Car choice
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Car choice
First off I want to say that I love the Del Sol and if you don't that's fine but don't let that interfere with this questions. I live in Albany, NY and just graduated and got myself a nice job testing applications for one of the biggest banks in the country. Right now I'm driving a '97 Civic DX 5speed. I've socked away nearly 7 grand so far and am making plenty of money but don't want to get myself into a huge financial commitment, even for the car of my dreams, so no S2000 just yet. However, I do want a better & nicer car relatively soon. Here's been my train of thought:
Before the 06Si was introduced I was thinking of getting an EP3 either leftover or slightly used. Practical, not too large, much better than my current car, even if it's not what an Si should be. Then the 06Si reviews came out and I can't justify to myself saving just a few grand by getting an EP3 for so much less car. I wish the new Si came with a hatchback option.
One of my mother's business associates has a sister selling a '97 Del Sol VTEC. I've wanted one of them for a long time and could now buy one cash (though getting a hold of the guy has been an issue). The benefit is that it would be a REALLY easy car to parallel park in Albany, which I have to do every day, and it's already been subjected to snow and salt so I wouldn't have to feel bad for that. Also, I love open cars, and the targa works much better for the northeast than a tru convertible. The downside is the roof may not still seal well and it doesn't have much in the way of cargo space for someone who still wants the ability to pack up and move immediately if necessary. I'm also worried about how 3500rpm @ 60mph would sound, but I never really go above 45 in my daily driving.
The 06Si, on the other hand, should be about as useful as my current car, has a sunroof, which is at least more open than a completely solid roof, plenty of sound deadening, a nice tall 6th gear, a great engine, and an LSD to help with the snow. However, its 14k$ more the Del Sol (they're asking 5800 for the Sol) and that means I'd need a loan, though if I were to go this route I'd do it in late Spring or so and have more like 12-14k$ available cash. However, the 14k$ price difference can do a LOT to the Sol, including the differential.
Now I hear rumors the CRX will be back for 07 and if true that might be close to the hatchback 06Si I wish existed, but that would mean another year with my current beater. The Sol has the advantage of not having new car depreciation so if I got rid of it in late 07 for a CRX it wouldn't hurt nearly as bad as getting rid of the Si after one year. However, if the CRX is just a 2seater I might still prefer the Civic for having a little more space in a pinch, and I imagine there will always be new hot cars just around the corner.
Can anyone who's been through similar situation give me any advice? Please don't tell me to save my money and not get anything; I have been dying for a better car and will not spend more than I can afford and if I were getting a new car it would be one I would drive for years. Sorry for the long post but hopefully someone can help me out.
Before the 06Si was introduced I was thinking of getting an EP3 either leftover or slightly used. Practical, not too large, much better than my current car, even if it's not what an Si should be. Then the 06Si reviews came out and I can't justify to myself saving just a few grand by getting an EP3 for so much less car. I wish the new Si came with a hatchback option.
One of my mother's business associates has a sister selling a '97 Del Sol VTEC. I've wanted one of them for a long time and could now buy one cash (though getting a hold of the guy has been an issue). The benefit is that it would be a REALLY easy car to parallel park in Albany, which I have to do every day, and it's already been subjected to snow and salt so I wouldn't have to feel bad for that. Also, I love open cars, and the targa works much better for the northeast than a tru convertible. The downside is the roof may not still seal well and it doesn't have much in the way of cargo space for someone who still wants the ability to pack up and move immediately if necessary. I'm also worried about how 3500rpm @ 60mph would sound, but I never really go above 45 in my daily driving.
The 06Si, on the other hand, should be about as useful as my current car, has a sunroof, which is at least more open than a completely solid roof, plenty of sound deadening, a nice tall 6th gear, a great engine, and an LSD to help with the snow. However, its 14k$ more the Del Sol (they're asking 5800 for the Sol) and that means I'd need a loan, though if I were to go this route I'd do it in late Spring or so and have more like 12-14k$ available cash. However, the 14k$ price difference can do a LOT to the Sol, including the differential.
Now I hear rumors the CRX will be back for 07 and if true that might be close to the hatchback 06Si I wish existed, but that would mean another year with my current beater. The Sol has the advantage of not having new car depreciation so if I got rid of it in late 07 for a CRX it wouldn't hurt nearly as bad as getting rid of the Si after one year. However, if the CRX is just a 2seater I might still prefer the Civic for having a little more space in a pinch, and I imagine there will always be new hot cars just around the corner.
Can anyone who's been through similar situation give me any advice? Please don't tell me to save my money and not get anything; I have been dying for a better car and will not spend more than I can afford and if I were getting a new car it would be one I would drive for years. Sorry for the long post but hopefully someone can help me out.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Alright my 2 cents to this question, purely comparing one to the toher and no other cars, comes to simply get the new SI. Providing you're planning on keeping this car for a while, whether to become a beater later on down the road, or just your overall car. If you're looking for a short term car while you start to make more money, then go with the Del Sol
I have no idea exactly how it performs, it's supposed to be pretty nice, and pretty sick around the corners. Have yet to test drive one so I'm going purely from word of mouth.
