1989 Honda Prelude

2.0 SI Coupe

2.0L 1958CC l4 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated

Manual

JHMBA4139KC050255

Clear

GAS

This car was purchased in Denver by its original owner who then retired to New Mexico. Sadly, he was no longer able to drive, and I bought it from his son in law last year. It has seen only gentle use seeing only 101,00 miles in its first 23 years of life. It replaced another loved vehicle in my collection, and has been driven just slightly more than 7,000 miles this past year. It is a beautiful and peppy car to drive with excellent road holding and very near new style braking. I took my old 911 south to deliver to its new owner and drove this car home from Colorado. It was not as quick but every bit as entertaining in the Black Hills as the Porsche. Ironically, its gear box was a (typical Honda!) huge step better than the 911's 915 style transaxle, and its brakes less prone to lock-up! It was very neutral through the hills and curves. Now being a bit particular in my vehicles, I have refurbished a number of things and have done the needed services. NONE of these items were critical, but needed updating which I did. I started with the factory hubcaps whose silver finish had faded and was scraped from curb rash. I stripped them down and repainted them, so that they all appear like the one new one that came on the car. Next item was the trim around the windows that had seen its finish crack and peel. I carefully stripped and repainted those pieces- again they are like new from a 10' distance. The tops of both front and rear bumpers had faded to a pink color. There were expected rock chips all over the front of the hood and head light doors- so these were sanded down and refinished with a newer style base coat clear coat which you cannot distinguish from the OE finish, except that the hood, bumpers and front fender tops will no longer need the cleaning and care that the single stage red on the rest of the car demands! There remain some very minor door dents which can be seen when you are very close and look "just right". I had a paintless dent estimate this past summer before the hood and fenders were fixed that came to $800. When polished, there are a few very minor flaws in the red paint, but you have to LOOK for them to see them! A very light polish and buff per year will keep it red and shiny. It is difficult to state with absolute certainty that the car has never been hit; however when I replaced the radiator last summer, the upper and lower radiator supports were straight and had nice red paint on them. The rest of the car has original paint on it, and both doors and the sunroof close like a new car.The interior is like new. There are NO tears, NO odors, and everything is as it should be. The ONLY wear is a very slight scuff/unraveling of the driver side factory floor mat next to the "dead" pedal. Again you have to look for this to see it. The rest of the carpet/floor mats appear to be like new. The dash is intact with NO cracks or color variance. The sunroof and head liner is clean and with no flaws.All the windows including the sunroof work like new. The factory AM FM Cassette is included in this sale and works fine, but has been replaced by a Pioneer CD AM FM unit with a professional grade wire harness plug. It of course also works like new. All the speakers are factory and have no issues. The electric antenna and mirrors work as new also. The service Items I have replaced include a total timing belt, water pump, and serpentine belt service. The anti-freeze is also new. EVERYTHING was cleaned while this was apart, so the engine compartment appears like new. During this summer, it developed a leak in the radiator at the header tank/ radiator junction, so the radiator was replaced with a new one. It now no longer leaves a most un Honda-like puddle when driven! After a quick run to a meeting this fall, it likewise developed a power steering fluid overflowing problem. Further diagnosis told us that there was a problem with its reservoir and the pump itself. The reservoir is no longer available, but could be (and was) cleaned thoroughly. A new power steering pump was installed along with new return lines, and of course new fluid was part of that deal. The rest of this car's maintenance was routine- sparks plugs, wires, cap, rotor; valves were adjusted, and all filters- air and fuel were replaced. The previous owner had just installed a new Honda battery, so that is also good to go. In search of a random squeal from the front end some noise was isolated to the left front hub bearing, so that was replaced. The brakes have at least 50% wear left and its clutch bites well and smoothly. The tires are excellent and appropriately speed rated. Its warm compression readings done this summer at 104,360 miles were 1) 155, 2) 150, 3)150 and 4) 160. As you might expect this car starts with no drama and uses no oil. Its heater will cook you out and the A/C blows cold; the cruise works like this era cruise worked from new: slight hesitation after hitting the set button, and a set speed 1-2 mph below "set" speed. There was a question about the exhaust from a previous auction ebayer; the previous owner replaced the rear muffler, and inspection of the exhaust found no holes, rattles or other suspicious noises.This car is a nice clean driver that should give its next owner many years of fun driving. It is for sale because I need to put together some money for a retirement house. Thanks for looking, and good luck bidding.