1993 Honda del Sol S review from North America

I purchased this car with a leaking head gasket and had it replaced during my purchase.

I was also informed during a pre-purchase inspection that the car had suffered minor front-right collision. However, this was of no serious concern and the vehicle was properly repaired.

The battery was gone so the dealership replaced it for me. I've yet to buy another battery for this car but expect that it is about due for a new one!

This car came standard with 13" rims and hubcaps. Subsequently I purchased used 14" aluminum alloy rims and cleaned them up before having new GoodYear tires installed on them. I suspect that the car actually handled better with the original 13" rims [because it was closer to the ground].

I also had the front-end C. V. Joints replaced on each side as well as having numerous other improvements made on the car during my first year of ownership.

Also, I went online and obtained a background history of the car through Consumer Guide so as to establish the credibility and history of the car. This dates back to January 13, 1994 in Florida where the car was owned at 14,000 miles. These records trace the car from Tampa, Florida on March 20, 1995 to May 30, 2002 after I purchased it with 98384 miles on the odometer.

Here are the major and minor faults of this automobile (mostly minor):

01. It leaks around the roof and window seals. I have been told: "Expect this from a Targa".

02. It sqeaks around the roof and window seals. I have been told: "Expect this from a Targa" [a silicon spray can is available from local Honda dealers for periodic applications to remedy this recurring problem].

03. The ashtray compartment will eventually give you a problem if you are a smoker and use it often. It is fairly expensive for what it is.

04. The fan switch on the dash for the air-conditioner and heater will eventually break and they are costly (at around U.S. $25.00 retail). Do not take the switch for granted and turn it gently.

05. Don't expect the 1993 del sol S 1.5 (with 102 horsepower) to do more than around 113 miles per hour top speed unless you are going downhill. This car has a great passing speed range from between 40 and 90 miles per hour.

A number of sources indicate that this vehicle has been highly under-rated and I concur with those assessments.

I spent around $5,000.00 in 2002 for this automobile and have spent $2,000.00+ since purchasing it. This is considered to be a better option than buying another new or used vehicle.

This car came with a very expensive all-stainless steel exhaust system installed by the previous owner (Some have estimated it to have cost around $800.00).

I have since added a Borla muffler and a resonator because it has a loud exhaust due to the oversized 2.5 (or) 2.75 inch diameter exhaust system installed by the previous owner.

I have recently replaced the timing belt because I was not sure that the previous owner had done so as related to me by the salesman. It is recommended that the timing belt be replaced every 70,000 to 90,000 miles.

An absolutely reliable automobile! I've never owned a more reliable car than this one.

I have more than reasonably maintained this sporty little vehicle over the years and never regretted it.

Absolutely reliable, quick for its small engine size, outrunning 80% of all other automobiles.

I'm not talking about the Si or the V-Tech...I'm talking about the original 1.5 liter powered del sol with only 102 to 106 horsepower! The lightness of this earlier model provides such performance and I am sure that if I were to strip it down to bare minimum the performance would improve accordingly.

I had an AEM cold-air induction system installed several years ago but have recently replaced it with the simpler and more reliable AEM air induction system.

I have ensured that this car receives regular oil and filter changes and have maintained it with reverence because I know that it will last me well beyond 200,000 miles. The CVCC engine used in this car is used in many other Honda models and it has a reputation of being extremely reliable.

The key to obtaining a Honda Civic del Sol (especially the S Model that I have) is to ensure that you have purchased one that is in good shape and to maintain it as it should be. Be sure to have an independent pre-purchase inspection performed by a reputable mechanic.

Beyond that it is a fun little car to own and drive and will give you absolutely great gas mileage and unexpected performance if maintained as recommended. I get right at 29 miles to the gallon around town and right at 39 miles to the gallon on the highway (as advertized by Honda). This is when I am not using the air-conditioner and the car is properly maintained.

Honda Civic del sol "sporty" cars are now near classic automobiles that have not been produced for between 10 and 13 years ago so be sure that you shop very carefully.

These little automobiles are as near to being true sports cars without actually being so. Although the list price of this car is only around $3000.00+ I would not sell mine for less than $5,000.00 because I have maintained it so well.

I still own this car and would only trade it in for a new Marcos TSO GTC should I ever have the fortune of obtaining nearly $100,000.