Awesome, just simply awesome!!
Written: Dec 04 '05
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Pros: Honda reliability, very sharp looking car even 12 years later, fun ride
Cons: hard to find...
The Bottom Line: Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!!!! Very reliable, extremely fun!
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| dbonedge16's Full Review: 1993 Honda Civic del Sol |
I bought my del Sol (my first car) from the dealership I work at after it came in as a trade-in. It is the S model, 5spd manual. I fell in love with this car from the start -- HIGHLY recommended!!
First of all, it is a high quality, highly reliable Honda. Mine had some minor rust spots on the rear wheel wells, but the dealership had those removed and the car repainted. It looks tremendous! It's bright red, which I would rather it wasn't because of the police, but it really does look great. I see many del Sol's driving around and a nice paint job would definitely clean them up. It's expensive, I know, but believe me well worth it. My rear bumper was falling off of the car a few months after I bought it, and I took it to a body shop and they said it is a very common problem because water just gets in there and sits on the piece that holds the bumper to the car. $50 for service, and $80 for parts and I was back in business!
My del Sol has a few very minor, but very effective modifications to make it really stand out. It has 15" Honda rims that the dealership added, low profile tired (45 series), an AEM cold air intake, a fart cannon exhaust, a lowering kit, and some minor stereo/speaker upgrades. Other than that, the car is stock. The S model is the more basic version, which mine doesn't have power locks (worthless if you ask me, it's only a 2-seater!), cruise control, a/c, and mine doesn't even have power steering. I'm not sure if that was removed to give it a few extra hp, but it's really not even noticeable unless I'm trying to park very slowly. My friend has a Kia without power steering, and his car is just hard to turn all the time, and nearly impossible when parking. If you see a del Sol without it, don't worry!!! It's not bad at all.
As for power, this car has some excellent pickup. With only 103hp (before the modifications of course) this car might be underpowered, but a little work brings it right to where it should be to have some fun! I would estimate my car to be around 125hp, and it's really plenty for a tiny car like this. On the highway, passing is very easy. Also, this car is so low to the ground (as I mentioned mine has been lowered about an inch or 2 extra) that it handles extremely well. I have never felt out of control of the vehicle.
In the summertime, this is the perfect vehicle. I'll take the top off at any chance I get. I've been caught in the rain a few times, and it's really not bad (once you get good at it) to put the top on in a hurry. 2 simple latches and you're covered again! The car really looks amazing with the top down -- you gotta see it!
The interior is fairly simple. Basic thermostat controls are easy to read and use. Everything is placed in very natural locations. The only complaint I have is the cup holder which is not very practical for a driver, but that's what a girlfriend's for anyways....
The Honda quality is exceptional. I push the motor to the limits on frequent occasions, and expect to never have a problem. The car will last me to 200k with simply oil changes. The transmission shifts nice and smooth, and the brakes work very well. I am not going into much detail on any of this, because it all works exactly like it's supposed to. What is there to say???
Many people have troubles with the roof leaking. I have a very minor leak that drips on my passenger on occasion. Hardly noticeable, and well worth having the targa top. A few drops never hurt anybody. The best way to prevent leaks is to keep the seals lubricated using silicone. 3M makes a spray that I use to prevent damage, and I know it helps on those hot days when the car sits in the sun with the black seals getting very hot.
Another common problem people have is the lack of space in the trunk. I actually feel that it's very large considering the car you're getting. It's not a minivan, so don't expect it to be. I have never run out of space in the trunk. And if I did, there's still a few inches behind the seats if I absolutely needed it.
Some people say the car is too small, and cramped. I say those people are too fat for this car. It holds you comfortably, like a Civic would, but it doesn't lock you in place like the S2000 does. It's a very comfortable vehicle. And if you don't like the seats, any seats that fit a Civic fit a del Sol. There are plenty out there that might make you more comfortable.
Overall, this car rocks! Anyone who does not have a family and doesn't need a lot of cargo space, but likes to have fun in a neat little car, the del Sol is for you. It's got the Honda name on it, so don't worry about how many miles are on it. I drove it from Cleveland to Myrtle Beach and back and never had a doubt in my mind about any sort of a problem. The car gets tremendous gas mileage (depending on how you drive, and whether or not the top is on), anywhere from 25-42 mpg for me personally, usually around 32-33 is my average.
I paid $6300 for mine with 84k on it. I have put about $1000 of work into it (mainly a clutch, master and slave cylinders, the rear bumper, stereo stuff), and would do it all again if I could. You cannot find a better car than this!!!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6300
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1993
Model and Options: S
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Epinions.com ID:
dbonedge16
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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