Noooooo! Don't make anything modern! Ever! Just remake the old model - saving the build quality & service-friendly ..thing. PLS!!!! "Modern" means it's simplified, downperforming construction, "fixed"(???) with overcomplicated "smart" stuff - DSC, & active suspension. Longevity just covers the warranty-period. Warranty obligates you using the brand service only, where the bill is x3 - next to what "normal" multi-purpose repair-shops want. After 2001 even Honda's quality drops, in that term - you can see, they simplified the suspension, using mc'pherson front, and H-beam axle, where it was - 4-link front + mcpherson rear on the "normal" 5th & 6th gen Civics and all-4 corner, 4-link mechanism on Del Sol. (& even higher class multilink on: Accord, Prelude & the Type-R - damn, even the "overengineered" Mercs & BMW's didn't have that, then.. nor now. Just some Alfas & Audi's - with way poorer quality, of course..(what lasts 15 years on Honda, lasts 5-to-10 on Audi, and costs x4 the price to be fixed) And that talks! The thing that made em different before, is the thing making em non-different now.. from: Mitsu's, Toyota, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, VW, Opel, Fiat... whatever.. In the end of the day they rip your wallet, giving you bullshit. Moneypits. With good headlights.. I agree on this... But - the Del Sol - dunno if it's a sport car or no.. absolutely beats-the-shit of any modern "hot-hatch"-or-not when it comes to toge-run! Even with "the small" d16z6 (125hp) - it does circles around any Golf-mk4-based-bullshits, even S3 Audis. No. Fkin. Chance... they catch up with the Del Sol if it's driver knows what he does. ;)
I’m restoring a 92 SiR version of this at the moment. Definitely my favourite car ever. Being the 170hp version, with full disk brakes and a redline of 8200, they’re good fun. That roof by the way stows in the boot, the button above the steering wheel lifts the boot and arms reach to grab the roof and stow it away :) it’s pretty cool.
I like Honda too. They are never afraid to be different and they like to push boundaries too. I've owned many Honda motorbikes over the years and they've given me very good reliability and longevity.
Had 2 previously, first one with the electric hardtop then part exchanged that for one with a manual removable roof. Both mine had the faster vti engine giving out approx 158bhp. Brilliant cars that loved to rev and very reliable. Since moved on to my current S2000 and Integra Type R dc2.
@@johnjimenez68 No cup holders but one of the best features of the car is an eletric rear screen behind the cabin which can be rolled up or down. Very rare to see on any car and helps with ventilation with the roof up.
@@elobiretv It's mechanical parts can breakdown so it can be stuck open or close plus the added weight of the kit impacts performance and weight distribution. Much better and easier with a manual roof.
Bought a Honda Civic Del Sol Si in 1993 and still drive it daily. Has 217, 000 miles on it now. Same engine and auto gearbox since new. New radiator, ignition system, exhaust, catalytic converter and computer. Greetings from a Brit residing in the USA.
Is anyone else watching this and thinking "I really want one of these"? I'm almost tempted to ring Sussex Classics in the morning. I can't afford it, I don't need it and I've no space for it, but I want it. Badly in fact.
I had a honda del sol esi few years ago.. and sold it after 10 years.. i never expected i would miss the car so much, so i bought a honda del sol last friday again also an Esi_e from 97 with just 117000 kilometres on it:) i am so happy with it, totally stock and no rust just soms small issues but that i will solve, and soon in spring wil be ready to enjoy it and drive it again.. :))
A friend of mine has one of these (manual roof) in Croatia. I had the chance of driving it myself few times. It's just sparks joy into you, specially on warm summer afternoons with the roof off. Great review, keep it up!
Middle of winter, heat on max, open back window, perfect flow and super comfy. Mine had skunk2 exhaust, custom pipe intake (made by me and some left over turbo piping from my buddies turbo setup) and then I had oem phat fives but micheline all season tires which were super grippy, and lastly I had lowering springs (slipped over stock shocks). Handled like a little monster go-kart. Way better handling than a typical civic of the same year.... and I had kicker speakers front/rear and a 12" kicker sub hitting 150-300w. Loved it. Absolutely mad.
I had one of these with the 1.6ltr vtec. It was a rocket when the valves opened but easy to drive around town. Also fyi the targa top actually slides into the boot lid from the front. This was to make it easy for less physical people to store the targa roof without having to manually lift it carry it to the boot. There were also versions with manual boot lids that had a cavernous spacewhen the roof was not stored. could easily fit 2xgolf bags in these boots.
Unfortunately these weren't as rust-resistant as other Honda models in the UK and they fell soundly out of favour for a while so a lot of them either rusted badly or got driven into the ground by uncaring owners. They were most common in areas where ladies of a certain age with rich husbands had them as their runarounds, but they were never really common in the UK as they were seriously expensive and the motoring press wasn't exactly very nice about them as you could buy a very decent model of Mazda MX-5 for less. I don't think the motoring press at the time really got the point behind them. These are more of a junior version of the smaller-engine Mercedes-Benz SLK, with better engineering and build quality...
