I'm planning on buying an EF hatch or 2nd gen CRX. I absolutely hate door mounted seatbelts. I've had those in the past and being a 100% seatbelt user, I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

I really want AC. If the car didn't come in one, I'd most likely consider buying one off a junkyard (or ebay or something) and install it myself. How much would something like that cost?

I like spirited backroad driving, and I'd be planning on getting a B16 or ZC engine in the future as the stocker will most likely be on its last legs anyways. So an Si, is not really a must model, though if I could find one for a reasonable price, I'd most likely buy one.

Ps. I'll be buying the car as soon as I sell my 5spd RSX which I need to get rid of because of financial reasons (I know, it's sad ).

 

engine wise i think the b16 would be the better choice... the zc has been out of production for over 10 years and its hard to source parts for it... you can try to play mix and match if you want, trying to figure out what parts are interchangeable, but the b16 has an unlimited and readily available aftermarket... if weight is an issue, try to find an hf crx... if not, i would get an si... this will make your swap a bit easier and you will have a sunroof... hope this helps you out a little with your decision

 

88-89 Civic had pillar mounted belts, 90-91 door mounted.

88 CRX had pillar mounted, 89-91 had door mounted.

Sis are usually heavier. If you plan on swapping the engine if you are a good mechanic than the MPFI hassle of the DX/STD cars won't be a big deal, but swapping the engine into an HF/Si would be easier.

I think A/C was an option on any of them, but perhaps not the STD, maybe not on the HF, I don't know.

If I were you I would get either a 88-89 Civic, or 88 CRX.

 

i think the hf's came from the factory with no ac but may have been added as a dealer option depending on the state... im not positive about it, just an interesting bit of info i heard

 

I like 88 because it comes with the superior rear lower control arms (same as ITR). I believe Honda referred to it as "passive rear steering."

 

If the car will be for drag then get an 88 CRX HF, if for daily duties get an 88-91 CRX/Hatch Si. If you will have passenger's &/or need more space get an Si Hatch. I love rex's, but I can't fit my turntable's & records & stuff in a rex comfortably like my hatch. Either way they are bad *** cars. Like said before, if seatbelts are that big a deal get one of the earlier years.

 

the american 88-89 have the pillar mounted, the 90-91 are door mounted. From my understanding, all of canada ones are pillar mounted

88 is the lightest, and it keeps on going up from there

 

Oh yeah, and don't forget the disc brake issue... stopping power is a must.

88-90 Civic's (at least the Si) had Front discs and rear drums, the 91 had 4 discs.... dunno about the Rex.

 

Are you sure the 91 Si HB had rear discs? I think it was only one of the CRX years that had them.

 

I believe '89 HF also had pillar mounted seat belts. However the '89 DX and SI do have door mounted.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you sure the 91 Si HB had rear discs? I think it was only one of the CRX years that had them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Only 90-91 CRX Si had rear discs in U.S.

 

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

Only 90-91 CRX Si had rear discs in U.S.</TD></TR></TABLE>
yup, my bro's 91 Si HB has rear drums