(Road&Track June '95).
1984-1991 Honda CRX
Nimble, quick fun (reliable & economical too)

BY PETER BOHR

The Honda CRX, introduced in 1984, was an unprecedented confluence of worthy attributes. Road & Track's editors were smitten with the car at first test-drive. We billed it as the "New Wave Sports Car" and, in the May 1984 issue, named the sporty 2-seater as the Best Sports/GT Under $9000.

Performance? The pint-sized car (it was nearly a foot shorter than the little Fiat/Bertone X1/9!) could run from 0-to-60 mph in just a tad over 10 seconds. Handling? On the skidpad it compared to the likes of the 1984 Lotus Turbo Esprit. In the slalom it was bettered only by Ferrari's 512 Berlinetta Boxer.

The CRX was ergonomically correct, with proper instrumentation and controls arranged in a logical fashion. Moreover, the controls--from gearbox to steering--had a race-carlike, direct feel to them. And despite the car's diminutive size, there was ample room for two. Why, the CRX could even be called "practical," for underneath the rear hatchback was a surprisingly large cargo space that could accommodate luggage, groceries or golf bags.

Let's not forget "economical" too. During the mid- and late-Eighties, the HF version of the CRX routinely occupied the top spots on the EPA's annual fuel-economy hit parade, with ratings in the 50-mpg range. The other members of the CRX family could easily achieve mpg figures in the 30s.

And finally, there was "reliable."

Unlike most of the CRX's British/European economy-***-sports-car predecessors, the CRX would run and run--and run some more--with no fuss. This was a sporting machine the likes of which enthusiasts had never seen. And the best part of all was the car's list price: less than $7000 in 1984.

As the CRX matured, it only became better in almost every respect. To borrow an old Detroit advertising phrase, the second-series CRX of 1988 was longer, lower and wider. It was also sleeker, faster and more sure-footed, thanks to an all-new, low-coefficient-of-drag (0.30 CD) body, a new 1.6-liter engine (in the top-of-the-line Si version) and a revamped suspension (Honda's double wishbones fore and aft replaced the MacPherson struts and beam axle of the earlier cars).

In its new form, the little street fighter went on winning more and more enthusiast friends until 1991, when, inexplicably, it went Poof! The CRX disappeared from Honda's lineup, ostensibly replaced by the del Sol.

Which is to say that the CRX is the perfect Used Car Classic candidate. The car was unequaled while it was in production. And in the hearts of its many fans, it remains unequaled today, four years after its demise.

 

Man, this just makes me want one more now. :D

 

Man this just makes me love mine more now and want another 1st gen again. 87 d16a1 turbo or bust!!! unequaled 4 years after it's demise...try 13 years!!!!


Modified by speed_racer012 at 11:34 PM 3/24/2004

 

this is why i ditched the 91 hatch for my 88 crx