I’ve been through too many cars in the past year. It started last April when I sold my 00’ Phoenix Yello Acura Integra Type R (I loved that car and wish I still had it). Then I bought a blue pearl 03’ Subaru WRX but had to sell it a few months later. I bought a 96’ Civic to get me around for a while, then I sold that to a friend and used my girlfriend’s car (Integra). I’ve been wanting another new car, but I don’t have $30K to spend on a new EVO, STi or RX8, so I decided to get something affordable, reliable and something I could stand to keep for a while.
So this past weekend, I found this mint 1989 Honda CRX Si. It’s so much fun to drive! It reminds me of my Type R, and when I’m done, it’ll have much more performance (for fun on the street) and I’ll have my stereo system put back in (boy, how I miss my tunes). And it will sound unbelievable in this little car. Hella sweet!
Wow. I’m not sure what I am looking at. I don’t see the mower deck. Is it a bicycle? Wait, I don’t see the pedals. Is it a go-kart? Ok, I give up. What is it?
Outside of the Rx-8, you seem to be drawn to the uglier cars out there…
I am kind of the same way to some extent, for some reason I love the WRXs. But they are ugly as sin. Perhaps that is part of the charm.
However, the EVO just does not do it for me. I saw one a few months ago and the other day…no charm in that. Looks better in photos for some reason.
Although, for UNDER 30k you can get a beautiful Z, sporting a non-aspirated V6 (287hp - more HP than the turboed cars (WRX and EVO) you mentioned). The NA V-6 of course means a much higher performance ceiling than the others you mentioned - add the upcoming and relatively inexpensive chip (and possibly a SC (I think NISMO has been playing with both TC and SC…the SC would be pretty inexpensive and less problematic than TC), and you will not only kill most of the cars you mentioned (in similar moded form from a $$ perspective), you could also have a vanity plate made to say: “VETE KLR”
(although, I can say a lot of the same things about the RX-8 as I don’t believe that is turboed. I have always loved the RX line and the rotarys…if they were available at the time I got my Z, I would have had a tough time deciding which to get)
Also, I am not sure how true this is, but I heard you can get a Hyandai Tiburon and have a dealer install a SC (for ~$1k). The Tiburon is an attractive car and with the SC, you’d be right up there with the others for probably a little less. Now that would be fun to go at it with these other cars in a Tiburon and keep up! Other people would be like "WTF??? A Tiburon? A Tiburon??? " Like I said, I am not sure how true the dealer installed SC is…just a rumor I heard.
The CRX is a fun lil car…just don’t rice it up too much. AND for crying out loud, do not…DO NOT…put a coffee can exhaust on it! It does not make you FASTER or more FURIOUS. You’ll just look silly and we’ll call you little Vin from now on!
I’d rather have an ugly car that peforms well than a pretty car that is all show and no go. But I don’t think the EVO is ugly. I actually prefer the look of the EVO over the WRX and STi. But you know how it is, it’s all personal preference.
I know I didn’t mention it, but the new 350Z was something I had considered. But I’m just not as interested in the car. Yes, it’s impressive and looks good and performs well for the money, but for the price, I’d rather have AWD over RWD anyday. Not to mention that the EVO and STi have more room inside. To me, the 350z looks too much like an Audi TT. Another impressive car, but not what I would want in that price bracket.
Nope, the RX8 is NA. Very impressive (still not crazy about the rear doors) and looks pretty good and has addressed the problems they had in the third gen. RX7’s. Also, there is talk of a turbocharged version in the future (same goes for the 350z).
I have no idea on the price of the SC. But I think the Tiburon is absolutely horrible looking. It’s also too heavy, and it’s a Hyundai. Sorry, but I’m not buying or driving a Hyundai. I’m strictly into Japanese-made cars and prefer their reliability, performance and looks.
When I bought the car, it already had an AEM CAI and an exhaust. It sounds good (nice, low rumble). Don’t worry, I’ll keep it looking stock for the most part. As I am not into the “rice boy” market of fancy headlights, stickers and other crap that makes the car look ugly and not perform any differently. I’d rather look stock and kill people if they decide to race me.
