1999 Honda Prelude Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1999 Honda Prelude, along with the other Preludes, is considered by some to be the poor man's Lamborghini. And one can see why. The 2.2-liter engine, with dual overhead camshafts, has four valves in each cylinder and multi-point programmed fuel injection. All this means is that the 1999 Honda Prelude offers big impact and super revving speeds.
The twin bucket seats, the great stereo sound system, and the cool new mesh grille, all contribute to the car's appeal.
Also, this year, Honda introduced the new torque transfer system, which helps the cornering characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle on one that applies power to the front wheels. But only on the SH model.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1999 Honda Prelude
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by Anonymous
Jul 14, 2021
Handling is an absolute delight, flat cornering, no lean. Nice acceleration from 2.1L 4 cylinder. Very comfortable for long drives.
Ive had mine for 20 years, cost per mile, incl purchase price, $.24. Will never let it go, most fun car to drive car Ive ever owned.Jul 14, 2021
by Da M
Jun 17, 2021
Thumbs up!!!!!! Jun 17, 2021
by Anonymous
Jul 26, 2014
I will miss my little fun car that I just sold. It was very quick and easy to maneuver and park. A sharp looker that all the young people love. Just got tired of squeezing laundry bags in and out off a two door. Not much room to haul hay or cargo from Home Depot ( I need a truck). But that's what a sports car is; small and fast. Must use premium gas due to V-TEC high performance engine. With all the SUV vehicles on the road, I just don't feel safe in a small car.Jul 26, 2014
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 14, 2021
Handling is an absolute delight, flat cornering, no lean. Nice acceleration from 2.1L 4 cylinder. Very comfortable for long drives.
Ive had mine for 20 years, cost per mile, incl purchase price, $.24. Will never let it go, most fun car to drive car Ive ever owned.Jul 14, 2021
by Da M
Jun 17, 2021
Thumbs up!!!!!! Jun 17, 2021
by Anonymous
Jul 26, 2014
I will miss my little fun car that I just sold. It was very quick and easy to maneuver and park. A sharp looker that all the young people love. Just got tired of squeezing laundry bags in and out off a two door. Not much room to haul hay or cargo from Home Depot ( I need a truck). But that's what a sports car is; small and fast. Must use premium gas due to V-TEC high performance engine. With all the SUV vehicles on the road, I just don't feel safe in a small car.Jul 26, 2014
by Anonymous
Apr 15, 2012
Overall stay away from the Honda Prelude unless you really have alot of engine experience and dont mind expensive, hard to install parts mainly due to engine clutter. Trust me reviewers on here have all had alot of problems once the car reaches 100-150k miles or so.Apr 15, 2012
by Mike F
Oct 19, 2011
The fifth generation Honda Prelude is by far the top of the line Honda boasting a
H22a4 DOHC Vtec motor this thing can get up and go. Depending on model
whether it is the base or the sh which is equipped with ATTS (Active Torque
Transfer System) will rip you through any corner you want.Oct 19, 2011
by Tim L
Sep 10, 2011
1999 brand new car when I got it then I started modifying it. Owned
it for 12 years ran great even after replacing motor and trans to
F20B and T2T4 swap. The whole car was modified at first for car
shows and then later on as a autocross and track car and it definitely
was setup for it.Sep 10, 2011
by Phil D
Nov 12, 2010
Well sir, the car i have chosen to reveiw is my 1999 honda prelude. it is not standard, and that is somewhat of a problem. the auto trans is not well designed. you dont end up at good rpms to be shifting and getting right back into vtec. and vtec kicking in at 5200 rpm wtf is that? they should make it lower like 4000 or even 3500.Nov 12, 2010
by Chay L
Mar 22, 2010
Great Tuner car with many luxuries for a general sport compact. And it's a Honda. Reliable and easy to maintain. Looks are pretty sharp and it's an overall fun car to drive. Takes turns like a champ, VTEC will scream nicely. Just AmazingMar 22, 2010
by Lacey L
Feb 04, 2010
I loved this car!!! Didnt want to give it up but I had a baby girl and its hard to put a carseat in a 5 seater. It is the most amazing car with great performance. It could either be driven as an automatic or stick without a clutch. Awesome!!!!Feb 04, 2010
by Justin H
Jan 07, 2010
Fast little coupe, still stands the best handling cars under 30k(even though discontinued). Absolute blast to drive, feels like a go kart. The H22 is throaty and loves to eat its way to redline. The style of the car just grows on me everytime i see it i love it more. Looks like a small car for me (6'3") but front seats provide way more room than even someone of my height would feel uncomfortable in.Jan 07, 2010
by Vedran J
Jan 06, 2010
Performance: impressive hp from 2.2l engine, suits the desing perfectly, could use some more torque... lets say...hmmm... the double of it?? :/
Built quality: honda. 'nuf said.
costs: very nice gas mileage when driving "normally", still, pretty good mileage when beating the hell out of it.
