Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    At the NEC on Monday, I looked over the CRX VTEC (1.6 litre normally
    aspirated engine, with variable cam / lift characteristics to produce
    150BHP).
    
    Its an impressive sounding car - looks good, well equipped, and offers
    more space than the MR2 (but still a two seater). Question is, does
    anybody around Reading own / lease a VTEC (CRX or Civic)? Whats it like
    on the road (as opposed to on paper)?
    
    Bill.

    
    Road tests have been giving a bit of a thumbs down.
    
    Performance turns out to be the same at the normal CRX in both
    acceleration and overtaking (I can bring in figures later). The only
    advantage seems to be if you keep the revs over 6500 (limit at about
    8000), but that is rather impractical in normal life.
    
    So it doesn't seem to be worth the extra �1500 or so.
    
    Nigel

    re CRX VTEC
    
    Bill, I've read articles that confirm what Nigel has replied in
    6. The extra horsepower seem to be only available over 6000rpm and they
    seem to be absorbed by an extra 100kg of weight. Otherwise the car     
    is still a nice toy, well designed and carefully built. In terms of 
    handling it's a kart (short wheelbase).

    
    Thanks Patrick, and Nigel. I must say I'm still interested in the
    car - though an extra 20bhp sounds a lot to misplace. I wonder if
    you have to subtract the effect of the catalytic convertor from
    the stated 152bhp?
    
    Bill.

  The reports said that although the car is no faster than the old CRX it is now
  endowed with plenty of low down torque.

  I'm  also interested in this car, can anyone recomend a Honda garage in the
  Reading area where I can go for a test drive ?


	Barrie.

    
    If there's more torque low down the mid-rage acceleration figures
    will probably be better, making the car easier to drive fast.
    
    Mark
    

    
    That's odd.  I could have sworn that the report i read (performance car
    - sep 90) said that the torque curve for the new car was the same as
    the old up to 6000.  The new car has only increaed by 6% or so.
    
    I remember the conclusion being that it was fun, but it was too hard
    to keep the revs up high enough to really enjoy it.  The price diff
    seems to be about �2200 as well.
    
    If you want to borrow the mag Bill, i'll send it through the post.
    
    Nigel

    
    I'd appreciate that, Nigel. I'm at REO2 GM3. As far as tet drives
    go, the nearest garages are Maidenhead, or Wheatley in Oxford.
    
    Bill.

 or Fleet in Hampshire.

	Barrie.

    Re Test Drives.
    
    What about the Honda garage down the Oxford Rd in Reading - opposite
    MFI.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Spike.

  they are no longer Honda main dealers.


	Barrie.

 Well I went along to the Honda garage in Fleet last Saturday and had a test
Drive.

  The car was very well built and has a very plesant interior
( all that leather ! ). There were no squeeks or groans from the internal
fittings while the car was on the move. While on the move most of the noise in
the cabin was wind noise and the faint noise of the engine ( faint compared to
the R5 GTT ). The engine does rev all the way to 8000 revs ( I tried it ) but
never sounds pleasant, between 5 and 6 thousand I thought that I detected a
distinct change in the engine noise ( it became more thrashy ), I presume this
would be due to the valve timing characteristics changing.

  The car was quick but didnt feel it, acceleration only seemed to be urgent
above 6000 revs, having said thaty the car would pootle around between 20-30
MPH ( and pull away ) without complaint in top gear.

  The car has an excellent ride, hard without being harsh or uncomfortable,
cornering flat and as if you are on rails.

  All of the major controls were light and easy to use.

  All in all the car was very nice to drive and I loved it, Luckily though
even though the standard sunroof opens outside the car ( as the calibra )
the headlining was too low for me. I dont have to scrape together that last
penny to afford it, I can stick with my cheap and cheerful GT Turbo.... -)


  Barrie.

