1993 Honda Civic del Sol Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Fantastic car. Needs more power, and that whole breaking axle thing is a problem, but...my next car will be another del Sol, if I can help it. Buy one with the 1.6L DOHC motor if you can find it, but the SOHC 1.6L is excellent too, especially if you live in a cooler climate. It doesn't like the heat, but it goes like a bat out of Hell when it's below 70 degrees outside. Sep 26, 2009

i love the fact that my car was built by me and not the car manufacturer themselves. i've modified it to the point that it seems to be a completely different car. the car is awesome to drive (when it's running right) and after the turbo install, runs like a champ. it still needs some tweaks and tunes, but that's the way it goes with a project car that you love...the build never endsOct 10, 2008

*Performance - Very nice handling, decent acceleration for engine size, strong brakes *Quality - it's a honda :) they run forever. but recently has needed a few repairs. but what do you expect at 284,000 miles? *Appearance - very stylish car with nice green color. interior is nice *cost - gas mileage is amazing. averaging between 35-39 most of the time, maintenance is low. parts are cheap *fun factor - 10! fun to drive whether it be on the highway or on the back roads. and summertime is where it's at! Convertible! :D *Definitely would recommend to a friend!Jul 19, 2008

I purchased this car last spring after finding it for sale on Craig's list. Fuel Economy The car gets decent gas mileage. It is rated for 23 mpg city and 31 highway. My city mileage is typically over 26 because of my normal driving style, and it is possible to get even better mileage if you live in a flat part of the country. Ergonomics + Storage Considering the car has just two seats, you get your money's worth for trunk space. I have fit huge loads in the trunk with no problems. With the roof in the trunk tray, space decreases a bit, but there is still plenty of room. In addition, you get some room behind the seats on the floor, two locking compartments, the glove box, and a compartment (with fold-down cup holders) in the center console. The seats are quite comfortable. They are fairly sport oriented, with some extra side bolstering and fixed headrests. The seats seem to accommodate a wide range of body types. They will fit a man of tall and/or large stature without much trouble. The only difficulty with the nature of the seating is ingress/egress. The car is low, which can make for a difficult exit, especially when in a tight parking space (which is unlikely, considering the car's size) or when parked facing up a hill, making it necessary to apply pressure to hold the door open while exiting. Fun Factor If you have an Si, you know what I'm talking about. Even if you don't, the car is still a blast to drive. Take it out to some smooth, curvy back roads for a nice adrenaline rush. It sticks to the road and the steering responds to your every move. Bump steer and understeer are very minimal. The feeling of what the front wheels are doing is very good. There is some suspension jacking around turns, but that depends on what type of strut/spring setup you have. There is also a bit of torque steer upon hard acceleration. Braking is decent at medium to high speed, but does not always "bite" as hard at low speeds (especially when decelerating towards traffic at a stop light). Power is sufficient at higher RPM, but not always great at lower RPM, which is the case for most normally aspirated 4-cylinder engines. The car can still perform in a straight line. If given a wide-open-throttle and allowed to rev into VTEC mode, the del Sol will take off like a miniature rocket. This could be further improved by adding a turbocharger or allowing the engine to breathe better with some aftermarket intake and exhaust parts, if more power is desired. The best thing about owning a Honda is that aftermarket performance parts are readily available and inexpensive. Unique Features 1. This car has a targa top, which separates it in a major way from the rest of the compact car population. The top is easily removable (via 2 latches) and can be stored in the trunk (secured via 2 more latches). The tray for the roof can be raised up easily on its two hydraulic supports by pulling a release trigger. The rear window is also powered and retractable, transforming the car into a roadster. An LED indicator on the dash informs the driver when the rear window is retracted or when the roof is not securely latched. There are two downsides to this roof. One is that it squeaks and rattles when driving, after the weather stripping has been worn down somewhat. Another is that it tends to leak in heavy or sustained rainstorms. These problems could both be corrected with replacement weather stripping. 2. What, no stereo? Wrong!! There is a fold-down panel that hides the radio. Very convenient when in a high theft area or to block the glow from the stereo when driving at night. 3. There is no trunk release button. The trunk has to be opened manually with a key. 4. Two locking compartments behind the seats. Useful for valuables or simply as an extension to regular trunk space. 5. Lower stance and better suspension than the Civic. 6. Auxiliary fog lights, activated with a toggle switch to the left of the steering wheel on the main console. Summary If you want a safe, fun, and reliable car, but do not carry much baggage around with you (human or inanimate), the del Sol is the perfect candidate. If you want a car you can customize into a show car or a club racer on a budget, look no further. Aftermarket Honda parts are cheap and plentiful. If you understands what it means to really drive and enjoy it, get a del Sol. Performance modifications made to my 1993 del Sol Si: - Tokico Illumina suspension with 5-way adjustable struts and performance springs - Centerforce II clutch - Short ram air intake - Stainless headers and front exhaust pipe - Carbon fiber hood - S2000 style tail lights - 15" alloy wheels...waiting for tires!Nov 10, 2007