It’s a weird time to be buying cars. Every few days, it seems some pristine old vehicle comes up for sale for a ridiculous price. Case in point this time: a 2001 Honda Prelude for $49,000 at a North Carolina Honda dealership. This was the final year of production for the Prelude, which makes it a bit rarer. However, who is going to buy this version?

Is the 2001 Honda Prelude fairly priced at $49,000?

Sanford Honda in North Carolina is the proud owner of this Pre-Owned 2001 Honda Prelude base model. This can be your very own Prelude for $49,000 (or $648 a month). The exterior color is silver, and it comes with a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. It comes with the 2.2L DOHC VTEC engine and front-wheel drive. Somehow, the Honda Prelude only has 2,245 miles on it. The Prelude comes with keyless entry and a sunroof, in case those are deal-breakers for you.

Jalopnik took a look at the Bring a Trailer market, where three other 2001 Honda Preludes have sold in 2021 alone. One with 69,000 miles sold for $15,866 back in August. A red one with under 4,000 miles sold for $17,500 back in February. The other one sold for $16,249 in January, but it came with 52,000 miles already.

So you could say 2,245 miles is pretty low for a 20-year old car, but still, $49,000? The JDM car lovers are out there and are willing to pay a lot for certain vehicles.

There is also a 1989 Honda Prelude Si for $28,000

The Pre-Owned 1989 Honda Prelude Si is also available for $370 a month. The exterior color is a very 80s blue with a 2.0L I4 FI engine. It comes equipped with a four-speed automatic and 79,755 miles on the odometer. Sanford Honda says it has recently had an inspection and a full detail.

Looking at other 1989 Honda Prelude Si vehicles for sale on Bring a Trailer, the prices are pretty reasonable. A 30,000-mile Prelude sold for $11,000 in August. Another one sold for $8,000 with 84,000 miles. One of the more expensive options sold in 2021 is a yellow Prelude with 65,000 miles. This one went for $21,000.

The vehicles for sale at the dealership seem to be in good shape, but what’s with the prices? Usually, Bring a Trailer brings out the crazy prices in people because it resonates with such a niche market of enthusiasts. Is North Carolina home to a lot of Honda Prelude enthusiasts?

Someone will probably buy it anyway

A simple explanation was offered when the Jalopnik author reached out to Sanford Honda to inquire about the eyebrow-raising prices. “These are classic vehicles, so that’s classic car pricing, sir.” And to be fair, that is fair. Someone out there will probably pay $49,000 for a 2001 Honda Prelude and throw the market into a tizzy. The people who initially loved those cars might have enough cash to buy them again and relive the glory days.

Many cars that people loved in the 80s and 90s were wrecked, broken, crushed, or lest to rot in a field. That has made the market a lot smaller over the years. These items are only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And there is probably someone out there willing to pay this much for an old Honda Prelude.