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1990 Honda CRX SI: A Well-Kept Modern Classic

Now I know what you’re thinking: since when is a Honda classic? Since recently! Though in the scheme of things, this 1990 CRX is relatively new, it is still nearly 28 years old. We have featured 11 different CRXs over the last two years, and with good reason. The CRX has always been a popular Honda product, and is just as popular as ever with values currently on the rise. Because so many CRXs saw a lot of use and abuse over the last 30 years, many of them rusted out or were beaten to death by teen drivers. This one has only seen daily duty and covered a mere 86,517 miles, hardly a feat for a ’90s Honda. Find it here on eBay in Washington state with a $6,599 price tag. 

As far as CRXs go, this one is in excellent condition. Although mint condition show-worthy survivors pop up from time to time, this one is in the best driver condition I have ever seen one in. The seat has wear that is typical of these cars, but it could easily be repaired. With the exception of the worn driver’s seat, the rest of the interior looks clean, well-kept, and in near-mint condition. For having seen a life of use as a daily, this CRX is about as nice as could be expected! The only thing “bad” about the interior is the addition of an aftermarket radio.

When I first saw the price tag, I thought it was a little steep for a CRX, even as nice as this one is. Then I realized it was an SI, meaning it has the larger, more powerful and more desirable 1.6L Honda D16 engine. Although that may be a small engine,this is also a very small car. The seller has maintenance and repair records, even from the original owner. Although the seller has taken time to clean the engine up, everything looks intact and well-maintained. From the ad, new parts include: timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment, external drive, coolant change, rocker support shaft and rocker arms, and an engine seal.

Although this car has a decently sized spot of rust behind the passenger side rear wheel, as well as some other small spots on the driver’s door, this car is otherwise clean. Unlike many CRXs on the road, it hasn’t been modified, raced, or had an amateur home-installed body kit added to it. The seller bought it with the intention of commuting in it, but decided to go the route of a newer vehicle. This could be a great daily, or a quick project to turn into a really nice CRX SI. I firmly believe these will be worth a decent amount in the future, the only question is when. Would you leave it as is, or fix it up?

Comments

  1. Avatar OJM

    Great little cars…..
    These things will run forever with
    proper maintenance.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar PoPPaPork

    This will absolutely be an expensive classic one day. Im not much of an investor but a stock(ish), low(ish) mile crx si, del-sol, legend, integra, rsx will go up in value big time. Too many of them where riced, beat up, broken into by thugs, used as dailies in metro areas and plain neglected. They have good hp/lbs &sport/comfort ratios and when manual equipped have that driver/car/road connection lacking in modern cars with electric power steering, 1000lbs of sound proofing, and cvts

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  3. Avatar SunbeamerStu

    Lock it away or put a good security system on it. Mine was in fantastic shape, then stolen out of the driveway one night and later found stripped. They are still much in demand.

    Was a very fun little car. Suspension felt like it was straight off a Radio Flyer, tho.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar DG

    Love these cars, especially the 2nd gen. Finding one in that condition with low miles and its a Si, its worth every penny.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Dolphin Member

    There couldn’t be two more different cars in a row than this CRX and the gigantic Chrysler wagon. Well, I guess the smaller one could be even more extreme, like a Crosley or a Euro microcar….

    I tend to agree that the CRX is special: a modest near-supercar on a micro scale, Japanese econo-style.

    Altho some Japanese cars have bumped up in value lately, they tend to be the rare sports models, like the Mazda Cosmo or the Datsun 240Z, especially the JDM Fairlady version, which is selling at international auction venues at up to a quarter-million IIRC for top examples.

    OTOH the ‘regular’ No American version 240Z struggles to exceed $50K, and then has to be an early car, original, and perfect, or close, with history.

    I think the CRX is getting collectible or at least hoardable, if you are inclined to hoard, but might never get to big values in our lifetime. Too many, too close to utilitarian, too Japanese.

    It will probably sell at $6.6K but it might take a while. It’s being looked at by 16 viewers per hour on Ebay, but no sale so far. It’s not perfect, and that ODO makes me suspicious, especially the first numeral…and then there’s the rust perforation.

    If I were inclined to buy it I would use it sparingly and probably keep it around, just to enjoy and see how values develop down the road.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar jaymes

    id rock one again!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Steve

    I always wanted one of these! In high school in the mid/ late eighties, I had several friends with these. One buddy was all excited to get his dad on board with buying one, only to show up at school with a blue/ silver HF (first gen). WAH WAAHHHH…

    Another friend scored a first gen teal green (not sure if it was stock or not) SI, (with a carb, IIRC). It was before the “ricer” craze, but it had some mugen parts.

    Yet another friend got a black second gen SI after we graduated. I got to drive them all, and having owned a 71 El Camino, instantly fell in love with the nimble handling.

    Around 2000 I had my chance to pick up a 91 Integra RS. It reminded me a lot of the CRXs of my buddies. I needed a commuter, so picked it up with a blown head gasket for $500. It was a a super clean car, no rust or dents, only slight seat wear, less than this car, silver/ blue color, “stripper”, no sunroof or power windows. It had a little over 100k miles. The simple head gasket turned into the threads for one head bolt being stripped. Nothing a $1K JDM B18 (with VTEC, yo!) couldn’t fix! Sold it a few years later for $2500 :(

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Dan B.

    Love this. I’d replace the driver’s seat, change the fluids, and drive it as long as possible.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I was not a big import fan during these years, but these cars (among others ) went a long way toward changing my mind. They weren’t fast, but they were a fun driving car, especially with a stick shift. This one looks decent, but it’s not pristine. I think in its current condition the asking price is just a tad bit high, If I were in the market I’d offer around $4000.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Rich G

    I like this one as it has obviously been cared for and not thrashed. However,at this price point, the rust bothers me, especially on the door. Take that plastic panel off the bottom of the door and show me how much is there.

    $6600 seems a bit steep given rust, faded paint, and other items. I’d consider $4500. But, as noted elsewhere, these are appreciating so it may be worth it.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar TechnoHippie

    I’ve had 4 friends that owned these stupid things back in the early 90’s. 3 of them got involved in low speed crashes – and ALL 3 got hurt – 1 pretty badly. 4th friend sold hers because of all that and did not want to die. Yeah no thanks I’ll pass.

    Like 0

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