    INTEGRA ???
    I AM INTERESTED IN BUYING A HONDA INTEGRA (89) ANY ADVICE ?
       GERRY HEALY

    Hi there,
            I have recently purchased a HONDA CRX 1.6i 16V 1986 model 
    (125 bhp),I am very impressed with the car except for one thing.The
    handling is not as good as I would like, and think that if I fitted
    either a suspension kit or even just some decent shocks the problem may
    cure itself.The shock absorbers on the car are not worn they just dont
    seem to be good enough.I would appreciate any advice on this matter
    coupled with any sugestions of suspension kits/shockers which are
    available for this particular model.Also if anybody has fitted kits or
    even just new shocks can they give some feedback on the improvements
    if any.This would be greatly appreciated,thanks in advance.
    
     Neil.                                                    

    Bilstine (sp?) do a suspension kit specifically for the CRX (all
    models) I believe these are (or should be) available from all Honda
    dealers.
    
    Failing that go for one of the dealers who complete in the Mobel-1/CRX
    trophy.
    
    Or Smith Bros. in Fleet do ``special'' CRX's with silencer (Janspeed, +5bhp)
    and lowered suspension / new wheels (Koni / Yochahoma (sp - they really
    have got it in for Dislexics :-) ). You could always give them a bell
    (0252) 622300 [Usual Disclamers]

If you don't mind applying a little more postage, you could write to Jackson
Racing for their latest catalog.  They specialize in handling packages for
Hondas and Acuras. They charge about US$5 for a catalog sent to a US address.

                         Jackson Racing
                         5842 McFadden Ave
                         Huntington Beach, CA 92649
                         USA
                         (714) 841-3001


Jim

    .18�    handling is not as good as I would like, and think that if I fitted
    
    What's the exact problem ? too much roll ? not enough damping ? rear ?
    front ? oversteer ? understeer ?
    
    Schocks might not be the problem. Schocks and springs must fit together. 
    Also the CRX is very short, some go-kart reactions are not unusual.
                                              
    Bilstein are extremely high quality shocks (expensive too).

    I would say the main problem I am seing is a lack of damping,mainly in
    the rear of the car.The rear springs also seem to 'bottom out' too
    often for my liking.My previous car was a MK1 GOLF GTI to which I had
    similar probs and fitted a BOGE suspension package this was a real
    success.Does anybody know if BOGE do a kit for the CRX as its bound to
    be cheaper than the Bilstein one.
    

I know most of us in the U.S. use Tokico (Japanese) adjustable shocks and
struts on Hondas with great success.  I don't believe we can even get Bilsteins
or Boges that will fit a Honda over here.  I have Tokicos on my Accord and
Konis on my Renault and have been real pleased with each.  If you can get the
Koni adjustables for you CRX, I would recommend them.  Otherwise, go with the
Tokicos. 

Jim
   

Lack of damping is a long-standing, well-known, wide-spread Honda "feature".

New shocks needed.

     Hi Neil,
     
     I'm interested...  How do you rate the (C reg?)  CRX against the MK1 
     Golf, allowing for the obvious difference in milage.
     
     I was 'with' a similar CRX making equally good progress, round a sweeping 
     two lane A-road in slightly damp conditions.  I was running on new front 
     tyres, yet to be worn in and we seemed about equal on following the black 
     stuff.
     
     What's the interior and finish like.  I guess it's a bit teutonic?
     Is is a free revving bestie, or is there some torque low down there?
     
     Cheers,
     Robbie.
     
     p.s. Who's is that light blue CRX-Vtec with the black nose bag on?  
          Nice looking car.  Surely these arn't set to change timing at about 
          6k+ revs a la NSX?

>> Surely these arn't set to change timing at about 
>>          6k+ revs a la NSX?

The latest CRX has the 16V Vtech engine. I thought that was the term that Honda
used for the variable timing mechanism. The car certainly has a high red line
( 8000 revs ) and will pull very convincingly from low speeds in a high gear.

	Barrie.

