CLASSIC DRIVE: Honda CRX

The Nineties might be better remembered for Honda’s superb NSX super car, but there was a smaller, cheaper but still exciting DOHC-engined hatch on offer from the same company. We head to Stellenbosch to experience one. 

Words and images: Wilhelm Lutjeharms 

It is always a revelation to experience how far we’ve come in terms of research and design when it comes to cars. A super hatch today is not much slower than a super car from a few years ago, as an example. Drive a car from the Nineties and it is again a strong reminder that things have moved on significantly, even though only three decades have passed.

That is not to say modern cars are more fun though. If you read automotive magazines from the early Nineties, you would have come across articles about Honda’s cracking little CRX hatchback, with that sharp nose (with bonnet bulge), wedge-shaped profile and a very "abrupt" rear end.

• Find a classic car for yourself here.

Up front was a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine connected to a five-speed gearbox, driving the front wheels. What is a special about this car? For starters, this model is standard – that is apart from the steering wheel, gearlever and custom exhaust manifold and exhaust. The owner still has the original steering wheel though, and even the original Becker radio. It's almost like a Golf 5 GTI or a Subaru WRX STI – you rarely find them in standard form.

The owner’s story

The young owner of this car shares some of the car’s history and why he has so enjoyed owning it for the past two years. “The original owner was a lady in Kroonstad. It found its way to the Cape and then I bought it from a friend of mine. Since I got it, I did a number of long trips with the car. One was to the Knysna Hillclimb and then two trips in short succession, one to Louriesfontein and then one to Strandfontein along the West Coast. Before I bought this CRX I had a go in another one and just fell in love with the car.

"The fact that all previous owners looked after this one and that it was well maintained were all contributing factors to my decision, plus the fact that it is really frugal in terms of consumption. I’ve added mudflaps that I imported from the UK. I’ve also taken it for a dyno test before, and I still remember the figure. It was developing 99.7 kW. The only reason I’m selling it is because I’m purchasing a more modern sports car.”

Behind the wheel

As a youngster in Primary School, I remember fondly looking at the CRX articles in magazines, thinking it must be quite an exciting “entry-level” performance car to drive. Today I’m about to find out. 

The moment you take your position behind the wheel, you realise how close to the ground the car is. I can just lower my right hand and touch the tarmac. For a car with 277 800 km on the odo, the cabin looks near-perfect, especially the cloth seats. They are comfortable and actually provide a surprising level of support. The rest of the cabin is simple - standard analogue dials, air-con buttons and a lever. 

As I pull away and make my way towards Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, it is evident how the large glass area around you and thin pillars allow for a great view. The gearbox, as expected, is easy to navigate and relatively direct, although not as close-to-perfect as Honda’s S2000 which was launched less than 10 years later. Still, you never doubt your next shift. 

A true lightweight

Even at town speeds you can sense the lightness of the car, how even this modest power and torque delivery make light work of pulling the car along. With fluids warmed up, I head up the pass and slowly build up speed through the corners. The low weight (well under a ton) of the car makes the car a joy in the corners, while the suspension and tyre combination do show the car’s age (tyres all-round are 185/60 R14). The result is that there is still ample grip, but you must be patient as the car takes a brief moment to settle as you turn it into a corner. Once it is settled, you have a good level of feedback, as there is no power steering to corrupt the communication from the front axle.

As expected, the engine is willing to rev, and towards 5 000 rpm it becomes especially throaty towards the redline just after 7 000 rpm. It does have a louder note owing to the custom exhaust system fitted, but when you are in the mood that is rather welcoming. The brakes also did a fine job during my outing.

The aftermarket steering wheel also adds to the driving experience, and I can understand, in terms of the opinion of a driving enthusiast, why it has been fitted.

I do the pass one more time before I stop to take pictures and revel in the honest little engine and the analogue experience. It is a tricky balance, because a lot of enthusiasts would try to modernise these cars, but that would be missing the point of experiencing a true '90s Japanese hot hatch. 

The owner is currently moving on to a new performance car and this CRX is for sale. As expected, he didn’t have to search long for a potential buyer for this car who will, thankfully, if all goes to plan, maintain the car and keep it in its current, standard condition. 

Specifications

1991 Honda CRX

Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 96 kW at 6 800 rpm

Torque: 146 Nm at  5 700 rpm 

Transmission: 5-speed manual, FWD 

Weight: 954 kg

0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds

Top speed: 195 km/h

Production run: 1987 - 1991