1989 Honda CRX Si from North America - Comments

I purchased this vehicle new as a left-over in Feb of 1990. The timing belt broke at 102,000 miles. At that point, the dealer informed me that the timing belt was a required change at 92,000 miles.

The radiator was replaced at 220,000 miles.

Front brakes are disks, rear are drums. Front brakes were replaced about every 50,000 miles.

Alternator was repaired at 250,000 miles.

After 12 years, the vehicle rusted inside the rear passenger side wheel well. Water would enter the vehicle after driving through large puddles in rain storms. This water would flood the passenger side front and get the computer wet (on 2 occasions). The vehicle would shut down when the computer got wet. However, once the water vacated the computer, the vehicle ran just fine.

The interior cargo cover (which gave the area under the hatchback some privacy), ripped apart at the seams after about 10 years.

The plastic mechanism beneath the heater (rotating) knob had to be replaced twice.

The seat had standard wear of a vehicle that was used heavily everyday for 13 years.

The muffler was replaced twice at 6 and 11 years.

The vehicle started to rust in the sun-roof. However, no water entered the vehicle because of this.

The vehicle began to rust after 12 years behind the rear wheel wells on both sides.

This is the best car I've ever owned. At 370,469.8 miles, I had a near head on collision where the vehicle was totaled. I suffered knee injuries, and a pounding to the chest because the seat belt did it's job - but otherwise I was fine. All this goes to say that this is a very well built car.

With that many miles, the insurance adjuster thought the car would only be worth $200. However, after checking 5 different sources at the time, the average value of the vehicle was $4,500. Yes, that's Four thousand-Five hundred dollars om 2003. This car holds its value well.

I kept the book on fuel fill-ups from the first fill after I purchased the vehicle to the last. This car was rated at 29/33 mpg. I got as high as 39 mpg and as low as 29 mpg. Under normal driving conditions, I got 33 mpg.

This car accelerates well and hold it's own on the highway. One of the best features of this vehicle is that it is easy to find parking because of it's size.

Insurance rates on this car was very favorable.

Although my vehicle was primarily dealer maintained, I did my own oil changes and in the last 100,000 miles, I did the brakes (twice).

This vehicle has the carrying capacity of a small truck. I've had a 16 gallon vacuum cleaner and a size-able pressure washer along with other items in the rear. This vehicle is equipped with a secret storage compartment behind the seats.

Thank you for a wonderful write-up. This comment of yours made up my mind about which car to buy next. Only question: would a 6 foot guy fit into one of these little Hondas?