Have you ever heard of the concept of “slow car fast”? As it turns out, the fun-factor associated with driving a car doesn’t have to be dependent on its horsepower statistic. In some cases, pushing a lesser-powered vehicle at or near its limits can feel about as invigorating as dipping into the throttle of an all-out exotic supercar.
CRX Background
The Honda CRX came at a time when motorists had dealt with ongoing energy/oil crises throughout the 1970s and were adopting small, fuel-efficient cars. The CRX was produced from 1984 to 1991 and was praised for its peppy driving experience combined with class-leading fuel efficiency. At its core, it was a simple, two-seat, front-wheel drive compact with sporting aspirations. But “sporty” could only so far, since the most performance-oriented model (in the United States, anyway) was a 108-horsepower, 1.6-liter “Si.”
There were two distinct generations (1984 through 1987, and a slightly rounded-off 1988 through 1991). Drivetrains and engineering features were largely shared with the more contemporary Civic, but the CRX weighed only about 1,800 to 2,100 pounds, so it had a distinct power-to-weight advantage over other models in the Honda lineup. That meant that it was capable of hybrid-like fuel economy. One trim level in particular, the HF (for “high fuel”), had an eight-valve 1.5-liter, taller gearing, and extensive weight-savings measures. It was rated at over 50 miles per gallon on the highway – and this was back in the 1980s!
Worth adding – although not marketed explicitly as a CRX in the United States, the 1993-through-1997 del Sol (a two-seater with a removable rooftop) did carry the CRX nameplate in some markets around the world. We will revisit that unique model another time.
Greg’s Collectible CRX
In recent years, the CRX has gained strong momentum in the collector community, and well-kept, low-mileage, unmodified examples are sought after. My friend Greg is no stranger to the platform since he’s owned several CRXs – and keeps coming back for more.
Greg’s current pride and joy is a Rio Red 1990 (which he dubbed the “Rex”) showing only 50,556 miles on the odometer. The car’s background is a classic “little old lady” story: It was owned by its original owner in Louisiana from 1990 through 2025 before finally being set free after 35 years. First delivered to Holmes Honda World in Shreveport, the car had a retail price of $11,390. Dealer-added equipment on top of that included air conditioining, an AM/FM cassette, and floor mats. Today, the car retains its original D1616 SOHC 1.6-liter which received a new timing belt, valve cover gaskets, and a battery earlier this year.
Greg brought his low-mileage CRX out for an informal “all-red-car” meet-up where I displayed my 1992 Acura NSX and my friend Eric showcased his Mugen-upgraded 1987 Acura Integra. Even under overcast skies, the trio looked eye-catching – and we couldn’t help but agree that the CRX, Integra, and NSX represent what many consider to be “Golden Era” vehicles for Honda.
For being a relatively slow car (on paper, anyway), the CRX is a total grin-machine, and the car helped put Honda on the map when it came to driving enthusiasts. Are you a current or prior CRX owner, and what has your experience with the model been like?
