From the November 1998 problem of Automobile and Driver.

First impressions will be deceptive, and never simply with individuals. Our early impressions of automobiles are topic to vary after 40,000 miles behind the wheel. For instance, it was love at first sight with a sure European convertible some years in the past (hey, we do not kiss and inform), however the romance soured after its trou­blesome long-term stick with us. Alternatively, the Jaguar XJ6 (this we are able to inform) had us tearing out our hair throughout a quick keep for its first street check of the 1995 redesign, however after 40,000 largely nice miles in a long-term automotive, we had been now not scoffing at Jag’s claims of improved reliability.

The present-design Honda Prelude cer­tainly left good impressions at its intro­duction within the fall of 1996. Its engine—a 195-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder with vari­in a position valve timing and a hovering 7400-rpm redline—was as thrilling as ever. We additionally favored the Lively Torque Switch System (ATTS) on the SH mannequin, which directs torque to the surface entrance wheel below laborious cornering to cut back the numb below­steer that plagues most front-drivers. In brief order, we named the SH mannequin a 10Best automotive. 5 months later, it gained the title of “Finest-Dealing with Automobile for Much less Than $30,000.”

However would our impressions change with time and miles? In April 1997, an arrest­-me-red Prelude SH arrived at our door with simply 11 miles on the odometer. This automotive left good first impressions, too. An inspection for flaws revealed solely a free shifter knob and a tad an excessive amount of lubricant on the door hinges.

After 1000 miles, we took it to the monitor. The Prelude leapt to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, sped by way of the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds, and topped out at 138 mph. It might brake to a cease from 70 mph in 172 ft and nook at 0.83 g.

Early logbook impressions glowed. “Drives fairly rightly,” went one entry. “Beautiful engine,” chimed one other. Drivers applauded the automotive’s delicate and safe steering, its tight construction, and the coor­dination of its clutch and shifter, which labored splendidly with little greater than a fast flick of the wrist.

The Prelude requires service at 7500-mile intervals, which works out to an oil change and a tire rotation, however the filter stays put till 15,000 miles, at which period varied different features are inspected. At 30,000 miles, the air filter is modified once more and changes to the drive belts and valve clearances are made. (The primary main service arrives at a distant 90,000 miles, and a brand new camshaft belt and spark plug aren’t really helpful till 105,000 miles.) When a Prelude nears a 7500-mile interval, a bit of “most important­tenance required” window beneath the odometer turns first yellow, then purple, as a reminder that it is time for service.

Our native seller, Howard Cooper Import Middle, in Ann Arbor, had a 10-day ready record! So as a substitute of taking our Prelude there for its first required service, we shuttled it to Rosenau Automotive Group in Inkster, Michigan. Rosenau had its personal agenda for the 7500-mile service and charged us for not solely the oil change and tire rotation but in addition a fuel-system additive and a graphite oil therapy. It left a smoking $87 gap in our AmEx card. Even after subtracting these undesirable gadgets (as we at all times do for our service tal­lies within the specs), the overall nonetheless got here to an eyebrow-arching $71.

It could be our solely disagreeable service expertise. Howard Cooper carried out the remaining 4 companies, which had been all accomplished roughly to the e-book, and inex­pensively, at $218, making for a service complete of $289. That is low-cost for any automotive. (Our long-term Nissan 240SX price $395, and a Ford Probe GT we had for 35,000 miles price us $359 for service.)

We did not want a seller’s assist for any­factor else. Our solely unscheduled service cease got here at 14,630 miles, when day­tripper Larry Griffin might now not tolerate a tire imbalance throughout a 7000-mile journey. Ripley Firestone in Ripley, West Virginia, did the balancing act on all 4 tires. Consider it or not, the value was simply $19—our solely restore cost.

Many people got here to understand the Prelude’s understated, easy exterior. “Fairly sharp for a international automotive,” males­tioned one Ford F-150 driver at a gasoline station. The inside acquired excessive marks for its performance and low marks for its cautious styling. If Honda execs ponder hara-kiri after studying that sentence, we sympathize. The last-generation Prelude had a extra creatively sculpted inside, and we complained about that, too.

Most different gripes had been of the Pecksniffian sort. A couple of did not just like the “chaise longue” seating place, and shorter drivers could not alter the steering wheel excessive sufficient for com­fort. The “Acoustic Suggestions” system with AM/FM-stereo/CD participant, commonplace tools within the SH, was crisp and clear with the amount cranked. Flip it down, nevertheless, and it sounded extra like a kind of AM radios you get whenever you open a brand new checking account. Some thought the doorways and the trunklid closed with a hole, tinny sound that belied the Prelude SH’s $26,095 base worth.

The ATTS acquired blended critiques. Berg: “I really like the way in which the entrance finish tucks in below energy on wet, moist corners.” Markus: “Did a fast, low-speed lane develop into a gap on I-696. I believe the ATTS was nonetheless making an attempt laborious to go left as I steered proper. Not what I used to be anticipating.”

After its 40,000-mile keep, we returned the Prelude to the monitor. Sprints to 60 mph took 7.2 seconds, 0.3 second longer, however high velocity elevated a notch to 139 mph. Cornering grip improved barely, and braking efficiency held, with spectacular fade resistance after so many miles.

By the tip of the check, the window weatherstripping would not keep within the slots on each doorways, and the ground mats devel­oped an annoying tendency to slip for­ward, interfering with the motive force’s pedals. Slight gear grinding accompanied most fourth-to-fifth-gear shifts, maybe attributable to a weak transmission synchro.

However our enthusiasm for this sporty automotive continued unabated. “One in every of my favourite long-term automobiles, second solely to the Boxster,” wrote a check driver within the log­e-book. “Love driving this automotive,” wrote one other.

All through its stick with us, the Prelude SH was a dependable, cheap, and enjoyable drive. Typically, good first impressions are proper on the cash.

Service

Scheduled service: 5
Unscheduled service: 1

Working Prices (for 40,000 miles)

Service: $289
Regular put on: $0
Restore: $19
Gasoline (@ $1.04 per gallon): $1651

Rants and Raves

Great engine, clear strains, however what’s up with the inside? I’ve just lately pushed an Acura NSX-T, two Civics, and this Prelude and couldn’t let you know the distinction from inside. For $26,095, you’d suppose the inside could be as memorable as the outside and the engine. —Erik Davidek

Such a quick-witted automotive, with on the spot throttle response, quick steering that is not nervous, progressive clutch takeup that is quick with out being abrupt. This stays, in my e-book, the perfect of the two-plus-two hatchbacks, however with out the hatch. —John Phillips

Powertrain and chassis dovetail properly, if not altogether seamlessly. I might like shorter, extra exact strokes for the clutch, shifter, throttle, and brakes. Plus a 2.5-to-2.8-liter V-6 for extra low-rev punch. —Larry Griffin

The A/C blower on low continues to be too energetic. C’mon with the complaints! —Brock Yates

Does anybody else suppose the middle tunnel is a bit large for a front-driver? —Phil Berg

That is my subsequent used-car buy. —Christian Spencer