Shopping for a new cage (Hi Bob and Ed!)

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

In the next couple of months, I will be paying off this boat of a Mazda 626, and with title in hand, and warm weather upon us, it will quickly go to the auction block...

 


Then the fun begins.  The hunt for the "perfect" early 90's compact.  Probably a Honda.

I really enjoyed my '93 Mazda 323 hatchback that I had for a long time, until I wrecked it...
I have had two Civics.  I bought a new hatchback in 1979 (the new '80! (brown!)) and you remember the beater '88.


It will have a clutch.  And cruise control.  Power windows are nice.  Are they heavy?
And I won't have another car without delay on the wipers.  Adjustable would be bliss...
If it has power seats I would probably rip them out to save weight...

So I am going to look at Hondas first.
At least a Civic hatchback for mileage.
I have never even sat in a CRX.

For a while I thought I wanted another small sedan, like my '80-something Mazda GLC.  That is the car that spoiled me for the goodies in a small package.

The only thing I will miss from this big car is the lack of noise reduction.
Can you fill all the body parts with that expanding foam insulation?

So I just wanted to pick you guys brains on anything to look out for.  
I am not looking to go street racing (well...), I just want my 35mpg back.
Is there much difference in cargo space between the Civic (H) and the CRX?
Do you know if there is a good site for these cars, that lists typical mileages for different generations?  That would be good.

TIA!

[Bob_Roller]

The biggest negative with the CRX, is that unless you get lucky, 150-200,000 miles is a good general average mileage vehicle, as they havn't been made since 1991.

Second is it's hard to find one that is 'unmolested', the norm is an upgraded VTEC or Acura engine, and some kind of aftermarket body panel treatment, then you have to deal with what kind of job quality was done during the conversion.

If you can find one that hasn't lived it's life in the 'rustbelt' of the US, and from what I've seen the CRX didn't fair too well to a life on the salty roads of the midwest winters.

There isn't any difference in the interior room of an HF or Si model.

About the only real difference between an HF and Si, is the Si has  4 valves per cylinder, 100 cc more displacement, 4 wheel disc brakes, power sunroof, and an upgraded interior, and alloy wheel rims.

[NC Steve]

Bob, for what it's worth, I have an '04 Civic Sedan with close to 80K on it, and have needed to do  nothing to the car other than change the oil every 5000 miles. Even then, the oil looks like new, and I've never added a drop between changes!

Haven't blown a fuse, or needed to replace a bulb, zero
It's even got the original Bridgestone tires, and they just passed annual inspection less than a month ago!
And it still deliver 37 mpg at 75 mph, 80 miles every day on I-40, while remaining an ULEV (sp? ultra low emissions vehicle...) car also.

New or used, if you get one that's been taken care of, it's hard to beat a Civic... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

good points.

I should probably keep the hatchback in mind.  And maybe look south!

Thanks Steve.  I wouldn't mind going newer, as long as the mileage stayed the same!

[Ed Miller]

The little civic hatchbacks of those years probably get just as good of mileage as a CRX and would probably have a bit more cargo room, though a CRX can haul a lot.  Bob is right about the miles on them though; one in the low hundred thousand miles would be a find.  High miles doesn't mean they're worn out, but you can't know how well they've been maintained.  

Mine is a dx, with a 1.5L motor and 4 valves per cylinder.  It's halfway between the HF and the SI, sort of, with 92 hp.  The HF only has about 60 HP (SI has twice that) but can get around 50 mpg; I was getting 40 last summer but now they're selling nothing but E10 around here so I get around 38.  

When I wear my motor out, I haven't decided if I want to buy an Acura (B18C motor, 190 or so hp) to swap in, or convert the car to electric.

http://www.metricmind.com/ac_honda/main2.htm

[Bob_Roller]

My '91 just turned 100,000 miles, and I have a standing offer from two co-workers for $5000 for my CRX.

Mine is one of those rare finds, a southern Arizona car, 100,000 miles, and other than Koni shocks, and Yokohama AVS tires, is completely stock.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thanks for the link on the electric car, Ed!

I guess I need to learn how to wield welder...

[Ed Miller]

Thanks for the link on the electric car, Ed!

I guess I need to learn how to wield welder...

Me too.  I also bet it would be at least 15 grand.