I almost sold mine last year for $4k and I'm glad I didn't. I love the way my CRX drives and handles, it's a dream. I just replaced the headgasket about 6 months ago and no more over heating now. I love my CRX. Oh and BTW, my CRX has almost 400,000 miles on her.
Yeah it's retro, but a still nice looking timeless car design. This ages well. Looks way more interest than many but more modern hatches than this one.
When he said some of the CRX’s lasted 300,000 miles, my 1991 Honda CRX DX model with the automatic transmission lasted close to 275,000 miles. I loved that car. I went from Texas to Canada three or four times when the car was new. And the last road trips that the car made was in 2001 to 2004 from Texas to Las Vegas to Los Angeles. It was glorious. Thank you Honda.
I'm holding on to my '91 Civic SI and drive it near daily. Basically the same car with rear seats (without the theft appeal). But living in upstate NY, it'll never Ever look that nice. Always a joy and glad to see they get the appreciation they deserve.
I had a base CRX for a few years in the early 2010s. Even though it wasn't an Si it still drove and handled very well. The steering and shifter were amazing. It's lightweight meant even though it only had 90 hp it still wasn't unbearably slow.
What I really miss about these cars is the simplicity! No touchscreen, no 40 buttons around you... You turn the key, shift into 1st, and smile all the way throug 5th... And that reliability... Hummm... Reliable... Cars need to look back not only in design...
Understood. I loathe the infotainment systems found in vehicles these days. At a minimum, I wish that they were at least an option that could be excluded.
@@NiPPonD3nZ0 The amount of technology in cars today is disappointing to many of us. For others, the heavy implementation of technology in their cars simply falls into line with all of the other products they buy. It's hard to imagine the amount of change that will take place in the automotive world in the near future. Manufacturers are abandoning the internal combustion engine over the next decade or two. In another 30 years, the world will be an entirely different place when it comes to the vehicles we see out on our roads. How long it will be until people lose the ability to drive themselves is anyone's guess. Crazy times.
I appreciate the commitment to finding stock (or near stock) examples of each car you show in this buyer's guide series. Some cars are near impossible to find stock, especially these, the civics and integras from the 90's.
In the 90's I could not imagine why anyone else would buy something else in that price range. You either bought a crx or used public transport. (ok ok, I do like many more cars, but you get my point) :)
@@chrischapman9251 ooh, you got lucky, there. mine was stolen but recovered 3 days later with a blown engine and clutch, which I've replaced and had a kill switch installed.
Really apples and oranges between the two. CRX, really light/nimble decently quick for the time. A slightly faster 0-60 than my brother's 300Z (96hp isn't going to pin you to your seat). NSX is just a very different, feels more substantial. Heavier but still tight and geez the V6 over your shoulder when your get into higher rpms is music. I've got three cars and I still would love to have the CRX back. @@m0nsterman1221
Excellent review of an excellent car! Colin did great in covering what makes these cars so special. Light, affordable, reliable, and sporty! Wish they were more common, today.
I've had one for years, I love it. I got it with the dual-cam ZC swap already done to it, and let me tell you, it's a real treat. Yeah, it'd be super cool with a VTEC engine swap, but the ZC is a really nice little engine even though it's a bit tricky to get parts for, lol
Good ol days of zc motor swap. I was going to help my buddy with his crx si with that swap.... till he totalled the car. What a shame his was in really good shape
As the new car average transaction price is now over $41k in the U.S., it's probably safe to include some of the higher trim level Miatas as "affordable." But how one defines affordability certainly plays a role.
What a great series. Well done! I used to own a 1986 Honda CRX. I LOVED that car! It was a sad day when I had to let it go. It was my daily and I drove it until I could not drive it anymore. Between the cost of repairs and a growing young family, I could not keep it. I righted that wrong with my 2019 Honda Civic Type R. This car is never leaving the family and no mods here. I am just going to keep it clean, keep it maintained and drive it! Well done!
I had a 1991 Honda CRX HF. It got over 60mpgs reliably. Best I ever got was 64.1 MPGs. But no power steering, no A/C, really weak going up hill, and lastly, you got no respect on the road. People would cut in front of you or cut you off all the time. Other than that, I loved my little CRX.
I had a 1988 HF for 24 years. I loved that car. I am 6'10" and I fit. Sadly rust took it from us. I replaced the floor pan 2012 but that wasn't stopping its deterioration. North East winters are tough on cars. CR-X HF would get 49 mpg on long road trips. It was fun and could be chucked around like a motorcycle.
I bought a 89 CRX HF in the early 90's. It had 150k on it and I paid $900 for it. I put an additional 100k on it and only had to replace tires and both cv axles. That car was indestructable. What a blast to drive. I traded it for a 92 civic hatchback from some dirt lot. It died the day I drove it home. Should have kept the CRX.
Loved these cars as a teenager in the late eighties... my English Lit. teacher had one and would joke "I own a Ferrari that begins with an H." Honda should have stayed the course with the CRZ instead of having all the Hybrid systems adding weight and complexity...the HF versions of the CRX were the first Hyper Miling Champs.
I remember the CRX Si well. My dad bought an 88 Si new and my friends and I have great memories driving his “crotch rocket” around town and being stupid (but not too stupid). For FWD it was very balanced and you could kick the rear end out on a bumpy corner. A few years later I bought myself an SW20 MR2 turbo and never looked back LOL. I still have a 2 seater but it’s not a daily driver (gen2 NSX)
I have a EF hatch now that I daily but thinking of getting a sw20 mr2 as my second "fun car" for the track and weekend fun. How has your experience been with the mr2? Is the snap oversteer so bad it would stop you from holding a drift?