The Del Sol I bought already has some modifications. It’s slow but it grips and handles so well when spirit driving around the mountains. It’s shockingly impressive how well it turns even at high speeds. It really is a Go Kart.
They are fun! I have a 95 I drive every day. Rebuilt engine, transmission and clutch, new bearings, new struts, and a lot of other parts... runs strong! Just fun, great gas mileage etc...
I bought one of these a few months ago to complete the set: mx5 mk 2, MR2 roadster and one of these. They are all brilliant!! Just in different ways...
These are amazing little cars! I've owned 3 of them from the day I got my driverslicence 'till I emigrated to South-America years later. Then bought a 4th on an extended 6 week vacation back in Europe to relive the experience 😄
Just to add to this, the D series was a sohc with vtec only on the intake valves. The D16 only ever got to about 130bhp. It was the b16 mk2 crx and the eg si/vti that had the first dohc b16 that had 100bhp per litre out of a 1.6. The non vtec d series and dohc d series (not b series) was in rovers
Direct from the USA, i own three del sols and i wish i could buy even more! It's the only car i'll drive. Honda never sold the trans-top del sol in the US but there are companies inporting them now. Nice to see these cars are still popular around the world.
Those wheels did come as an optional extra surprisingly! I do find it odd that every single del sol or mk5 civic that I've seen which have these wheels are in good condition!
Brilliant video bud , the del sol is a brilliant we machine , I had a very very rare genuine white siR delaol it was a 96 model. One of the cleanest Hondas I’ve seen to this day and I’ve owned many.
So many facts wrong in this video too but I guess I would say that being a Honda owner 😂 it’s technically not a Del Sol, as that name was reserved for US and Japanese markets, in Europe it was called a Civic CRX. This model in the video also isn’t a VTEC I don’t think. The wheels aren’t aftermarket but a factory option that also appeared on EG shape Civics.
It's a Honda! Always quality, always reliable. My late wife and I owned a 1986 Civic Wagon and a 2012 Jazz 5 door and they were both great cars. Honda V-Tech engines are excellent!
I one a 96, red Vtec. Its super clean with 83k miles. I'm constantly debating whether to preserve for a future sale or use the hell out of it because it is such a fun car to drive. I will say, in California at least, that other drivers love to ride on my rear end. Makes me worry about a potential accident.
I had a '97, the base model with the D16Y7. Manual roof. Was basically mint. I loved that car. Lost control when the back end broke loose on a backroad. I managed to save it long enough for it to nose into a concrete thing in the ditch, which caused it to flip. I want another one.
and you got another one???? i bought one this friday;) totally stock and a 97 model ESI_E .. so happy to get one again.. my old was also a 97 and i really was looking some time for a late del sol:) what was in very good condition. .. looking forward to drive it again over few months)) just do some small maintainence and then it wil be good
@@MrHerbie1977 Never was able to find another one. Not when I had the money for one anyways. I did later end up finding an 06 Pontiac Solstice that was even more fun, but that ended up badly when the front tire decided to peace out in a 35 mph corner right next to a pole.
I have a 93 without that automatic trunk. Honestly you can fit a lot back there for a two seater. My mom and I have packed our bags plus the cats bags and we travel just fine
I loved mine, the wind noise and water coming didn't bother me much. It drove so nice stable n really spurted away quite a bit. Unfortunately we got into an crash, it quite literally became an mushed tin can front to back.. But even with no air bags in mine, i got out of it totally unscratched. you'd think you'd be dead and so did i.. but its actually quite a safe car if it does happen.
What a cute little sporty car, summer days in these would have been great, Mazda hit the spot with this little beauty, nice video again, a little forgotten gem
I miss my sol so much. Hit a patch of black ice and slammed into a concrete Barrier. I will have another one one day. There hard to come by were im at...the fuel pump is easy as hell to change to in her! Ugh i miss her so much
Oh wow! Very, very nice, Mr Richardson. Last time I even saw one of these CR-X Del Sols was playing the original Gran Turismo. l has forgotten they even existed! Having recently tried an MX-5 I certainly would like to have a go in one of these. Brilliant!
I owned one of these (not quite sure of the year at this point) but, actually, it was more a case of buying it to replace my Mitsubishi Galant V6 which I had bought to replace an earlier Honda CRX (not an Si). The del Sol, fun as it was, was simply not a CRX. And what I learned was I never should've sold the CRX. These days, you simply cannot find a CRX that hasn't been altered (which is not to say it's been improved).
