1985 Honda CRX 1.6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A cheap to run pocket rocket

Faults:

N/A.

General Comments:

I took a Honda CR-X for a test drive earlier this year and was quite impressed. However I have read quite a few reviews about the car and they talk about how fast the car is. I test drove a 1985 model.

I was just wondering, no-one has been able to tell me this. Was it that the earlier models of the CR-X weren't as quick and didn't perform as well as the 88-91 models?

I really want to buy a CR-X and I like the 89-91 models. If someone has one or has driven any of these years' CR-X's and could answer me I would appreciate it very much. Oh and also, what year was the V-TEC first put into the CR-X and what model was it?

(to the editor, please post this because no one that I have asked has been able to answer me)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th April, 2003

25th Jul 2003, 08:10

I just bought an 85 CRX for $1400. It has a small amount of rust and it has 274k on the engine. These engines will run forever, practically if you service them regularly, and take care not to overly abuse them. The other important thing, since they are interference engines, is to make sure the timing belt gets changed often. If it breaks or even slips you have valves hitting pistons and it can do some serious damage. The guy I bought mine from had this happen two years ago, so the top end of the engine is only 2 years old. All I've had to do so far is adjust the clutch. Hope this helps.

6th Apr 2006, 14:10

I just read online that the engine in these earlier models can be switched out with the engine of the newer Del Sols with little mount mods. It looked pretty sweet.

1985 Honda CRX Si 1.5L PGM-FI from North America

Summary:

The potential to be a high performance monster

Faults:

The driver side strut needs to be replaced.

I just also replaced the distributor which was totally shredded (Partly old age and my love of drag racing and doing SCCA Solo II Auto cross).

Shocks in the hatch are gone.

Normal wear and tear on an 18 year old engine.

General Comments:

A awesome car to drive.

Honda is the only car that I will drive because of my love for the sport of drag racing, Honda's are the better platform to build upon for weight.

This car handles very smoothly, if you have any doubts, then enter yours into a SCCA Solo II Auto cross Slalom race. The race is built for car and driver skill, and the CRX Si will astound you with it's abilities.

I don't have the funds for really big mods, but I can tell you this, with a cool air intake and a 2 1/2" straight pipe from the catalytic converter on back into a sport muffler, this little baby will go VROOM! Oh yeah, FYI, if you do decide to do any mods to your engine, you need to reset the ECU chip so your new mods will register into the car's computer (You'll get better performance out of doing this).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th March, 2003

7th Mar 2005, 07:04

Hi, I have the same model CRX as you, Could you please if possible give me some instruction's on how to reset an ECU chip for the 1st gen CRX?,Any help would be great, Thank you.

1985 Honda CRX 1.5 from North America

Summary:

All in all, a damn good little car

Faults:

Alternator went out at 33,000 miles.

Batteries wear out every 3 years like clockwork.

90,000 mile service calls for replacement of timing chain and water pump. Expensive! Ouch!

Clutch needed replacement at 100,000 miles.

CRX seats have extreme side bolsters. Upholstery on driver seat side-bolster wear you rub against it getting in and out of the car started to wear away at about 100,000 mile. Generic seat covers don't fit and custom-fit ones are kind of expensive.

About 100,000 miles the pressurized gas cylinders holding up the rear hatch poop out.

Heater/Air-Conditioner Blower went out at 120,000 miles.

Radiator became corroded and needed replacement at 170,000 miles.

General Comments:

Luggage area is unusually roomy for such a small car. Makes it fine for long trips.

75 horse-power engine is peppy, if not exactly fast. Handles quite responsively and predictably. Shifter and clutch quite smooth and work well together. Lots of fun to drive.

Not an HF model, but it gets 52 miles-per-gallon on long trips. Drops down to 31 in heavy city traffic when using the air-conditioning. Air-conditioning really zaps a lot of power from the car.

Too bad they don't make the CRX any more. I'd buy a new one in a heartbeat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2002

24th Feb 2003, 14:13

We've have two CRXs in the family, one bought new in '87 and the other an '85 bought used. I must say it is the best car that I have had. I have a $35,000 Durango sitting in the driveway costing too much in repairs and the CRX is used as our backup car. The A/C went out at 150,000 miles, but both cars lasted to 200,000+ miles. One of them is still running at 265,000 mile and still getting 40+ mpg. The other I sold in good condition. The body has a few cracks, but plastic will do that. Luckily for me, the front fenders and bumper were replace from a minor fender bender. We had the same problem with the upholstery, but for the mileage we have on the car, it's nothing to complain about.