Buying a classic car will always involve taking a leap of faith. The passage of time can leave gaps in the car’s history, raising some doubts in the buyer’s mind about whether the vehicle has received appropriate maintenance. The person who buys this 1990 Honda CR-X should have no such qualms because it comes with a reassuring amount of documentation confirming its service history. The seller is the car’s second owner, and adding to its appeal is an odometer reading of 53,000 miles. It presents nicely for a vehicle of this type and age and seems to need nothing beyond a new home. Located in Visalia, California, you will find the Honda listed for sale here on eBay. Healthy bidding has pushed the price to $10,000, although this remains short of the reserve.

When Honda released its Second Generation CR-X in 1988, its styling was considered similar to its predecessor. While it was longer and wider than the First Generation, its overall shape left potential buyers with no doubts about its lineage. The most noticeable difference was a vertical glass panel above the taillights that improved rear visibility. Our feature car presents extremely well in Polar White. It was one of six shades offered across the entire CR-X range for that model year but one of only four available on the “DX” version. The owner says that apart from a minor touch-up on the lower rear bumper, the paint on this Japanese gem is original. It continues to hold an impressive shine, and like the panels, any defects would appear to be so minor that they aren’t visible in the supplied photos. Honda has always focused heavily on quality control, and it is why their products suffer fewer rust issues than their rivals. Combine that attention to detail with a life spent in California, and it should be no surprise to learn that this CR-X is rust-free. The plastic trim and glass are in excellent condition, but the styled steel wheels feature enough marks and stains to suggest that they could benefit from a refresh.

The key to the success of most Honda road cars can be seen when an owner lifts the hood. The engine bay of this CR-X is no exception, housing a 1,493cc 16-valve four-cylinder engine that produces 92hp. In typical hot hatch fashion, that power gets to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. That motor may not have a lot of power, but the car that it is tasked to move tips the scales at a mere 2,006lbs. Therefore, its ¼-mile ET of 17 seconds looks pretty good. For potential buyers, the news here seems to be nothing but positive. The owner claims that the Honda has a genuine 53,000 miles on the clock, and I would usually place a question mark over such statements. However, he holds a comprehensive service history dating back to the day this classic rolled off the showroom floor, and they seem to confirm the odometer reading. He recently spent $835 on some new suspension and ignition items, and these see the car in excellent mechanical health. The CR-X runs and drives as it should and is ready for a new owner to enjoy the driving pleasure that these cars willingly provide.

Plastic trim with more than three decades under its belt can be prone to all sorts of horror stories. It can fade, crack, and crumble before your very eyes. The problems are usually exacerbated when the vehicle is exposed to harsh UV rays like those found in California. However, this Honda’s interior has avoided those issues. The dash and console look perfect, as do the remaining plastic components. There are slipcovers over the seats, but I feel these are there for protection rather than hiding some underlying problems. There is no visible wear on the wheel, and the same appears true of the carpet. The only flaw of any note is a crack in the plastic beside the air conditioning control. Since it is pretty minor, the buyer probably won’t worry about it. As well as A/C, the CR-X features an AM/FM stereo radio, intermittent wipers, and a tilt wheel.

While it has typically been viewed as a stereotypical Japanese car manufacturer, Honda has always marched to the beat of a different drummer. Compared to other makers from that region, Honda was late to the party when they decided to dip their toes in the automotive water. Once they transitioned from exclusively motorcycle manufacturing and set their sites on four wheels, their model development was more revolutionary than evolutionary. They brought new technologies to their vehicles well ahead of their rivals. Even though their interior equipment levels were often considered inferior to the competition, many buyers were willing to forgive those shortcomings to experience the joyful and rewarding motoring experience offered by a Honda. The CR-X has become something of a small car legend, but it is common for these Japanese classics to begin to look and feel old and tired due to years of spirited driving in the hands of an enthusiastic owner. This CR-X has avoided that fate, and its maintenance history suggests that it should have many years of service to offer its next owner. Is that enough to convince you to pursue this classic further?