@@furiousdriving After the del Sol was gone and the CRX *long* gone (and, by 2006 I had picked up my 2001 Insight, which I still have), I briefly had high hopes for the Honda CR-Z. But that turned out to be neither a good sports coupe or a particularly efficient hybrid.
I had a red 1994 delso with the b16 5 speed and a 1995 delso with the b16 5 speed silver both of them American specs I sold them for 4,000 the silver one was stock the red one had intake exhaust type r head and was a rocket when vtec kicked in I fell in love with Honda also had 1994 Honda prelude with h23 automatic big fart can !
Very nice little car. Fun in the summer and usable in the winter. Looked up prices and they are very affordable. Am actually looking myself for a Piaggio MP3 (two front wheels) I can drive in the summer with my car license. The Piaggio and the Honda give the same kinda vibe...driving for fun. I live in the south of the Netherlands close to the Ardennes/northern France. Beautiful area to cruise on the B-roads.
I love that you wait until mid-winter before you take out open-top cars like this and the Land Rover last week! You’re such a glutton for punishment. Are you going to take out a Mini Moke in the snow?
Immediately placed on my "once I'll have a garage to fill" list. Thank you for showing us (me) the car. It is lovely .. Wonder if I could daily it without going nuts (VTEC HAS TO KICK IN, YO). How is the visibility to/thru the back? Oh, and the blank button on the heater controls IS an A/C one, provided the car is fit' with such. (went onto the local car dealer site, found a beat-up Del Sol that has a button for A/C at least)
I can confirm that these were quite popular in California in the late 90's. However, they have mostly disappeared by now. It's been years since I've seen one.
I live in the UK and I've never seen one of these before , what a great car ! Another great choice of car and review.... don't go spoiling it next week with an Austin Allegro 😊
Nice Rare now, it's like an MR2 and MX5 made love👍 more small sporty Hondas s600 cr-z CRX small convertibles like the S2000 1 needs to be brought back even if it's in hybrid or electric form they were so good at it.
Boring line up? They had one of the best line up, full of sports cars and interesting models. They had the NSX, Prelude, CRX, fasts Civics, Accord 2.2 4WD, Legend coupe, Accord coupe etc
Another fantastic video, alloys are OEM I used to know a salesman at a Honda Dealer in Edinburgh who was a officer at the boys brigade and he used to bring a variety of Hondas every Friday not a de sol through but the Civic coupe did have the same alloys. How do you manage to get cars to review?
@@kevindoran4938 Mines a 94 si. ya, they waste a lot of trunk space and expensive to fix if anything goes bad and I bet its slower then myself taking the roof on and off.
Sweet Jesus a good boot space ( for the size of the car ) potentially ruined by numerous motors just ready to go wrong. What year was the hinge outlawed in Japan exactly?
These are super cool like the CRX. I love the quirky and oddball nature of these, this is a very appealing car. Great review as always chap! So much more interesting than new cars
Correct, this IS a CRX in Europe, it wS a Del Sol in USA. This had no badges on the rear deck but it would have had decal style badges, as again in the 90s people were stealing car badges. I had a 95 electric roof version of this car, and never had a problem with the roof, but you have to follow the procedure to open the roof, such as rear window must be up, you must be in neutral, it will automatically part open both front windows as the doors are frame less.
Wasn’t that the previous CR-X that came as a three door hatch? (Furious reviewed a white minter). It was touted as a modern Midget on the cover of Autocar or Motor.
CRX was the model before, slightly smaller and bit more edgy - very cool car Id love one - Ive not heard this called a CRX before but might have been tagged in some places
Another fab video! Your USP is definitely 90's cars. Can't wait for your 2003-2012 Fiat Panda review. You're welcome to review my 2009 Grande Punto 1.3 multijet Eleganza with full leather if you're in Southampton any time.
I know why people mention it is a Civic but in reality it should not even be mentioned along side the Civic just because they shared the same platform. Many do not know the Integra also shared the Civic platform. Why? Because if the shared platform is the issue then: Mazda 6 should be called Ford Focus Older Audi TT = a VW Beetle Newer Audi TT = Golf Mercedes E class = a Chrysler 300c Many people do not know but the Integra also shared it's platform with the Civic platform.
@@furiousdriving Yes, in the USA it was called the Civic Del Sol. My guess was to associate it with the best selling known Honda which was the Civic to give familiarity and increase sales. In Europe it was called Civic CRX to associate it with Civic again. I understand what they were attempting and quite right as it is a derivative of the Civic, much like the Toyota Corolla Seca being still a Corolla but the lift back shape, but inconsistent as the Integra was not called the Civic Integra. In any case, Honda's marketing department need much improvement as there doesn't seemed to be a standard global naming approach hence the great many names/references and confusion, even the CRX & CR-X is spelled 2 different ways. Australia = CRX Japan = CR-X Del Sol USA = Civic Del Sol Europe = Civic CRX
@@furiousdriving hahaha, welp coulda just said this one was broken :p that is a pretty rare feature to find, especially in the U.S, I've only seen like 5 other than mine. Great cars, wish they would bring them back even for a 1 year run.
