It seems that about once a week there's someone posting asking the Pro's and Con's of buying a Del Sol. Well I thought Id make a end all thread to that very end. So please next time you see one give them this link and tell the bastard to search.

First off lets go with the Pro's:
Removable targa top
Rear window rolls down
Power windows and mirrors
Seats are more comfortable then a standard civic*
Interior wraps around you like a cockpit leaving everything in easy reach
Radio is behind a flip door for concealment if desired
Two seater
Full size trunk
Suspension and engines are interchangeable with other Honda's**
Unique, there arent all that many of them out there
One of the most sought after seats

Finally the Con's:
Infamous targa top leak (easy to fix)
Seals for the targa top aren't cheap (See Note 1)
Trunk leak (easy and cheap to fix)
Body Flex, this can be somewhat corrected but is expensive and adds weight with the added bracing needed
Interior parts are not interchangeable with other cars without custom fabrication
Exterior parts are harder to come by and also not interchangeable with other cars without modification
Replacement parts are often more expensive
(Tuff - but it looks nicer IMO)
Two seater
USDM visors are crap, this is one of the FEW JDM mods I recomend getting

Some commonly asked questions & information:
Fog lights came on the 93-95 models only, 96-97 didn't have them
Remote trunk release cable was added in 95 -97
92-95 Civic suspension and engine parts are interchangeable.
94-01 Integra (except ITR) suspension is interchangeable, but with stiffer spring rates.
All S series were prewired for VTEC you need the correct head and ECU for it to work.

Saying that the del sol is unsafe is the typical american thinking. If its not big its not safe. Well check the facts. The del sol received a 4 out of 5 in head on crash tests. The front and rear both have crumple zones and side beams in the door like any other car on the road, so its no death trap.

Stock motors were:
93-97 U.S. spec Del Sol's...
93-95 (OBD1):
Del Sol S - D15B7 SOHC non-VTEC - 102hp@5900rpm 98tq@5000rpm
Del Sol Si - D16Z6 SOHC VTEC - 125hp@6600rpm 106tq@5200rpm
94-95 (OBD1):
Del Sol VTEC - B16A3 DOHC VTEC - 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm
96-97 (OBD2a):
Del Sol S - D16Y7 SOHC non-VTEC - 106hp@6200rpm 103tq@4600rpm
Del Sol Si -D16Y8 SOHC VTEC - 127hp@6600rpm 107tq@5500rpm
Del Sol VTEC - B16A2 DOHC VTEC - 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm


Things to look for when buying:
Run the car thro a car wash and check the top for leaks, also check the trunk
Check the rear inner wheel wells for rust, get an inspection mirror and look
Check for signs of an accident, a clean magnet run along the outside of the car works great.

Del Sol Curb Weight lbs: ***
S model: 2,295 lbs
Si model: 2,414 lbs
VTEC model: 2,491 lbs

94 - 95 Civic Curb Weight lbs: MT/AT ***
........Coupe...........Sedan...........Hatch Back
Dx---2231/2443---2178/22264---2090/2210
Ex---2443/2502----2490/2490---N/A
Si----N/A------------N/A-----------2390/NA

96 Civic Curb Weight lbs: MT/AT***
Dx---2262/2339----N/A------------2242/2317
Ex---2553/2590-----2564/2615---N/A

97 Civic Curb Weight lbs: MT/AT***
Dx---2337/2271----N/A------------2319/2253
Ex---2496/2460-----N/A-------------N/A


Curb Weight thread:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=107556

Note 1:
Left weather strip on the targa top = $65.63
Right weather strip on the targa top = $59.99
Rear main seal = $244.39
Front seal = $124.21

If anyone else has info Im me and Ill add it to my list.

*Going from other members opinions.
**Not everything is plug and play you have to do some mixing to get components to work if your not sure, Search and you'll find your answers.
*** This is acording to one source and may not be completly accurate.


Modified by nocturnaldragon at 11:25 PM 6/15/2005

 

i guess another con is when you take the top off, body flex goes to ****.

 

96-97 S has the D16y7
96-97 Si has the D16Y8


pro to some, con to others... but 'cuz of the power rear window, you can't find one without power windows...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nocturnaldragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Stock motors were:

93-97 U.S. spec Del Sol's...

93-95 (OBD1):
Del Sol S - D15B7 SOHC non-VTEC - 102hp@5900rpm 98tq@5000rpm
Del Sol Si - D16Z6 SOHC VTEC - 125hp@6600rpm 106tq@5200rpm

94-95 Del Sol VTEC - B16A3 DOHC VTEC - 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm

96-97 (OBD2a):
Del Sol S - D16Y7 SOHC non-VTEC - 106hp@6200rpm 103tq@4600rpm
Del Sol Si -D16Y8 SOHC VTEC - 127hp@6600rpm 107tq@5500rpm
Del Sol VTEC - B16A2 DOHC VTEC - 160hp@7600rpm 111tq@7000rpm</TD></TR></TABLE>
and all Del Sol S' are pre-wired for VTEC

92-95 Civic suspension and engine parts are interchangeable.
94-01 Integra (except ITR) suspension is interchangeable, but with stiffer springrates.

 

Thanks for the info I added it to the main page

 

Con - Wrinkly door panels

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by _Spugen_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Con - Wrinkly door panels</TD></TR></TABLE>
oh yea forgot about that

ash tray can break easily
door handle can crack if improperly removed.

 

yea but thats true with any car I think. I dont know what you mean by the wrinkle panels tho???

