Four Wheel Steering: 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS – Sold?

April 1, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

There was a period of time in which Honda made truly wonderful automobiles. Now, the company is still known for building high-quality machines today – it’s not as if they’re churning out lemons – but there was a point where design and the driving experience were in peak harmony. This 1988 Honda Prelude Si with four-wheel steering originally appeared on Craigslist in February 2022 in Richmond, Virginia this week for $6,500 in beautiful condition despite having almost 200,000 miles on the clock. Comparing that price against the NADA Price Guide shows us that the “High” market valuation is $3,300, but you can’t look into that too deeply considering how few of these sporty two doors are left, particularly with the novel 4WS system.

I refer to the late 80s and Honda’s golden era because it seems like everything was going well: the designs were fresh; the cars were incredibly well built; driver-focused cockpits and seating arrangements dominated the interiors. Then, in spite of having more than enough to hang their hats on, Honda decided to introduce cutting-edge technology like the four-wheel steering system, seen here. 4WS didn’t necessarily blow anyone away, but it’s more the fact that Honda even tried to improve on the basic recipe of the automobile in the first place – they were really striving to be top of the heap. These days, Hondas from the late 80s are sought after for these reasons and more, but especially if they’re rust-free specimens. Trying to find one from 1988 that lived in the snow belt and isn’t Swiss cheese by now – you can, I’ve tried.

The MotorWeek Retro Review Channel features this 1988 vintage test drive of a similar 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS:

The seller’s car appears to wear a very pretty shade of jade or hunter-green paint, but we’re not sure if it’s original. Certainly, all other major details on the car appear to be original and in place, so a respray just for the hell of it seems illogical. With 181,000 miles on the clock, the Honda has certainly seen some action, but the interior condition suggests it lived among very careful owners. The seller has thrown a fair amount of new parts and maintenance at the Prelude, perhaps because it was sitting idle for quite some time. Recent work includes a new alternator, thermostat, master cylinder, slave cylinder, brakes, fuel filter, air filter, valve cover gasket, battery, spark plugs, power steering hose and rack, fresh oil change, and blower motor relay. Most importantly, the seller claims to have all the receipts and other paperwork to go along with the laundry list of fresh components. This is as good as it gets for a survivor Honda from one of the best years of production; the only way to make it better is to find one in Barbados Yellow.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Rare piece of history. Very clean 88’ Prelude Si 2.0, 4 wheel steering. Clean inside and out. Has full cover. Heat and A/C both work. Fresh inspection. Tons of brand new parts: alternator, master cylinder, slave cylinder, brakes, fuel filter, air filter, valve cover gasket, brand new battery, new spark plugs, power steering hose and rack, fresh oil change, blower motor, and relay. New thermostat and coolant flush. Have all receipts from the history of the car.”

Prelude or Integra: which sporty Japanese coupe was your favorite?