I'm getting a 1995 Honda Del Sol with 128,000 miles on it. It is the VTEC model and has the 160hp DOHC engine. When I test drive it, is there anything specific that I should look for? And what kind of repairs can I expect to encounter in the future? The owner has kept it in very good condition, and has told me everything he knows that is wrong with it. However, I am concerned that there could be something that the owner DOESN'T know coming up. I know it's going to need a timing belt change (duh), and probably some minor little stuff, but is there anything major to worry about?

 

it's 18 years old. Take a good look at anything under the car made from rubber. CV joint, ball joint boots. There are lots of bushings under there. Take a good look at the rear trailing arm bushings. They are known to go bad.

While the motor and tranny are civic based, these cars have a lot of unique to del sol parts. With only 5 years of US production some pieces are a bit hard to come by.

 

check the motor mounts

 

I would always do a full tune up on a car, as well as changing the trans fluid, coolant, and checking the brake and clutch fluid. Check for any leaks and then address those as well.

 

Start replacing everything right after a full tune up. These cars are old enough now that we're not talking maintenance anymore, we're talking restoration.

 

^^Sadly, Grumble is correct. Everything needs to be checked and probably replaced due to age. I am finishing up "restoring" a 1998 Integra. All calipers/pads/wheel bearings/ control arm bushings/ball joints etc etc replaced

 

Probably true. I picked up my 93 in mid January. So far I have replaced

Wheel bearings
upper and lower ball joints
Both axles
tie rod ends (inner and outer) along with boots
all four shocks
all four calipers
brake hoses
master cylinder
VC gasket
oil pan gasket
distributor o-ring
VTEC gasket
timing belt
water pump
tb idler
cam and crank seals
all filters and fluids
rear trailing arm bushings
2 exhaust gaskets
2 motor mounts

This weekend is plugs, wires, cap and rotor.

Might actually get to drive it soon.

 

Clean the targa top seals with some pure silicone spray/pure silicone grease to recondition them/eliminate sqeaks. Don't use petroleum products on rubber.

I'm on my 3rd engine (2nd one didn't "take") and in dire need of a complete suspension rebuild (304k miles). Replaced axles, dist., radiator, rotors, plugs/wires etc.