May be the last model to represent the good qualities that have shaped Honda's identity.
The Last Prelude
Honda Prelude were 2-door coupé models with a sporty cut while being versatile enough to function as daily means of transport. The models appealed to people who were more interested in cars and driving than the average. Number 5 in the series was produced from mid-1996 as model year 1997 to 2001. It did not have a successor.
Model selection
The Prelude was a world car that was produced for all continents. In Europe, it got two engine choices, 2,0i 133hp and 2,2 VTi 185hp with variable valve timing. The model got a facelift in 1999. I haven't found any external changes between the two series, but from 1999 the VTi engine got 200hp and 4WS 4-wheel steering that Honda also offered in several models. The gearboxes were either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
Classic?
When the cars are 20-25 they are either scrapped or taken care of. It is actually now that you have to decide whether Prelude 5 is a classic or not. The one who speaks for, is that it has many of the qualities that made Honda popular from the 1970s to today. Beautiful, simple, durable with very good engines and good driving characteristics. Like other car manufacturers, Honda has recently turned its model range in the direction of practical, high-built models where place goes ahead form. Honda entered the market with electric cars late. Switching to electric car technology will unfortunately eliminate one of Honda's biggest advantages, namely the engine technology. The Honda Prelude 5 therefore remains one of the last "old school" Honda models. The Honda Civic, Prelude and Accord from the 1970s and 80s are undoubtedly classics today, and we should probably look after good examples of these models for another couple of decades. They are future classics.
About the pictures
The black car in the main picture was photographed parked in a residential area on Fornebu in 2018. The light-coloured car was temporarily parked outside construction barracks on Oksenøya. It was damaged on the left side and probably had Polish plates. The Honda 5 is about to disappear completely from the traffic picture. The cars pictured on this page are now wrecked.
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