Original VTEC: 1996 Honda del Sol

Maybe I’m being harsh, but I find Honda’s current passenger car range slightly disappointing. The Prelude is a nice car, but the rest of the lineup shows limited imagination. I would love to see the marque recapture the glory days before the Global Financial Crisis, when it produced cars like this 1996 del Sol. This survivor features the range-topping VTEC engine, giving it impressive performance by the standards of the day. It is a turnkey proposition, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Honda listed here on Craigslist in Centennial, Colorado. The seller set the price at $16,000 but doesn’t indicate whether it’s negotiable.

Launched in 1993 as part of the Civic range, the del Sol enjoyed an extremely short production life. The ax fell in 1997, with our featured del Sol rolling off the line a year before sales ended. As the VTEC variant, buyers could choose from only three paint shades, and the first owner selected Granada Black Pearl. A close inspection reveals minor imperfections, but the Honda still looks extremely presentable. The paint shines impressively, and there are no panel dings or dents that this color would make glaringly obvious. I can’t spot any evidence of rust, and since Honda has a reputation for excellent corrosion protection, I suspect this classic is rock-solid. The plastic hasn’t succumbed to age or UV exposure, and although the 14″ alloy wheels have a few dirty spots, these should disappear if the buyer takes time with a high-quality polish.

Honda’s VTEC engine range was a revelation when it was unveiled. It used clever technology to deliver class-leading performance. This del Sol benefits from that approach, with its 1.6-liter VTEC four churning out 158hp and 111 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures might sound modest, but combined with a five-speed manual transmission and a curb weight of only 2,396 lbs, contemporary road tests consistently returned ¼-mile ETs of around 16 seconds. The seller claims this survivor has 63,000 miles on the clock, stating that they recently replaced the battery and the clutch master and slave cylinders. They have Service Records that may verify the mileage claim, and they also include the original Window Sticker. The indications are that the del Sol is a turnkey proposition.

Ordering a 1996 del Sol in Granda Black Pearl brought Black interior trim by default. Honda loaded the VTEC variant, and the only option was the automatic transmission. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a digital clock, a tilt wheel, an AM/FM radio/cassette player, and a driver’s airbag. If these cars have a genuine weakness, it is the cloth trim, which often doesn’t age well. However, this car’s seats look extremely good, with no sgnificant wear or marks. The carpet is excellent, while the dash and other plastic components haven’t cracked or crumbled.

This 1996 Honda del Sol is a wonderful survivor that should provide its new owner with a rewarding driving experience. These cars enjoy a well-earned reputation for longevity, and the 63,000 miles on this car’s odometer should be a drop in the ocean. It also shows why it’s worth doing research before committing funds to a classic purchase. If you believe JD Power, the seller’s price is wildly optimistic. However, if you investigate recent successful sales, the figure is quite realistic. It might still be slightly high considering its cosmetic imperfections, but it isn’t far off the mark. The Honda has been on the market for over a week, but do you believe it will find a new home?