Ah, the boopable roadster. I’m closing in on 40 now – 39 in September – and often find myself perusing Facebook Marketplace for easy-to-own hidden gems. We’re a family of car people, my dad having operated a local shop for 40 years (and counting). Recently, my sister brought up our two Honda Civic Del Sols. We drove them in late high school and early college, 2006-ish. After reminiscing, I went straight to Facebook to stare at listings. I’ll tell ya, if the Del Sol isn’t a perfect two-seater for more people than who realize, I don’t know what is.

Most people who would love the Honda Civic Del Sol don’t even know it exists

The Honda Civic Del Sol was a compact convertible produced from 1992 to 1998. It was based on the Honda Civic, with a sporty twist. The car offered a removable hardtop, allowing it to transform from a coupe to an open-air roadster.

The Del Sol’s first model, the Si, featured a 1.6-liter DOHC engine making 125 horsepower. It was light and nimble, perfect for sporty driving. In 1993, the VTEC engine option arrived in the Si model, boosting power to 160 horsepower, offering a – dare I say – “thrilling” performance boost.

The 1994 models added more refinements. It had a more stylish interior and improved safety features, such as airbags and better crash protection. Honda kept updating the Del Sol with special editions like the Del Sol VTEC, which was known for its improved performance and sportier features.

You’ll find models across production with both automatic and manual transmission options.

Despite its popularity in the 90s, production ended in 1998, as demand for small convertibles waned.

Today, it’s a cult classic, loved by fans for its distinct design and fun driving experience

As the pandemic gripped the nation, the MotorBiscuit team (and the U.S. market) trained our heart-filled eyes on the Mazda Miata MX-5. It seemed everyone wanted to hit the road in a tiny roofless roadster and leave our hulking gas-guzzlers in the rearview mirror. If you’ve still got that itch, but face barrier to entry, you might benefit from a cheap, reliable Honda version.

I’ve driven lots of tiny cars: two Mini Coopers, a Smart Fortwo, a Toyota MR2 Spyder, and a 90s Miata. The Del Sol is up there in terms of steady fun, without the worry of a breakdown or distracting quirk.

You can find lots of examples on Facebook Marketplace, with pristine models crossing the $10,000 line. However, shop smartly, and you can land a Honda Civic Del Sol that just needs a little tune-up and wax-n-shine for much less.