1993 Honda Civic Del Sol | Retro Review

Amazing how the Del Sol was once everywhere, but now on the rare chance you see one it's always been distastefully modified and driven hard. A clean survivor would be a head turner today....especially in Samba Green Pearl.
Show 1207 | Original Airdate 11-05-1992
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[@JohnSandovalesq]

That was my first new car I ever bought, in the same color as well. Bought it through Honda military sales in Germany, US spec without air conditioning. It was a bit squirrelly at Autobahn speeds and high speed runs would loosen the top, but it would settle back in after driving at normal speeds. Brought it to my next duty station in Tucson where I had air conditioning and a full Kenwood sound system installed. Great memories in that car, bombing around the German countryside with the top off. My German friends called it Eine Kliene Ferrari.

[@brettbanta2100]

DEFINITELY a good idea getting that A/C installed living in Az

[@Grahame1975]

Nice memories to have

[@JDMHaze]

1:12 Wow, until he said I never noticed how much the front actually looked like a smaller Lexus, SC 300/400

[@roddydykes7053]

Same! Smart comparison

[@gilldaking]

Bro I said the same thing

[@zillsburyy1]

90s Japanese cars are the best

[@Gr8thxAlot]

It was an amazing time!

[@Welcometofacsistube]

...at rusting into oblivion

[@daylightman8459]

I take it you’re from an area that snows?

[@Welcometofacsistube]

@@daylightman8459 an area that has oxygen.

[@beretka1389]

Nsx the best

[@billcatcher2701]

I love the del Sol so much i currently own 4 of them (the lowest mileage sol has only 4,257 original miles). Great old skool video from 30 years ago!

[@michaelcoffey7362]

nice 🥰

[@Just_A_Little_Kit]

I just got my first one, and it's my favorite car I've ever owned😍

[@santea8733]

@@Just_A_Little_Kithow's the reliability on it so far? Do you think you'll have any problems with it?

[@Just_A_Little_Kit]

@@santea8733 mine has been babied it's whole life (taken to the Honda dealer for all maintenance by the previous one and only owner) so I expect it to have a long life ahead of it. That being said, it has less than 150k on the clock, so I don't know how these do with less than perfect maintenance and higher miles. I've heard they suffer from some electrical problems.

[@nicj99]

Are any of your for the VTEC model? I've got a 94B16 VTEC with 77,000 originals on it wish it had 4200 though that would be cool.

[@Azspeedin]

I have to add, my first car was a blue 94. I absolutely loved that car. Greddy exhaust, DC Tie bars, DC sports intake. Lowered the car about an inch with some nice wheels. This is all in the day of the mid 90s import scene. These are fantastic cars!

[@ketoninja]

Thanks for posting this. I have owned my '97 Si 5 speed for about 10 years now and I still love her, first car I ever put Collector plates on, hope to keep her forever!

[@palebeachbum]

I've always loved the Del Sol. It's sad that the days of fun, affordable 2-door cars based on economy cars have dried up. The early 90s were full of choice.

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

Very beautiful and nice the Honda Del Sol

[@Trance88]

I love these little cars. I actually saw one yesterday. They're definitely still out there.

[@fernandorocha8459]

I love this Honda Del sol

[@theKevronHarris]

My high school classmate got a Honda Civic del Sol in the exact same color like the one in the video.

[@lucastsou7477]

Yup, I still daily my 95 del sol si in paradise blue green pearl. I've seen several in my area in the san fernando valley in socal.

[@nicj99]

@@theKevronHarris it's called Milano red

[@nicj99]

@@lucastsou7477 I've got a 94 VTEC in Milano red but I always have really liked the paradise blue/green pearl

[@osooyabun2701]

When they designed and manufactured cars with love.

[@1985oldsmobile]

I own a ‘95 Si that looks exactly like this, except mine has different factory alloys. Very cool to see it in its hayday and very cool seeing it in a MotorWeek video.

[@sodiebergh]

A friend drove me to Town & Country Honda in Woodstock GA in March of '93 to buy my first new car, a white Civic CX bare-bones hatch (no A/C!) I was over the moon with my accomplishment. She proceeded to impulsively buy the Samba Green Pearl Del Sol Si off the showroom floor and show me up! I had about 10 minutes of glory 😂 Both cars were incredible though for the money, more than a 24yr old could ask for.

[@rapidrabbit898]

Isn't that Hennessey Honda, today?

[@jonathanfox676]

@@rapidrabbit898 yes. Metro Atlanta rise up!