@@ocallaghan3865 I fortunately/unfortunately live in the US where companies like to draw lotteries on whether they will sell their cool cars here or not.
There are multiple new kei hatchbacks are weighing in at around 700kg or 1,500lbs There is a reason why japan is considerd number 1 at transportation The new kei hatchbacks get 68MPG as the bottom line of there average efficiency
I had one of these as my first car in nyc. I loved it. Bought it for $500 in 2005. Sold it to my cousin, who still has it, for $750. He has upgrade everything on it and I got to drive it last summer when I visited him. Brought back so many memories. But a light weight 2 seater sports car does exist -> Miata.
hello, I had four ,two mk1 with the famous Zc1 of 125hp and two mk2 in vtec EE8 150hp ,both models are fantastic. The ZC1 were bright and light the heavier EE8 but the sound of the aditictif vtec! j' have one again in superb condition ...from france good road in Honda
In one way yes, but it also created the entire trend of engine swapping JDM cars (and Hondas in particular) which started in SoCal as a result. We wouldn't have companies like HaSport today if the US got a B16-powered Civic all throughout the 90s.
I need to correct the guy in the video on one small point; although a great review. In 1984, there was a 1.3 AND a 1.5L 12 valve / carbureted. I had an ‘84 1.5 bought new. It was near perfection - although I daily drive an ‘05 Miata these days, I still have the urge, all these years later, to find a clean, near stock (unicorn) ‘91 CRX Si. Simpler is always better!
I used to take the CRX-Si's each summer as my Company Demo as a Parts Manager at a Franchised Honda Dealership in WNY! After the CRX's demise and subsequent replacement it the DelSol I reluctantly went that route, but always missed and revered the 88-91 CRX-Si's of yesteryear! Nice Piece and memories...Thanks ';-)
Hagerty, once again fuckin killin it. Don't change please. You're giving the people what we want. Good content is like good weed. It just kinda sells itself. Keep up the fine work.
Had a base model 1985 CRX I bought new and kept for 12 years until an idiot hit me on the drivers front side. Was a carb model with vacuum hoses under the hood going everywhere to enclosed relay boxes. Ran good but a bit under powered (85 hp). Handled very well. The downside was the body construction was a bit flimsy plus the ride could get rough on bumpy washboard roads. Was fun while it lasted.
A base model 2021 Miata starts at $26,830, which isn’t a total bargain, but it is a lot less than the average new car price. CNET reports that the average new car price in June 2021 is over $40k. Hell, I paid $22k for my 1999 Miata touring model brand new 22 years ago.
My first car was a used 89 Civic Si in 93. My best friend got a used 88 CRX Si a year later. We LOVED those cars and really didn't modify the, just enjoyed the hell out of them as our daily drivers. Sadly, being in the North East, between so-so galvanized metal auto makers had at the time, the moisture trapping as shown in the video, and copious amounts of road salt in the winter, rust began eating away at them and we moved on to other cars. But my Si spoiled me for small tossable Honda hatches. Probably the main reason my current DD is a 2012 Fit Sport.
I’m the year 1998 my best friend from high school had a 91 gen SI handed down to him by his dad. Tri star wheels, Erebuni body kit, glass pack muffler that could be heard 4 miles away. It was quick for its time and even in 1998 still had enough street cred that enabled girls and mustangs alike to respect it.
I had a 89 bone stock at 19 years old and traded for an 91 even better condition bone stock with backed tags man I miss these little cars they were so much fun reliable and push them to their limits with no problems, will buy another one in the future for nostalgic reasons maybe a SIR RHD now that I’m going to my 30s and have lots of old man money
I have an euro Si, which is the same as jdm Si I think. Came with the 130hp 1.6 DOHC engine (no cat). Driving it nowadays is fun, must have been nuts in the 80s, when most of the traffic around was slower than it
Bought an Si in Rio Red in 1990 .....brand new....$12K. Drove it for 247,000 miles and sold it for $3500 in 1999. Great little car that routinely got 35 mpg even when you ran the snot out of it. Why can't anyone make a car like this now???
I feel the same way about my 88 mazda mx6 gt turbo in stick, a diamond in the rough, if you can find one. I used to drive an 88 crx i in z Germany on the autobahn. Loved the acceleration to 170 kph. It was very nimble. I wanted to send it back to America in 88, but alas, it was not allowed and I sold it. Upon returning back to the States, I ran across the mazda mx6 gt turbo. It drives different, but still an unique, excellent car, which I still own to today. Ii is practical with a trunk, and you need to wind the engine so the turbo kicks in. The top speed is higher than the crx si. My mazda is still stock.
First Honda I owned and it convinced me that this manufacturer knows how to make an excellent fun car that is incredibly reliable and somehow cheap. I picked up my 88 SI for $500. It was missing a front bumper and the red paint had faded to pink but the lady that drove it maintained it very well. New bumper and fresh paint and it got a lot of attention everywhere. Alas they were apparently a prime target for thieves and as i didn't know how to wire up a kill switch at the time😢 Anyway I loved that car
Did he just recommend we find an old and popular car that is rust free, stock condition, no water damages, no scuff, perfect paint, no repair, for cheap?