I did just buy a 93 Del Sol Si and also have a 90 CRX. Everything about the car is civic except the body and interior. The interior of the CRX is better design.
![BAD NEWS For Our Cheap Sports Cars! [MR2 vs CRX Del Sol]](/img/n.gif)
Extremely underrated cars
And that's a good thing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Good thing, keeps them cheap.
Honda really were at the top of their game in the 1990s when these were sold. What a great car this is.
90s hondas are the best hondas
I’d love it if Honda made a modern Del Sol or MK2 S2000
WhateverNevermind check out the s660. Not available in the US but its still sweet!
Noooooo! Don't make anything modern! Ever! Just remake the old model - saving the build quality & service-friendly ..thing. PLS!!!!
"Modern" means it's simplified, downperforming construction, "fixed"(???) with overcomplicated "smart" stuff - DSC, & active suspension. Longevity just covers the warranty-period. Warranty obligates you using the brand service only, where the bill is x3 - next to what "normal" multi-purpose repair-shops want.
After 2001 even Honda's quality drops, in that term - you can see, they simplified the suspension, using mc'pherson front, and H-beam axle, where it was - 4-link front + mcpherson rear on the "normal" 5th & 6th gen Civics and all-4 corner, 4-link mechanism on Del Sol. (& even higher class multilink on: Accord, Prelude & the Type-R - damn, even the "overengineered" Mercs & BMW's didn't have that, then.. nor now. Just some Alfas & Audi's - with way poorer quality, of course..(what lasts 15 years on Honda, lasts 5-to-10 on Audi, and costs x4 the price to be fixed)
And that talks! The thing that made em different before, is the thing making em non-different now.. from: Mitsu's, Toyota, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, VW, Opel, Fiat... whatever.. In the end of the day they rip your wallet, giving you bullshit. Moneypits. With good headlights.. I agree on this...
But - the Del Sol - dunno if it's a sport car or no.. absolutely beats-the-shit of any modern "hot-hatch"-or-not when it comes to toge-run! Even with "the small" d16z6 (125hp) - it does circles around any Golf-mk4-based-bullshits, even S3 Audis. No. Fkin. Chance... they catch up with the Del Sol if it's driver knows what he does. ;)
Me too... I would Love it if they made a Del Sol... almost the same as they were...
Just a bit more horse power like: 130 hp, 168 hp and 188 hp
I’m restoring a 92 SiR version of this at the moment. Definitely my favourite car ever. Being the 170hp version, with full disk brakes and a redline of 8200, they’re good fun. That roof by the way stows in the boot, the button above the steering wheel lifts the boot and arms reach to grab the roof and stow it away :) it’s pretty cool.
I suspected that button did but this didnt want to play. Id imagine it would be fantastic with that bit more power
I searched the comments for this exact response. It drove me mad that he did not know how to remove the top properly.
I like Honda. They do their own thing and that’s so important today .
I like Honda too. They are never afraid to be different and they like to push boundaries too. I've owned many Honda motorbikes over the years and they've given me very good reliability and longevity.
280k on my 96 Del Sol that I daily and I rip that shit all day!! I friggin love my car.
And still runs good huh? Crazy ! Love the hell out of this car
290k on my 93. And i dont hold back. Perfect car for me
People ask me all the time how much for the car. Definitely a neck breaker especially without the hard top on a bright sunny day
Had 2 previously, first one with the electric hardtop then part exchanged that for one with a manual removable roof. Both mine had the faster vti engine giving out approx 158bhp. Brilliant cars that loved to rev and very reliable. Since moved on to my current S2000 and Integra Type R dc2.
Does it have cup holders like I know it's a dumb question but I'm kinda serious cause like the car of the sun sounds hot so u need some hydration
@@johnjimenez68 No cup holders but one of the best features of the car is an eletric rear screen behind the cabin which can be rolled up or down. Very rare to see on any car and helps with ventilation with the roof up.
Any reason not to get one with the electric hardtop?
@@elobiretv It's mechanical parts can breakdown so it can be stuck open or close plus the added weight of the kit impacts performance and weight distribution. Much better and easier with a manual roof.
Bought a Honda Civic Del Sol Si in 1993 and still drive it daily. Has 217, 000 miles on it now. Same engine and auto gearbox since new. New radiator, ignition system, exhaust,
catalytic converter and computer. Greetings from a Brit residing in the USA.
Is anyone else watching this and thinking "I really want one of these"? I'm almost tempted to ring Sussex Classics in the morning. I can't afford it, I don't need it and I've no space for it, but I want it. Badly in fact.
