| The first Honda Prelude for sale on the market | | | | sets the 1990 and 1991 models apart visually |
| was the 1979 model in November 1978. This | | | | from those in 1988 and 1989. The new look |
| first-generation Prelude used the Honda Civic as a | | | | included distinctive rear taillights and a rear bumper |
| base, including the front fascia, the brakes, the | | | | that was rounder and smoother, and better |
| floorpans, and the four-wheel independent struts. | | | | complemented the racing-inspired spoiler that was |
| From this point on until the appearance of the | | | | such a focal point on the third-generation Prelude's |
| Acura NSX years later, the Prelude served as | | | | rear end. The 1990 interior changes were equally |
| Honda's flagship sports coupe. During that first | | | | dramatic, and they included such alterations as the |
| generation from 1979 to 1982, Honda sold | | | | dash bezel, door handles, window switches, and |
| approximately 172,000 Prelude units in the United | | | | the contour of the steering wheel. These changes |
| States alone. | | | | may seem minor individually, but in concert, it |
| The Honda Prelude for sale in 1983 marked the | | | | creates a dramatic effect. |
| beginning of the model's second vehicle generation. | | | | The Honda Prelude for Sale in 1992 marked the |
| It is during this period that Honda truly embraces | | | | start of the Prelude's fourth generation. The most |
| the sports car spirit. While the first-gen engine | | | | significant change in this generation was the move |
| option offered approximately 75 horsepower, | | | | from a traditional to an electronic version of the |
| both 1983 options exceeded 100. In addition, | | | | four-wheel steering. However, the most obvious |
| consumers had a choice of 2-speed automatic, | | | | difference is the loss of the pop-up headlights, |
| 3-speed automatic, and 5-speed manual | | | | which gave the Prelude such a distinct look. |
| transmission. Honda also began offering Preludes in | | | | Perhaps it was necessary in order to maintain a |
| Si trims, which included fuel-injected versions of | | | | modern look, but one can make the argument |
| either the 1.8L or 2.0L engine. | | | | that the Prelude blended into the pack after this |
| The year 1988 marks the beginning of the | | | | design change. |
| Prelude's third generation, and although the Honda | | | | Honda introduced the fifth and final generation of |
| Prelude for sale this year looked very much like a | | | | the Prelude in 1997 and continued manufacturing it |
| second-generation Prelude, the looks were | | | | until 2001. This generation marked a return to the |
| deceiving. One of the biggest changes was the | | | | square body style that had been so popular in the |
| addition of four-wheel steering on some models, | | | | 1980s. The Prelude wasn't selling well any longer, |
| and Honda widened the engine selection | | | | and it was clear that the model had lost |
| substantially. The base engine was a 2.0L I4 that | | | | something during that fourth generation. This was |
| offered 104 horsepower. Other popular options | | | | Honda's, unfortunately failed, attempt to reclaim |
| included the 135-hp 2.0L, and a 142-hp 2.0L. | | | | that magic, but at this point the Prelude customer |
| The third generation lasted through 1991, but | | | | had moved on, and the redesign wasn't enough to |
| Honda gave the Prelude a facelift in 1990 that | | | | draw them back in. |