It kinda depends on where you live I can find some decent priced SIs where I live with minimal rust and if you have the knowledge to fix the rust then you have a dang nice car
My 88 CRX HF has replacement DOHC ZC engine (Japan only), matching five speed tranny, Integra brakes and suspension, ZC instrumentation, cold AC (non-broken faceplate), Honda alloy 14" wheels (necessary for brake discs), Rear drums gone. 150 mph ZC only speedo, tach with correct 7200 redline. All in perfect working order. And all Honda/Acura. Motor uses almost no oil. Plugs always look good. And plenty of CRX specific parts. Indeed a perfect car. It's a daily driver that will outlast any new car.
I haven’t seen a CRX in ages.. Back in the day when they were new, I actually saw them on occasion. Of course, this was well before the “tuner” days. I can actually remember back then when younger guys that owned these would slam them to the ground, riding on little wide, centerline 5 spokes and would have a couple of 12 inch subwoofers that just barley fit within the rear cargo area, something that would easily get laughed off the face of the earth today.
@@johnjuarez8005 I'm ok with a bit of rice. Just tastefully done wheels with modest suspension work. That's it!!! No tint, no writing on the windows, etc and etc. And definitely no loud exhaust. Maybe catless with a quiet muffler.
One of my best friends in high school had this exact car, just an 89 model. I was jealous. I like it so much I eventually got an 89 Civic hatchback, which was as close as I could get. Still a great car though and I wish I still had it!
I bought one of these in the UK brand new in 1987. It had the 1.6 twin cam at around 125hp. It was a truly fun car to drive. I paid just over £9k for it...,.3 years later I traded it for a new accord (family time) and got £7k in trade in. Wish I'd kept it.
Wow I had exactly this car! God I miss her..it was my first car in 1990. After this I got a stock pelestial blue crx vtec b16a2....nothing fancy and straight to the point: driving it with positive emotions. Now I drive a OEM eudm Integra type r 1999. Beautiful cars❤
I had one: a 1988 CRX Si, bought brand new, my 2nd Honda at the time. I really wish I had kept it, instead of selling it in 97 to get a Civic EX. I only got $1800 for it (I had put over 280k miles on it, though). I'd love to own another, but it's so so hard to find a clean one that hasn't been modified. I'd want an 88: I see in yours it's got the seatbelt through the door. The 88 had it attached only to the B pillar. I think it was a tad lighter because side protection? It is still my favorite car I've ever owned!
This was a nice car. That red Si meant some coolness on the road. Those rear mudflaps w/ the CRX logo meant it arrived with its business card. Why does honda forget its business cards now?
New, exotic, and modified cars are cool. But its so refreshing to see reviews of stock and well maintained old cars. I'm really hoping to see more, especially one for an s13 or s14
1. Looks very good 2. 80s Honda Reliable 3. Practical hatchback 4. Honda common parts 5. Very good handling 6. Not a boring econobox "But your dream car could be anything!"
Every time I take my CRX Si out to a meet, this is pretty much word for word what "muscle car guys" tell me. I'm not sure I believe they actually felt that way back in the day, but I'm fairly certain nowadays car enthusiasts of any kind recognize great engineering. CRX is fantastically engineered.
@@mikecoulter5243 I graduated high school in 1992 in Scottsdale Arizona. Having a CRXSI back then was very cool however they were treated horribly and were considered junk throwaway cars by many people. If I would’ve owned one it would still be pristine!
Thanks, loved the video. I had a 91 CRX Si and I really miss it. And it was red just like the one shown here. I'd buy one to restore for fun, but the market is horrible these days, so I'd rather just watch videos like these instead. 😅
My very first brand new car was a 1987 CRX Si. It wasn't the best performing car of its day, but it was loads of fun. Road & Track magazine used to publish an annual Sports & GT Cars compilation issue. In 1987 they tested the likes of the Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Turbo Esprit, Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Turbo, among many others. But it was the little CRX Si that was fastest of all through the slalom course - a good indicator of the fun it was capable of delivering The biggest problem when it comes to the CRX these days is likely to be finding an unmolested example like the one seen in this video.
I'm really not sure it should be called a sports car. It's a great hot hatch, no doubt, but the Miata for example would be a sports car. This...a sporty economy car. Nonetheless, great commentary. We have none left here in Canada; they've been turned to dust a LONG time ago from the rear fenders, like every other 90s Honda. Even when I was a kid working @ a fast food restaurant, my store manager drove me home once in his CRX of about the same vintage (probably a 1991 or something like that) and it was a beater; 17" wheels, massive subwoofer, deafening exhaust. A real pos. Couldn't get over how big it was for such a small car though. Those days are over.
My First car was an '82 Accord 2 door hatchback. It was 1988, the same year the second Gen CRX. I would be lying if I said I didn't want one. Bring them back!
LOVED MY 88 CRX Si, drove it till it legit died at 220k of HARD miles, nearly every shift at redline. Rust Ate it as It made Ski trips to Vt weekly. CRX with Snowtires... front only... hahaha Don't Do It!!! 65mph 360 on highway from wind gust.... and yeah stock is great, but it sounds wonderful with an intake.
I bought a Prelude new in ‘84. Buddy bought a first gen CRX. My take on Honda back then was they interpreted the best of European sports coupes while Toyota was more of an interpretation of an American car. Those old Honda’s sure were fun to drive.
I have an 88 CRX in mint condition in my garage here in Melbourne Australia. Bought it new, never intend on selling it. 68000Miles on the clock and 100% OEM.
