I Already Had a Nissan Z and a GR86. The 2026 Honda Prelude Still Made Me Pull the Trigger

Most enthusiasts dream of owning one great sports car. Kevin owns a pristine 1993 Nissan 300ZX that's been babied since new, recently parted with a 2023 Toyota GR86, and just added a 2026 Honda Prelude to the garage. That last choice raised some eyebrows. With the new Nissan Z, the Toyota Supra, and the Mazda Miata all on the table, why did a lifelong sports car guy land on Honda's reborn hybrid coupe? We sat down with Kevin to find out, and his answer is one every real-world enthusiast should hear. Here's what he told Torque News:

TN: Can you tell us about your passion for sports cars and your collection, past and present? 

Kevin: I have always loved cars in general, from a kid with Matchbox to my first car at sixteen, a 1984 Nissan 200SX, which I absolutely treasured. Next up, I owned a 1987 Honda CRX while I served in the Air Force, then I got married and had a family. I also owned some cool vans, including a really fun Vanagon, but then when my kids left, I wanted a fun car again.

This led me to buy a 2023 GR86, which I really enjoyed, but it was a bit small for me. I'm 6’4”, so I sold it and realized I could get one of my all-time favorites, a super clean 1993 300ZX that was owned by the same gentleman for 29 years. It was still perfect, untouched, just like it was when it was new. I have been enjoying it for about a year now. It’s a really cool car, just a car that you can stand in the driveway and stare at, absolutely beautiful.

I wanted another sports car to use as a daily drive. I checked out the current generation Nissan Z, the Supra, and the Miata. My wife encouraged me to buy new this time, saying, “ You should get yourself a new car, you have never had a new one”. I was super close to getting a new Nissan Z, but it was more than I wanted. The Miata was a bit too small. I did consider a new Acura TLX, but I really didn’t want a sedan.

Then I started to research the Prelude, and it seemed just right. I went to the local dealer and saw it, and was just smitten, such a good-looking car, then I sat in it, and it was perfect. After a short test drive, I decided I wanted it; the fit was great.

TN: What attracted you to the Prelude? 
Kevin: It seemed like a perfectly-sized 2-door. The Prelude history and legacy are also a big reason I considered it. I always liked them back in the day.

TN: When you drove the Prelude, what were your first impressions? 
Kevin: The hybrid launch is really fun, and then, on the first on-ramp turn, I felt glued to the ground as I took the curve, and I really loved driving it more than I expected.

TN: Would this be a local car for you, or would you use it for touring, like a special road trip? 
Kevin: We live in Utah now, but I spent time in California, and my wife and I used to tour around in A Honda CRX. My wife and I decided to revisit some of our old spots in San Luis Obispo, Pismo, Santa Barbara, and down to Seal Beach in our new version of our old CRX, the Prelude. I honestly can’t wait to run up the 101 in this thing.

TN: The Toyota GR86 will cost its owner $28,000 more in fuel over the vehicle's lifespan than a Prelude. How important to you is the fuel economy of the Prelude in the context of owning it and adding it to your family fleet? 
Kevin: It really helps. It was part of why I was drawn to the Prelude. Everything else just had awful fuel economy. I love road trips. We are always heading somewhere. Being able to have a fun car without worrying about fuel costs is a huge benefit.

TN: What surprised you most about the Prelude when you actually drove it, vs. what you had previously read? 
Kevin: I read a lot of negative stuff from publications that think the best cars are drag strip cars. I have had “underpowered” cars like my 200SX and CRX, and they were the most fun cars I ever owned. I knew the Prelude was going to be a complete sports car, not a drag racer. A driver’s car. It’s plenty quick, and I feel it is the perfect mix. My wife still says to slow down when I get on it, the curves are the best though, so firm. It’s impossible not to smile when you get on a twisty road with this car.

TN: Have you received any positive feedback from fellow sports car owners, friends, or family? 
Kevin: My favorite thing that has happened so far was when I was driving on I-15 in Salt Lake City. A guy came up on the left in his GTI and gave me a big ol’ smile and thumbs up. He then dropped back, switched lanes over to my right, and filmed me as he went by.

TN: Will the Prelude meet your daily driving needs, or is it mainly a fun car for weekends and such? 
Kevin: I have a work truck, so the Prelude will mostly be my weekend car and road tripper.

TN: If you snap your fingers and change any single thing about your Prelude, what would that be? 
Kevin: Sunroof for sure, that would be all I could ask for.

TN: Now that you have owned the Prelude for a bit, any regrets? 
Kevin: I would buy this car again. I love my 300ZX, but the Prelude is the reliable, exciting road tripper I really needed. I wish there were more old-school 80s-90s Japanese small sports cars like the old 2-door Integras, the CRX or Prelude Si, Nissans 200SX, 240SX, and 300ZX; even the Pulsar was a great little car. I love that Honda brought the Prelude back and gave us a fun-to-drive, affordable 2-door for those of us who know a car is more than its peak horsepower rating.

Kevin's story captures exactly what makes the 2026 Honda Prelude special. It isn't chasing quarter-mile times or trying to out-muscle the competition on a spec sheet. It's a thoughtfully engineered, beautifully proportioned, fuel-efficient driver's car built for the roads enthusiasts actually drive, the on-ramps, the canyon twisties, the long Pacific Coast Highway runs. For people who remember when a great sports car meant balance, feel, and a smile on every drive rather than just peak power, the Prelude is a welcome return to form. Honda didn't just bring back a name. They brought back a philosophy, and Kevin's garage is proof that real enthusiasts are paying attention.

A big thank you to Kevin for taking the time to share his story and his impressions of the 2026 Honda Prelude with Torque News. Enthusiasts like Kevin are why the sports car world keeps turning, and we wish him many happy miles up the 101.

John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.