[@matposton87]

My first car was a 93 Del Sol S with the D15 motor and a 5spd. Awesome little car. I've always wanted a 95-97 Del Sol VTEC, they came with the B16A3 DOHC VTEC motor with 160hp and a 8200 RPM redline, pretty much identical to the B16A2 in the 99-00 Civic Si, those are the rarest and most sought after of the Del Sol's but you rarely run across them

[@mkfemby4007]

Actually only the '94-'95 had the B16A3, the '96-'97 VTECs had the same B16A2 as the EM1. I know, small nitpick...

[@KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

crazy there were so many of them back in the day.. I almost got a del sol SIR.. But those cars have horrible body rigidity issues over time

[@mkfemby4007]

@@KrGsMrNKusinagi0 I own a 1995 del sol rn and it feels perfect! I don't have any qualms over the rigidity...

[@mannyrosado9887]

Why they don't make more cars like this nowadays? Fun, good-looking, affordable, and reliable.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

All that describes the Miata

[@theninethrees8044]

They did, called the CRZ, (2010-2016) and nobody bought it. Money talks

[@shanekeene947]

​@@theninethrees8044A hybrid? Bro come on. Nothing about the CRZ was sporty. It was good for pizza delivery like the old one, but that didn't make it fun.

[@tomr3319]

@@theninethrees8044 Yup! just picked up a 2014, 6 speed manual, very impressive sporty honda hatchback! Great torque and decent HP too! I'm always getting positive comments, most people have no clue. it's amazing and extremely rare now. The better ones are 2013 +

[@user-oi1rz9zs8y]

I have an all original red one with 167,000 miles, I take a lot of grief because it's an automatic. I bought it 16 years ago when I had a broken right arm so the automatic was just what I needed. I fell in love with it and plan on passing it onto my daughter-in-law when the time comes.

[@teresapflaumer5717]

I found a Honda Civic Del Sol in Moorestown NJ. Still in fabulous shape.

[@DougFresh78]

I bought a blue 93 back in 2000. Sadly my winter beater failed to start and I took my sol to work in a blizzard. I got tapped by a 18 wheeler and that was the end of one of my favorite cars I ever had. 23 years later I’m still searching for one to bring back to life

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

We turbo'd one of these with the Greddy turbo kit back in the day. It made a big difference but we did blow up about 5 motors.

[@ToddBrown-zl5fk]

I really appreciate Honda for producing this car. We need it back today and now! It really was an excellent product; priced for middle class buyers and not out of reach, fuel efficient strong enough engine, great amount of space for larger size individuals, unlike the tiny and cramped mazda miata, and it had an awesome fun factor. The Honda 2000S was also a great product, but it was not built with an automatic transmission. The Civic Del Sol should be brought back as it would sell very well for the American and global public. One of the real strengths too was it's cost. A BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster are out of reach for millions of Americans that enjoy fun and reliable motor vehicles.

[@jdogmcnasty1980]

Back in the day a friend boyfriend thought his del soul would smoke my GTA. I had to humble him.

[@katzicael]

The differences between the JDM and USDM Japanese cars always make me chuckle. the US Always got the watered down, simplified versions. Like never seeing the SiR version.

[@NSXTypeRGTRLM]

In Japan there was a Del Sol with an electric top. Weird stuff.

[@ericgonzalez8382]

I believe it was available in other parts of the world too. Just not in the US probably due to regulations. We got the automatic roof Del Sol here in Costa Rica, although it was expensive and sold poorly.

[@oscarwilde5473]

@@ericgonzalez8382 ... I just bought one here in the UK, and the roof is like a little piece of magic from the Orient, as those around stop what they're doing, and watch in awe ...

[@woohunter1]

I see a Motorweek video, I thumbs up before even watching!

[@kemosabe619]

My first car was a 93 white Del Sol. I miss it so much

[@tomdelisle8955]

One of my most favorite cars to drive, with the manual. Always amazed at the interior room.

[@tracybrovan3997]

A 1993 Motorweek video looks/feels exactly the same as a 2023 Motorweek video!

[@MarkMeadows90]

My brother in law had a 1997 Del Sol with the B16A3 engine back in 2001. It was mildly modified, but was a fun and peppy little car. He only had that car for about 3 years.

[@nabahmadi5012]

FYI, these continued to be called CRX in some markets.

[@mrniceguy7168]

Apparently this car failed because the top would leak in early models but was otherwise fantastic, especially higher trim models.

[@grriceman782]

I had red one just as highlighted. My Dalmatian enjoyed the passenger seat and we got lots of looks 😊

[@martinc8057]

I had a black Si, by far my favorite car ever- hard to find any well-kept ones to buy now.

[@wbwayne8887]

When I was looking to buy my first new car in 1993, the decision came down to the Prelude, Del Sol, and the just introduced Civic Coupe EX, all 5spd manual. Ultimately, after multiple test drives, and trying to do the responsible, sensible thing, I bought the Civic Coupe, mostly for the practicality. The Del Sol was a really fun drive though, and that power rear window almost sold me.

