First Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z

[Beowulf]

Honda would be wise to offer an Si model with a traditional engine and some beefed up body cladding. Appease the enthusiasts and get some people into the show rooms.

I'm all for fuel economy but this car doesn't know what it wants to be...

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[SCRAPPYDO]

And thus is the fruit of the ECO movement. When you are brainwashed into concentrating only eco friendly cars, this is the manure you get. A completely compromised and half-assed attempt at building cars.

[Len]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

And thus is the fruit of the ECO movement. When you are brainwashed into concentrating only eco friendly cars, this is the manure you get. A completely compromised and half-assed attempt at building cars.

Then should I blame every single craptacular gas guzzling american iron of the last ten years not on the mismanagements of those manufacturers but on anti-environmental conservatives like you?

Come one scrappy. That was a little too cheap for you.

[design1stcode2nd]

Honda has gone the way of Toyota, they have nothing sport related and if they think adding a manual transmission to a fit hybrid makes it sporty well...

[SCRAPPYDO]

NOTHING IS too CHEAP for me! hahaha.

No you should blame knee jerk reaction of the environmentalists of the past 10 years. I am all for reducing waste and making smart choices. But making cars that do NOTHING well just to slap a hybrid badge on them in hopes there are still people dumb enough want them, is not a recipe for success. It is putting the hopes of the company in a car that is completely unexceptional.

I am not anti environmentalist contrary to popular belief. Its just that I HATE having an agenda shoved down my throat with all the gentleness of a high pressure fire hose. I do not waste on purpose. I do not litter, I do not go out of my way to pollute. I make intelligent choices that are good for my family and my country. I do things to help myself save money, like installing solar screens on the house. Installing Energy star appliances. These have a proven benefit to me first and my bottom line but also use less energy. In other words, it makes sense to use less.

The country needs to get on a reliable renewable source of power. I have no doubt. I just think we have time to phase it in a planned non panic stricken fear induced way. This is not a political forum, so I will not go too far out into crazy land.. back on subject

But Len, I respect your comment, but I challenge you. What is the point of this car in your mind. Why would Honda make a car that barely gets better mileage than a base civic, costs 9000 dollars more, and is slower. What other reason can possibly exist for such a pointless car than to appeal to the brainwashed green crowd.

[Len]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

NOTHING IS too CHEAP for me! hahaha.

No you should blame knee jerk reaction of the environmentalists of the past 10 years. I am all for reducing waste and making smart choices. But making cars that do NOTHING well just to slap a hybrid badge on them in hopes there are still people dumb enough want them, is not a recipe for success. It is putting the hopes of the company in a car that is completely unexceptional.

I am not anti environmentalist contrary to popular belief. Its just that I HATE having an agenda shoved down my throat with all the gentleness of a high pressure fire hose. I do not waste on purpose. I do not litter, I do not go out of my way to pollute. I make intelligent choices that are good for my family and my country. I do things to help myself save money, like installing solar screens on the house. Installing Energy star appliances. These have a proven benefit to me first and my bottom line but also use less energy. In other words, it makes sense to use less.

The country needs to get on a reliable renewable source of power. I have no doubt. I just think we have time to phase it in a planned non panic stricken fear induced way. This is not a political forum, so I will not go too far out into crazy land.. back on subject

But Len, I respect your comment, but I challenge you. What is the point of this car in your mind. Why would Honda make a car that barely gets better mileage than a base civic, costs 9000 dollars more, and is slower. What other reason can possibly exist for such a pointless car than to appeal to the brainwashed green crowd.

I don't consider myself an environmentalist, and in fact most of the things you said are things that I would agree with. And I also fully agree that there is no point to this crap mobile that doesn't seem to do anything right.

But I think it was cheap of you to blame one company's (very likely) failed attempt at cashing in on a political idea on the idea itself. To me that's just like blaming the existence of Hummer H2 on the Republican party. Well, ok, I kind of do, but I know it's unfair.

I consider this new CR-Z as just in line with the recent failboats to come out of Honda, like the RL, TSX, Crosstour, super-size Accord, crappy turbo on the RDX, bucktooth Acura grille, any and all Mugen specials, and on-again-off-again NSX project. In fact, I can't think of anything other than the Fit that Honda made in last 5 years that I think is any good. In short, it's Honda being dumb, and I don't see why that mean we have an "ECO" problem.

[SCRAPPYDO]

I cannot separate the word hybrid from the ECO movement. There is really no reason they even exist except for the ECO movement. Perhaps its my personal bias. I am FAR from a flawless individual.

[Not-EWRX]

EPA rating of 31/37

Why even make a hybrid?