Having been born in 1980 and whose high school years were the late 90s, I wouldn’t trade the era of Honda/Toyota/Datsun/Nissan from the mid-80s to the late 90s for any other era in the history of the automotive industry. That may sound silly to some. Especially when compared to the Detroit muscle car era. Or even the latest era. But I’m telling you that between the mid to late 80s and the mid to late 90s with the all the models and trim levels of Accord, Civic, Maxima, Z, Supra, Toyota p/u and 4Runner, Integra, CRX, and(best of all) Prelude.. nothing tops that. It was the perfect balance of performance, economics, ability to upgrade cheaply, reliability, etc..
I almost sold mine last year for $4k and I'm glad I didn't. I love the way my CRX drives and handles, it's a dream. I just replaced the headgasket about 6 months ago and no more over heating now. I love my CRX. Oh and BTW, my CRX has almost 400,000 miles on her.
Me too, I took down the auction and now Im keeping it forever.
Love the way these cars looked, definitely deserves the recognition
Still looks good. It looks better than most cars made today.
Liked the look of my 90 civic si better than the crx si.
Yeah it's retro, but a still nice looking timeless car design. This ages well. Looks way more interest than many but more modern hatches than this one.
@@Teknakill tf is that?
Let down alert - this video example is near perfect. Having bought and owned several, you'll have to decide *how much* imperfection is acceptable.
99% are clapped beyond belief
They suffer from either rust, neglect, or some idiot's idea of "upgrades".
Indeed.
near perfect. Glass headlights don't fade like plastic ones lol
I’m currently at that stage where I just want complete trash but it still runs
I never thought I'd say this, but I agree; 108hp is probably perfect for this car.
In Japan these had the b16 VTEC with 160hp.
Shes needs a 160hp b16
@@jalee6587 In Japan these had ZC with 130hp and B16 with 160, just like in Europe
In Japan you had the EF6 Base model D15B Dual Carb with 105ps and EF7 Si 130ps and EF8 SIR B16 160ps. You deffo want at least the 130ps
When he said some of the CRX’s lasted 300,000 miles, my 1991 Honda CRX DX model with the automatic transmission lasted close to 275,000 miles. I loved that car. I went from Texas to Canada three or four times when the car was new. And the last road trips that the car made was in 2001 to 2004 from Texas to Las Vegas to Los Angeles. It was glorious. Thank you Honda.
I'm holding on to my '91 Civic SI and drive it near daily. Basically the same car with rear seats (without the theft appeal). But living in upstate NY, it'll never Ever look that nice. Always a joy and glad to see they get the appreciation they deserve.
This channel continues to impress me literally every day.
I remember when i graduated high school in 2008 these were going for 1500 on craigslist. the base model crx’s would go for 1000
I remember when a shell was still a few hundred bucks ten years ago.
@Gerald kope Yes because you have been carefully following Craigslist CRX pricing in every state over the past decade and a half. You would know.
yup grabbed one in 2010 as my first car with a b16 for 1500 bucks and came with a set of slicks haha
@@shikakabubu no, its the truth. I find these inflated values now pretty hilarious.
@@djkenny1202 im sad. Car cultures ruined for me. All my dream cars are 10k plus. They used to go for 2
I wish manufacturers would/could reissue cars like this. I’d buy one of these tomorrow over anything else in their current lineup.
I've been thinking that for a while -- they should reissue/"remaster" classic Japanese cars.
Government mandated safety features wouldn't allow it. I'd love to have one though.
@@xxczerxx There is/was the CRZ.
@@imspacedout Yep, C.A.F.E standards.
Need to get the government out of our way
I had a base CRX for a few years in the early 2010s. Even though it wasn't an Si it still drove and handled very well. The steering and shifter were amazing. It's lightweight meant even though it only had 90 hp it still wasn't unbearably slow.
What I really miss about these cars is the simplicity! No touchscreen, no 40 buttons around you... You turn the key, shift into 1st, and smile all the way throug 5th... And that reliability... Hummm... Reliable... Cars need to look back not only in design...
Understood. I loathe the infotainment systems found in vehicles these days. At a minimum, I wish that they were at least an option that could be excluded.
@@VirtualGuth damn right... gimme a double din slot for the radio.. And manual AC controls... No more is needed...
@@NiPPonD3nZ0 The amount of technology in cars today is disappointing to many of us. For others, the heavy implementation of technology in their cars simply falls into line with all of the other products they buy. It's hard to imagine the amount of change that will take place in the automotive world in the near future. Manufacturers are abandoning the internal combustion engine over the next decade or two. In another 30 years, the world will be an entirely different place when it comes to the vehicles we see out on our roads. How long it will be until people lose the ability to drive themselves is anyone's guess. Crazy times.
And doing valve adjustment, turn 90°...easy to work on
I appreciate the commitment to finding stock (or near stock) examples of each car you show in this buyer's guide series. Some cars are near impossible to find stock, especially these, the civics and integras from the 90's.
I really love CRX but cannot find one in perfect shape, so i bought brand new CR-Z back in 2012 and i am really happy about my decision
6 spd with the Supercharger?
cr-z lol
@@salazam2 years old comment lol
@@lukasraus3391 says the guy that bought a cr-z
@@salazam says quality content creator :D
Wish I still had my '91 Civic DX hatch 5-speed. Nothing EVER went wrong and killer mileage. For getting around town it would still rule today.
Own only if you have a garage…cause CRX’s are a robbers delight
Yup, someone tried to steal mine, popped the door lock, broke the ignition lock but, thankfully couldn't get it started. Damage done though.
In the 90's I could not imagine why anyone else would buy something else in that price range.
