How rare is the Honda del Sol?

The Honda del Sol is uncommon but not ultra-rare: roughly 75,000 were sold in the United States during the 1993–1997 model years, and while many still exist, truly clean, stock examples—especially performance-oriented VTEC trims and final-year cars—are scarce on today’s roads. Produced globally in the mid-1990s, the targa-topped two-seater has seen typical attrition from age, rust, modifications, and accidents, which makes finding an unmolested, well-preserved car increasingly difficult in 2025.

Production and sales context

Honda built the CR-X del Sol (known as the Civic del Sol in the U.S.) for the 1992–1998 period globally, with U.S. sales spanning 1993–1997. While Honda does not publish a consolidated global total, industry tallies and period sales data indicate the U.S. accounted for roughly the mid-70,000s of units over five model years, with additional volume in Europe and Japan. That puts the car in “uncommon” territory compared with mainstream Civics of the era, not in “limited-production exotic” territory.

A few high-level markers help frame how many were built and where they went.

• United States: Approximately mid-70,000s sold across 1993–1997, with sales peaking early and tapering off in 1996–1997.
• Europe and Japan: Sold throughout the model run with trims like ESi/VTi (Europe) and SiR (Japan); power “TransTop” roof was offered in those markets but not by Honda USA.
• Discontinuation: U.S. sales ended after 1997; production continued briefly elsewhere before the model was retired worldwide.

Taken together, these figures mean the del Sol was a niche model even when new, and regional differences in trims and options further concentrate what collectors now consider the “rare” configurations.

What “rare” means for the del Sol today

Rarity on the street isn’t just about how many were built; it’s how many survive in good condition. Three decades on, the del Sol faces the same attrition as other 1990s small coupes: corrosion in harsh climates, insurance totals from minor collisions, and heavy modification of sport trims. Registration data for similar 1990s compact coupes suggest that only a fraction of the original population remains roadworthy, and a smaller subset remains stock or near-stock.

Here are the main factors that shape real-world rarity now.

• Survival rate: A meaningful share of cars have been scrapped or heavily modified; rust-free, unmodified examples are comparatively scarce.
• Condition spread: Driver-grade cars are still findable; low-mile, original, documented cars are rare.
• Regional skew: Dry-climate states (U.S. West/Southwest) have better survivors; rust-belt regions have far fewer clean cars.

As a result, you’re likely to see occasional del Sols in traffic or for sale, but encountering a pristine, stock example—especially with desirable drivetrain or options—is significantly less common.

Which versions are truly scarce?

Performance “VTEC” trims (U.S.)

The U.S.-market del Sol VTEC, fitted with a 160-hp DOHC VTEC B-series engine and chassis upgrades, was sold in limited numbers compared with the base S and mid-level Si. Early VTEC cars (1994–1995) are the best-known; availability tightened as sales waned. By the late years, VTEC examples in the U.S. were thin on the ground, and many have since been modified or lost, increasing the rarity of stock survivors.

Final-year cars (1997, U.S.)

Overall del Sol sales were lowest in the final U.S. model year, 1997. Regardless of trim, clean 1997 cars are notably less common than early-year cars simply because fewer were sold and fewer survive. Enthusiasts often seek these for the incremental updates and final-year appeal.

TransTop and non-U.S.-market specifications

The power “TransTop” targa mechanism—an engineering showpiece—was offered in Europe and Japan but not in the U.S. factory lineup. These cars are rare sights in North America, appearing mainly as gray-market imports. Even in their home markets, intact, properly functioning TransTop cars have become prized due to the complexity of the mechanism and the cost to maintain or repair it.

Colors, options, and provenance

Certain paint colors and option combinations (for example, ABS with specific trims, or unique market colors) appear far less frequently today. Original paint, full documentation, and low mileage meaningfully increase scarcity—and value—irrespective of trim.

