The hot hatch is a demographic of vehicles that shows no signs of slowing down in terms of the enthusiast market’s attraction to them. While other segments of the hobby ebb and flow, the 80s and 90s econoboxes that became backroads carvers have endured shockingly well. Clean cars like this 1991 Honda CRX Si listed here on craigslist for $22,000 still command a following and top dollar, simply owing to the fact that not many are left in survivor-grade condition. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the tip.
The CRX was not necessarily a world-beater in terms of outright performance but rather a combination of qualities that made it somewhat unrepeatable. In any trim level, it was a lithe handler, able to gobble up backroads via a communicative front-wheel drive chassis. The base model trims could achieve incredible fuel economy without having to worry about specialized driving tactics like hypermiling. And the Si, shown here, squeezed out just enough additional horsepower to make it feel truly racy, a sensation enhanced further with sharp alloy wheels and nicely-bolstered bucket seats.
The interiors were simple but durable affairs. Honda truly nailed interior ergonomics in the 1980s and 1990s, creating driver-focused cabins with awesome sight lines thanks to narrow A-pillars and lots of glass. It’s a shame that the current obsession over airbags and screens has eliminated this quality from Honda cabins in the modern era. The seller lists this CRX as having just over 52,000 miles, and it certainly shows in the condition of the interior. Given how popular these hot hatches were with young drivers and street tuners, it’s always nice to find one that remains untouched.
The 1.6L 4-cylinder may produce a mere 108 b.h.p. and 100 lb.-ft. of torque, but with a curb weight of just barely over 2,000 lbs., it makes that output feel much greater. The CRX will always be a fan favorite when found in stock condition, because that was the ultimate manifestation of this high-quality hatchback. Engine swaps may be exciting, but my feeling has always been that the engineers who built the car knew what the best balance of power and weight would be. Even with its somewhat high asking price, I doubt this CRX will last long on craigslist.
Always liked these, bet most have been modded and beat.
Price is geared towards a older guy with memories and cash.
Manual hatches are growing in popularity, especially cheap ones and younger crowds. They won’t be buying this.