You either bought a crx or used public transport.
(ok ok, I do like many more cars, but you get my point) :)
I won't leave mine anywhere outside if I'm not there with it!
@@chrischapman9251 ooh, you got lucky, there. mine was stolen but recovered 3 days later with a blown engine and clutch, which I've replaced and had a kill switch installed.
not when it is in manual...
Carfax on a CRX.. LOL! In all seriousness, there's less than a dozen still in existence that nice..
youd be surprised how dedicated its community is to keep these clean. crx parts are extremely expensive but they still sell frequently
I know of a dozen myself. There's bound to be some more out there.
And Honda probably owns one of those.
Bought a '85 CRX SI new. Incredible car, 96 hp and weighed less than 2K lbs. Currently own a unmolested '91 NSX , 53K miles. Not a bad ride either
Hello, it's been a good 2 years since you've commented this... but would you say the NSX's drive feel is similar to the CRX's?
Really apples and oranges between the two. CRX, really light/nimble decently quick for the time. A slightly faster 0-60 than my brother's 300Z (96hp isn't going to pin you to your seat). NSX is just a very different, feels more substantial. Heavier but still tight and geez the V6 over your shoulder when your get into higher rpms is music.
I've got three cars and I still would love to have the CRX back. @@m0nsterman1221
@@m0nsterman1221 Dude doesn't own those cars. It's the internet. People lie.
In Germany they had 130hp in a 1.6 DOHC high rev engine. That was my first car and it was really fast and fun!
Excellent review of an excellent car! Colin did great in covering what makes these cars so special. Light, affordable, reliable, and sporty! Wish they were more common, today.
My first honda back in 1995 as a high schooler, awesome car, ended up getting an EF hatch after the CRX was stolen. 👍
I've had one for years, I love it. I got it with the dual-cam ZC swap already done to it, and let me tell you, it's a real treat. Yeah, it'd be super cool with a VTEC engine swap, but the ZC is a really nice little engine even though it's a bit tricky to get parts for, lol
My JDM Si has the ZC in it. Bisimoto made a great set of cams for them. Really brings that engine to life.
Good ol days of zc motor swap. I was going to help my buddy with his crx si with that swap.... till he totalled the car. What a shame his was in really good shape
Hey this is probably never gonna happen but if you ever plan on selling it please let me know.
@@ef7andapp170so jealous of you man
I have an 88 si in pretty darn good shape with some rare options. I’m glad I held on to parts for as long as I did! 😎 I love my CRX!
Bro an 88 Si is literally my dream model year, if you ever plan to sell it please let me know!!
Even as a “snobby” Porsche (boxster lol) owner, I love that these cool Honda’s are being recognized. Clean sport model Honda’s are awesome
Sorry I stopped reading at "boxster"
i’m glad a picked up a decently clean one for 1200. i love my crx
How long ago?
@@joshuagibson2520 you can still find them cheap it just takes time I bought mine for 1,100 no where near perfect but it’s a fun project
I love the black strip going around the car, it contrasts very well with sliver paint
Today, while the Miata isn't cheap and it really never was, the base model is in the "affordable" range.
As the new car average transaction price is now over $41k in the U.S., it's probably safe to include some of the higher trim level Miatas as "affordable." But how one defines affordability certainly plays a role.
What a great series. Well done! I used to own a 1986 Honda CRX. I LOVED that car! It was a sad day when I had to let it go. It was my daily and I drove it until I could not drive it anymore. Between the cost of repairs and a growing young family, I could not keep it. I righted that wrong with my 2019 Honda Civic Type R. This car is never leaving the family and no mods here. I am just going to keep it clean, keep it maintained and drive it! Well done!
"Had to let it go"
So the wife told you to get rid of it, huh? WHPPPSSSSHHHH!
@@salazam You are 100% correct :( On the plus side, she did give me the green light to get the Type R :)
@@malcolmar You need to take the reins back, buddy. Sounds like she makes you sit down to pee.
@@malcolmar P.S. I understand though, same thing happened with my RX-7. This is how we learn.
@@salazam Yep. That is when she says it is OK for me to use the bathroom. LOL! You get it. BTW I feel your pain over losing your RX-7.
I had a 1991 Honda CRX HF. It got over 60mpgs reliably. Best I ever got was 64.1 MPGs. But no power steering, no A/C, really weak going up hill, and lastly, you got no respect on the road. People would cut in front of you or cut you off all the time. Other than that, I loved my little CRX.
I had a 1989 CRX Si that looked exactly like this one! That was still my favorite ever car. Wish I still had it.
I had a 1988 HF for 24 years. I loved that car. I am 6'10" and I fit. Sadly rust took it from us. I replaced the floor pan 2012 but that wasn't stopping its deterioration. North East winters are tough on cars. CR-X HF would get 49 mpg on long road trips. It was fun and could be chucked around like a motorcycle.
Should have undercoated it and washed the underside off after every few drives.
@@mackcummy4976 I had undercoated it in 1990. It lived a hard life before I got it.
I bought a 89 CRX HF in the early 90's. It had 150k on it and I paid $900 for it. I put an additional 100k on it and only had to replace tires and both cv axles. That car was indestructable. What a blast to drive. I traded it for a 92 civic hatchback from some dirt lot. It died the day I drove it home. Should have kept the CRX.
Loved these cars as a teenager in the late eighties... my English Lit. teacher had one and would joke "I own a Ferrari that begins with an H." Honda should have stayed the course with the CRZ instead of having all the Hybrid systems adding weight and complexity...the HF versions of the CRX were the first Hyper Miling Champs.
