I have a chance to get one or the other. The 89 crx has a 1.6l zc engine swap done to it, and the 87 crx si is just basically stock. The 89 crx with the swap would be around $2k, and the 87 si around $1k. I was just wondering which one I should get. I want to be able to mod it, and turn it into an auto-x//track car daily driver perhaps. I know the 87 doesnt have power steering so that is a big minus and is my main concern.

 

IMO, get the 89 crx....

 

Depends on what you want. Personally I like the body style of the 89's better. If a ZC isn't what you want and you are going to change the engine and don't care about looks, I would buy the 87. You can do quite a bit of stuff to a ZC, but a lot of people I know can't get them to run perfectly.

 

Well, it depends. 89 CRX is nicer daily driver etc IMO. If you want the first gen it would be AWESOME with a B16A swap.

 

87 kicks an 89 ****...

go to http://www.redpepperracing.com and see hwat we are doing to them as of late

 

HEll no 89 is so much nicer.

 

concerning what... the availabilty of shitty body kits.. dam dawg that is nice

 

Before making a decision, think about what class you want to autocross it in. For Stock and Street Prepared, the first-gen CRX is a tough candidate. Miatas give them a hard time in C Street Prepared, but 2nd-gen CRXs don't seem to do as well, from my experience.

Also, the ZC in the '89 would put you into the Street Mod 2 class (because it uses a motor that never came in the car here in the US), where you get to run against other two-seaters with mods - things like B16 CRXs, turbo- or supercharged Miatas, hopped up MR-2s, etc. It's a tough class, but a CRX can do pretty well in it with the right prep work.

Another thing you have to ask yourself: Which one do you LIKE better? Especially as a daily driver. If you're going to be spending a good deal of time in it, you need something you like already.

I like both generations of CRX - I've got one of each, for now (more to come, I'm sure). My '87 Si is my autocross car, and it fares pretty well locally. My '91 DX is my baby, though. I love the handling of the first-gen, and I love the LOOKS of the second-gen.

Either way you go, you're likely to have some fun with it. Aftermarket support DOES exist for the first-gen CRX, but it's not exactly easy to find. If you like the ZC idea, you can easily to that to the '87 Si, and it will give you a better payoff, since you're starting with a lighter car. You could likely pull off a complete ZC swap for under or around $1000, so you'd have about the same money in either car at that point.

Once you decide which car you just like better, your decision is made.

Mike

 

Not to mention, a browntop ZC that would go in a first gen is rated at 135ps and blacktop ZC that would go in a 2nd gen is rated at 130ps.

5 more hp and a lighter chassis...

 

the 89 is way better, i think 87's wont even pass emissions any longer, what about smog check 2? fawk it, just get the 89 man, looks better, u can get more chicks...and plus there is more room to grow and slap a motor in....good luck though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by whole9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know the 87 doesnt have power steering so that is a big minus and is my main concern.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 1989 doesn't have power steering, either. Unless a previous owner swapped over the stuff from a 1988-1991 Civic sedan.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kwicko &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you like the ZC idea, you can easily to that to the '87 Si, and it will give you a better payoff, since you're starting with a lighter car</TD></TR></TABLE>

Only if the 1989 is not an HF. The 1989 HF is lighter than the 1987 SI.

 

I like what Kwicko had to say. He pointed out the aftermarket issue. In my personal opinion, I'd go with the 2nd gen CRX. Why? Well...CRX's are getting more and more rare by the day, considering they stopped making them 12 years ago. Therefore, no matter WHAT model you get, it's not going to be seen everywhere (as opposed to civic 4 doors with altezza's and such..), which I think is absolutely cool. Here in Columbia, I know of three nice CRX's (better than mine..), and have seen maybe two stock ones. One of those three nice rex's, is a guy I know. Besides that small list of CRX's, there really is none around here, which is great. I get plenty of looks going down the street, because it's a CRX. Basically, what I'm saying is- you'll be different no matter what, that's good.

First gen handling is very nice, but be sure to consider all aspects. Which do you enjoy driving more? Which do you enjoy LOOKING at more? Which do you see yourself driving around in, and being happy with that choice? Once you can answer those questions, I think you should have a choice you will not regret. Good luck, let us all know what's going on..

 

StorminMatt's got a good point - certain models of the 2nd-gen CRX *are* lighter than the '87 Si. Sorry I didn't think of that; I stupidly *assumed* that we were talking '87 Si - vs - '89 Si (I think the ZC swap led me to think it started life as an Si, but we all know that's not necessarily true).

Have you made your decision yet?

Mike