    Hi Robbie,
             The car I have is actually a 1986 on a D plate (125BHP),it has
    31,000 miles on the clock and has been fully dealer serviced.It is
    white with a predominantly black interior,the door panels are a black
    with white checked cloth,which does a good job in breaking up all that
    black.It is similar to the golf although not as much torque at low revs
    only 103lb ft.Not sure what the 1800cc golf was but it felt more urgent
    at low revs.I also fitted a suspension kit to the golf which made one
    enormous difference to its handling.The engine in the HONDA is very 
    nice mind you it revs smoothly right up to 7000rpm and some more.The
    noise it makes up there is amazing.I will still miss the golf however
    and would probably still have it but for the high milage and impending
    probs on the horizon,gear box was dodgy and the head sounding like
    a noisy tractor! BTW the milage on the golf was 93,000!!It was 47,000
    when I purchased it just over 3 yrs ago.I did not have many probs with
    the car,and would recommend them to anybody.
     As far as the CRX V-TEC is concerned the principle of this is the
    exact same as in the NSX that is variable valve timing and valve lift
    The valve does not open for longer but opens further giving better
    fuel efficiency and performance.This car has 150 BHP as opposed to
    the standard CRX which develops 130.The only prob being that you have
    to keep the revs above 6k to feel the full benefit of V-TEC.My brother
    is a salesman for HONDA in Edinburg so I have been lucky enough to
    drive a few cars.
    
    regards,
                  Neil.

    What about the new CRX...wow !.
    
    I've never been a great fan of Jap motors, personal taste I guess, but
    when I saw a piccy of this thing I thought 'Yummy !'.
    
    It's got a pretty good review in the latest Performance Car mag as
    well.
    
    I wonder how much it'll cost on the car scheme, probably far too much
    for a peasant like me !!.
    
    Dave.
    

    
    
    Looks like a poorly designed kit car to me!
    
    As you say, personal taste, but I reckon the old CRX was a much nicer
    looking car.
    
    Mark

What are the prices of the new CRX?

Greg

    Re.29
    
    I agree entirely ... saw one last night, reminds me of the old GTM/Jem
    mid-engined mini kit car.

�    I agree entirely ... saw one last night, reminds me of the old GTM/Jem
�    mid-engined mini kit car.
    
    Which is still available...
    
    J.R.

	Yes, it does look like the gem (now called GM?)
	Actually, it looks ugly as hell, whereas the
	gem is fairly presentable.

	Dave

    Anybody got any views, road test docs on the Honda CRX Esi..cos I'm
    thinkin' of gettin' one on the scheme.
    
    Thanks
    Rich

    Rich,
    
    Having taken over a CRX VTI on the previous car scheme some two years
    ago I shall certainly be sorry to see it go when I recieve my Vauxhall
    next month.
    
    It has been my first ( and maybe my last !) two seater sporty car and
    have found it to be certainly nippy while still being comfortable
    enough for long journeys, the cabin is certainly 'snug' but not too
    claustrophobic. And then of course come the summer  remove the roof and
    get those shades on...
    
    The 'Transtop' removable roof is certainly neat even in the manual form
    although I have found it can be prone to rattles. Also on the gimmic side
    the elecric slide down rear window has provided hours of fun whilst stuck
    in M4 jams, though seriously it does provide great ventilation without
    blowing your head off even at speed.
               
    I'm not able to compare it with its rivals but but it made me happy and
    certainly they are rare enough cars , even round London, to turn a few
    heads just on the 'what the h*** is that' factor. Not ideal of course
    for removals or the ten kids but the boot is large , it has to hold the
    roof after all, and we did get a fridge in it once !
    
    Just to depress you though its original Deccie owner was lucky enough
    to get a quote on the old scheme of just over 3,700 p.a. The price now
    even for an ESI will I suspect not be so good...
    
    	            
    		     	Mark                            
    
    

    Thanks Mark for the info,
    
    Got a quote for the CRX..err..4500. Not too bad I thought since, as you
    say, the car is pretty rare. Looking at the sales litrature, I still
    can't work out how the eletric roof gets pulled into the boot..looks
    like Paul Daniels designed it to me !!
    
    Rich