I bought a 1993 Civic Del Sol S about 5 days ago with 215,000 miles on it.

$1000 to buy the car
$220 to license/plates/taxes/ gov stuff
$175 aluminum rims and wheels off craigslist
$600 in shocks/struts and suspension parts
$50 to a buddy to install all shocks/struts and suspension parts - Nooo you can't have his number!
$2000 Total

I was hoping to just buy the car for $1000 pay the $220 licensing fees and drive it til i took it to the junk yard.

The car is pretty rusty & the top leaks.

& one of the rusty seat rails for the drivers seat broke on me today. Now trying to find cheap seat rail. Any ideas how to get a cheap seat rail? Or seat that fits. Searched for quite a bit on CL & Ebay seems that regular Civic Seat rail would not fit.

Wondering what I got myself into? The body is pretty rough. I really am not too handy. & don't want to do a bunch of body work.

Having a bit of remorse that I didn't spend a bit more up front and get a little nicer car since I'm already in for $2000. Although I think after spending the above money I will have a pretty reliable driving car - that still has quite a bit of rust and a leaky top.

Although I really enjoy driving the car. Especially gas mileage, convertible, & trunk space, and it's a 5 speed.

I figure if I can get the car to last me a year - It's only about $200 a month which is less than a car payment - but not if I have to keep pumping money into it.

Any thoughts?

Did I overpay initially? Felt like I was getting a good deal @ $1000.
Just drive it til it rusts away or the engine dies?
Put a little bit of work into covering/fixing the rust?
Resell it and have it gone!?

Best Regards,
Amy Dog

 

Is it a SOHC or DOHC delsol?

if you can't fix the rust yourself its pointless to waste your money. The leaky roof on the other hand is worthwhile fix, there's DIY guides on this website that'l make it so easy a monkey could do it.

good luck with the car btw

 

It's the S model. The SOHC I think. Pretty ignorant still, I'm like 5 days new to the Del Sol.

Thanks I will search for how to get the leaky roof fixed.

 

No or limited mechanical ability= stay away from beaters. 92-95 civic rails will work.

 

Too true too true on the limited mechanical abilities. My other car is a 1998 chevy prizm with 303,000. Had very limited mechanical things to do to it. I bought it brand new back in 1998. Using about a quart every 1000 miles. Between it and my new del sol - figured I would be able to get to where I wanted to go.

Thanks for the info on the rails. Meeting a guy tomorrow to buy his wheels and tires. He is parting out a 95 civic hatchback. Sooo maybe pick up his seat rails.

Trying not to sink a bunch of money into this car - but I am pretty good about keeping things in decent condition even though I'm not the most handy. I realize my del sol is old enough to buy alcohol at this point. I did not know too much about the Honda Del Sol before I drove it and bought. Although had 96 civic LX i really liked. Really really like the design and function of the del sol.

 

If you already knew it had rust issues, WHY buy it in the first place???

 

This isn't a tech issue. Didn't do your due diligence and now all the extra expenses you didn't plan for are popping up. And if you resell it then what? Buy another car and put yourself back in the same situation you're in now.

 

This thread lacks tech and is primarily a general discussion thread. I'd move the thread to GDD, but it's unlikely the comments you'd get there would be received well.