1995 Honda del Sol VTEC DOHC

Summary:

Great things can come from the smallest of packages

Faults:

I have a consistent, very slow leak around my engine. I replaced the head gasket, but apparently it is still leaking in other areas.

Whenever it rains, sometimes it leaks inside the car from the sides of the targa top (roof) where it meets the driver and passenger windows. I haven't exactly found where it leaks, but I will notice that my seats are damp on occasion.

General Comments:

I'm a female driver and get a lot of head turning when I'm out cruising in my Del Sol. Other people (drivers and pedestrians) always comment on how they love the way my car looks. They think it's a very cute car.

I love the way the car handles. It feels as though it hugs the road.

The car also picks up speed fast. I'm able to get in and out of traffic easily. I do have to be careful though, since it is a smaller car that people can see me move in and out of traffic.

Also, for a smaller car, I think it's great on gas. I travel 30 minutes one way to work, 15 minutes to classes and 30 minutes back home in a typical weekday and find that I only fill up with gas once a week.

Unfortunately though, since the dual overhead cam is rare, I find that I can only obtain parts (i.e. radiator) at auto salvage establishments. Parts specified for the dual overhead cam VTEC are hard to find sometimes.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd March, 2004

12th Feb 2006, 18:46

Hard to find parts? Sorry, but the honda B16a which is in your car is one of the most known and common honda engines and has been in various other vehicles from hondas line up.

11th Oct 2006, 20:19

When you go looking for engine parts look for them out of the honda civic si.

1995 Honda del Sol civic Si vtech

Summary:

I plan to keep this car until I drive it into the ground

Faults:

My driver side window leaks in heavy rain.

Front drivers side brake cover boot (rubber) has been perforated.

Car has recently began to burn oil, and has to be checked frequently.

My roof rack in the trunk has been losing some of its plastic parts.

General Comments:

Overall this vehicle has been by far the best I have ever owned. 150,000 miles and no problems, just general upkeep.

It's too bad Honda has moved on to other things. This car is the perfect "convertible hardtop" for the weather issues in Pennsylvania.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2003

1995 Honda del Sol S 1.5L SOHC 16v

Summary:

Not quite a sports car, but a bargain anyway

Faults:

Nothing of any significance:

The top leaked one time, but it was in a monsoon-style rain storm.

The ashtray would not close when I bought the car. I got a new one for $50 from a dealer.

The leather/vinyl on the armrest on the driver's door has peeled away slightly from the door.

General Comments:

The car has no torque below 4,000 RPM. When it hits that mark, though, the car takes off like a rocket.

Right now the handling sucks. It understeers like a dump truck. However, it has no-name 80-series tires on it, so that's probably the reason.

It is very comfortable on long trips. The only real flaw is the seats are very sparsely padded. The dead pedal and seat shape make for a comfortable highway cruiser.

The controls have great placement and feel. The quality of interior materials surpasses that of any vehicle I've driven.

The ride is a little choppy, but what do you expect from a car with a wheelbase this short?

The heater and A/C are great. The top is easy to use, and rolling the back window down is cool.

My car is bare-bones. It has no power locks, cruise, power mirrors (it doesn't even have a manual adjustment knob), or power steering. It makes for a light car, though (2301 lbs).

Dual airbags on a 1995 car that stickered for $11,000 or so is a nice touch.

The 11.9 gallon fuel tank is tiny, but I got 46.8 miles per gallon on the last tank. I get around 39 mpg in the city.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2003