I had a honda del sol esi few years ago.. and sold it after 10 years.. i never expected i would miss the car so much, so i bought a honda del sol last friday again also an Esi_e from 97 with just 117000 kilometres on it:) i am so happy with it, totally stock and no rust just soms small issues but that i will solve, and soon in spring wil be ready to enjoy it and drive it again.. :))
A friend of mine has one of these (manual roof) in Croatia. I had the chance of driving it myself few times. It's just sparks joy into you, specially on warm summer afternoons with the roof off. Great review, keep it up!
Middle of winter, heat on max, open back window, perfect flow and super comfy. Mine had skunk2 exhaust, custom pipe intake (made by me and some left over turbo piping from my buddies turbo setup) and then I had oem phat fives but micheline all season tires which were super grippy, and lastly I had lowering springs (slipped over stock shocks). Handled like a little monster go-kart. Way better handling than a typical civic of the same year.... and I had kicker speakers front/rear and a 12" kicker sub hitting 150-300w. Loved it. Absolutely mad.
I had one of these with the 1.6ltr vtec. It was a rocket when the valves opened but easy to drive around town. Also fyi the targa top actually slides into the boot lid from the front. This was to make it easy for less physical people to store the targa roof without having to manually lift it carry it to the boot. There were also versions with manual boot lids that had a cavernous spacewhen the roof was not stored. could easily fit 2xgolf bags in these boots.
All 96-97 models had transtop
currently have a 250whp supercharged sol, runs like a beaut and drives like one
Got my self a samba green 93 si, my favorite car i have ever owned.
There was few but that was like 15-20 years ago it's very rare to see one now
Unfortunately these weren't as rust-resistant as other Honda models in the UK and they fell soundly out of favour for a while so a lot of them either rusted badly or got driven into the ground by uncaring owners. They were most common in areas where ladies of a certain age with rich husbands had them as their runarounds, but they were never really common in the UK as they were seriously expensive and the motoring press wasn't exactly very nice about them as you could buy a very decent model of Mazda MX-5 for less. I don't think the motoring press at the time really got the point behind them. These are more of a junior version of the smaller-engine Mercedes-Benz SLK, with better engineering and build quality...
The Del Sol I bought already has some modifications. It’s slow but it grips and handles so well when spirit driving around the mountains. It’s shockingly impressive how well it turns even at high speeds. It really is a Go Kart.
I still own mine. A 93' with 80k miles. Such a fun car.
Only 80k!!! That’s amazing!
Whaaaaaaat!!! Lucky. I just got one 93 with 164k, still good but damn!
got mine now since friday. after i sold my old one 5 years ago. i found this beautyfull stock d16y8:) from 97 with 116.000 kilometres:)).
You've convinced me, these are cool, fun cars oozing with 90s feel.
They are fun! I have a 95 I drive every day. Rebuilt engine, transmission and clutch, new bearings, new struts, and a lot of other parts... runs strong! Just fun, great gas mileage etc...
@@MikeKollin I should have known better really :P
Wow, I did not even knew this amazing car existed.
I can remember these back in the day when these were modded,and the bodykit and wheels,they looked smart.
Never actually seen one of these in person. I want to.
I have one, they are fun little cars, but lots of small things to worry about being a targa car.
@@KarasouTengu Roof and such I imagine?
@@asfhyujtg324 yeah, also when you take it off the car has an annoying wobble twist.
Where do you live that you haven't seen one? I currently own number 2. They are my favorite realistic car.
@@jimreuss he needs to own one, then he will see they are everywhere.
I had a del sol about 18 yrs ago. It had a manual roof. Which gave a much bigger boot area. I loved that car and still miss it now. Cracking thing. 👍
I bought one of these a few months ago to complete the set: mx5 mk 2, MR2 roadster and one of these. They are all brilliant!! Just in different ways...
These are amazing little cars! I've owned 3 of them from the day I got my driverslicence 'till I emigrated to South-America years later. Then bought a 4th on an extended 6 week vacation back in Europe to relive the experience 😄
Can’t say I’ve seen one either , but an interesting motor . Keep em coming.
Just to add to this, the D series was a sohc with vtec only on the intake valves. The D16 only ever got to about 130bhp. It was the b16 mk2 crx and the eg si/vti that had the first dohc b16 that had 100bhp per litre out of a 1.6.
The non vtec d series and dohc d series (not b series) was in rovers
Direct from the USA, i own three del sols and i wish i could buy even more! It's the only car i'll drive. Honda never sold the trans-top del sol in the US but there are companies inporting them now. Nice to see these cars are still popular around the world.
13:30 Looks like suspension indicator is working. Jokes aside, it's always a joy seeing a stock Del Sol.
Those wheels did come as an optional extra surprisingly! I do find it odd that every single del sol or mk5 civic that I've seen which have these wheels are in good condition!