[left footed whooten]

Again, the point of this car, does it have one?

[Iegav05]

As revolting as it is pointless.

[SCRAPPYDO]

moron detector

[YourMother'sLover]

I are disappoint


I had a few CRX's in my day and was REALLY looking for the CR-Z to do it justice. Now I want to be sick.

[merlot]

Originally Posted by Len

I consider this new CR-Z as just in line with the recent failboats to come out of Honda, like the RL, TSX, Crosstour, super-size Accord, crappy turbo on the RDX, bucktooth Acura grille, any and all Mugen specials, and on-again-off-again NSX project. In fact, I can't think of anything other than the Fit that Honda made in last 5 years that I think is any good. In short, it's Honda being dumb, and I don't see why that mean we have an "ECO" problem.

WTF are you talking about? How many current generation TSX and Accords are on the road? Answer: A ton!

And WTF is wrong with the RDX? My wife has one and I drive it frequently; I think it's fantastic for an SUV. The turbo motor has little lag and the RDX easily leaves much traffic behind.

You can hate on Honda, but you look ignorant when you call out it's successful cars. Do I wish Honda would put the RDX's engine and drivetrain in the TSX? Hell yeah. Am I miffed they put a V6 auto in the TSX, yeah. But they are making money and that means they are far from the failboat.

Anyway, back on topic of the CR-Z. I too am a bit disappointed by the specs. I'd much rather have an Audi/VW TDI.

[warpath]

I feel like my eye's were just raped....

[Dirty25RS]

I am torn on this car. Its a classic case of: "A marginal plan with perfect execution is better than a perfect plan with marginal execution"

Yes, a very small, fuel efficient hybrid sports coupe is something a lot of us would really want and be willing to drop what we're doing and go get one in a heartbeat.

But this, this isn't it.


On the other hand....imagine Spec CR-Z league.....yeah.

[bemani]

Originally Posted by Not-EWRX

Why even make a hybrid?

Honda's hybrid just doesn't seem to be able to compete with Toyota on mileage no matter how many times they try.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by Dirty25RS

On the other hand....imagine Spec CR-Z league.....yeah.

the most boring racing ever

[Dirty25RS]

^I find racing slow crappy cars against each other a blast. I want a 89 buick century league.

[SLegacy99]

Looks like the original Insight to me. But I guess it has two more seats so that is a plus.

[slimfit]

Mugen version looks alright. I tip my hat to Honda for trying to pioneer a new segment but they could have done a tad better IMHO.

[Balantz]

Originally Posted by Len

Then should I blame every single craptacular gas guzzling american iron of the last ten years not on the mismanagements of those manufacturers but on anti-environmental conservatives like you?

Come one scrappy. That was a little too cheap for you.

*applause* +1

[Skunkers]

You guys are just pissed that it isn't fast. If you actually read the driving impressions, it sounds pretty damn sweet. Fantastic shifter, superb steering weight and feel, great brake feel, nice interior... all that sounds pretty good to me. Give them a few years, if they offer an Si version, or even just a non-hybrid version with ~150hp or so, we'll be in business.

[SLegacy99]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

You guys are just pissed that it isn't fast. If you actually read the driving impressions, it sounds pretty damn sweet. Fantastic shifter, superb steering weight and feel, great brake feel, nice interior... all that sounds pretty good to me. Give them a few years, if they offer an Si version, or even just a non-hybrid version with ~150hp or so, we'll be in business.

They have been reported to release a 170 HP version. The problem is the lack of fuel economy. 37 MPG city is impressive, but for the amount of power you get and in a light car, well I can't help but wonder if a DI 4 cyl. could accomplish the same goal for a cheaper price.

Honda needs some new 4 cylinders.

[Calamity Jesus]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

You guys are just pissed that it isn't fast. If you actually read the driving impressions, it sounds pretty damn sweet. Fantastic shifter, superb steering weight and feel, great brake feel, nice interior... all that sounds pretty good to me. Give them a few years, if they offer an Si version, or even just a non-hybrid version with ~150hp or so, we'll be in business.

The Civic Si reviews are glowing too.. test drive one on the same day as any of it's rivals and tell me you still want the Si. The Si is a fun car.. but not enough to live up to the reviews it was blessed with.

I'll reserve judgement until I actually drive it. Right now I think it's hideous.. but that's never stopped me from buying a car before.

[bal00]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

You guys are just pissed that it isn't fast.

Nah, I wouldn't mind that...if it got significantly better mileage or if it was significantly cheaper.

As it stands you're getting the same space, performance and mileage as a base Yaris...at nearly twice the price.