I've had my euro spec'd 98 Honda CRX (del sol) for 6 months now. I love it! I live in Germany and it does really well stock, on the autobahn. I'll hold at 200kph (124 mph) for a good while with no issues. I'm going to start investing a little in it. So I have a couple of questions.

Paint

Im thinking about plastidipping the car myself. How hard would it be with the removable top and back window?

Sub

I'm looking for a JL Audio stealthbox. I think on the website they sold out. I want sub's but i dont want them to take up trunk space. So i want them in the cabin.... please advise

Turbo?

Worth it or not worth it? I've had a honda guy told me not to turbo it. I wouldn't attempt to do this myself. I would have it done professionally but question is.. is it worth it? My honda is in great condition. But I heard i'll start having mechanical problems after the turbo is installed.


Roof rack!!

I mountain bike. And I want a rack for my car. The thing is I want to be able to remove the top off but still have the rack capabilities... is their a rack that will fit my need? or will i have to customize one.


THANKS!!!!

 

Omg please don't plastidip it you have a very rare item, and making it look like shiet is only gonna devalue your car. If paint is peeling and rust is showing, get it painted it's simple as that. Roof racks never fit properly on del sols.

For the subs, get a custom mount sub box and bolt it to the back of the seats. Thank me later.

Turbo... Yeah that's when mechanical parts start to fail and fast no matter who did it. But if you have a healthy motor, and keep boost low it should be fine.... For a while.

 

I have seen roof racks made specifically for Delsols there not too shabby... do you have a transtop? If so im not sure you could use a roof rack.

Please no plastidip...

Turbo will net you some decent numbers, but you will sacrifice longevity.

 

Nice feedback!

Understood on the plastidip! Rust is starting to show and there's a good key down the side. I'll start looking into real paint.

The sub part. I thought about the custom box but a audio shop said the box was impossible to ship to Germany. And he can custom make one for around 1100 euro. Which im going to pass on. I'm jst going to try getting a slim box for the trunk.

Yeahh I'm leaning against the turbo. I need this car for another 2 years and I think I got a great deal on it.

No on the transtop! I have to manually take it down. Can you point me into the right direction? I've been looking online everywhere! but i'm unable to find something that will fit.

 

Just wanted to share... I'm pretty excited about this project. This is my first car. And I'm a owner of a 4wd Tacoma and on another forum. I just needed a fun gas saver.

 

Well if you dont have a aftermarket/loud exhaust it shouldnt be a problem. But its still gonna sound like the bass is from farther away. I rode in both subs in the back and in the back of the seats. In the back of the seats I think is very unique, and the sound is soooo much better. I would just save up and get the 1100 euro custom box. If you want a system.

Did you buy your sol stock? It almost looks like the motegi edition with those seats and wheels. You sir are a lucky man.

 

This is a gem of a car. That leather interior? You don't realize what you've got. DO NOT do a shitty half-*** paint job that will devalue the car. I see you also have the front fog lights (at least the switch); once again, a rare item.

An option for bike rack is the trunk-mounted ones, or one that mounts in a rear hitch.

 

@ WHITE EG1 - Yeah you're right. Yeah I was afraid the trunk was going to muffle the sound. And the car came with aftermarket exhaust. The problem with the sub in the back of the seats is that I ride with the seat all the way pushed back. I'll be doing more research because you make a valid point with the sound being in the cabin.

I had to look up motegi edition but I don't think it's that edition. The only that was done to it was the aftermarket muffler, wheels and it has lowering springs.

@deschlong - Thanks! Yes red leather, I love it. I was actually looking at a 05 BMW Z4 with red leather but that was going for 15k... Yeah, I'm pretty happy with the deal I got on it. (1500 euro, at the time $1,890) The guy also drove a smartcar and was saying he was going on a trip to Australia and it was a sunday driver.... It runs strong. I've done long trips with it within the European Union. Yes it does have fog lights! I didn't realize that was a option. good to know! Yeah, I'll be getting it painted before summer... I've seen the bike racks for the trunk but someone customized it from a sedan bike rack... I'm trying to avoid the rear hitch. But hopefully I find one soon. Spring should be coming soon. I'm tired of the dark & cold days europe's winter brings.

 

Oh it defiantly will! Think about it, the trunk is totally sealed from the cabin. putting even the highest output sub will sound like the sub is behind the car, with aftermarket exhaust, I cannot speak on subs in the trunk with stock exhaust because I never heard it. For best sound you want the subs, door speakers and amp all in the same vicinity. Look on youtube, they have plenty del sol sub sub tests.

Sorry, I mixed them up. I believe you have the daytona del sol. Very rare, a collectors item if you will. Some Pix of my 98' European DelSol ESI - Honda Forum : Honda and Acura Car Forums

Ouch, yeah I was thinking that also. Well you would have to measure the distance from seat to rear panel. And make sure the box falls in that increment.

 

Yeahh that actually looks just like it! Cool, good to know.

Yeahhh I went to a shop today. And they said they couldn't do it... I'm really missing America's, "we can make anything happen!" attitude. This is the second shop I've gone too. And the only shops in the area. I'm really thinking about making a trip to a city a hour away. To get it done...

I was telling a friend about it and he stated "I'm thinking w/ such a small car and no sound insulation maybe some solid new 6x9 or 5/6" rounds will make a big difference. "

What do y'all think? I just want something I can feel. It doesnt have to be too loud. But I want a little bass.

 

I thought that's just what you wanted to do lol.

Yeah good quality door speakers is really all that's needed on these cars. 6x9s in the back 5.25s in the front is what I'm running and couldn't be happier.

I'd suggest the box only if you can put it together and wire it up, because a shop will tell you they can do it. But actions speak differently than words. I heard horror stories on shop installed subs, car only starts when you slam the doors, kick dash etc. and I believe you need to upgrade the alternator and battery very soon. Shops will leave you with wire mess too. Just get some door speakers. You can install those by yourself too.

 

Have you considered putting the subs UNDER the plastics in the rear? Stock look with an aftermarket sound.

Thule and Honda both made racks for the Delsol. The Thule racks have since been discontinued so you would have to buy one used. Honda on the other-hand sold them with Delsols but only in Japan and Canada. No matter what they are hard to come by.




I like the look of this custom rack. All you need is a targa top to sacrifice.

 

Nice find, very rare del sol.

 

Yes, very!

And I like my 94 Tape Deck! Its an Anti-Theft Device!

 

My opinion is this car should stay 100% stock! I don't know the exact production figures for the Motegi and Daytona del Sols, but they are surely pretty rare. I stumbled upon this thread trying to figure out what the paint code is for the daytona and had to sign up to voice my opinion on what a mistake you could be making by modifying that car.

 

Thanks yall! I'm stoked about this project.

Hey! yes I never thought about the sub underneath the plastic containers.... now.. if I can only get someone to do it for me...

Yeah I've been having a hard time finding a rack. I've seen that rack before. But I'm trying to use the rack without the top as well. I guess I can't have the best of both worlds it's looking like.

Yeah I hear you crakling. I'm starting to notice the rariety. I'll look into someone to buff out those scratches with a machine and take care of that rust.