Honda CRX- School me

[Cruiserhead05]

So right as i was about to buy an older corolla to beat around in, i found a CRX.

The 92 Corolla has 205k miles, new stereo, auto tranny, perfect condition $700 bucks.


The CRX is a 1990 with alot of work done mechanically, 195k miles, 5 speed!!! and new stereo. Need new dist. $800

Both get the same gas mileage and both seem to be known for being great cars. personally i would like the 2 door, manual tranny better but i am friends with the corolla owner and i know more history about it.

Opions please!

 

[beaufort-fj60]

i had an older body style crx, great car. i'd get the crx.

 

[tpattyII]

get the CRX...OME makes some great springs for them.

 

[Degnol]

CRX and a stainless coffee-can-sized resonator. Then remove the turn indicator stalk and hammer it as you try to change lanes as many times as possible during rush hour.

Ed

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Question though, the owner sent me a list of what has been doen basically in the last year or so. There is a ton of stuff, clutch, flywheel, bearings, tires, valve cover gasket, exhaust system, T-stat. etc.
Should i look at this as a positive or negative?

thanks for the info though, keep it coming.

 

[Koffer]

Also look at what it will cost to get it insured.
The CRX maybe higher and remember that Cdan will hook you up with good prices if parts are needed. Plus you have some idea of the history of the Corrolla.

 

[wob]

Also look at what it will cost to get it insured.

What would that be? Like a five bucks or something?

 

[Gumby]

CRX is a great car. Might as well have some fun driving if you have to drive a bean can. The CRX is way cooler than a corolla too.

CRX did have some HG problems. Keep it cool.

My starter went on my CRX once. For a couple of weeks I just push started it. You can just about stick your leg out of the door and paddle-start it.

My stupid ass step brother abandoned it on the side of the road in Pennsylvania when he borrowed it to drive to DC once.

 

[MJADDICTION]

I had a first gen CRX and loved it.I had 250,000 miles on it when I sold it. It's still in town too. I saw and talked to the owner last year. He recently replaced the top end. Still running strong.

The second GENS. are really nice. In the pic, it looks clean. I would say alot of that stuff is maint at almost 200,000 miles. Has the timing belt been changed? I think those are to be changed every 80,000 miles. Thats the only thing that could kill a Honda engine. If it hasn't been changed, expect to pay over 500 bucks at the Stealership. I would get it done at the Honda dealership too, because they use a Honda belt, and change the water pump at the same time.

I would buy the CRX. They are a blast to drive. My first Gen got 40mpg, and it wasn't the HF, which was the gas saver model.

 

[Koffer]

What would that be? Like a five bucks or something?

Maybe in SC since Im pretty sure theres more cars reg.ed and insured in SC then living in that state . I see a bunch here in NJ and its strange that they work and stay in NJ but "live" in SC

 

[wob]

Maybe in SC since Im pretty sure theres more cars reg.ed and insured in SC then living in that state . I see a bunch here in NJ and its strange that they work and stay in NJ but "live" in SC

I dunno. We have a BUNCH of NC "residents" here. Car taxes up there are something ridiculous like $10/yr. Can any NC'ers verify?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Maybe in SC since Im pretty sure theres more cars reg.ed and insured in SC then living in that state . I see a bunch here in NJ and its strange that they work and stay in NJ but "live" in SC

funny, I know some people in SC that do the same thing with NC. they register cars at their mountain house address. I guess NC is cheaper than SC.

edit ha, you beat me to it

 

[re_guderian]

Depends on what you plan to be doing with it. If it's your DD, commuting car and you're in stop/go traffic all day, I'd go with the Corolla. I'm turning into an old man, but trading the 5 spd Sentra for an automatic in traffic makes the commute SO much nicer...(doesn't hurt that the auto is in an Avalon either), but either one seems like a good deal.

 

[Gumby]

To cross link a couple of threads -

I have gotten lucky in a CRX. A couple of times, in fact.

I musta weighed about 100lb less at the time though.

 

[mot]

Should i look at this as a positive or negative?

Depends.
Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty?

Unless the Corolla you're looking at is an AE86 I would get the CR-X

I almost bought one when I was looking for a car to drive in college, but ended up getting an Integra GS. I like the 3-dr Civics from the same era. I'm a sucker for hatchbacks.

If the CR-X looks like it's been well taken care of the owner, I would not worry about all the parts that have been changed.

Have you driven them both?
Do you like the appearance(sp) of one better than the other?

Me? I like driving vehicles that make me want to turn around and take a second or third look as I'm waking about from it in a parking lot and the CR-X would do that to me out of those two.

Enjoy the process. This is the funnest (OK, most fun) part of buying vehicles.

Good luck!

Mot

 

[bkfj40]

come on Brandon....

there ain't a whole lot of back seat room in the CRX for you and the future ex wife....

bk

 

[Gumby]

Question though, the owner sent me a list of what has been doen basically in the last year or so. There is a ton of stuff, clutch, flywheel, bearings, tires, valve cover gasket, exhaust system, T-stat. etc.
Should i look at this as a positive or negative?

thanks for the info though, keep it coming.

Clutch job and maintenance. Nothing sounds bad. Assuming the bearing is a throw out bearing and not main bearings.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Brian,

I have the entire back of the 80 for the G.F.


On a serious note.
This car will be a DD and primarily on the highway. The fact thats it's a manual is a big reason i want it over the corolla. I figure if i'm going to drop about $1k total into a DD, might as well get something i will somewhat enjoy.

I stopped by and looked at the CRX about an hour ago. It looks decent. An hour or so of cleaning would help it alot and it needs seat covers.

The corolla is definately cleaner inside and out then the crx but its just boring!

I'm going to set up a time to actually drive it as i didnt get to this time and i will make a point to ask about the timing belt.

thanks

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Also,

FWIW i have a friend at work that is big into CRX's. He has one that he has built up and does the 1/4 mile in like 10.2

I'm not interested in becoming a ricer but the kid knows alot and even did his own JDM motor swap. He said he would help me work on this and could get me good pricing on parts.

Just something to consider.

 

[Relix]

Get the CRX you'll love it!!!! They are great cars. I'm currently searching for a straight bodied 88-91 CRX for myself, I don't car how it is mechanically because for less then $1700 I can order a B16a for it with tranny axles & ecu to put into the CRX... I know that doesn't sound like much but 160hp in a sub 2000lbs car is great fun and the b16 is a bullet proof engine.....