Bro, just take the roof off, windows up and crank the heat. It’s what I did all the time in my 95 Del Sol. My favourite car ever.
Funnily enough this car is up for auction this weekend.
Brilliant video bud , the del sol is a brilliant we machine , I had a very very rare genuine white siR delaol it was a 96 model. One of the cleanest Hondas I’ve seen to this day and I’ve owned many.
I thought the boot only did that with the fully electric (forklift style) hardtop. That is an odd quirk.
It does, only trans top got the boot that is electric
It has to be a trans top so I’m a bit confused by this review
So many facts wrong in this video too but I guess I would say that being a Honda owner 😂 it’s technically not a Del Sol, as that name was reserved for US and Japanese markets, in Europe it was called a Civic CRX. This model in the video also isn’t a VTEC I don’t think. The wheels aren’t aftermarket but a factory option that also appeared on EG shape Civics.
It's a Honda! Always quality, always reliable. My late wife and I owned a 1986 Civic Wagon and a 2012 Jazz 5 door and they were both great cars. Honda V-Tech engines are excellent!
I am a original owner of a 1997si. Over 200,000 miles in great shape.
I one a 96, red Vtec. Its super clean with 83k miles. I'm constantly debating whether to preserve for a future sale or use the hell out of it because it is such a fun car to drive. I will say, in California at least, that other drivers love to ride on my rear end. Makes me worry about a potential accident.
Not just the UK they tailgate ya then, it's a worry I have when driving mine
To say i'd take one of these instead of an RCZ would be an understatement.
One of the most enjoyable reviewers I've seen on TH-cam and TV even. Very enjoyable to watch.
Thank you - please feel free to share a couple videos on Facebook, Id love to get the channel out to a bigger audience!
I agree @furiosdriving and @hubnut are my favourites
I had a '97, the base model with the D16Y7. Manual roof. Was basically mint. I loved that car.
Lost control when the back end broke loose on a backroad. I managed to save it long enough for it to nose into a concrete thing in the ditch, which caused it to flip.
I want another one.
and you got another one???? i bought one this friday;) totally stock and a 97 model ESI_E .. so happy to get one again.. my old was also a 97 and i really was looking some time for a late del sol:) what was in very good condition. .. looking forward to drive it again over few months)) just do some small maintainence and then it wil be good
@@MrHerbie1977 Never was able to find another one. Not when I had the money for one anyways. I did later end up finding an 06 Pontiac Solstice that was even more fun, but that ended up badly when the front tire decided to peace out in a 35 mph corner right next to a pole.
Nice car! Always been a sucker for the CRX, drove an early version around 1989 and it was really fun and agile on twisty roads!
I have a 93 without that automatic trunk. Honestly you can fit a lot back there for a two seater. My mom and I have packed our bags plus the cats bags and we travel just fine
Haha you have one? Nice. Automatic or manual?
Only found your channel a week ago and I'm addicted. Thank you for all your hard work. Excited to see the Mercedes running and love the Tomcat videos.
Thanks, glad youre enjoying them! I looking forward to the Merc finally starting as well..
I owned one, and I honestly regret selling it.
I loved mine, the wind noise and water coming didn't bother me much.
It drove so nice stable n really spurted away quite a bit.
Unfortunately we got into an crash, it quite literally became an mushed tin can front to back..
But even with no air bags in mine, i got out of it totally unscratched.
you'd think you'd be dead and so did i.. but its actually quite a safe car if it does happen.
The wheels are a Honda dealer fit option, found in period brochures. I've had a Prelude with the same set, and I've seen multiple Civics with them.
What a cute little sporty car, summer days in these would have been great, Mazda hit the spot with this little beauty, nice video again, a little forgotten gem
I miss my sol so much. Hit a patch of black ice and slammed into a concrete Barrier. I will have another one one day. There hard to come by were im at...the fuel pump is easy as hell to change to in her! Ugh i miss her so much
Thank you for the review, never thought I would see a modern review especially an objective and accurate one at that!
THE ROOF GOES INTO THE LID OF THE BOOT VIA A MECHANICAL ARM, IT COMES OUT FROM THE LID AND GRABS THE ROOF AND PULLS IT IN, ITS FANTASTIC
sorry caps haha
Yeah, there was an issue with this one, didnt want to play so glossed over it!
It would have only been a pricey £800 fix if it all went wrong 🙂
Oh wow! Very, very nice, Mr Richardson. Last time I even saw one of these CR-X Del Sols was playing the original Gran Turismo. l has forgotten they even existed! Having recently tried an MX-5 I certainly would like to have a go in one of these. Brilliant!
Gorgeous...
Honda were so good in those days.