Market availability and pricing in 2025

In 2025, the del Sol shows up consistently—but in small numbers—on major U.S. classifieds and auction platforms. Nationwide, you’ll typically find dozens, not hundreds, listed at any given time. Prices are highly condition- and trim-dependent:

Typical asking-price bands seen in current listings and enthusiast sales:

• Driver-grade S/Si (higher miles, cosmetic needs): roughly $4,000–$9,000
• Nice Si or well-kept S (clean history, moderate miles): roughly $9,000–$15,000
• VTEC trim in good to excellent condition: roughly $15,000–$30,000+, with originality commanding premiums
• Exceptional survivors (low miles, stock, documented) or rare-spec imports: can exceed these ranges depending on provenance

These ranges reflect the car’s status as uncommon but attainable; the steepest premiums accrue to the rarest combinations of condition, trim, and originality.

How to gauge rarity where you live

Because surviving numbers vary by region, a quick, methodical check can help you understand local scarcity.

Consider the following steps to assess availability:

• Scan national and local listings (classifieds and online auctions) over several weeks to see how many appear and how quickly they sell.
• Search local salvage and dismantler inventories to gauge attrition in your area.
• Join del Sol owner forums and social groups to learn which trims and years are common or scarce near you.
• At cars-and-coffee meets, note how often you see del Sols versus contemporaries like the Miata—useful context for relative rarity.

Taken together, these steps provide a practical snapshot of how rare the car is on your roads, which can differ meaningfully from national averages.

Bottom line

The Honda del Sol is an uncommon 1990s niche model: built in respectable numbers but far fewer than mainstream Civics, with attrition making clean survivors notably harder to find. Everyday examples are out there, yet truly original VTEC cars, final-year models, TransTop imports, and low-mile, rust-free specimens are the variants that can fairly be called rare in 2025.

Summary

The Honda del Sol isn’t ultra-rare overall, but it is uncommon today, especially in unmodified, well-preserved form. About mid-70,000s were sold in the U.S., with global production spread across Europe and Japan. The scarcest versions now are U.S.-market VTEC trims, low-volume final-year cars, and non-U.S. TransTop models—particularly when stock, rust-free, and well documented.

Is the Honda del Sol rare?

Looking at the facts, it’s safe to say the Honda Del Sol is a relatively uncommon car. In its five years of production, Honda managed to sell roughly 75,000 Del Sols.

How much are Honda Del Sols worth?

A Honda Del Sol’s value varies greatly based on condition, mileage, and trim, but generally ranges from around $1,990 to $18,000. Classic.com reports that the average price is around $10,427, with some rare, well-maintained examples fetching upwards of $20,000 or more. 
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• General Market: Used Honda Del Sols are experiencing a surge in popularity, particularly those from the 90s, but they remain relatively affordable compared to other sports cars from that era. 
• Condition and Mileage: Expect lower prices for cars with higher mileage and those in average or rough condition. Immaculate, low-mileage examples, especially those with the desirable VTEC engine, can command a premium. 
• Specific Examples:
  • A 1995 Honda Del Sol Vtec, with 80,000 miles, sold for $18,000 on Bring a Trailer. 
  • A 1993 Honda Civic Del Sol Si with 164,000 miles sold for $8,200 on Bring a Trailer. 
  • Edmunds lists values for a 1995 Honda Civic del Sol between $1,871 and $9,001. 
  • Edmunds lists values for a 1996 Honda Civic del Sol ranging from $914 to $1,270. 
• Depreciation: As with most used cars, Honda Del Sols experience depreciation, but some models, particularly those with low mileage and in excellent condition, may hold their value or even appreciate over time. 
• Factors to Consider: Rust can significantly impact the price, especially in areas where older Japanese cars are prone to rust. 

How much is a 1997 Honda Del Sol worth?

The value of a used 1997 Honda Civic del Sol ranges from $796 to $3,841, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.

How many Honda Del Sols were made?

Approximately 75,000 Honda Del Sols were sold in the United States between 1993 and 1997. The car was produced from 1992 to 1998 globally, with sales ending in the US in 1997. While 75,000 is the number of cars sold in the US, it’s worth noting that some suspect less than half of those remain on the road today due to age and condition.