And my reasoning why follows:
1. I think you'll be somewhat disappointed with getting that old of a car for that price tag (9 years old). Del Sols are pretty nice cars, but I personally think they're a little overrated.
2. You're going to end up running into problems/maintenance/replacing parts etc probably pretty early into your personal life with the car. Getting the new SI you're going to have a good few years before you have any real worries on that end.
3. Getting th eSI will allow you to have a DD/beater for years and years and years, effectively making the money you're putting down now as an investment. Your next car can be a nice performance car that you won't have to worry when the snow hits, because you'll have the SI in the background. The Del Sol will give you a short term escape, however it's something that could turn into a major hassle. While you will be paying more for the SI, in the end tha tmoney will become a pure investment, and you'll have a 'family car' for years down the road.
3. The entire lack of space thing with the Del Sol I think you'll realize how much of a pain that is when you want to carry friends, or when you need to move alot of stuff. Since this will become your only car you'll be limited with what you can do with it with the Del Sol, especially since I'm guessing you're now on your own and finding another car to borrow could become nearly impossible.
Of course I know absolutely nothing about the CRX coming back, so that could change things if anyone has any factual info about that.
I have no idea exactly how it performs, it's supposed to be pretty nice, and pretty sick around the corners. Have yet to test drive one so I'm going purely from word of mouth.
And my reasoning why follows:
1. I think you'll be somewhat disappointed with getting that old of a car for that price tag (9 years old). Del Sols are pretty nice cars, but I personally think they're a little overrated.
2. You're going to end up running into problems/maintenance/replacing parts etc probably pretty early into your personal life with the car. Getting the new SI you're going to have a good few years before you have any real worries on that end.
3. Getting th eSI will allow you to have a DD/beater for years and years and years, effectively making the money you're putting down now as an investment. Your next car can be a nice performance car that you won't have to worry when the snow hits, because you'll have the SI in the background. The Del Sol will give you a short term escape, however it's something that could turn into a major hassle. While you will be paying more for the SI, in the end tha tmoney will become a pure investment, and you'll have a 'family car' for years down the road.
3. The entire lack of space thing with the Del Sol I think you'll realize how much of a pain that is when you want to carry friends, or when you need to move alot of stuff. Since this will become your only car you'll be limited with what you can do with it with the Del Sol, especially since I'm guessing you're now on your own and finding another car to borrow could become nearly impossible.
Of course I know absolutely nothing about the CRX coming back, so that could change things if anyone has any factual info about that.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,029
Likes: 2
From: In the heart of the USSA!
If the Del Sol is nice and good overall shape I think it would be your best bet for now. If you want something else in six months you shouldn't lose much if any money on it unless you start modding. Keep it stock, enjoy it until you're in a better able to get what you really want. I'm hoping for the CRX too.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Limerick
As someone who has owned both an S2000 and a 2002 Civic Si both at the same time as my del Sol, I'd have to vote for the del Sol for that price. While the other cars have come and gone, I always hang on to the del Sol (it is a VTEC).
Just make sure you're talking about the DOHC VTEC (160 HP) which is badged as the VTEC model. I went with a friend to look at one that they said was a VTEC, but it was the 127 HP SOHC VTEC model.
I have never heard the actual number (of DOHC VTECs) that were brought to the US in 1997, but I have never seen a VIN above 800 (mine is 717) so they are quite rare. I figure down the line their rarity will be a cool thing, even if they aren't worth anything more.
It is a fun car that it truly unique.
That being said, I love the new Si, but they'll be around for a while. If you buy the del Sol now, chances are it won't be worth a whole lot less in 2 years if you go to move up to the Si by then.
Good luck!!!
Just make sure you're talking about the DOHC VTEC (160 HP) which is badged as the VTEC model. I went with a friend to look at one that they said was a VTEC, but it was the 127 HP SOHC VTEC model.
I have never heard the actual number (of DOHC VTECs) that were brought to the US in 1997, but I have never seen a VIN above 800 (mine is 717) so they are quite rare. I figure down the line their rarity will be a cool thing, even if they aren't worth anything more.
It is a fun car that it truly unique.
That being said, I love the new Si, but they'll be around for a while. If you buy the del Sol now, chances are it won't be worth a whole lot less in 2 years if you go to move up to the Si by then.
Good luck!!!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, WA USA
del Sol. Dont let space fool you, I had my del Sol as a field technician back in 97. I could fit 2 full computers in it with 2 dot matrix printers. Also, I LOVED having a 2 seater.. I was never forced to drive my firends (and therefor never got in the kinda trouble we should have).
