For a small, fixed-roof coupe with an unusual engine, look for a verified 1992–93 Mazda MX-3 GS V6. For a two-seat car with a removable roof panel, the Honda Civic del Sol is the better fit—especially a 1994-on VTEC if performance is the priority. Neither wins on badge alone: trim, condition, maintenance and price matter more than the name on the trunk.
They are not quite the same kind of car. The MX-3 is a conventional front-wheel-drive sport coupe; the del Sol is a front-wheel-drive two-seater with a lift-off targa roof. That difference shapes everyday practicality as much as their engines do.
How do their engines and performance compare?
| Car and version | Engine and period rating | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 Mazda MX-3 GS V6 | 1.8-liter, 24-valve twin-cam V6; 130 hp and 115 lb-ft, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Five-speed manual standard; four-speed automatic optional |
| 1992–93 Mazda MX-3 base | 1.6-liter four-cylinder; 88 hp, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Not stated in the cited model guide |
| 1994 Mazda MX-3 base | DOHC four-cylinder; 105 hp, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Not stated in the cited model guide |
| 1993 Honda Civic del Sol Si | 1.6-liter single-cam VTEC four-cylinder; 125 hp, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Manual and automatic availability is not stated in the cited model guide |
| 1994-on Honda Civic del Sol VTEC | 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC four-cylinder; 160 hp and 111 lb-ft, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Five-speed manual only |
| 1996 Honda Civic del Sol S | 1.6-liter engine; 106 hp, per Consumer Guide Auto’s model guide | Not stated in the cited model guide |
The Mazda’s appeal is its small-displacement V6, not outright power. Consumer Guide’s period evaluation describes it as eager to rev but weak below 3,000 rpm, and says it works best with the manual. The guide records 20 mpg average for an MX-3 V6 automatic as tested; that is a historical road-test result, with the test year and conditions not stated on the opened page, not a current fuel-economy estimate.
The del Sol VTEC has the higher period horsepower rating and a more conventional high-revving performance-four character. Do not treat every del Sol as a VTEC: the S, Si and VTEC differ, and the 1993 Si’s 125-hp single-cam VTEC is not the same engine as the 1994-on 160-hp DOHC VTEC.
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What do you get in everyday use?
Mazda MX-3: fixed-roof coupe
The MX-3’s conventional roof avoids the del Sol’s removable-panel storage and sealing considerations. Consumer Guide praised its agile handling and quick steering, but also noted prominent tire noise and strong road and wind noise at highway speeds.
Honda del Sol: open-air two-seater
The del Sol’s aluminum roof panel weighs about 24 pounds, according to Grassroots Motorsports, and lifts off for open-air driving. Its storage rack takes up some trunk space. Consumer Guide praised maneuverability and chassis reflexes, while noting strong engine and road noise, limited cargo room, thick-pillar blind spots and noticeable body flex on rough roads. The roof makes it a distinctive choice, but its seals and storage are part of ownership.
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Grassroots Motorsports sums up the Civic connection this way: “The del Sol’s close relationship to the Civic is immediately evident in the driving experience, which is both a good and a bad thing from an enthusiast’s standpoint.”
Which years and trims should you look for?
For the MX-3 V6
Focus on a genuine 1992 or 1993 MX-3 GS V6. The cited Consumer Guide model guide says the performance V6 version was gone for the 1995 U.S. model year; later base cars are not equivalent substitutes. A 1992–93 base car’s 88-hp four and the 1994 base car’s 105-hp DOHC four also should not be mistaken for the V6.
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For the del Sol
Choose by exact model year and trim, not a loose classified-ad label. U.S. S and Si models began in 1993; the 1994 del Sol VTEC brought the 160-hp DOHC engine and manual-only configuration. Consumer Guide’s 1996 S specification is a 106-hp 1.6-liter, but engine descriptions differ among years. Verify the VIN and vehicle records, then confirm the engine in the car.
What should you inspect before buying?
Check a del Sol’s roof, cabin and trunk for water
- Inspect the roof seals and interior for dampness, staining or signs of past water entry. Grassroots Motorsports reports more top-seal leakage complaints on early 1993–94 cars and says the seals were redesigned for 1995.
- Open the trunk and look for moisture or water marks. Check the rear sail-panel clips and drains; broken clips or blocked drains can contribute to a wet trunk, according to Grassroots Motorsports. Consumer Guide also lists trunk water entry around the antenna mount on 1993–94 cars.
- Test the climate controls on a 1993–94 car; Consumer Guide lists binding climate-control linkage on those model years.
- Check the air conditioning on a 1994–95 car. Consumer Guide lists condenser corrosion and leakage for those years.
- Try the seatbelts. Consumer Guide lists slow retraction across 1993–97.
- Check whether the 1994 passenger-airbag recall was completed through the appropriate official vehicle-history channel for that VIN. A model-year listing does not establish the status of an individual car.
Check either car’s underlying condition
- Look for rust, accident repairs, neglected maintenance and modifications. Grassroots Motorsports specifically flags rust and prior accidents as del Sol purchase concerns.
- Review service records and inspect the drivetrain and other major systems in person; the period model guides are not a diagnosis of a particular vehicle.
- On an MX-3 advertised as a V6, confirm that it is actually a 1992–93 GS configuration rather than a later four-cylinder car or a misidentified trim.
- Compare the condition and maintenance history of the cars you can actually buy. The available sources do not establish current regional asking prices or a current price advantage for either model.
So, which one is the better buy?
Buy the MX-3 GS V6 if you specifically want the unusual 1.8-liter V6 and a fixed-roof coupe, and you find a sound 1992–93 example—preferably with the manual if you want to make the most of the engine’s rev-happy character. Buy the del Sol if the removable roof and two-seat layout are the point; seek a VTEC only if you want its higher-output engine and are comfortable with a five-speed manual.
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For either model, the better buy is the individual car with the stronger inspection results, credible maintenance history and sensible local asking price. Period handling and performance observations are useful context, not a guarantee about a roughly 30-year-old car’s present condition.
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