by The Problem with the New Honda Prelude’s Availability
Honda enthusiasts have repeatedly emphasized that they want the new Prelude to be available at a reasonable price. However, some dealers seem to be ignoring these wishes. The story of one such dealer, who has been in the spotlight before, has taken a new turn.
A Dubious “Discount” on the Markup
Previously, this dealer listed the car at an outrageous price of $68,850. Now, it has announced a “massive discount,” but it’s too early to celebrate. This reduction applies only to the so-called “market adjustment,” and the total cost of the car still remains tens of thousands of dollars above the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
Dealer lists Prelude with $10K off, but still over MSRP. Many Honda fans say MSRP is already too expensive. Facebook listing drew backlash over inflated pricing.
This concerns the Pohanka Honda dealer from Fredericksburg, Virginia. At the end of last year, they openly set a “market adjustment markup” of $25,000 on the single available 2026 model year Prelude. As noted, for $68,000, a buyer could consider a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, BMW M2, or even a Porsche 718 Cayman.
It is quite obvious that the Prelude does not belong to the same segment as these cars and never will. Unless we’re talking about fuel economy figures, but who really buys a sports car for that?
Dealer and Public Reaction
Whether due to a lack of interest in overpaying or shame after the initial publications, the dealer has nevertheless taken action and lowered the price. It is now coolly demanding $58,850 and, imagine, even labels this as a “discount.”
What generosity! Someone on Reddit even spotted the listing on Facebook and asked, “Are they coming to reason?” Maybe, but we’re not holding our breath just yet.
The overwhelming majority of commentators on social media believe that the Prelude should not cost even the MSRP.
Buyers’ Opinion on the Real Value
One commentator noted that even after the “discount,” the price is still $10,000 above MSRP, and the MSRP itself, in their opinion, is inflated by another $10,000. Another user expressed the opinion that a fair price should be around $32,000, considering what kind of car it is. The online community has a clear idea of how much the Prelude should cost, and it’s definitely not a figure starting with five or six.
However, Prelude sales are just beginning. History shows that those who demand to get a new model first often overpay, while those who show patience save thousands of dollars.
A Look into the Future
This situation with Pohanka Honda is a vivid example of a larger problem in the car market, especially for anticipated new models. Dealer markups on popular models, especially at their launch stage, are nothing new, but they often cause outrage among true brand fans. The long-term success of the Prelude may depend not only on its technical characteristics but also on whether buyers can get it at a reasonable price without artificially created hype. Often, the first waves of sales show the highest prices, after which the market stabilizes and availability increases for those willing to wait.