[@jeremyramirez9150]

4:16 Hi Five's 'She's Playing Hard to Get' Ah, such amazing, innocent and awesome music from that era😢 Not to mention the cars🩶

[@mariosierra9267]

Yeah, just like their other smash hit " I like the way" great times that seem 100 years ago...

[@ChineseGlobalism]

My mom had one of these when I was little, I remember riding with her when the roof was down

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Let The Sun Shine in

[@Red84GT]

My late uncle had a black pearl 94 Del Sol Si 5 speed, was a cool little car. I asked him for it when he got tired of it and he traded it in on a new 02 civic EX.

[@theKevronHarris]

I love these 1990s Hondas

[@Cheezwizzz]

I miss my 1990 MR2 😢😢

[@redey1290]

Yess!!! I love these things. My mom owned two, and I've been looking for a black 97 just like hers ever since we sold it.

[@johnnymason2460]

Anti-lock brakes should have been standard on the Del Sol Si and optional on the Del Sol S model. It would have made the Del Sol better.

[@woohunter1]

Lmao, 2:14-2:22 that clunkiness and throw in that shifter!!!!!!!

[@user-oc7yu1uo1d]

I'm driving the green one. I love it to death.

[@islandon22]

This really was a great and fun little car.

[@MikeKollin]

I wish they would remake these cars exactly the same with 128 HP engine, 170 HP and 188 HP engines!! Would be so cool to buy now!! Same overall engine, air filters, everything... easy to fix, easy to work on, fun to drive!!

[@dyingangelo]

would like to see a stock one go through the same test track with modern tires!

[@danmccarthy4700]

Other countries got a version with an automatic roof. Never understood why it wasn't sold here.

[@MrHeem94]

"They felt that Honda had abandoned them". And they were right.

[@heywoodjablowme8120]

My old 🚗 car!! Had a '97 si. Loved that car so much I wrecked it twice.

[@Roddy_Zeh]

Interesting...I thought all Del Sols had the TransTop system. This one is a lot simpler, cheaper and lighter, though. Very nice.

[@bored2323]

That’s the JDM version that has that

[@82raptor]

I like Honda and the del sol but, if you want a sports car get a MX-5.

[@davidaubin3902]

0:38 John: BUT THEN WHEN DID HONDA EVER DO ANYTHING CONVENTIONAL? LOL

[@steveespinola7652]

I still see a del Sol once in awhile.

[@vangthao4624]

Such a nice video for us car guys.

[@AFancyHippo]

I’ve had far more expensive cars since my del sol (uk CRX), back in early 90s, including a couple of new 3.0 Z4s. Nothing was as good as my del sol. Currently looking at at MX5 RF, keep hoping Honda will re-release the Del Sol or s2000, but it looks like Miata will have to be the answer. Thank you for posting. Loved this car.

[@kgthegreatone943]

Love these cars

[@_que]

Miss mine, same colour n spec. Great era of the Honda VTEC

[@dohc1067]

Give it to me in green please.

[@ryanm.3681]

🤤🤤🤤 with a stick!!😍😍😍😍

[@andrewsmactips]

Fun fact: There was a Japanese version with a very elaborate motorized top.

[@tooncesdcat6216]

Who’s the presenter guy in the video? Did these guys ever get credits for appearing on MW?

[@franciscodanconia4324]

My college girlfriend wanted one of these badly in the mid 90s.

[@YamaHondaGarage]

I wish I kept my 93 Si miss that car

[@TimJoseph08031990]

Another rare Honda Civic from the 1990s!

[@hailstorm1986]

Cars like this aren't made anymore and that's sad.😓♥️

[@Good1vibes]

The infamous Del Slow!

[@burroelburro6703]

Un amigo en Mexicali ...tenía uno así ...pero azul ....compro un TL en una subasta ...lo hizo v6 ...jalaba durísimo ...pero pues le llegaron al precio ...lo vendió ...pero llamaba mucho la atencion ...sin cofre ... Apenas cabía el motor del TL ahí ...

[@bp2024]

I fckn loved these

[@AngelRodriguez-by2tn]

i own a 95’ vtec with the b16 it’s so fun

[@carlosalenduran4630]

I love delsol it's 2024 and still do

[@robreuler144]

Cute little sports car this would be a great 2nd car.

[@jameswillard1]

I had a 1993 Captiva Blue Si and prior to that had a 1990 CRX Si. The Del Sol was a totally different car, handling was vague and felt very unsporty compared to the CRX. I remember the car felt tight as a drum when it was new and quickly loosened up and targa top had lots of creaks and rattles pretty early on that just racked up more as the miles piled on. Overall, as a longtime Honda owner/fanboy, this was not one of their better cars driving wise.

[@landyachtfan79]

1:22.............of course it neither squeaked nor rattled, it's a Honda top!!!!!!!

[@AvenueD417]

This car is actually the third Gen CRX, the US market changed it to Del Sol when in Japan it’s still has the CRX badge

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

globally, this was the 3rd gen crx...i'm ok with usdm models not getting the crx badge, they really weren't good enough to be called a crx

[@AllyMcLesbian]

Nostalgia! Though I would still prefer a 1988 CRX Si over this one.

[@xFactoryUSA]

The least Honda like Honda ive ever driven. You need all kinds of strut bracing just to make this thing feel like it’s not falling apart.

[@K03sport]

bet you if Honda released a 2023/24 del Sol, w/civic drive line, they could easily move 70k of them. keep it on the LX/EX trims to keep price low, and you have a great fun 2-seater (something Honda needs again)

[@Kaiser187]

For as small as it is, it's heavy considering. CRX Si would smoke a Del Sol in a race with the same motor.

[@bmwpete65s55]

Did you watch the video? 0-60 in 8.0 1/4 mile in 16.3 It's faster than the CRX per MotorWeek.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I'd rather have a CRX, but id definitely take a Del Sol

[@bullitt3980]

Was really disappointed when this replaced the cool CRX hatchback

[@BitchinSpectre]

I can fit in a delsol trunk. Or I could when I was 23. I'm basically the same size I just doubt I'd be as willing to ride in the trunk of a delsol.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 🥰

[@dronepilot260rc]

This was decent for the 90’s

[@karelpipa]

4:30 is that a caffeine free Pepsi?

[@jaydibernardo4320]

Good examples nowadays are well over the original MSRP.

[@damilolaakanni]

Missed opportunity to make this mid engined, rear wheel drive, or at least front engine rear wheel drive. It has the proportions of a rear wheel drive car.

[@roddydykes7053]

Would’ve been awesome if there was a Honda alternative to the MR2

[@ThePurePlayaz]

This was made for the USA market and the women field was the target. They already had a mid engine RWD Beat in japan.

[@Tool0GT92]

It's cheaper to build a car based on a civic then start from scratch. They probably wouldn't make their money back.

[@TheMotorman80]

Honda S2000?

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Absolute disappointment back in the day. It never had the soul of the Crx

[@oscarwilde5473]

... this presenters utter guff and dribble, is legendary ...

[@JolliAllGenGamer]

That braking stuttering seemed concerning to me.

[@ilovetotri23]

I dreamed about owning one longer than I owned one. Honda is an awesome engine builder! Sadly, the Del Sol failed because Honda struggled with, and continues to struggle with fit and finish issues constantly. Honda can build an amazing engine, better than any Toyota. However, Toyota builds an amazing engines also. Toyota has more care for fit and finish. Honda seems to lack in that area.

[@MENQN]

Made better than USA

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Back when cars were fun.

[@peterbennett4124]

Pop a straight pipe exhaust and good intake and this thing would be a beast.

[@stevend3753]

Scree.....scree.......scree.........screeeeeeee

[@Defy_Convention]

The Honda Civic CR-X Del Sol Si one of the most ridiculous car names ever

[@TheRamGuy]

My old 1989 CRX Si would reliability run 15.0 in the quarter miles stock. The Del Sol Si was not faster than a CRX hence why we called them Del Slows

[@moejr1974]

No stock CRX Si is running 15.0. Great story though.

[@TheRamGuy]

@moejr1974 not a story facts. I used to run my black 1989 CRX Si in Solo 2 autocross events and bracket racing. I would reliably run 15.0-15.2 stock. My 1989 DX with the 1.5 would run 16.1-16.3 all back in the early 2000's.

[@moejr1974]

@@TheRamGuy impossible unless they were gutted. Just not happening. Plenty of period road tests out there to support me

[@Lucille69caddy]

BS. My old ‘97 Prelude 5-speed would do 0-60 in low 7 secs and 1/4 mile in low to mid 15 secs stock. It had the 195 hp-160 lb ft torque 2.2 mill. There is no way your 1989 CRX was faster than my car. NO WAY.

[@moejr1974]

@@Lucille69caddy he's a good story teller

[@eddieg6436]

Ok Honda, where’s a NEW electric one, with a decent range, and $30,000 starting price?!?!

[@user-iz3gv5vo6b]

It's not a convertible, it's more of a cabriolet,

[@porsche180]

Need a modern reincarnation

[@droomkoning3266]

Hi

[@dancorvalan3205]

Could we some day get a Honda Fit Del Sol?

[@oreally8605]

Del slow. Drop that K series motor in it.

[@CalvinHikes]

John you big beautiful son of a gun. You're welcome to have dinner with me and my family anytime.