My Journey with the Honda Del Sol: From Instagram Discovery to Daily Driver

I first stumbled upon the Honda Del Sol two years ago while scrolling through Instagram. A video of an SiR model with the Transtop in action caught my eye, and I was instantly hooked. The retractable roof mechanism was the coolest thing I had seen, and it sparked an obsession with Del Sols. After some quick research, I was disappointed to learn that models with the Transtop were priced at $15,000 or more—way out of my budget. I let the idea go, unaware that affordable versions of the Del Sol, complete with manual tops, were available in the U.S.

Discovering Affordable Del Sols

Fast forward six months. I was in the middle of my first car project: a manual swap on my Nissan Cube. It had already been lowered on wheels and coilovers, with two massive subwoofers installed. I thought it would be a quick weekend job, but it turned into an eight-month saga. Despite getting the Cube running, I never finished it—the brakes seized up, and due to lack of time, space, and money, I had to sell the car.

While I was in the thick of that project, I started thinking about my next car. I needed something cool and reliable, a car I would genuinely want to keep. The Honda Del Sol came back to mind, and this time I discovered the cheaper manual-top versions. I was hooked all over again and spent the next month scouring the internet for a Del Sol in good condition within a $3,000 budget.

Finding “The One”

Eventually, I found a promising lead three hours away in Evansville, Indiana. The photos looked good—no rust, intact interior, and no mods. But when I got there, reality hit: the roof’s paint was almost completely gone, the brakes were shot, and it had a history of accidents. Yet, I was determined. I wasn’t leaving empty-handed, so I bought the car, drove it back home with no brakes (a terrifying first-time manual driving experience), and survived to tell the tale.

Modifying My Del Sol

Initially, I swore I wouldn’t modify the car, but we all know how that goes. Within two weeks, I was already buying parts. Over the next year, I transformed my Del Sol with a mix of affordable upgrades and personal touches:

• New bushings and K-Tuned lower control arms
• ASR Subframe Brace, Megan Racing upper control arms, and toe/camber adjustments
• Maxpeeding coilovers, wheels from my old Cube, Yonaka exhaust, and a full rear disc brake conversion
• A Momo Montecarlo wheel with NRG quick release, DC Sports strut bars, and custom eBay lighting
• Cosmetic upgrades like an Integra Type R wing, front lip, and NRG Type R-style seats
• A Skar Audio sound system with door speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer

Under the hood, it’s still a stock D15B7. I’ve kept things simple and reliable for now.

Becoming Part of the Del Sol Community

Until I owned one, I had never seen a Del Sol in Indiana. I didn’t even know they existed until six months before I got mine. Unfortunately, I was in a minor accident where someone hit my driver’s side door while parking, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The incident introduced me to other Del Sol enthusiasts, including Ben (@el_solotus), who sold me a replacement door. Visiting his place was eye-opening—four Del Sols in his driveway and a cool mid-engine swap project in progress. He invited me to join a Del Sol Discord group (which I eventually did) and organized meetups where I connected with other owners.

Locally, I rarely see another Del Sol. Occasionally, I’ll spot one while riding with friends, but never when I’m driving my own. It’s a bit lonely, but also makes my car feel more unique and rare.

Why My Del Sol Matters

My Del Sol is no showstopper; it’s an “eBay Special” I put together with what I could afford. This is my first major car project, and it’s been a rewarding learning experience. As a photographer, my main goal was for my car to look good in photos—and I’m proud of the results, despite the budget parts. Sure, I dream of getting another Del Sol someday and doing everything “right,” but that’s a project for the future.

For now, my Del Sol is my daily driver—rain, snow, or shine. People can judge the eBay parts and budget mods, but this car has been reliable throughout my ownership. And now that I’ve said it, let’s hope I haven’t jinxed myself. Fingers crossed for many more miles!