From: synth@deepthought.unm.edu (Synth F. Oberheim)
Subject: Re: CRX vs Del Sol
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 17:37:31 GMT
Organization: SynthMedia Productions Ltd.: The Danes Call It Quality


za72@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (mo'money) writes:

mo'money> I was wondering what are people's opinions in regard to the
mo'money> new Del Sol as compare to the CRX.

I got to take a Del Sol Si out for a brief test drive late last week,
falsely informing the salestroll that I was interested in trading in
my '85 CRX for one.  Yeah, right! :-)

What stood out blatantly for me is that this new car is aimed at an
entirely different market segment.  The styling is very friendly and
fun-looking, and is completely void of the racy, aggressive streak
that the previous CRX had.  The car is bigger than you would expect,
too, with slightly exaggerated features -- large tires, big taillights,
wide pillars.  Personally I like the styling, but it is a departure.

Where I became disappointed was when I sat inside -- the Del Sol feels
big and cozy, with higher doorsills than on the CRX, and lower seating
which loses the direct view of the hoodline and road that all CRXs have.
The cabin with the targa top off is not quite as "open-air" feeling as I
had expected.  Dashboard layout is clear as always, with the center
console and vents obviously mimicking a Miata.  Interior is very
contoured and again, friendly.  Behind each seat is an *individual*
locking storage compartment (hmmm, fun again), and a portion of the
center rest lifts up to reveal the ever-popular cup holders.  Power
windows are (I think) standard.

The drive, although brief, was revealing.  Unfortunately they only had
an automatic available, so I feel I haven't really sampled the engine,
but what I did observe was a very smooth and quiet 125 hp -- very non-
intrusive.  Actually I found it kind of sterile.  Acceleration was
peppy, but disappointing compared to the former CRX Si -- the torque
just wasn't there.  And the handling:  nimble and fun, but tuned very
soft -- a big step down from the tight precision of the CRX Si.  A very
deliberate move, again targeted for a different market.

After driving, I couldn't help feeling that the car was designed for
the beach -- like the Del Sol's personality (or should I say image) is a 
combination of a Suzuki Samurai and Mazda Miata.  But the Miata is a much
more serious performer than the Del Sol, and likewise for the previous
CRX.  The Del Sol is, instead, a FunMobile.  Honda knows what they're
doing -- this car at once aims at both the new renaissance of roadsters
and convertibles, while filling in the void left by the immensely ppular
Samurai after the rollover scare killed off sales.  Honda will probably
sell a lot of these to a lot of tanned hardbodies and teenagers.  It's
just too bad they had to bail out of the pocket-rocket race; I mean, sure,
the NX2000, Saturn SC and Eclipse GSX are scary beasts, but if the CRX's
old nemesis the MR2 can move upscale, the CRX certainly can ... :-)

Well, what's done is done.  If you want serious driving, go find a one- or
two-year-old CRX Si and have some *real* fun ...


===============================================================================
    :: :: :: :: ::     Synth F.    synth@deepthought.unm.edu    U S E N E T   
 :: :: :: :: :: :: ::  Oberheim    synth@yenta.alb.nm.us             in color!
===============================================================================
FROM 1992 GM CAR OWNERS MANUAL: "Don't use radiator antifreeze in your
                                 windshield washer.  It can damage your paint."