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I’ve at all times had a delicate spot for the Honda Prelude. Once I was in highschool, the fourth technology rolled out with one of many coolest interiors of the period — that angled, driver-centric wraparound sprint was peak Honda design. Then got here the fifth-gen mannequin, arguably the best-looking Honda till the S2000 arrived. I used to be fortunate sufficient to personal an S2000 again within the day. I even test-drove a fifth-gen Prelude as soon as, however identical to the S2K, it didn’t supply sufficient headroom for my lanky body.
The Prelude grew to become a kind of automobiles I admired from a distance — an icon that I at all times needed to like, if solely it match my life. Quick-forward to at present: the youngsters are grown, storage area is on the market, and the concept of a throwback coupe with Honda reliability sounds fairly good on paper.
So when Honda unveiled the brand new Prelude, it ought to’ve been a house run for me. Besides… it wasn’t.
The early specs, the hybrid setup, the dearth of a guide, and now the pricing, simply over $43k, have made me extra skeptical than excited. I haven’t pushed one (but), however primarily based on what we’ve seen, learn, and the firestorm on Reddit, it’s clear the brand new Prelude isn’t what many people had hoped for.
So for those who’re like me — somebody who loves what the Prelude represents, however isn’t bought on what it is — listed below are the automobiles I’d purchase as a substitute.
Methodology
These picks aren’t primarily based on strict class competitors charts as a result of actual fanatics don’t store that manner. They’re automobiles that compete with the brand new Prelude in spirit, not essentially in phase or value level.
Some are cheaper. Some are far dearer. However all of them do one thing the Prelude doesn’t: they provide the mix of pleasure, nostalgia, efficiency, or emotional pull that made the unique Prelude significant.
In different phrases: these are automobiles I’d truly cross-shop — even when {a magazine} wouldn’t.
Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ
On paper, that is the automobile that ought to’ve stuffed the Prelude-shaped gap in my coronary heart: rear-wheel drive, light-weight, guide possibility, and purpose-built for driving enjoyment. It’s the closest factor we’ve got at present to a traditional Japanese sport coupe — and at simply over $30K, it’s priced like a correct fanatic automobile, not a nostalgia tax.
However right here’s the factor I wrestle with: as a lot as I respect the GR86/BRZ, I can’t shake the sensation that it’s a automobile designed extra for faculty children than adults. The value is correct, the dynamics are stable, and if I squint previous that awkward rear finish, it even appears good-ish — however there’s one thing about it that simply doesn’t really feel like a automobile I’d purchase at this stage of life.
Possibly it’s the restricted practicality. Possibly it’s the tuner picture. Or perhaps I simply needed the brand new Prelude to be this — however with a contact extra maturity.
Nonetheless, for those who’re prepared to sacrifice area for pure enjoyable, that is the automobile that begs to be pushed, not simply admired.
Hyundai Elantra N
Honda followers preserve ready for a non secular successor to the Prelude — however Hyundai simply constructed one and give up ready for a committee to approve it. At underneath $35K, the Elantra N delivers turbo energy, a guide possibility, and track-ready tuning for lower than the Prelude’s rumored value.
It could be a sedan, but it surely’s the pulse-raising each day that the Prelude hasn’t been in a long time.
Toyota GR Corolla
The Civic Sort R is a killer monitor automobile — no query. However the GR Corolla will get my coronary heart racing in another way. It’s like Toyota took Honda’s recipe, lobbed off a cylinder for enjoyable, and threw the entire thing right into a rally automobile.
Three-cylinder turbo. 300 horsepower. Guide solely. AWD. It shouldn’t make sense — and but it completely does.
On paper, this isn’t actually a competitor to the Prelude. However when Honda determined to not drop even a detuned model of the CTR’s turbo 4 into the Prelude, Toyota simply did what Honda wouldn’t: construct a compact, barely unhinged fanatic automobile that feels particular. And weirdly sufficient, I may argue that the GR Corolla is extra “sensible” — I imply, it’s AWD, proper? That’s like a security function, yeah?