Fun factor: awesome handling, great feeling when vtec kicks in, perfect gearshift, but a bit too much weight to get a perfect score. definitely could use more torque for a car heavy like that one.Jan 06, 2010
by Fady A
Oct 21, 2009
love the car,i well never have any car excapte prelude from 97-01. they got the look,performance,handling(not in ran) but i would rate the car 9 out of 10. when you drive this car you wouldnt want to stop. the gas mileage is not good at all but i dont care about that . Oct 21, 2009
by Ruben F
Oct 14, 2009
dont' like the brakes and the bad build quality of the transmition.... todo lo de mas, de show =D... No se por que descontinuaron el carro... lo sacaron x q no se estaba vendiendo, mas sin embargo everyone love H22A engines XDOct 14, 2009
by Craig M
Oct 11, 2009
Great car. Fantastic to drive, loving it more and more everyday!!! Performance is great for a 4 cylinder. Love the V-tec. Running costs are small. The car is an absolute dream to drive with a good balance between comfort and road holding.Oct 11, 2009
by Shawn D
Jul 25, 2009
the H22a 2.2l 4 cylinder that came stock in the prelude pushes the same amount of power as older v8 mustangs it has more weight than the average civic or accord but it also has alot more class. all in all one of the best honda vehicles ever created.Jul 25, 2009
by Anonymous
Jul 06, 2009
whp-229. 0-60=5.1 167mph.
grooved brembo discs.
goes round corners like its on rails.
4ws has to be resetevery 6-12 months.
brakes squeek when really really hot.
interior could have had more money spent on it at factory.
exterior is perfect wouldnt change a thing.
18-36 mpg depending on how you drive it.
oil change every 3000miles full service every 6000miles.
car is fantastic to drive get it on some wyndy roads.Jul 06, 2009
by Jovan D
Jun 22, 2009
great performance handling is awesome one of a kind look with a very high fun factor the only problem is dont try sticking your tall friends in the back seat i mean you can fit two but you will not be a long ride lolJun 22, 2009
by Ben S
May 27, 2009
This car is gorgeous, powerful enough, handles like a dream, is good on gas unless you hit vtec all of the time, and its reliable as hell. I have had it for 4 years and have never gotten tired of driving it.May 27, 2009
by Anonymous
Mar 20, 2009
quick enough but can be made quicker.4ws perfect in every way. sexy lookng coupe. group 17 insurance highest is 20. drinks fuel when your in the vtec rev range. good all round car. dont buy anything but japanese motors. if you want a reliable motor buy jap cars.Mar 20, 2009
by Ally H
Jan 22, 2009
The Honda Prelude is an amazing machine. A fun car to drive with nice handling. A definite bang for your buck. Inside is layed out thoughtfully and is comfortable. Great gas mileage for a 200 horsepower engine. Aftermarket parts are abundant and the motors last forever. Buy one.Jan 22, 2009
by Preston B
Sep 19, 2008
I love my car soo much it is just so much fun to drive! I might have only had it for a few weeks so far but I know that this is gonna be one of the cars im going to keep and love for a very long time! I just wish I had the money right now to supercharge her though! The only things that have been wrong with it were my fault for not checking them before buying the car and that was that my dash lights didn't light up enough to drive relaxed at night time but the Dealer I bought it from was very helpful and are making sure that it is checked before selling another car so I know that they will never let that happen again.Sep 19, 2008
by Chris F
Aug 11, 2008
First off, the stereo makes your head ring if you turn it up all the way, alway a fun time.
Performance - Mugen Cat-Back exhaust system, AEM V2 Intake, Apexi VAFC, GroundControl Coilovers, Koing Struts, 3 strut bars
Fun Factor - the entrance and off-ramps to highways are great, can take them at 50 mph without the tires even squeelin
Aug 11, 2008
by Jude E
Aug 11, 2008
Great looking car, with reliable engine and build.
performance doesn't match its looks.
Great to cruise with but don't push this car, as it is not desgined for racing. Brakes are weak and the tyres could do with more rubber (i.e wider tyres), this car tends to skid easily and difficult to brake in a straight line if doing more than 60mph. good looking economical coupe, but take it easy or it could end up in a yard. oh yeh, and the boot quite small. Aug 11, 2008
by Rusty S
Apr 08, 2008
Have some problems with keeping the Engine light off but know it has something to do with radiator and sensor. . . .Apr 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 24, 2008
This car is comfortable, and the handling and performance is excelent, it is very fast,and everything about it is perfect, and its very reliable.Mar 24, 2008
by Charles R
Mar 18, 2008
Wonderful car to drive but slightly expensive on gasMar 18, 2008
by Liviu N
Feb 23, 2008
This car was amazing to drive! It was very refined. A joyride everytime you got in it. Felt way faster than the numbers show. Handly had any problems either. Feb 23, 2008
by Travis A
Feb 11, 2008
Has an after market AEM cold air intake, high performance cams, new muffler, after market DC headers, Viper remote/security system, AEM air flow convertor, 12 inch Punch two Rockford Fosgate sub powered by a pioneer amp Feb 11, 2008
by Harj B
Jan 09, 2008
superb handling / acceleration - this car is soooo underratedJan 09, 2008
by Ann F
Dec 26, 2007
Go manual if you get one, and make sure to check that timing belt tensioner. Tie-rod ends in the front tend to wear out every 5 years or so.Dec 26, 2007
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1999 Honda Prelude Pricing
Original MSRP
$23,865 to $26,365Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent