Two brand-new Honda Preludes have been written off in crashes before reaching 600 miles on the odometer, raising questions about early ownership experiences with the revived sports coupe. Both vehicles, listed at salvage auctions, sustained significant rear-end damage, despite having extremely low mileage. This suggests that while the car itself is mechanically sound, early adopters may be facing challenges in real-world conditions.
First Crash: 264 Miles and Rear-Ended
The first totaled Prelude (IAA auction lot 44919713) shows evidence of a severe rear-end collision. While the driver’s side rear bumper has scrapes, the passenger side sustained heavy damage to the quarter panel, crumpling sheet metal and bending the wheel toward the chassis.
This level of damage is likely beyond reasonable repair, meaning the car will probably be sold for parts or scrapped entirely. The low mileage (264 miles) makes this incident especially noteworthy, as it happened shortly after the vehicle left the dealership.
Second Crash: 575 Miles and Even Worse
The second Prelude (IAA lot 44534805), finished in white with blue calipers, clocked 575 miles before being severely rear-ended. Both rear quarter panels are crushed, and the rear bumper is in pieces. The light bar is also destroyed, and the rear glass is missing.
The damage is so extensive that the car barely resembles its original shape. The auction house notes that it still runs and drives despite the visible destruction. This highlights a key difference: the first car appears too damaged to even be considered for a rebuild, while the second may have more salvageable components.
What Happens Next?
The fate of these vehicles is now in the hands of buyers at auction. Potential outcomes include stripping the cars for parts, attempting a costly and complex rebuild, or simply letting them be scrapped.
These early incidents underscore a potential risk for new Prelude owners: rear-end collisions can quickly and dramatically devalue these vehicles. While the cars themselves aren’t inherently flawed, the severity of the damage suggests that even minor accidents can lead to total losses.