I remember the CRX Si well. My dad bought an 88 Si new and my friends and I have great memories driving his “crotch rocket” around town and being stupid (but not too stupid). For FWD it was very balanced and you could kick the rear end out on a bumpy corner. A few years later I bought myself an SW20 MR2 turbo and never looked back LOL. I still have a 2 seater but it’s not a daily driver (gen2 NSX)
I have a EF hatch now that I daily but thinking of getting a sw20 mr2 as my second "fun car" for the track and weekend fun. How has your experience been with the mr2? Is the snap oversteer so bad it would stop you from holding a drift?
Nice story
"crotch rocket"
I don't think you know what that term means.
Back when 'enough' power was good enough for sporty cars.
Meanwhile japan is still making 64 horsepower economy sports cars
For Asia
But the new copen may go into europe
But then, the CRX Si in those days weighed under 2,200 pounds....
@@ocallaghan3865 I fortunately/unfortunately live in the US where companies like to draw lotteries on whether they will sell their cool cars here or not.
@@Sacto1654 I think my '85 weighed 1960 lbs
There are multiple new kei hatchbacks are weighing in at around 700kg or 1,500lbs
There is a reason why japan is considerd number 1 at transportation
The new kei hatchbacks get 68MPG as the bottom line of there average efficiency
I had one of these as my first car in nyc. I loved it. Bought it for $500 in 2005. Sold it to my cousin, who still has it, for $750. He has upgrade everything on it and I got to drive it last summer when I visited him. Brought back so many memories. But a light weight 2 seater sports car does exist -> Miata.
hello, I had four ,two mk1 with the famous Zc1 of 125hp and two mk2 in vtec EE8 150hp ,both models are fantastic. The ZC1 were bright and light the heavier EE8 but the sound of the aditictif vtec! j' have one again in superb condition ...from france good road in Honda
Shame the US missed out on the DOHC engine
In one way yes, but it also created the entire trend of engine swapping JDM cars (and Hondas in particular) which started in SoCal as a result. We wouldn't have companies like HaSport today if the US got a B16-powered Civic all throughout the 90s.
My 90 CIvic Si has a B20 motor in it.
But D16 is so easy to fix.
@@2damaxmr2 - Truth. Single cam boost is the way to go, unless you only want NA purity.
@@crxtodd16 Even B series are easy to fix. I had EG hatchback with B16A it was a absolute blast to drive.
I need to correct the guy in the video on one small point; although a great review. In 1984, there was a 1.3 AND a 1.5L 12 valve / carbureted. I had an ‘84 1.5 bought new. It was near perfection - although I daily drive an ‘05 Miata these days, I still have the urge, all these years later, to find a clean, near stock (unicorn) ‘91 CRX Si.
Simpler is always better!
I used to take the CRX-Si's each summer as my Company Demo as a Parts Manager at a Franchised Honda Dealership in WNY! After the CRX's demise and subsequent replacement it the DelSol I reluctantly went that route, but always missed and revered the 88-91 CRX-Si's of yesteryear! Nice Piece and memories...Thanks ';-)
My buddy had one just like this in high-school...that car cornered like a monster and was super fun...
Use to have one. Great little car. The headlights are glass so they never fade. Just wipe them once a month with spray wax.
Hagerty, once again fuckin killin it. Don't change please. You're giving the people what we want. Good content is like good weed. It just kinda sells itself. Keep up the fine work.
I Have two and My Sons and I are About to Do Them Up Great Car the Honda CRX
Nothing like it
I owned a CRX for about 10 years. They are ok stock but modifications is what make them great. Done well, they are much better.
Exactly.
B series swap was very popular back in the 2000's. Very capable car for the money at the time.
Had a base model 1985 CRX I bought new and kept for 12 years until an idiot hit me on the drivers front side. Was a carb model with vacuum hoses under the hood going everywhere to enclosed relay boxes. Ran good but a bit under powered (85 hp). Handled very well. The downside was the body construction was a bit flimsy plus the ride could get rough on bumpy washboard roads. Was fun while it lasted.
A base model 2021 Miata starts at $26,830, which isn’t a total bargain, but it is a lot less than the average new car price. CNET reports that the average new car price in June 2021 is over $40k. Hell, I paid $22k for my 1999 Miata touring model brand new 22 years ago.
My first car was a used 89 Civic Si in 93. My best friend got a used 88 CRX Si a year later. We LOVED those cars and really didn't modify the, just enjoyed the hell out of them as our daily drivers. Sadly, being in the North East, between so-so galvanized metal auto makers had at the time, the moisture trapping as shown in the video, and copious amounts of road salt in the winter, rust began eating away at them and we moved on to other cars. But my Si spoiled me for small tossable Honda hatches. Probably the main reason my current DD is a 2012 Fit Sport.
I’m the year 1998 my best friend from high school had a 91 gen SI handed down to him by his dad. Tri star wheels, Erebuni body kit, glass pack muffler that could be heard 4 miles away. It was quick for its time and even in 1998 still had enough street cred that enabled girls and mustangs alike to respect it.
B16 VTEC is a very desirable swap for these. If it has one in good condition, and the swap was done well then it's a serious +
I agree but any b series swap would be a huge deal for a car that is light as the crx
I had a 89 bone stock at 19 years old and traded for an 91 even better condition bone stock with backed tags man I miss these little cars they were so much fun reliable and push them to their limits with no problems, will buy another one in the future for nostalgic reasons maybe a SIR RHD now that I’m going to my 30s and have lots of old man money
Got my 89 si in the garage all cozy.
