1997 Honda Prelude Review | Drive Chicago
logo

Menu

  • Home
  • Search New
  • Search Used
  • Dealer Listings
  • Recall Tool
  • Sell Your Car
  • Reviews
  • Finance Calculator
  • Car Shows
  • Cruise Nights
  • Chicago Auto Show
  • Search New
  • Search Used
  • Dealers & Services
    • Search By Dealer
    • Recall Tool
  • Sell Your Car
  • Research
    • Reviews
    • Finance Calculator
    • Find The Best Deal
  • Community
    • Car Shows
    • Cruise Nights
    • Chicago Auto Show

1997 Honda Prelude

Fifth-generation hits the streets.

by: Dave Boe

Prelude is Honda Motor Company's venerable two-door sports coupes. The freshly redesigned, fifth-generation, 1997 Prelude combines past successes intermixed with a sprinkling of new-wave technologies. Honda introduced the first-generation Prelude when disco music was all the rage (to some folks anyway) back in 1979. Honda enhances Prelude's rear seat comfort with 1.4 inches more headroom and two inches additional knee clearance. Fenders, doors, quarter panels and hood form from galvanized steel, reducing corrosion. Wheelbase (distance from front to rear axle) increases from 100.4 inches to 101.7 inches while overall length grows to 178 inches, almost five more than last year. Suspension, steering and body integrity also gain upgrades. Only two trim levels are available; Base Prelude and Prelude Type SH. Last model year, Honda offered three editions. Both incorporate a 195-horsepower, double overhead cam, VTEC engine with Honda-designed variable valve timing. This 2.2-liter, four-cylinder powertrain provides spunky pick up. Starting price for our front-wheel drive, five-speed manual, Base Prelude was $23,200. Prelude comes well-equipped with many standard features. Few options are available even in Base editions. Cruise control, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, rear-window defogger, power moonroof, power door locks and window and adjustable steering column are included. With floor mats and a $395 destination charge, the bottom line totaled $23,682. Anti-lock brakes and dual air bags come standard. However, traction control, which prevents wheel slippage during inclement conditions, is not offered. Standard four-wheel, double-wishbone suspension improves handling while power-assist rack-and-pinion steering enhances vehicle maneuverability, especially at slower speeds. Inside, cloth bucket seats support the back and offer decent comfort during long sojourns. Honda's redesigned instrument panel is a welcome addition. However, fan speed and temperature controls manipulate by a series of smaller-than- average buttons and levers. Windshield wipers and washer fluid activate from the turn-signal stalk. Trunk lid and fuel door release levers are found on the floor, left of the front bucket seat. Complimenting increased back-seat head and leg room are cup holders molded near the arm rests. The entire backrest folds down, gaining access to the truck and expanding cargo carrying options. Prelude's exterior presents a sporty, not overly-muscular look. It's a softened appearance from last year with updated taillamps and smoothed out back end. Both editions feature 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Type SH adds a standard rear spoiler. A new driver enhancement featured on Prelude Type SH is its Active Torque Transfer Systems (ATTS) designed for even better handling characteristics. Basically, its a system which improves cornering by adjusting power to front drive wheels while turning. Also available on Base models is an optional automatic transmission system featuring Sequential SportShift, combining manual-transmission performance with automatic transmission convenience. Fuel estimates for five-speed Prelude checked in at 22 miles per gallon city and 27 mpg highway. Our test-drive car, with 1,500 odometer miles, registered 23 in combined driving. The fuel tank holds 15.9 gallons of unleaded fuel. Unlike Honda's Ohio-built Accord sedan which enjoys a loyal following and strong sales, Prelude figures have declined steadily since 1992, when Honda sold more than 36,000 units. Honda expects selling around 20,000 units this year. Part of the Japan-built Prelude's dilemma stems from a $24,000 price tag, hefty in a four-seat vehicle. A consumer preference shift away from coupes and towards sport utility vehicles doesn't helped either.


headshot
Dave Boe

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Northern Illinois University, Dave Boe began a 24-year career at the Daily Herald Newspaper. In 1989, the paper debuted a weekly auto section and soon deputized him as editor/columnist. The Saturday product quickly attracted advertisers and readers alike, growing into one of the paper’s largest weekend sections, anchored by in-depth auto reviews of personally tested vehicles. The success spawned four additional weekly auto sections, publishing Thursday through Monday. In addition to expanded editing duties, he penned a second weekly ‘Nuts and Bolts’ column with local coverage of area auto happenings, including the world-famous Chicago Auto Show. A popular reader feedback column was added titled, ‘My Love Affair with my Car,’ with shared transportation memories from subscribers. In 1997, he earned Daily Herald Employee of the Year honors. Additional area freelance auto writers joined the payroll covering topics including auto maintenance, a ‘Women on Wheels’ perspective, auto racing, motorcycling, auto dealer spotlights and historical hidden auto gems within the greater Second City. Other media stints include appearances on WTTW TV’s ‘Chicago Tonight,’ WFLD TV’s ‘News at Nine,’ WBBM-AM’s ‘At Issues’ and this site’s radio companion, WLS-AM’s Drive Chicago. At the dawn of the internet boom, his automotive reviews debuted in cyberspace at the fledgling drivechicago.com. Additional educational pursuits include automotive repair course completion at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines as well as a technical writing curriculum at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. A founding member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, he’s also a Past President, Vice President and Treasurer. He’s logged behind-the-wheel track time at noted raceways throughout the Midwest and around the country including Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; Gateway International Speedway near St. Louis; Virginia International Speedway, Autobahn Country Club in Joliet and Monticello Motor Club outside New York City.

Information

  • About
  • Search for Car
  • Car Shows
  • Sell Your Car
  • Finance Calculator
  • Reviews

Listings

  • Dealer
  • City
  • Make - New
  • Make - Used

Terms

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Contact

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Newsletter

Enter your e-mail address below to subscribe to our newsletter and keep up to date with discounts and special offers

Follow us on social networks

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

©2024 drivechicago.com