Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC

Name: 1996 Honda Prelude
Brand: Honda
Price: 1849 USD
Rating: 5.0 (8 reviews)

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List Price Estimate:	$1,849 - $2,891

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What’s new

This is the last year for the current-generation Prelude.

Vehicle overview

Usually, when a carmaker introduces a model with unusual styling, we assume that the styling will grow on us, becoming attractive as the rest of the carmakers introduce models with similar styling themes. Since we first laid eyes on the Prelude in the fall of 1991, only two cars have dared tread where Honda designers did when creating the current-generation Prelude. The new Supra's roofline and greenhouse share the Prelude's proportions, and the Lincoln Mark VIII sports an interior as radical as that found in the Prelude. Needless to say, we still haven't grown accustomed to, or very fond of, this Honda's looks, inside or out.

Underneath the questionably attractive sheetmetal is where the Prelude shines, at least in Si and Si VTEC form. The Si gets a 160-horsepower 2.3-liter twin-cam engine; the Si VTEC a 2.2-liter twin-cammer good for 190-horsepower. The VTEC motor is sweet, with a high redline and rev-me-red personality, but it costs an extra $3,000 and reduces the Prelude's acceleration times by a scant half a second over the Si. We don't think it's worth it.

A deeply slotted dashboard greets the front passengers, running the length of the cowl and housing a combination of digital and analog gauges. At either end is a speaker housing and chintzy-looking speaker grille. The design provides an ample amount of interior room for the front passengers, but compared to Honda's previously-brilliant interior layouts, this one is cheesy and ineffective.

The frontal styling is downright ugly, and the alloy wheels look as though they were heisted from a Saturn SL2. The Prelude is a fun car, with reliability that is nearly matchless. However, we think Honda blew it with this version. The 1988-1991 Prelude was nicer to look at, more user-friendly, and less expensive. No wonder they hold their value so well.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC.

5(100%)

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5.0

24 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

What a ride!

house_muzak,05/15/2002

VTEC 2dr Coupe

The fourth generation Prelude V-tec is a beautiful and unique car inside and out. It's styling is timeless and seductive. The interior is like no other car on the road and is really very refreshing. The V-tec engine is ultra-reliable and a blast to drive. It handles superbly for a front wheel drive car and has great brakes, too. Buy this car, if you can actually …

First Car, and Never Regretted It

NewPreludeOwner,02/14/2010

VTEC 2dr Coupe

Bought this car in July of '09 from a fellow service member. Never regretted it. Fun as hell to drive, extremely reliable, and I bought it with over 129k miles on it! It seems I had the extreme luck to purchase the VTEC, and it was well worth the $3500 I paid for it! No engine problems, only had to fix the brakes because of a broken after-market caliper and change out two gaskets on the …

Perfect Car for me

dezern,07/10/2012

VTEC 2dr Coupe

When I was younger my friends all wanted a prelude, but i was too young to car except in video games, but when I got my Prelude I fell in love with it. Reliable, beautiful styling and scary fast after a little bit of work. I would reccomend this car to anyone who asked. She's a beautiful car, inside and out

Fun to Drive for short time

Club VTEC,08/19/2002

VTEC 2dr Coupe

I personally love Prelude 92-96 Model. It is really fun to drive but not for long drive. The seat is not comfortable. This is a great car to have. Don't miss it

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Features & Specs

See all Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC specs & features

Safety

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
0

More about the 1996 Honda Prelude

Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC Overview

The Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC is offered in the following styles: VTEC 2dr Coupe. The Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual.

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC?

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Which used 1996 Honda Prelude VTECS are available in my area?

Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC Listings and Inventory

Simply research the type of used car you're interested in and then select a prew-owned vehicle from our massive database to find cheap used cars for sale near you. Once you have identified a used or CPO vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC.

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Should I lease or buy a 1996 Honda Prelude?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC

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Edmunds' Expert Review

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC Overview

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Honda Prelude VTEC?

Which used 1996 Honda Prelude VTECS are available in my area?

Can't find a used 1996 Honda Prelude Prelude VTEC you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Should I lease or buy a 1996 Honda Prelude?

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