I owned one of these (not quite sure of the year at this point) but, actually, it was more a case of buying it to replace my Mitsubishi Galant V6 which I had bought to replace an earlier Honda CRX (not an Si). The del Sol, fun as it was, was simply not a CRX. And what I learned was I never should've sold the CRX. These days, you simply cannot find a CRX that hasn't been altered (which is not to say it's been improved).
They are astonishingly rare now, and almost forgotten which is a shame as they were brilliant cars
@@furiousdriving After the del Sol was gone and the CRX *long* gone (and, by 2006 I had picked up my 2001 Insight, which I still have), I briefly had high hopes for the Honda CR-Z. But that turned out to be neither a good sports coupe or a particularly efficient hybrid.
I had a red 1994 delso with the b16 5 speed and a 1995 delso with the b16 5 speed silver both of them American specs I sold them for 4,000 the silver one was stock the red one had intake exhaust type r head and was a rocket when vtec kicked in I fell in love with Honda also had 1994 Honda prelude with h23 automatic big fart can !
A very pretty little car. Very nice in that colour. (Like the Thunderbird 3 boot lid as well!) Many thanks Matt.
Had one. Was fantastic.
Makes me miss my Del sol
Words i never hope to say
Very nice little car.
Fun in the summer and usable in the winter. Looked up prices and they are very affordable.
Am actually looking myself for a Piaggio MP3 (two front wheels) I can drive in the summer with my car license.
The Piaggio and the Honda give the same kinda vibe...driving for fun. I live in the south of the Netherlands close to the Ardennes/northern France. Beautiful area to cruise on the B-roads.
@David Kopp Enjoy while you can.
I love that you wait until mid-winter before you take out open-top cars like this and the Land Rover last week! You’re such a glutton for punishment. Are you going to take out a Mini Moke in the snow?
That would imply some kind of planning...but yes, if thats when one came up!
Immediately placed on my "once I'll have a garage to fill" list. Thank you for showing us (me) the car. It is lovely .. Wonder if I could daily it without going nuts (VTEC HAS TO KICK IN, YO). How is the visibility to/thru the back? Oh, and the blank button on the heater controls IS an A/C one, provided the car is fit' with such. (went onto the local car dealer site, found a beat-up Del Sol that has a button for A/C at least)
rear view isn't bad, you're so close to the back window, and when the VTEC kicks in you you have to look forward to deal with the power!
I can confirm that these were quite popular in California in the late 90's. However, they have mostly disappeared by now. It's been years since I've seen one.
All the cool 90s cars are vanishing now, we need to go save them!
the del sol had the 2 front lights 1 year before the celica had them!
That 7.0sec 0-60mph would have been for the 1.6 DOHC VTEC B16 engine I believe, this example is a SOHC D series. :)
I live in the UK and I've never seen one of these before , what a great car ! Another great choice of car and review.... don't go spoiling it next week with an Austin Allegro 😊
There goes Allegro January... Ive not seen one in years
Pretty sure that electric boot lid should pick the targa roof up and store it in itself. Hence the button inside.
Yeah, search crx del sol roof on TH-cam
It should but something wasnt playing
As far as retractable rear windows go, every 4Runner from the 1st generation on has a retractable rear window
Before the del Sol, which was sold as a crx in Australia, the previous crx was much nicer.
Nice Rare now, it's like an MR2 and MX5 made love👍 more small sporty Hondas s600 cr-z CRX small convertibles like the S2000 1 needs to be brought back even if it's in hybrid or electric form they were so good at it.
The console armrest has fold down cupholders that fold down from the console lid, but looks like yours is missing?
was that optional maybe?
@@furiousdriving Maybe it was just an American thing? They were kind of flimsy, it's possible it could've just broken after all this time.
Hello. Would a 6'3" man sit and drive comfortably? Good leg room? Cheers.
Love my Milano Red 1995 Del Sol VTEC with the DOHC B16A3!
The rear window of the mx5 RF drops, but only if you've also dropped the roof.
Some low key alloys and a k and n air filter. If it’s been looked after it’s lots of fun and cheap to run
Boring line up? They had one of the best line up, full of sports cars and interesting models. They had the NSX, Prelude, CRX, fasts Civics, Accord 2.2 4WD, Legend coupe, Accord coupe etc
Another fantastic video, alloys are OEM I used to know a salesman at a Honda Dealer in Edinburgh who was a officer at the boys brigade and he used to bring a variety of Hondas every Friday not a de sol through but the Civic coupe did have the same alloys. How do you manage to get cars to review?
Wow, they dont look OEM! I have friends in the wrong places
I own a Del Sol and I love her.
I'm glad my del sol doesn't have the electric roof
@@kevindoran4938 Mines a 94 si. ya, they waste a lot of trunk space and expensive to fix if anything goes bad and I bet its slower then myself taking the roof on and off.
Sweet Jesus a good boot space ( for the size of the car ) potentially ruined by numerous motors just ready to go wrong. What year was the hinge outlawed in Japan exactly?
