Im going to look at a couple of Del Sols tomorrow, a 94 Si, 107k miles with some bolt ons and a 97 VTEC with 77k miles "never modded".

I know what Im looking for when inspecting a car, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any specific problems relating to these vehicles that I should keep an eye out for.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

ask/check the weather seals around the door and especially the targa top. they are VERY prone to leaking. check if all the lights work also, you will notice that the 97 del sol has no auxilary lights as opposed to the 94 you'll also be looking at. the 94 wont have a trunk lid opener and the 97 will. check to see if there is a rear sway bar on the 97 VTEC model. look for any leaks and the obvious stuff. tap on the quarter panels for any wierd noises where BONDO might have been used, that could give you the upper hand in haggling the price.

hmmm, im going on and on and on. hahaha, take the targa top off and put it back on to see if it goes in nicely, that could be a sign of body flex. that's what happened to my old del sol when i crashed it. if you hear friction during turning in the roof, it should be solved with some grease at the contact points of the targa top, nothing to worry about.

 

some common things...
the targa top water leak, but supposivedly they fixed that seals problem in 95.
interior creeking sounds. again mostly the targa top.
door panel has a wrinkle

thats all i can remember right now. if anybody has to add, do it

 

broken ashtray

 

broken glovebox
broken interior door handles

 

leaks in and around trunk. I wouldn't worry so much about the targa top "creaking" you can adjust those but defiantly the leak in the targa top. I notice mine leaks more when I'm parked on un-even pavement/gravel drives. Be sure it's an SI, the si will have 4 wheel disk. Make sure the work of the engine is quality. Look for hacked up wires going from the engine harness to the fire wall. Also material separation on the armrest points of the inside of the door. You'll probably see the wrinkles there. Maybe even deteriorating carpet from moisture if the top/windows leak. Other than that look for the usual things oil leaks, shape of tires/brakes, tranny leaks, cv axle popping/clicking.
Oh and be weary. It has no modds but has an engine swap

 

If you can find a DOHC VTEC model of any year that's clean and has minimal mods, get it while you can.

 

So I finally picked one up

94, Si 5spd, 108k miles, clean carfax.

No name intake, and cat back, short-shifter. Primax 16" wheels with Dunlop SP Sport FM-901 195/50 tires. Unknown brand slotted and drilled rotors front and rear. I beleive the seats are APC but Im not sure. Unknown brand front and rear fiberglass lips as well as side skirts. Brand spankin new OEM radiator, water pump and clutch.

Its actually pretty clean, other than a couple of small dings and a little bit of fraying on one of the side skirts. Mechanically it seems to be sound.

Now its time to tear apart the suspension...... wish me luck !!!!!

P.S. Sorry for the crappy pic, the gf took it....... lol.

 

looks okay. mugen/erebuni replica kit. change the rims and get some nice suspension. that will make it better. goodluck with your sol

 

needs some jdm/oem work but nice pick up

 

don't point him to the JDM/OEM-look haha. let him guide himself

and your photobucket pics dont work, 93ejay1

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by skip.two &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't point him to the JDM/OEM-look haha. let him guide himself

and your photobucket pics dont work, 93ejay1</TD></TR></TABLE>
im just trying to save another honda and i know my pics arent working, im too lazy to fix it

 

here come the flames.......


Im still attempting to grasp the fascination with all things jdm. Dont get me wrong, alot of true oem jdm parts (dress up) are really nice imo. I appreciate the comments and suggestions I just wonder why you would jump immediatly to the term jdm. The only jdm item ive found for the del sol, that I feel that I must have, are the little map lights that go next to the door handles. I just dont feel the need to have jdm parts on my car. Is there something wrong with me?

And please remember folks, im only speaking of dress up parts, Im not talking about performance parts.

 

looks clean

what happen to the 97 del sol vtec?

 

I was supposed to see it after this one, but the guy called me while I was on the way out there and told me he sold it.

 

shouldn't worry too much about the maplights. if i had to get something JDM, i'd find the JDM visors more useful (which i'm kinda looking for), unless you're tall.

 

Im just saying I like the maplights, I think theyre neat and it sucks that we didnt get them. Im 6'3" and I noticed that its abnormally dark inside the del sol, without tinted windows. I think its just the way it sits, and the lack of window surface area.

 

well, just remember to build your car to the way you want it to look and drive, not for anybody else.

as i said before, goodluck with whatever you do

 

not sure about your seats but i like the sol seats better