1986 Honda CRX

The Honda CR-X Mk1 was in production from 1983 until 1987. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive coupe range seating two adults and occasionally two children.

Inspired by the Alfa Romeo GT Junior Zagato, the CR-X was an attempt to broaden the appeal of the Civic and Ballade range by introducing a more sporting two door coupe which used the same mechanicals. With a range of engines spanning a 1.3L 58bhp unit through to a 135bhp 16v 1.6, the range offered cars for those who wanted to look the part as well as those who wanted to drive hard. Sold alongside the Quint and the Prelude in its native Japan, it was marketed as a more upmarket proposition than a standard Civic, and while in Britain fewer people bougt this that subsequent CR-X models it still enjoyed an ardent if small following. It was replaced by the second generation CR-X in 1987 – more obviously inspired by the Alfa GT Junior Zagato, and fitted with double wishbone suspension all round in place of the original car’s torsion bar front suspension and rear beam axle.

Unsurprisingly, there’s a Japanese feeling to it – hard to quantify but easy to understand if you’ve driven any 1980s Japanese classics before. It’s eager, precise, and amusing, majoring on power rather than torque it communicates well with you. Space is at a little bit of a premium if you’re especially big, but most shouldn’t have any issue with the room available – and the wheel at each corner stance means it’s one of the most chuckable cars of its generation. When fitted with the 1.6i-16 engine it’s rapid too, as 137bhp in a small car should be. This is the experience for which the term “pocket rocket” was coined.

Check the panel gaps for accident damage, these cars are amusing and may have been driven exuberantly in the past. If the gaps round the doors are suspect, open them and lift to check the hinges for play. Replacement windscreens can pose issues with drainage, so again check them carefully. Check for rust around the arches, the sills, the edges of the sunroof and around the front edge of the roof where it meets the windscreen. Fuel leaks by the rear nearside wheel indicate that the pipes are leaking where they meet the tank – bad news, and this needs rectifying as soon as possible. Front arches are plastic so shouldn’t show any signs of rot. Tappets can be noisy, and these engines can burn oil if neglected so check for blue smoke. Cambelt changes should be regular, as the Honda engines these use are interference engines and a snapped cambelt can effectively mean game over.

Strong colours sell best, as do cars with the 1.6i-16 drivetrain – these can be worth up to 20% more than equivalents with less powerful drivetrains. We’d avoid cars in insipid colours – as an 80s hero, this is a car that’s always been intended as a style statement, so blacks, reds, whites, and silvers will sell best.

An unusual alternative to consider would be the Rover 216 Vitesse EFi. Based around the same basic Honda Ballade chassis, but with Austin Rover’s S series and EFI offering power and torque to equal all but the 1.6 CR-X. Other alternatives might include the Mazda MX-5 MK1, as a small fun Japanese toy – or cars like the MK1 Toyota MR2, which shared the CR-X’s fun, compact coupe nature. A later CR-X would be the closest in spirit, but may not be as appealing visually.