Positive, I’m not saying it’s truly extra useful than a Civic Sort R. However whenever you’re making the case to the boss girl that you just want a GR Corolla? AWD appears like a stable start line.
If Honda received’t give us a wild, rally-inspired coupe, then let’s simply skip the nostalgia and go straight to the good things.
Volkswagen Golf R
The Civic Sort R is a killer monitor automobile — no query. However the GR Corolla will get my coronary heart racing in another way. It’s like Toyota took Honda’s recipe, lobbed off a cylinder for enjoyable, and threw the entire thing right into a rally pit.
Three-cylinder turbo. 300 horsepower. Guide solely. AWD. It shouldn’t make sense — and but it completely does.
On paper, this isn’t actually a competitor to the Prelude. However when Honda determined to not drop even a detuned model of the CTR’s turbo 4 into the Prelude, Toyota simply did what Honda wouldn’t: construct a compact, barely unhinged fanatic automobile that feels particular. And weirdly sufficient, I may argue that the GR Corolla is extra “sensible” — I imply, it’s AWD, proper? That’s like a security function, yeah?
Positive, I’m not saying it’s truly extra helpful than a Civic Sort R. However whenever you’re making the case to the boss girl that you just want a GR Corolla? AWD appears like a stable start line.
If Honda received’t give us a wild, rally-inspired coupe, then let’s simply skip the nostalgia and go straight to the good things.
Honda Civic Sort R
One of many greatest claims to fame for the brand new Prelude is that it borrows a variety of {hardware} from the Civic Sort R. However right here’s the issue: the Prelude doesn’t truly improve any of these bits — it simply quietly inherits them.
If Honda had used that Sort R DNA to create one thing quicker, quieter, extra luxurious, a form of “poor man’s 8 Sequence coupe,” then we’d have an actual dialog. Think about: cushier seats, a subtler physique, and efficiency that slots just under the CTR however with higher day-to-day livability.
As a substitute, we acquired a Honda value like a BMW 4 sequence… besides it doesn’t ship on both finish of the equation. It’s not the poor man’s BMW; as a substitute, it’s the wealthy man’s Honda.
So if I’m already midway to a Sort R, why not simply go all the way in which?
The Civic Sort R is unapologetically a efficiency machine. It’s acquired 315 horsepower, a correct guide transmission, and offers you all of the engagement you needed from the Prelude — plus the practicality and heritage the outdated Preludes have been recognized for. It’s loud, aggressive, and possibly the perfect trendy inheritor to Honda’s golden period of sport compacts.
Skip the nostalgia and simply purchase the automobile with the true soul. The CTR hasn’t forgotten it’s alleged to make you are feeling one thing — even when it doesn’t have pop-up headlights.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost
I’m positive I’ll be listening to from the V8 Mustang crowd within the feedback; they’re a passionate bunch, and I respect that. However let’s be sincere: the 5.0 guys have been by no means cross-shopping a Prelude anyway. The EcoBoost Mustang, although? That’s a unique story.
This automobile doesn’t faux to be one thing it isn’t. It’s not a hybrid. It’s not attempting to make use of gimmicks to really feel particular. It’s a 315-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive coupe that appears like a correct grand touring automobile and seems like one, too. For across the identical value because the Prelude, you’re getting efficiency that’s truly thrilling.
It’s not excellent: the rear seats received’t win any awards, it’s not as refined as a German coupe, and it undoubtedly received’t beat a hybrid on the pump. But it’s sensible sufficient for each day use, enjoyable sufficient whenever you really feel like misbehaving a little bit, and reasonably priced sufficient to make you grin as a substitute of sweat.
Plus, it nonetheless comes with a correct 6-speed guide. Or a 10-speed auto if that’s your factor. No simulated shift logic or faux engine noise required.
That is the sports activities coupe Honda may’ve constructed if it’d prioritized pleasure over effectivity. As a substitute, the Mustang EcoBoost stands right here as proof you may nonetheless purchase a enjoyable, participating automobile — and not using a single gimmick.