Why do you keep testing convertibles in the winter??
What's in store for January, a Mehari?
only if it snows
@@furiousdriving Ill remind you of that!
Cute little car, like it...
The targa tops slide directly into the boot lid
dodgy relay confused us
These are super cool like the CRX. I love the quirky and oddball nature of these, this is a very appealing car. Great review as always chap! So much more interesting than new cars
RichieT5 I’m New Zealand they are called crx not civic
Correct, this IS a CRX in Europe, it wS a Del Sol in USA. This had no badges on the rear deck but it would have had decal style badges, as again in the 90s people were stealing car badges. I had a 95 electric roof version of this car, and never had a problem with the roof, but you have to follow the procedure to open the roof, such as rear window must be up, you must be in neutral, it will automatically part open both front windows as the doors are frame less.
Best, most fun car I ever had.
OOPs i meant Honda! sorry folks
My very first car ever candy apple red Del sol 1996
Did you know that these were based on a 1970s design for a replacement MG.
I did not!
Wasn’t that the previous CR-X that came as a three door hatch? (Furious reviewed a white minter). It was touted as a modern Midget on the cover of Autocar or Motor.
Very nice. I'm sure I remember those being a CRX? Particularly the electric sliding roof version.
CRX was the model before, slightly smaller and bit more edgy - very cool car Id love one - Ive not heard this called a CRX before but might have been tagged in some places
@@furiousdriving OK. Got it now. Sorry, getting old and confused. Ta muchly.
It was called CRX in other markets.
In Australia it was called CRX
In UK it was called CRX
In Japan it was called the CR-X Del Sol
Yeah these were sold as CRXs.
@@furiousdriving In Australia it was badged as CRX which I'd say is partly why it failed here, the previous (real) CRX models were much loved.
A Del sol without huge turbo is a crime against humanity.
I thought the roof of these electrically slid into the boot lid, hence the reason it electrically rises up?
It should, an issue somewhere stopped it
Have 3, one of them from 92' with 30 k miles!
I always thought the roof fitted into a storage area in the boot lid..
Or was that just the electric version..
It should but I wasnt about to figure it out by damaging it!
i really love my del sol.
Another fab video! Your USP is definitely 90's cars. Can't wait for your 2003-2012 Fiat Panda review. You're welcome to review my 2009 Grande Punto 1.3 multijet Eleganza with full leather if you're in Southampton any time.
Not forgotten, just the only time Ive been that way since we spoke I had a full day and night of work lined up..Ill get down soon though
That's amazing boot!!😯
How much do you think the automatic version would go for now a days ?
Honestly no idea, depends alot on condition but probably a grand less than a manual, which would be somewhere between £4 and £8000 at a guess
furiousdriving right now I drive a stock 98 Chevy cavalier 4 door. I’m really looking for something affordable but a 2 door got any suggestions?
I know why people mention it is a Civic but in reality it should not even be mentioned along side the Civic just because they shared the same platform.
Many do not know the Integra also shared the Civic platform.
Why? Because if the shared platform is the issue then:
Mazda 6 should be called Ford Focus
Older Audi TT = a VW Beetle
Newer Audi TT = Golf
Mercedes E class = a Chrysler 300c
Many people do not know but the Integra also shared it's platform with the Civic platform.
I think it’s because it was known at the time as the Civic Del Sol
they did sold it as civic del sol in the US for a while
@@furiousdriving Yes, in the USA it was called the Civic Del Sol. My guess was to associate it with the best selling known Honda which was the Civic to give familiarity and increase sales. In Europe it was called Civic CRX to associate it with Civic again.
I understand what they were attempting and quite right as it is a derivative of the Civic, much like the Toyota Corolla Seca being still a Corolla but the lift back shape, but inconsistent as the Integra was not called the Civic Integra.
In any case, Honda's marketing department need much improvement as there doesn't seemed to be a standard global naming approach hence the great many names/references and confusion, even the CRX & CR-X is spelled 2 different ways.
Australia = CRX
Japan = CR-X Del Sol
USA = Civic Del Sol
Europe = Civic CRX
TH-cam knows I own I Del Sol I guess..
Triggered: @10:28 you had nowhere to leave the roof because you didn't know how a Transtop works. Look it up!
It actually didnt work but I didnt want to draw attention to it. thanks
@@furiousdriving hahaha, welp coulda just said this one was broken :p that is a pretty rare feature to find, especially in the U.S, I've only seen like 5 other than mine. Great cars, wish they would bring them back even for a 1 year run.
No tea shelf noooooo!!!!😁
Denied!
The size of those GB license plates makes me think that their cops are half blind.
I did just buy a 93 Del Sol Si and also have a 90 CRX. Everything about the car is civic except the body and interior. The interior of the CRX is better design.