Page 24, Whitby Free Press, WWednesday, November 25, 1992 Del Soli is a smooth-riding sportscar, By Glen Konoroweski' After an absence from the sportscar market for rnany years, Hlonda is'back in, the gaine with the Dol Sol, an* attractive, two- seater, front-engined automobile. I recently had a chance to drive the Del Sol for a period of turne, and I was quite impressed with the car. Up until I now the only real and reasonably priced two-seater sportscar, was the Mazda Miata. But like any such câr, thé Miata has some -draw- backs -- not so with the Dol Sol. The Del Sol cornes' in 'two forme: the Si, upper grade model, and the S, basic model. The differences in the two cars are more mechanical than visible. So if ail you want is the good looks of the Dol Sol, you can save yourselfnioney. Breaking ýith the trend toward convertibles, the Dol Sol uses the Targa-type top.ITis aluminiim roof panel clips1 on and'off' easily. Since it weighs next- to nothing, taking the roof on or off ié not a chore. During testing I had the roof off on a cool but sunny day. The aerodynamics of the car allowed for a relatively quiet ride, and the roof stores easily in the trunk without affecting spaoe or access. Those who want' a bit more of the open-air feeling can lower the rearý window. .The interior is- a refreshing Change fromn the look-a-like, Hond-a interiors of the past. The dash is simple and oas y to read, and ail controls are within reach. A unisue feature of the Dol Sol je tt te radio can' ho covered with a flip-up door. The car I tested was the Si and it came èquipped with al the little power accessories. I have to admit I liked the power steeringf and windows, giving the Del Sol the feel of a larger car. Iný fact, driving the Del Sol rerninded i* of a bigger four- door Honda. The ride in the Dol Sol was anything but the choppy sportscar ride other two-seaters. Teride on~ the Dol Sol was smooth, scakin up the on t e power, the Del Sol hugged the curves without any proteet frei the tires or suspension. > Undor the, hood the Del Sol cores w*ith the base 102 hp. single overhead cani or the 125 hp version for the Si. The ernal- 1er horsepower engine displaces 1.5 while the Si engine dieplaces 1.6 litres. Both engines run srnoothly, giving the feeling that'you are not going that fast (due, in meet p rto the 'suspension). So get- ting' around in both the S and i versions, the Del Sol ie fun, both engines providing plenty of power for. everyday driving needs. The suspension on the Si slightly oifrs forin the base S inodel. The Si cornes equipped, with sway bars. This represents, a little edge over the base model on highor-speed handling. To complement the higher speed and stiffer suspeénsion, Hlonda has seen fit té instaîl rear dise brakes on the Si model. This allows for botter stopping power under ail stopping conditions. Those who hate te *shift, can opt for the four-speed automatic transmission. The base transmis- sion on both mnodels je a fine shifting five-speed rnanual. I pre- fer the manual due te the sporty nature of the car.. The Dol Sol's roomier cockpit bigger trunk and the benefits oi traction with front-wheel-drive, inake it'a solid competiter te thé Miata. Those who prefer comfort- and softer ride,--bu t like the idea of having a. sportecar, will prefor the Honda Dol Sol. Free Installatloi ers.Dr.:e e e e . : e HONDA DEL'SOL an mI rmoos McMilan ife Works On:,L MoMilln & Wue R;.ewcars 200 Dundas St. West Used Car-. -£A- QB wsfl Even Rustr Cars Pay -before you. pump at Scarborough stations To ensure the safety of their gas station ernployees, and curb a growing problern of late-night robberies, the retail gasoline induetry is asking Scarborough motrise o py fr heir gasoline bofore going te the puxnp. As part of a three-nionth pilot prograin that began Oct. 1. customers buying gas between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a. are~~'ev asked the naacttintinI or a creCit cfeoefilling their Wev tanths cion to L$E..C taYSnkEs. ensure the *,safetyr of our gas - The prograin is in plîace at ail station employees -and hopefully fuli-service and ,self-service to reduce the number of robberies Mtking place, " Wright said.'W realize lour pre-pay program will U ~ ~ 1 1 1 1 1 1 u 1 u 1 - * ~ U * * --i * -i U U U M I U I 1 m q h a slght inconvnienace, but GORD GARNER AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES LTD. 1 were hopin: that our custormere 509 DUNDAS STREET WEST, WHITBY (416)666-1816 j belon5ing to chain steationsr *participating in the now pre-pay - Before the pumps are - tviatod, customers with credit carde will -Edgn slips for thoir e Fe pre-deternuned quantity of gas, S';~ while the money. fromi cash- WE WILL: Supply & lnstalNew Spark Plugs - Check Starting & Charging System Cek djs (i depoeited) dirotlintos ai drpae Timfing & Idie -Check Air Fifter, P.C. V Valve, Fuel Filter & Instait #f Necessary-(Parts Extra) deoie fh i re yises.drp-a Gheck Cap Rotor& Ignition Wires & Instail if Necessary (Parts And Labour Extra) Pedform Engine Ana4'sis - Clean Batronh- eds. Gables (if Necessary) - Shampoo Engine - 22 Pt. Maintenance Inspection atr Sa»uh ag oua Vans - $27.O00 Extra - Fuel Injection Fîush $49.95 (Reg. $69.95) Extra Expires December 31, 1992 jtion base enahies us te assees -effectively the redu.-tion in the *numnber of gas-station- rebberies * FOR A CONVENIENT APPOINTMENT - CALL 666-1816 *related te the, presence of cash on *mfl mua m m am .ao ~m-umwmm the premisesl," said Wright. - stations, and is designed to eiininate the need for attendants te have cash other thon coins in their cash drawere. Wayne Wright vice-president Of the Ontario division of the Canadian Petroleumn Products Inetitute (OPPI), said the gasoline rotailers are incroasingly con- cerned about the safety of their workers. 000,