My future plans include an engine swap (B16A or B18C). I’ll decide whether to keep it NA or add a SC or TC at that time. With a 2,000 pound car (or less) and 150-200hp to the wheels, it will be fast. My friend has two CRX’s. One is an every day driver. The other he uses as a race car. He has an Integra LS motor with a 50-shot of NOS. He runs 12’s at the track. Not bad at all. I won’t do any track racing, but I want more street performance.
And I can get quite a bit of performance out of this little car than cars that cost $30K or more. We’ll see how it goes!
Nate, I think she is a beauty ! Looks very mint ! I think that was one of Honda’s best models, and they never should have discontinued it. Great fun for the price/fuel economy. My wife made me trade in my Integra GS-R for an Outback wagon, and I really miss the Integra.
If you don’t mind me askin, how much did she cost you ?
Yes, it is one of Honda’s best models/engines. The car is in mint condition. Original paint (car has been garaged), interior is nearly perfect except for a few holes in the door panel where the original owner tried to install power windows. I’ll have them filled or replace them.
Engine is in great shape. It has 157K miles, and it needs some routine maintenance (150K service, left axel, master cylinder). My friend who works for Acura and owns two CRX’s (one that he races - has an Integra LS motor with NOS and runs 12’s) said he can do any maintenance work for me on the side. So next week, we’re basically changing/replacing/fixing almost everything in the engine. It’ll practically be brand new. That will hold me over until I do an engine swap down the road.
I tried to talk the guy down, but he wouldn’t go lower than $4,000. It was still a great deal considering there are only three small dings on the exterior, paint is perfect, clean inside and out, reliable, clean and maintained mechanically. A worthy purchase for me. It’s fun to drive and reminds me of my Type R that I had and loved so dearly.
Oh yeah, I’m sorry to hear about the GSR! That is another great car. I’d rather have than than the Subaru Outback. Hell, if I did things over again, I would have kept my Type R and never bought the WRX or any of the other cars. But I’m happy with the CRX, and it’s cheap and reliable!
LOL! I’ve checked out that site before. It’s a disgrace. I can’t believe people do those things. I see it every day. Just horrible.
[quote]Nate, are you saying you did not like your WRX or just that you liked the Type R more? What was it about the WRX that you disliked?
Just curious as we have been talking about looking at a used one to have around as our 3rd/bad weather car.[/quote]
I guess it depends on what you want/expect from a car. From a performance standpoint, I was not impressed with the WRX. I had the following problems with the way the car was made:
Turbo boost is great in 1st gear and hits maximum boost (14psi). It drops in 2nd gear to about 10psi and then again in 3rd to about 8psi. That just sucked from a performance standpoint.
Too much bodyroll! The car seriously needed to be lowered and have better and tighter suspension. AWD is nice around corners (I did some sweet turns and let the back end fly sideways and easily pulled it back), but the car still had too much bodyroll.
After 5,500 rpm’s there was no more boost! The car redlines at 7K, but what is the point of even bringing it near that if you have a loss of power/boost after 5,500 rpm’s. Again, a lack of performance.
Weight. The car is heavy! Even with 227hp, AWD, etc., it is still heavy. You can feel it when accelerating and definitely when braking.
So for me, it didn’t give the performance that I wanted. My Type R handled much better and it was FWD! It pulled more than .90 g’s, had little to no bodyroll unless pushing the limits, and I could take it to its 8400 rpm redline all day long and get a steady flow of power (but of course, that is how Honda’s are made). My insurance was cheaper with the Type R. It was more unique and stood out more. It was reliable, got great gas mileage and was cheaper!
If you want the WRX as a family car and/or if you live up north where weather is a factor, then it’s a great buy for that purpose. But if you are buying it for performance in mind, I’d go with an EVO, STi or something with that in mind.
If the G35 is the new Infinity that I’m thinking of, then it’s just a 350z with Infinity badging and a little less horsepower. Otherwise, it’s almost the exact same car with a few minor differences.
Hey nate dogg,
I could literally put your little go-kart in the bed of my Silverado. Is it a little four cylinder? Do you use gas in it? Or will sake suffice?
