1993 Honda del Sol S from North America

Summary:

Sporty compact at a great price

Faults:

I had a leak problem around driver's side door like most other '93 Sols.

General Comments:

Handled like a dream around curves.

Handles and looks like a sports car, but insurance classifies it as a regular civic, can't beat that!

I told my mother it liked to speed, she didn't believe me, took it for a test drive. She said I was right.

Trunk is very roomy. fit enough stuff for a 3 day camping trip, and still had room for the roof in the trunk rack.

Got incredible gas mileage.

Loved the car, but in the snow it handled poorly.

Would love to get another one, gotta convince wife on this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2005

1993 Honda del Sol Si from North America

Summary:

This car has a dignified beauty and style.

Faults:

When I bought the car it needed new tires; other than that there is nothing wrong.

General Comments:

All I can say is wow...

Take a Honda, a manual transmission, a car that is made into a convertible very easily and you get the most wonderful car ever to own and or drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th July, 2005

1993 Honda del Sol ESi 1.6 SOHC from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic cheeky little hardtop convertible

Faults:

Interior plastics a bit brittle:

Centre console ashtray cover broken.

Easy to catch your foot on the glove-box and tear it out.

General Comments:

Great car, if a little underpowered, get the SiR (import) or VTi versions to get the fantastic DOHC VTEC engine if possible.

Handles very well, especially with the roof on.

Don't be too put off by an automatic, the Honda autoboxes are exceptionally smooth and responsive.

The 'trans-top' electrical roof looks cool, but is expensive to repair, stick with the manual roof like I had - it gives you more boot space, a lighter car, and you can take it off quicker than the electrical one works anyway.

Tip: buy some thick gardening gloves for taking the roof off after it's been in the sun or you'll burn yourself!

Best of all these cars are an absolute bargain at the moment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd June, 2005

1993 Honda del Sol Si 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Its trouble, but I love it

Faults:

Driver side has a minor leak.

Fuel filter got clogged.

General Comments:

Everything is fine. I love this car. My only problem is that I can't find a AWD or 4WD conversion for it. Other than that, it's a great car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2005

1st Jun 2005, 21:58

I wonder if there's a way to adapt the drivetrain from the older 4x4 Civic miniwagon. Would probably take a whole lot of machine work to say the least.

24th Mar 2009, 22:10

4wd is hybrid of CR-V and Honda Wagovan powertrain/drivetrain/suspension. A large task, but possible, you use the B series dual cam motor.

1993 Honda del Sol Non-VTEC from North America

Summary:

A true Energizer Bunny

Faults:

Timing Belt @ 90,000.

Timing Belt @ 180,000.

Radiator @ 260,000.

Timing Belt @ 270,000. Everything else to date is original, save plugs, oil lubricants and filters.

Driver's seat wearing slightly on the outboard wing edge.

General Comments:

46 mpg city or highway, doesn't matter. So much room I can play racquetball inside. Dry as a bone on all seals and gaskets. Adequate acceleration even at 12 years old. Will definitely keep her for life. Thanks Honda!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2005

1st Aug 2005, 08:02

We have owned 3 of these, 93 S, 93 Si and 97 S all with manual transmissions and the best my boys and I ever got was 37 MPG. Somehow 46 MPG does not seem all that accurate.

20th Aug 2005, 07:33

46 mpg? The most I am ever able to get is 40 mpg, and that is only if they are all highway miles. Daily around the city I average about 36. All in all, still great mileage when gas is $2.60 a gallon!

28th Oct 2006, 21:27

Yes, I agree with other comments provided to this review.

There is absolutely no way that an unmodified Honda Civic del sol S with a 1.5 liter engine will get more than 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Expect even less miles per gallon driving around town.

If you use your air-conditioner most of the time around town expect your mileage to drop down from around 29 to 30 miles per gallon to around 24 to 27 miles per gallon ...on the highway it might not be that noticable but there is no way that a stock 1.5 liter del sol model S will get more than 39 miles per gallon on the highway with your air-conditioner on.

With all respect to the original contributor of this article expect what he provided to be slightly more than exaggeration!