Are Honda Del Sols rare?
Yes—Honda Del Sols are relatively rare on today’s roads compared with everyday Civics, due to their limited 1990s production run and niche sporty two-seat design. They aren’t mythical unicorns, but well-preserved examples are uncommon enough to attract interest from collectors and enthusiasts.
Historical context and why scarcity matters
The Honda Del Sol was produced in the 1990s as a two-seat, front-engine, front-wheel-drive sports coupe that shared the Civic platform. It was offered in several trims and markets, with a short global production window that contributes to its relative rarity today. In North America, the Del Sol appeared in the early to mid-1990s and spanned a few distinct configurations, including sportier and higher-performance variants that are particularly sought after by buyers today.
Regional variations
Distribution and trim availability varied by market. Some regions saw more frequent appearances of certain trims than others, which affects how commonly a given Del Sol might be found in today’s used-car landscape. Overall, collectors and enthusiasts tend to encounter Del Sols less often than the more common Civic hatchbacks and sedans from the same era.
Factors that influence rarity
Below is a quick look at the main factors that determine how rare a Del Sol is in the current market:
- Limited original production numbers relative to other Honda models.
- Two-seat configuration and, in many versions, a removable roof that reduces everyday usability and total unit counts.
- Trim variety, with higher-performance or specialty trims (such as VTEC variants) being more desirable and thus more scrutinized by collectors.
- Market-specific distribution; some regions received more units or different editions than others.
- Condition, mileage, originality, and service history; pristine, stock examples are increasingly scarce.
In practice, this combination means Del Sols remain a niche choice: not as ubiquitous as most Civics, but not utterly extinct either. The rarer a Del Sol is in its original, well-maintained form, the tighter its supply on today’s market.
Trims and notable variations
Understanding which configurations are rarer can help explain market dynamics and collector interest.
- Base S trim: the entry-level option, typically less sought after than sportier variants.
- Si trim: a mid-range option with improved performance characteristics and features for many markets.
- VTEC variants: the higher-performance models featuring variable valve timing, usually the most desirable and collectible.
- Regional editions and engine options: some markets offered different engines or limited editions that can affect rarity.
- Convertible/roof configurations: Del Sol models with particular roof setups can influence desirability and availability in certain regions.
For buyers and sellers, the takeaway is that rarity is not uniform across all Del Sols; VTEC and well-preserved original examples tend to stand out in the market.
Current market reality
As with many 1990s sport coupes, Del Sol pricing and availability hinge on ongoing enthusiasm from collectors, restoration costs, and the availability of parts. The community around Honda classics, online marketplaces, and specialty auctions keeps Del Sols visible, with well-documented, low-mileage, and original-condition cars often commanding more attention and higher values.
Common challenges when evaluating a Del Sol include rust in aging chassis components, wear or failure of the roof mechanism on convertibles, and the potential difficulty of sourcing period-correct parts. A thorough inspection of the body, top system, engine, transmission, and maintenance history is essential to assess true rarity and value.
Summary
Honda Del Sols occupy a distinctive niche in the brand’s history: not as ubiquitous as mainstream Civics, but not completely scarce either. Their rarity is largely a function of a limited production run, market-specific distribution, and the appeal of higher-performance trims. For collectors and enthusiasts, finding a clean, well-maintained example—especially a VTEC version with a complete service history—remains a notable achievement in the landscape of 1990s Japanese sport coupes.
Is the Honda Del Sol considered a sports car?
Called the Honda Civic Del Sol (also known as the CRX Del Sol), the tiny sports car was aimed squarely at the Mazda Miata in terms of performance and positioning.
When was the last Honda Del Sol made?
The last model year for the Honda Del Sol was 1998, although production for the North American market ended after the 1997 model year. The final American model year was 1997, with the last units produced in 1998 for other markets before production ceased completely.
You can watch this video to learn more about the history and features of the Honda Del Sol: 56sAcura AdviceYouTube · Oct 14, 2023
- 1998: This was the final model year globally, with production ending this year.
- 1997: This was the last model year for the Del Sol in North America before its discontinuation in that market.
How much is a Honda Del Sol worth today?
A: The average price of a Honda Del Sol is $10,500. Q: When was the Honda Del Sol produced? A: The Honda Del Sol was sold for model years 1992 to 1998.
What is the rarest Honda?
The rarest Honda is the 2005 NSX-R GT, with only five cars ever produced for homologation purposes. For motorcycles, the 1959 Honda CE71 is considered the rarest, with only about 15 remaining out of the 294 made for the U.S. market.
This video shows the Honda NSX-R GT's features and history: 1mThatCarLifeYouTube · Sep 27, 2024
Rarest Honda cars
- 2005 Honda NSX-R GT: Built to homologate the NSX-GT for the Super GT racing series, only five were ever produced, and only one went to a private owner.
- 1959 Honda CE71: Considered the rarest vintage production Honda, with only around 15 of the 294 made for the U.S. market thought to still exist.
Other rare Honda models
- Honda NSX Type-S Zero: With a production of only 30, this is the rarest version of the first-generation NSX.
- Honda CB1100RB: The rarest of the CB1100R series, with only 1,050 hand-built units produced.
- Honda Torneo SiR-T: A performance variant of the Torneo, its production was extremely limited, and it was only available in Japan.
- Honda CX500 Turbo: A rare motorcycle version of the CX500, with only about 50 registered in the U.S. and U.K. combined.