Nissan Z
The brand new Nissan Z is a automobile that I really feel has been criminally slept on. Possibly it’s as a result of the daring retro-styled redesign didn’t include a clean-sheet platform. Possibly it’s as a result of individuals anticipated it to be lighter or extra highly effective. Or perhaps, and that is my wager, it’s as a result of many sellers fumbled the launch by slapping insane markups on it.
Regardless of the causes, it’s a disgrace, as a result of the Z continues to be probably the most compelling sports activities coupes in the marketplace — assuming, after all, you don’t want two toy-sized again seats.
For round $43K, you’re getting 400 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, a correct guide transmission, and a driving expertise that has real character. It’s not excellent, but it surely delivers every thing the brand new Prelude doesn’t: actual efficiency, presence, and that elusive feeling of being a sports activities automobile, not simply wanting like one.
If I’m selecting between a hybrid coupe priced like a luxurious automobile and the non secular successor to the 240Z, I’ll take the one that also remembers find out how to dance.
BMW M2
The BMW M2 is undeniably “extra” — extra energy, extra efficiency, extra presence, and sure, extra money. But it surely’s additionally extra automobile in each sense of the phrase. And for consumers who are inclined to preserve a car for a decade or longer, that distinction issues.
The M2 is the sort of coupe that may age properly. Its proportions, its inline-six engine, its rear-wheel-drive format — these are timeless qualities. Ten years from now, the M2 continues to be going to be fascinating, nonetheless going to really feel particular, going to be one thing you’re proud to drag out of the storage.
I don’t see the brand new Prelude holding that sort of long-term enchantment.
So whereas the worth leap from “Prelude cash” to “BMW M2 cash” is actual, the worth leap is even larger. In case you’re the kind of proprietor who buys a automobile and hangs onto it — not somebody who leases each three years — the M2 is totally value contemplating. It’s constructed for the lengthy haul, each mechanically and emotionally.
That is the form of automobile the Prelude may have been: a contemporary, fascinating, enthusiast-focused coupe with endurance. BMW simply beat Honda to it.
Chevrolet C8 Corvette
I do know — completely different planet, completely different finances. However hear me out: Corvette customers in search of fashion over uncooked efficiency would possibly truly take into account a Prelude if it delivered. The truth that they wouldn’t (and that I’d select a used C8 over a brand new Prelude) says every thing.
And sure: individuals on this value phase do cross-shop weirdly — particularly when nostalgia meets practicality. If the brand new Prelude doesn’t excite, why wouldn’t I stretch and get one thing truly particular?
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is the little engine that might — the Rudy of sports activities automobiles. It’s probably the most reasonably priced new fanatic automobiles you should purchase. But, it by no means catches shade as a result of it’s received everybody over with its delightfully pure dealing with, even when the ability and practicality are on the sunshine facet.
It’s pleasant, it’s enjoyable, it has an infinite neighborhood behind it, and it nonetheless seems like a celebration of driving each time you get behind the wheel. At this level, together with the Miata on an inventory like this feels virtually compulsory — not as a result of it’s predictable, however as a result of leaving it out would really feel like forgetting the little champ who at all times exhibits up and at all times delivers.
If the Prelude isn’t going to be quick, it must be charming. The Miata is pretty.
It’s nonetheless RWD, accessible with a guide, nonetheless underneath $35K, and nonetheless probably the greatest driver’s automobiles cash can purchase.
It does every thing the Prelude doesn’t — and it does it with a smile.
Last Thought
I needed to like the brand new Prelude. I nonetheless would possibly — as soon as I sit in a single. However on paper, and in value, Honda constructed an odd nostalgia hybrid with out actually understanding what we cherished concerning the authentic automobiles. That’s okay — I can perceive the market calls for. But it surely implies that if I’m able to put down $40–$50K for a enjoyable two-door, I’ve acquired higher choices.
And for a automobile as storied because the Prelude? That’s the largest disappointment of all.
