I love these!

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 10/14/2015 at 22:30

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Rare and rust like crazy, but yes!

Alfalfa > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:32

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I feel like the 2 together represent the best and worst of 80’s automotive styling.

Nauraushaun > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:33

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I’m so torn and opinionated on all the generations of ‘lude.

The first is cool and looks like a stretched Civic. But it’s not cool enough, and no popup headlights.

The second looks like an older, less cool 3rd. So that’s out.

The 3rd is awesome but did they even make a fast one? And they’re all deteriorating fast as they sell for cheap to stupid owners. Finding a good one is a nightmare, they’re not that sort of car.

The 4th has a glorious 90s interior. But the exterior is fairly ugly.

The 5th has a much blander interior, but a more acceptable exterior. But the blandness is a shame. It also sort of looks like a 3rd, with the horizontal rear lights and vertical fronts (almost like a non-poppy popup light!)

I’m very confused. I’d take a third, if only the condition weren’t such an issue.

jariten1781 > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:38

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Plus the test mule for the 4ws system was awesome...they just welded two accords together. Honda needs to do crazy shit like that again.

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 10/14/2015 at 22:39

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Quite!

Amoore100 > Nauraushaun 10/14/2015 at 22:40

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Totally agree. Just did a quick Craiglist and all the Mk3s in my area are beat to shit with over 200K miles and still cost $2500...maybe it’s a chance for a project car someday...

Amoore100 > jariten1781 10/14/2015 at 22:41

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I think I recall reading that! Amazingly awesome. I really don’t understand why Honda doesn’t do this kind of stuff since I believe it would basically make them competitive again, at least better than this CR-V CVT shit that’s happening right now...

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 22:48

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first gen because it’s the only one I’ve driven. My Great Uncle had one who bequeathed it to my Brother, sadly it got heavily smashed in a high speed accident and my bro had to be cut out and airlifted.

so maybe I’ll change my vote to the latest one because airbags?

Amoore100 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/14/2015 at 22:53

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That’s a bit terrifying...was he ok? Also why the only 70’s car I will likely own will be a Volvo or Saab...

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 23:08

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Can’t decide between the fifth and third

Amoore100 > Nymphicus Hollandicus 10/14/2015 at 23:11

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That, sir, is a prevalent issue on this thread...

Nauraushaun > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 23:26

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Yeah that’s the hope, a project car. But a FWD project car that isn’t really that much fun? I think I’d rather pour the love into something else unfortunately.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Amoore100 10/14/2015 at 23:51

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nah, he got pretty fucked up. He survived though, only if emergency services had taken any longer he probably wouldn’t have.

Even a volvo or a saab would have been toast I reckon. if he had airbags and a modern crumple zone he probably would have been able to walk away.

Amoore100 > Nauraushaun 10/15/2015 at 01:21

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Yeah but I figure once you get it nice and running then you have something interesting and reliable to DD when you get a real project car...and you’ll have the comfort of knowing you own the only nice Mk3 Prelude left...

Nauraushaun > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 01:22

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Definitely!

Amoore100 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/15/2015 at 01:31

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Yeah, that is scary...but as my dad recalls, Japanese cars of the era were definitely more dangerous than their American and European counterparts because of the lightweight and easily rustable steel.

Still, my parents had a friend whose boyfriend smashed his Saab into a tree and left her (who was a passenger at the time) physically impaired for the rest of her life...apparently “brake failure” was cited as the cause of the accident although I think driver error had a large part in it as well...still, my parents won’t let be get a Saab for fear of a repeat experience...

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 02:01

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I dunno how much of all that is true. My best mates dad lost 5 mates in a 77 Ford Galaxie. I’d treat anything from that era like it would kill me at any speed over 30mph

Amoore100 > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 10/15/2015 at 02:13

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Point well taken. I just meant that perhaps there are some slightly better options than others but anything can be fatal and accidents happen.

duurtlang > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 06:09

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I’m working on two second gen Preludes at the moment , so I vote for that gen.

Not many survivors of any gen here. They all seem to rust like crazy.

Alex B > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 06:19

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My mom had a white third generation back in the day... I still picked the fourth though lol.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 07:44

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I realize third gen was the best, but I voted first gen because it's just so handsome.

Amoore100 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 10/15/2015 at 09:48

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Third gen wasn’t bad either given the styling downfall of the second and fourth generations...

WiscoProud > Amoore100 10/15/2015 at 12:18

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Aside from the dull rims, I still think this is a very nice vehicle. Its a shame Honda didn't give them RWD.

Amoore100 > duurtlang 10/15/2015 at 19:14

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Saw that...following updates closely!