 

you notice the wrinkle on the door panel? yea they do that.

 

The body rigidity is really bad. Trust me i owned a delsol for 3 years and tried all sorts of bars/braces, They helped to some extent, but in the end the body is just poorly manufactured and designed. Dont get me wrong i do like the del sol but i would rather have a car that is a little more rigid.

 

Wow.. this site helped me out so much.. im getting rid of my DA and getting a sol.. i really didn't know to much bout them.. this was great!!! couple quick questions... and i have searched..just never found the answers, so please don't flame...

1) how are the trannys.. do they go out fast or are they pretty reliable?

2) i know civics and most otehr hondas are fine when they have higher mileage but are the sol's ok if they have like 145k??? i mean, am i going to have lots of probs??

thanks again!!

 

Con: its about 1 step above driving a cabriolet in the "being made fun of for driving a girls car" catagory

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ECKO1980 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Con: its about 1 step above driving a cabriolet in the "being made fun of for driving a girls car" catagory </TD></TR></TABLE>


lol... well i dont wanna be known for driving a "girls car" but i think ill look hot in it.. lol.. jk and its something new...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1SiKDA8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

1) how are the trannys.. do they go out fast or are they pretty reliable?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

They're the same transmissions in all of the other Civics. They seem to have input shaft bearing problems. I know I had to replace mine, as have many many other members here.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1SiKDA8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
2) i know civics and most otehr hondas are fine when they have higher mileage but are the sol's ok if they have like 145k??? i mean, am i going to have lots of probs??
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agian, it's all the same setups as any other Civic. 145k is a lot for any motor, and I don't think I'd buy a car with 145k on it, reguardless of make or model, without some money in the bank to do necessary maintenance.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

They're the same transmissions in all of the other Civics. They seem to have input shaft bearing problems. I know I had to replace mine, as have many many other members here.

Agian, it's all the same setups as any other Civic. 145k is a lot for any motor, and I don't think I'd buy a car with 145k on it, reguardless of make or model, without some money in the bank to do necessary maintenance. </TD></TR></TABLE>

well sweet!! that sums up my questions... for now, but im sure ill be on here a lot more when i get her.... and ill probably have to get one w higher miles.. cing i want the 94-95 Del Sol VTEC - B16A3 DOHC VTEC ... and i only wanna spend like 5k...

thanks again!!

 

that's what i'm saying... and all the chicks will love your car.

think targa leak is unfixable. i purchased 97 weather stripping for mine. consists of front and sides (all together). it's just a scoop. like when you're roof leaks, you put a bucket there. pointless and 130$. i only think that trunk leak happens if you've been rear ended no? all it is is just a clip. mine seems to not leak.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1SiKDA8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

well sweet!! that sums up my questions... for now, but im sure ill be on here a lot more when i get her.... and ill probably have to get one w higher miles.. cing i want the 94-95 Del Sol VTEC - B16A3 DOHC VTEC ... and i only wanna spend like 5k...

thanks again!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good luck. I don't really see that happening unless you luck out or don't mind looking for years.

EDIT: And yes, replacing the targa top seals helps the leak.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Good luck. I don't really see that happening unless you luck out or don't mind looking for years.

EDIT: And yes, replacing the targa top seals helps the leak. </TD></TR></TABLE>


im sure ill get lucky, i usually do...


and im looking all over the US.. i don't mind going on a road trip for one.. so let me know if you spot anything!!

 

here's my .o2. find the cheapest del sol possible. it's hard to find a clean title also. slap another engine in there and you're set. that's what i'm doing. i purchased a 94 del sol S for 2500 (100k d15b7 non-vtec). unfortunately, it's automatic right now. i bought the thing because it had a clean title.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by idriveadelsol7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">here's my .o2. find the cheapest del sol possible. it's hard to find a clean title also. slap another engine in there and you're set. that's what i'm doing. i purchased a 94 del sol S for 2500 (100k d15b7 non-vtec). unfortunately, it's automatic right now. i bought the thing because it had a clean title.</TD></TR></TABLE>


yea thats what i was thinking.. what are some good swaps for the sol?? wud the H22 work.. what about he K20???

i want this one..but dont have the $$ gotta sell my DA first...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

 

A Civic and Del Sol are practically identical. Check the "what swaps" thread I wrote at the top of the page.

 

i wouldn't just go and buy the first sol I found cheap. I'd look for one with disk brakes, i have a 93 si and it has the disk breaks but they're the 9" one's. If only I knew then what I know i would have held out for the 10" rotors

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A Civic and Del Sol are practically identical. Check the "what swaps" thread I wrote at the top of the page. </TD></TR></TABLE>

just found it.... gimme a couple hrs to read it tho.. thanks.. your a great help!!!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dohcdelsol93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i wouldn't just go and buy the first sol I found cheap. I'd look for one with disk brakes, i have a 93 si and it has the disk breaks but they're the 9" one's. If only I knew then what I know i would have held out for the 10" rotors</TD></TR></TABLE>

well im lookin for VTEC first.. all put my feet through the damn floor boards to stop if i can find a cheep VTEC, brakes are last priority..... VTEC!!!!!!!!! w00t w00t!!

 

nobody ever mentioned one of the biggest downsides..

They are heavy as **** for their size!!! All that underbracing cause of removable roof.

They also are rather low to the ground to begin with, they can be lowered but its tuff driving...

 

i got h&r races... 2.5F 2.3R and have yet to put them on. i have a feeling i'm going to be tucked (something i don't want) how much is about a finger gap from my tire to the well.