courtesy honda
Story by David S. Wallens, Photography as Credited
You could say that this one comes right from the Lotus playbook: It’s simple, lightweight and sports a very effective suspension. But this creation didn’t come from a small, bespoke manufacturer; it’s a Honda. Meet the CRX.
Specifically we’re talking about the second-generation CRX, the one sold stateside for the 1988-’91 model …
Hmm, just like the Zetec MGB post I'm getting 404's on your hyperlinks.
Make that 808, me too.
"This is our 404 page..."
I purchased a nearly new 89 SI in 1999. I put about 150,000 miles on that car. Tons of autox and track days at Lime Rock, NH international, Watkins Glenn, Bridgehampton! Pocono.
At LRP The 911s could not figure out how I could get a run out of the downhill and pass them on the front straight.
Great memories.
CRX's are delightful. Early 2nd gen are the best. They should have worn teeth in front of the radiator, rather than horizontal slats.
A new F12 couldn't figure out how I exited the Buttonwillow's Bus Stop about 12mph faster in my 1989 CRX SI last week. Poor guy got rattled -- swerved left while appearing to point-by a pass on the left. Admittedly, it helped having ~500 more laps around the course than he did. ;)
I have been racing a Gen 2 in SCCA Club racing since 1989. I have gone through a few chassis tubs in that time. Walls are just too hard.
I do have Chassis # 000025. Needs a bunch of work, but that is going to happen soon.
You forgot to mention the 5 National Championships in H-Production in HF trim.
This my Hotrod.
Dammit GRM - stop telling people how good these cars are. At least until I squirrel away a few more for myself while the prices are still low, lol. The standard civic is worth considering too. Very little weight difference but way more space for tires and tools. And cheaper / easier to buy. I don't know why the recent sale you mentioned cost $15K, but there are still currently cars out there for a fraction of that price that are good enough to enjoy and receive compliments on. Check out vendors like Rock Auto to see how cheap the prices are for parts too.
Cheap, reliable, entertaining - I wish my ex could hav been more like my CRX.
Just finishing up a K20 swap into one for luckydog endurance series.
2 other crx's in the team,B16 and B18 powered.
It does not have "double-wishbone suspension front and rear".
I understand why marketing people use terms that they think will sell, as long as most readers won't catch their lies, but why do automotive journalists repeat them?
This generation Honda Civic (the 4th) - along with next two - does have double-wishbone front suspension, but the rear suspension is not double-wishbone. It is multi-link, with each side having the hub carried on a trailing arm with upper and lower lateral links plus a toe compensation link. It's a good and compact design, one of many designs (from several different manufacturers) with trailing arms and lateral links; the distinction between them is the toe correction feature, and Honda has an unusual approach with the compensator ahead of the main trailing arm bushing. The frustrating thing here is that while people think "double wishbone" sounds like it would be better, these non-wishbone multi-link designs are great.
As for the CRX specifically... my wife and I like them, and had both generations. I wouldn't buy one now, mostly because they're all rotting away and parts will be rare - a later but still double-wishbone (in front) Civic would make more sense. I would also prefer the Civic for track use, as the longer wheelbase would likely only improve the car. The first-generation was fun but not fast on our local track, and the second generation was better-behaved and faster; I never tried my same-generation (as a 2nd gen CRX) Civic sedan on the track, but I think I would rather go with it (or the hatchback, more likely). The hatchback Civics were the basis of the Honda Michelin race series.
Thank you Brian for clarifying that. People get so excited about "double wishbones" they start throwing them everywhere.
Multi-link? Struts? Torsion beam? Crap I tell you! My double-wishbone car ate 10 Porsches and a Ferrari cause it has double-wishbones. How many wishbones? DOUBLE.
Back to the C-Arrrrr-X as we used to call it. My best friend had a first gen in high-school and I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. Fast-ish, fun, and we could fit 5 people in it! Tough to find them now, sad to say.
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