By the way, since you live in Central Florida, do you drive like an absolute lunatic on the road but, conversely, drive over speed bumps like they are land mines?
Sort of on topic, for those that live near Chicago, I’m selling my 2000 Mustang GT Convertible. My business (a digital surveillance/security system that business owners can log into from any web browser) has just finally started (our product is just being finished up this month and we are ready to expand beyond “beta” clients). But, it is still early and i have to liquidate some assets:
It is totally pampered and babied (i.e. not raced and kept clean), with a leather and brushed aluminum interior.
I had an Alpine sound system before, now it is back to the Mach 460 system. I might consider selling the entire Alpine system as a package (Alpine head unit was $800 new (i think the 7995), Boston Acoustics component speakers, dual kenwood subs, total was $2K new not including install). I’d only sell the Alpine deck as part of it so don’t ask about it separate.
[quote]Hey nate dogg,
I could literally put your little go-kart in the bed of my Silverado. Is it a little four cylinder? Do you use gas in it? Or will sake suffice?[/quote]
Unlike your truck, I get great gas mileage and save money. Yep, it could fit in your Silverado. Next time I do some long-distance traveling, I’ll call you up so you can drive me around so I save even more money on gas.
Lunatic? No, not at all. But I am a very aggressive driver. I have a need for speed (a sport bike is a future purchase), I take corners aggressively, yet, I am a safe driver. It’s the other dumbasses on the road that I have to worry about. I’ve been an aggressive driver with all the cars I’ve owned. I need something quick with good cornering. You’re right, I can’t take speed bumps at high rates of speed because my car is much lower to the ground than your truck. Duh!
Why would I buy American? American cars don’t appeal to me. They have yet to be as reliable, sporty, stylish and well-thought out as Japanese cars. I’m American, but I won’t buy an American car. How about you worry about yourself? Don’t push your ideas and beliefs upon me. You’re close-minded and have been brainwashed into thinking United States=Good Guys and Everyone Else=Bad Guys if they don’t agree with you. Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
Buying American (anything including cars) has nothing to do with political views. It supports your country (if you’re American, of course), supports your economy, supports your fellow citizens who depend on those companies for jobs, and in the end, supports yourself and your family.
If none of that is important to you, then don’t even worry about the issue.
Buying American (anything including cars) has nothing to do with political views. It supports your country (if you’re American, of course), supports your economy, supports your fellow citizens who depend on those companies for jobs, and in the end, supports yourself and your family.
If none of that is important to you, then don’t even worry about the issue.[/quote]
Well, since I buy Japanese cars, does that make me anti-American? Don’t give me that bullshit. That argument is complete horseshit. Keep it off my thread.
I bet half the stuff you own was made in Japan or some other foreign country. Many of the products you buy/use are not made by Americans. Sure, I’ll buy American products, but only if the quality is there. As for cars, I’ll never buy American. Same for a sport bike and many of the electronics I own/purchase.
I’m still an American, no matter what I purchase or from whom. Give me a freakin’ break.
You can’t say buy American cars and then have a foreign electronics or anything else foreign. I live in a GM area and they’re all gung ho buy american (GM) cars, but they have all kinds of foreign electronics. How hypocritical is that? Besides that, how many foreign cars are produced in the US now anway?
On top of that you have TWO American car companies to choose from. GM or Ford. What if neither of those does anything for you? Daimler Chrysler is a German company so they’re not American. Also, every car company owns another car company. GM owns parts of Toyota and Fiat. Daimler owns parts of Mitsubishi. Ford owns parts of Mazda. That’s just off the top of my head.
Funny part is, look at a car like the Protege 5 and Ford Focus. The cars are something like 85% the same parts, but yet the protege 5 looks 10x better IMO. I believe the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe are identical cars, but the Matrix looks way better than a Vibe.
Right, wrong, whatever, “keep it off my thread” is funny.
Nate, wise choice on the car for the time being. I have no problem with you selecting the best car, no matter origin, that suits your needs and wants. I’m a big fan of capitalism and that’s why I find it difficult to completely rule out a country (or countries) that I will buy products from.