I had a 90’ and loved it. They need to make these cars again and don’t change a thing.
I have an euro Si, which is the same as jdm Si I think. Came with the 130hp 1.6 DOHC engine (no cat).
Driving it nowadays is fun, must have been nuts in the 80s, when most of the traffic around was slower than it
Bro please let me know if you ever plan to sell it.
Miss my silver 91 Si Special Edition. Great car. Loved those seats.
Bought an Si in Rio Red in 1990 .....brand new....$12K. Drove it for 247,000 miles and sold it for $3500 in 1999. Great little car that routinely got 35 mpg even when you ran the snot out of it. Why can't anyone make a car like this now???
Maybe you shouldn't have sold it
I feel the same way about my 88 mazda mx6 gt turbo in stick, a diamond in the rough, if you can find one.
I used to drive an 88 crx i in z
Germany on the autobahn. Loved the acceleration to 170 kph. It was very nimble. I wanted to send it back to America in 88, but alas, it was not allowed and I sold it. Upon returning back to the States, I ran across the mazda mx6 gt turbo. It drives different, but still an unique, excellent car, which I still own to today. Ii is practical with a trunk, and you need to wind the engine so the turbo kicks in. The top speed is higher than the crx si. My mazda is still stock.
First Honda I owned and it convinced me that this manufacturer knows how to make an excellent fun car that is incredibly reliable and somehow cheap. I picked up my 88 SI for $500. It was missing a front bumper and the red paint had faded to pink but the lady that drove it maintained it very well. New bumper and fresh paint and it got a lot of attention everywhere. Alas they were apparently a prime target for thieves and as i didn't know how to wire up a kill switch at the time😢
Anyway I loved that car
Did he just recommend we find an old and popular car that is rust free, stock condition, no water damages, no scuff, perfect paint, no repair, for cheap?
It kinda depends on where you live I can find some decent priced SIs where I live with minimal rust and if you have the knowledge to fix the rust then you have a dang nice car
My first car was a new CRX and this video really gets me. I’d love to have another.
My 88 CRX HF has replacement DOHC ZC engine (Japan only), matching five speed tranny, Integra brakes and suspension, ZC instrumentation, cold AC (non-broken faceplate), Honda alloy 14" wheels (necessary for brake discs), Rear drums gone. 150 mph ZC only speedo, tach with correct 7200 redline. All in perfect working order. And all Honda/Acura. Motor uses almost no oil. Plugs always look good. And plenty of CRX specific parts. Indeed a perfect car. It's a daily driver that will outlast any new car.
I haven’t seen a CRX in ages.. Back in the day when they were new, I actually saw them on occasion. Of course, this was well before the “tuner” days. I can actually remember back then when younger guys that owned these would slam them to the ground, riding on little wide, centerline 5 spokes and would have a couple of 12 inch subwoofers that just barley fit within the rear cargo area, something that would easily get laughed off the face of the earth today.
Finding a non-riced out one is gonna be hard af to find.
Moderately riced ones are KOOL!
@@johnjuarez8005 I'm ok with a bit of rice. Just tastefully done wheels with modest suspension work. That's it!!! No tint, no writing on the windows, etc and etc. And definitely no loud exhaust. Maybe catless with a quiet muffler.
Hard to find is an under statement. You can find a MKIV Supra easier than this car.
@@cgreenfield6655 the fart can muffler can always be fixed just as long as its not to the point that its difficult to make it oem or oem +
Honestly even a B16/18 or K swap as long as it was done properly is another option.
The last nail in the coffin of attainability is hammered in when Hagerty makes a video about the car.
they definitely have some motivations for getting prices to rise on cars that are still affordable.
One of my best friends in high school had this exact car, just an 89 model. I was jealous. I like it so much I eventually got an 89 Civic hatchback, which was as close as I could get. Still a great car though and I wish I still had it!
Yep almost everyone from my high school had civic hatchback. Although there was a girl that was driving a red crx si like the one in the video.
Bought a brand new 1989 Honda CRX Si.....My favorite car I've ever had.
As a teenager at the brink of his drivers license, I always wanted a CRX. The customized ones in Germany looked so sick back then.
Owner of a minty EF hatch here. The headlights will never dull. They're glass.
I bought one of these in the UK brand new in 1987. It had the 1.6 twin cam at around 125hp. It was a truly fun car to drive. I paid just over £9k for it...,.3 years later I traded it for a new accord (family time) and got £7k in trade in. Wish I'd kept it.
Wow I had exactly this car! God I miss her..it was my first car in 1990. After this I got a stock pelestial blue crx vtec b16a2....nothing fancy and straight to the point: driving it with positive emotions. Now I drive a OEM eudm Integra type r 1999.
Beautiful cars❤
I had one: a 1988 CRX Si, bought brand new, my 2nd Honda at the time. I really wish I had kept it, instead of selling it in 97 to get a Civic EX. I only got $1800 for it (I had put over 280k miles on it, though). I'd love to own another, but it's so so hard to find a clean one that hasn't been modified. I'd want an 88: I see in yours it's got the seatbelt through the door. The 88 had it attached only to the B pillar. I think it was a tad lighter because side protection? It is still my favorite car I've ever owned!
This was a nice car. That red Si meant some coolness on the road. Those rear mudflaps w/ the CRX logo meant it arrived with its business card. Why does honda forget its business cards now?
