Hi guys.
I am considering the purchase of a 88-91 CRX for a commuter car to put 40k miles a year on. I want the lightest, cheapest, least maintenence, most gas efficient CRX possible. I know of two models in the CRX line up, the HF and the Si. Right now I am leaning toward the HF because it is cheaper and better on gas. But my questions are these:
---Is the HF model carbeurated? If so, I don't want it.
---Are there other models besides the HF and Si that are worthy of consideration?
---Do all CRX's have hydraulic clutches, or are some cable? (I would actually prefer a cable)
---Anything I should be aware of?

Basically, I want a super-light hatchback with a 5 speed manual tranny, 40mpg, and fuel injection. Oh, and the ability to last 200k-250k miles. Keep in mind it won't be beaten on (not too bad anyways) and it won't be hot-rodded, so I do not care which car is faster or more powerful or anything like that. Thanks in advance, if there's anybody who knows about and can answer my questions about a CRX I figured it would be you guys.

 

Get a 88-91 HF, its mpfi

 

Really? A 88-91 HF is fuel injected? Cool! I kinda doubted it would be. But does anyone know if the clutch is cable-actuated or hydraulic? Hmmm...

 

Cable

 

why do you prefer cable over hydro?

 

get the Si. you'll thank yourself.

 

Get the HF. It's a lot lighter and gets almost 50mpg highway if you drive it right. The HF for 88 - 91 has multi point fuel injection. All CRXs have cable clutches. You could also look at the DX which has dual point fuel injection (throttle body), but it doesn't get as good of gas mileage. It should be good for 35mpg. The DX doesn't have all of the fancy stuff that the Si does, but it has a little more than the HF (clock, different seats, 92hp, etc...). Look out for rust in the rear quarter panels, especially on the Si. If it has rust right where the rear bumper meets the quarter on the side of the car, don't buy it (especially if it is the Si model). More rust is waiting behind the bumper. The Si model can have a problem with the sunroof drain tubes getting blocked; this causes the car to rust from the inside out. More rust is waiting behind the bumper. Also, seats are hard to find, so make sure that yours are in decent condition (but i guess you could always have them recovered). Other than that, just look out for the regular things when you go look at one (body damage, broken parts, etc....)

 

get an Si cause it has all features like sunroof etc. if you have good maintanence it should do 35 MPG +

 

If you know youre not going to swap the motor and your not building a track/race car, get an Si. It comes with the best motor setup with decent power but good gas mileage and you get the sunroof, seats and alloys and little stuff like that. Itll be just a little bit nicer than an HF to drive around.

 

If you have the extra $$$$ for a second "commuter" car just go with the SI, more realistic driving power but still good gas milage. Plus, if do want to pass someone, then the HF may not be for you.

Personally, My ZC swapped HF got 35.7 MPG an my last tank in the city, which is MORE then what my car got when it had the original HF engine. So if it was my decision, I would get the HF and swap a ZC DOHC engine. I might be a bit partial on that one...

 

get a 90 si, dont get a dx like i did.

 

Get an Si, I hear the HF doesn't have a lot of things like rear swaybars, etc. That's why it is so much lighter. We don't even get them in Canada. I kinda wish we did, so that a no rear-wiper CRX was available.

 

It looks like the HF is the model for me. Someone asked why I want a cable clutch, and the reason is it's one less thing that can leak. Someone else said the HF is lighter than the Si? I want the lightest car possible. Also, I noticed that the Si has 14" wheels, while the lesser models have 13's. I think the 13's would be cheaper to replace the tires on. I don't care if the car has a sunroof, or has a few miles on the seats, or a little rust... It's just gotta run well and get good gas mileage. Thanks for all the help guys!


[Modified by Blue97GST, 8:21 PM 9/21/2002]

 

Si is the way to go.

 

one thing about the HF is it has NO power. YOu said power doesn't matter to you. Well when your trying to get on the freeway and there is a big *** semi coming at you, theres no power to get you out of the way. So that can be kind of dangerous. After about 1hr of drving in the city you will notice brake fade, significant brake fade. There is no A/C, don't know your preferance on that, but I need it. SO get the DX it wont say DX on the back, unlike the Si and HF say it on the back. YOu get a little more power,about 30hp and some extra features. Its not a big improvment from the HF, but still its a little nicer and still seems to be what your looking for.

 

You want the HF, it fits your criteria perfectly. As a bonus, since it has the low power engine chances are that the previous owners were not the type of people to beat the car up and mod it. Despite what someone else said, some of them do have AC. The AC was an option on all trim levels of crx. The 88 - 91's are essentially the same but the 88's are the lightest and they gained a little weight each year.

 

sounds like the hf is for you. most that you find should run well, and it gets really good gas mileage

 

i might consider selling my CRX Si if the price is right. gotta move on to newer ventures (family car)

 

the HF makes almost as much torque at 2000 rpm than the Si does at 5000 rpm...

but, then again, my b16a CRX Si gets better gas mileage than the standard Si motor i used to have in it!!

 

WEll, I will admit that I'd like the car to have air conditioning... so maybe I'll take the first strong running CRX I can find that has A.C. Actually, all the models sound like a good commuter car. I've got about $2200 to spend on it and I saw a nice white one on autotrader in my area. I like white. White says "I'm squeaky clean and pure" --cops won't look twice at a white economy car. I don't know what model that car is so I guess I'll call the guy tommorrow.

 

Good luck dude, I hope you get a CRX that suits you...

Let us know what you get....

 

The newest CRX on the road today is 11 years old. High quality, good condition examples are becoming harder and harder to find... My advice to you is to pick up the newest, best condition CRX you come across.... all that HF/SI/DX stuff can be fixed.... you just need to find a RUST FREE example.... It's easier to do motor work than it is body work.....

Dan

 

Actually, I am pretty good at bodywork, I used to work at a body shop! But I really don't care if the car has a spot of rust ot two, as long as it's presentable...