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Honda Prelude 1997-2002

2496 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2012 at 11:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Prelude, Coupe

Messages Page 70 of 250

#691 of 2496 by grbeck

Jun 30, 2002 (9:08 am)

verozahl: From what I've read, the only Oldsmobiles I can afford - the Alero and Intrigue - are even worse! And I grew up in a family that faithfully bought Oldsmobile 88s up until 1999, when my parents switched over to a Park Avenue.
 
sphinx99: I try not be aggressive with the brakes. The service manager told me that these rotors would better resist warping. I figured that instead of fighting with the dealer over replacement rotors (or merely having them resurface the rotors), I would just go with the cross drilled rotors. Around town, in very low-speed situations (25 mph and below), the new rotors do give a better feel through the pedal. Otherwise, at higher speeds, the vibrations are still there, because the "pads haven't conformed to the new rotors yet," according to the service manager.
 
I guess my disappointment stems from my previous very good experiences with my Civics (aside from the rotors). I wanted an affordable sports coupe, and there aren't many left on the market. The Acura RSX was a little too tightly strung for my tastes...very noisy, with a ride that bordered on harsh. It seemed like a car built for the 20-year-old tuner set.
 
The Toyota Celica is, to my eyes, rather unattractive, while the Mercury Cougar has many niggling problems. Also, I didn't relish the prospect of getting a Cougar serviced at dealerships more used to dealing with grandpa's Town Car. Judging by their placement on the lots, most Lincoln-Mercury dealers already regard the Cougar as an orphan. Granted, the Prelude is already gone, but it did fit well into the Honda lineup and Honda dealers should keep Prelude owners happy on the chance they will trade for an Accord coupe. There really isn't anything else in the Lincoln-Mercury lineup for current Cougar owners, so I don't think dealers have a real incentive to keep them happy. They'd rather focus on selling grandpa one more Town Car.
 
The Dodge Stratus R/T and Chrysler Sebring LXi are available with a five-speed and a V-6, plus they are the best looking coupes this side of a Mercedes E-Class. Unfortunately, judging by the posts on Edmunds.com, they still have quality control problems, and I've heard very few positive experiences from people when they deal with their "five star" Mopar dealer.
 
Moving up, the Pontiac Firebird is so over-the-top it's almost a joke, while the Chevrolet Camaro gave me the impression I was driving a bathtub. The dashboard alone seemed to stretch for a few feet. Plus, neither is a paragon of quality.
 
The only real competitor, in my view, was the Ford Mustang GT coupe. I felt comfortable in it, and I loved the sound and performance of the V-8 and five-speed. Unfortunately, I would be paying a good $500 more a year in insurance over the Prelude and the interior materials were nothing to write home about. (Forget the V-6.) And, of course, we all know that Fords are more troublesome than Hondas. At least, that is what I DID think. I'm beginning to wonder...
 
So, I bought the Prelude and it's off to the dealer AGAIN tomorrow morning. Boy, I can hardly wait...

#692 of 2496 by verozahl

Jun 30, 2002 (5:01 pm)

grbeck, is the dealer as evil as your Ford dealer? I mean, if you got a Mustang lemon, then you would have to put-up with Ford service departments, and if you live in an area (like around here) where one is on every corner, it still wouldn't matter, they all act the same.
 
What's left on the market currently is the Celica, RSX, and Tiburon. Did you consider a 6-cyl Tiburon?

#693 of 2496 grbeck by nyccarguy

Jul 01, 2002 (6:42 am)

Have you tried servicing your car at another dealer?

#694 of 2496 by grbeck

Jul 01, 2002 (8:52 pm)

verozahl: Even in a small city like Harrisburg, there are no less than five "quality plus" Ford dealers reasonably close to my home. The biggest one in the city is within walking distance from the state Capitol (where I work). Plus, a friend of mine used to work in the local office of Ford Credit (before it was closed down by Ford as part of a restructuring effort), and she said that if I ever buy a Ford, she will give me the scoop on which dealers to avoid.
 
As for the Tiburon - thanks, but no thanks.
 
nyccarguy: This dealer has been good to me in the past, so I'm inclined to be forgiving. The fuse and "check engine" light are not the dealer's fault. As for the rattle...it's intermittent, so it is difficult to track. With the rotors - I probably made a mistake in jumping to the cross-drilled rotors. Once again, I don't blame the dealer for the initial rotor warpage. I blame Honda for using cheap rotors on what is supposed to be a performance car. Believe me, I've quizzed the service manager (who used to live five doors up the street from me) about the dealership's service procedures (tightening the lug nuts, etc.), and he seems to know what should and should not be done.

#695 of 2496 grbeck by himiler

Jul 02, 2002 (10:24 am)

Honda typically under-specs the brakes on its cars, but because your rotors warped so early, they were probably defective from the factory.
 
As for the other stuff, if the dealer is treating you and your Prelude well and addressing all of your concerns to your satisfaction, I say stick with the 'lude.
 
No car is perfect (including mine), but at least you've got a better shot at a having a car that lasts and perfoms over the long haul when you own a Honda.

#696 of 2496 by grbeck

Jul 02, 2002 (8:33 pm)

Good news - the "check engine" light is just an oxygen sensor. The dealer has to order the part; it should be in next week. The dealer also fixed the brakes (without machining the rotors); the vibration is gone. The car is MUCH nicer to drive. Now I feel as though I'm getting what I paid for when I bought the car.
 
himiler: Yes, I was reminded of that last night when a friend of mine described the total failure of the air conditioning in her Cavalier...at only 69,000 miles. She was quoted a repair bill of $1,600.

#697 of 2496 by sphinx99

Jul 03, 2002 (6:02 am)

What was wrong with the brakes?

#698 of 2496 by shmang

Jul 03, 2002 (12:58 pm)

Let me take a guess here:
 
Actually, it was not the brake or roter, instead it is the tire/wheel that is not aligned properly. There are 2 ways to fix this: 1. get it aligned/replaced. 2. Rotate the wheel from front to back.

#699 of 2496 by grbeck

Jul 08, 2002 (9:02 pm)

sphinx99: The service manager told me over the phone that he replaced the pads. The service order, however, says the rotors were turned! I hope that wasn't what needed to be done.
 
I worked late, so I didn't get the chance to talk to anyone when I picked up the car. After the 4th I left for vacation and didn't return until Sunday, so I'll ask him when I take the car in for the oxygen sensor replacement. Whatever he did, the brakes worked beautifully from Harrisburg to Ocean City, Maryland and back.

#700 of 2496 grbeck by nyccarguy

Jul 09, 2002 (6:14 am)

good to see your car was in working order for your 4th of July trip. How was the car on the highway? Did you experience any fatigue while driving that distance?

Messages Page 70 of 250

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