New, exotic, and modified cars are cool. But its so refreshing to see reviews of stock and well maintained old cars. I'm really hoping to see more, especially one for an s13 or s14
1. Looks very good
2. 80s Honda Reliable
3. Practical hatchback
4. Honda common parts
5. Very good handling
6. Not a boring econobox
"But your dream car could be anything!"
I still own my 1984 blue Honda CRX HF
"bigger, wider" Hahaha I lost my CRX so many times in parking lots, only to find it behind a Corolla or Civic. My most favorite car I have ever owned.
We were into muscle cars back then but I always loved the CRX SI!
Every time I take my CRX Si out to a meet, this is pretty much word for word what "muscle car guys" tell me. I'm not sure I believe they actually felt that way back in the day, but I'm fairly certain nowadays car enthusiasts of any kind recognize great engineering. CRX is fantastically engineered.
@@mikecoulter5243 I graduated high school in 1992 in Scottsdale Arizona. Having a CRXSI back then was very cool however they were treated horribly and were considered junk throwaway cars by many people. If I would’ve owned one it would still be pristine!
This was my first brand new car! A red 1990 Honda Civic CRX, but I had the HF. It got well into the 50s mpg. I miss that car.
Thanks, loved the video. I had a 91 CRX Si and I really miss it. And it was red just like the one shown here. I'd buy one to restore for fun, but the market is horrible these days, so I'd rather just watch videos like these instead. 😅
My very first brand new car was a 1987 CRX Si. It wasn't the best performing car of its day, but it was loads of fun. Road & Track magazine used to publish an annual Sports & GT Cars compilation issue. In 1987 they tested the likes of the Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Turbo Esprit, Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Turbo, among many others. But it was the little CRX Si that was fastest of all through the slalom course - a good indicator of the fun it was capable of delivering The biggest problem when it comes to the CRX these days is likely to be finding an unmolested example like the one seen in this video.
I'm really not sure it should be called a sports car. It's a great hot hatch, no doubt, but the Miata for example would be a sports car. This...a sporty economy car.
Nonetheless, great commentary. We have none left here in Canada; they've been turned to dust a LONG time ago from the rear fenders, like every other 90s Honda. Even when I was a kid working @ a fast food restaurant, my store manager drove me home once in his CRX of about the same vintage (probably a 1991 or something like that) and it was a beater; 17" wheels, massive subwoofer, deafening exhaust. A real pos. Couldn't get over how big it was for such a small car though. Those days are over.
18000 is a great deal. Beautiful car man
My First car was an '82 Accord 2 door hatchback. It was 1988, the same year the second Gen CRX. I would be lying if I said I didn't want one.
Bring them back!
You have to do the B16 swap that is much fun.
I drove a stock 84 a couple of times. It was like driving a go cart but not in a bad way.
It was fun.
LOVED MY 88 CRX Si, drove it till it legit died at 220k of HARD miles,
nearly every shift at redline.
Rust Ate it as It made Ski trips to Vt weekly.
CRX with Snowtires... front only... hahaha Don't Do It!!! 65mph 360 on highway from wind gust....
and yeah stock is great, but it sounds wonderful with an intake.
I bought a Prelude new in ‘84. Buddy bought a first gen CRX. My take on Honda back then was they interpreted the best of European sports coupes while Toyota was more of an interpretation of an American car. Those old Honda’s sure were fun to drive.
In Japan these had the b16 VTEC with 160hp.
I had an 88 CRX DX for a decade. I miss it dearly and wish we took better care of it.
These are the pinnacle of the pre-survivable crash era.
LOL was thinking the same thing.
super fun...just...don't hit anything.
My high school buddy that had the crx si. He totalled it at high speed and he survived with very minor injury.
My dad used to own this car. Sold it to buy a minivan, but it’s beautiful. Wish he kept it.
Put a D16A6 in my base model 89 and slight suspension work. Have had her since 1994. My Girl.
Im a Z28 guy, but I riced a bunch of these into the 11's in the late 90s early 2000s. Fun in a straight line. Over steer sucks in corners though.
I had one...it was amazing...quick..it was my first Honda...loved it
My grandmother, yes grandmother, had one of these, and if I remember it was red. She always had small sporty Hondas.
Despite being an old car, this CRX is in tiptop condition. I had one in the late 90s, early 2000s.
I have an 88 CRX in mint condition in my garage here in Melbourne Australia. Bought it new, never intend on selling it. 68000Miles on the clock and 100% OEM.
What color? I had an 88 SI too, years ago. Barbados Yellow. Sold it with 60,000 miles. I kick myself every day.
I bought a 1988 Honda Civic DX Hatchback new. It was just under 9k and the factory, but dealer installed air was $500 option.
Having been born in 1980 and whose high school years were the late 90s, I wouldn’t trade the era of Honda/Toyota/Datsun/Nissan from the mid-80s to the late 90s for any other era in the history of the automotive industry. That may sound silly to some. Especially when compared to the Detroit muscle car era. Or even the latest era. But I’m telling you that between the mid to late 80s and the mid to late 90s with the all the models and trim levels of Accord, Civic, Maxima, Z, Supra, Toyota p/u and 4Runner, Integra, CRX, and(best of all) Prelude.. nothing tops that. It was the perfect balance of performance, economics, ability to upgrade cheaply, reliability, etc..
This was great, keep 'em coming, Colin!
Had 1 for 9 yrs. Once fit me, my buddy, and 7 girls in it! That was before I outfitted it with 8 12” JL subs.