[blue2fire]

Wow, they say it will be cheaper than a Mini and Honda always throws in more stuff as standard. Everything considered, very good looking car for a fair price methinks.

Sure as hell prefer the way this car is styled to the Mini's played out exterior and the mickey mouse interior.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20007822-48.html

The 2011 Honda CR-Z goes on sale this fall. It will be available in standard and EX trim levels, at prices ranging from less than $20k to $24k. We drove an EX trimmed car with the optional six-speed manual transmission.

[gonzo]

While I have nothing against Honda, owned 2 way back when, the MINI gets comparable MPG, will out handle, out accelerate (CR-Z 0-60 10 sec claims) and overall just more of a drivers car. This car is not for a driving enthusiast.

10 seconds to 60 is all aboard on the scary side for me. Merging on a busy freeway would be a white knuckle adventure.

To each their own.

[GreenPlease]

IMO, the new CR-Z is a huge disappointment. When I was skimming through the specs I was like "this is all about what I expected, 45-50mpg is probably in play" then BAM 36mpg you're just sacrificing too much. My buddy's A4 gets 32mpg and can hit 60 in 6.5 seconds and it weighs 400lbs more than the CR-Z!

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by GreenPlease

IMO, the new CR-Z is a huge disappointment. When I was skimming through the specs I was like "this is all about what I expected, 45-50mpg is probably in play" then BAM 36mpg you're just sacrificing too much. My buddy's A4 gets 32mpg and can hit 60 in 6.5 seconds and it weighs 400lbs more than the CR-Z!

I can understand what you mean, Honda says the Economy was tested with Normal mode on and they expect 50MPG if you use the "Econ" mode. I hope they also have a Type R or Si with the engine from the hotted up Civics.

[tke344]

The MPG numbers these hybrids are producing is a total dissapointment, diesel is the way to go. I'd like to see a hybrid diesel, then maybe the tree huggers will come around.

[GreenPlease]

All you really need to do with diesel is have integrated start/stop. Regenerative braking isn't economical for a diesel. The money would be better spent on a transmission with more cogs.

It really depends on which treehugger you talk to. If it's the type of treehugger that just wants to reduce petroleum dependency, diesel is the way to go. If it's the type of treehugger that's worried about GHGs, gasoline hybrids are the way to go (NOX has a ghg potential of something like 249 so just a few grams of NOX negates any CO2 savings from diesel pretty quickly).

[Muffnbluff]

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would buy this car. You can get a civic dx for cheaper, it's faster and still gets 34mpg highway.

[335fourdoor]

UGLY CAR

[b0bab0i]

It's a piece of shit! 2 seater 130hp.

Honda Civic SI is better than that crap.

[blacknbean]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

I can understand what you mean, Honda says the Economy was tested with Normal mode on and they expect 50MPG if you use the "Econ" mode.

from everything ive read econ mode is a dog and the only decent drive is sport. also the 10s 0-60 times are in sport, so I can only imagine how slow and dull the econ mode it. i think at that point you might as well get out and walk, which i think is factored into the 50mpg rating

[C62335i]

Like the front, but the rear is ugly.

[The__J__Factor]

Looks terrible, super gay.

[ptack]

This thing's a turd - it's out performed in every respect by so many other cars that Honda should never have released it. The only people likely to buy this are people who don't care about the value, but think it's cute amd/or that it's a Honda. This is the same kind of sickness that American automakers had for many years - rest on your laurels and assume people will buy whatever you make.

Who would have thought that Honda and Toyota would switch places with Ford and GM?

[gonzo]

Give me a MINI any day of the week over this pile of quicksand. Maybe the OP did not digest the stats to price or really does think it's a WOW car as written. Or just hates MINI for his own reasons. Whatever floats your boat.

Quirky retro styling that sells like crazy and performs like a scalded cat for it's category or a wheezing slug?

People who think they will sleep better for buying this "responsible" car will fall for the high budget marketing Honda is known for. IMO.

[blue2fire]

^^Uh, okay. First, you dont even know how much this will sell.

Since this car comes with any paint you like, leather, AT, SatNav, upgraded sound system and wheels for something like 23,500, i doubt you could declare victory so easily.

And for all that, Mini says it would do it in 8.5 Seconds (more like a tortoise), not a very big difference. Honda knows what they are doing, the quality will still be there and the interior is much better than the Mini (Seriously, is this even a contest?) with a lot more gizmos (driving modes are one example). I thought this was remarkable enough to share as the price is very noteworthy, this is cheap for all the tech they put in it.

P.S: Since nobody's here has driven one yet, i suggest you look around. Everyone who's reviewed one says exactly the same thing.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by ptack

This thing's a turd - it's out performed in every respect by so many other cars that Honda should never have released it. The only people likely to buy this are people who don't care about the value, but think it's cute amd/or that it's a Honda. This is the same kind of sickness that American automakers had for many years - rest on your laurels and assume people will buy whatever you make.

Who would have thought that Honda and Toyota would switch places with Ford and GM?

While i understand part of your response, the rest is a bit hasty.

The Value is there, it is cheaper than most of it's rivals and most of them arent even hybrids. People tend to buy stuff just because they think it is beautiful, look at the useless X6. About the badge, they only do that because they can expect it will be efficient, not hemorrhage value and it built well, not bad brand values.

The Big 3 were lost in a sea of Aztec's, Magnum's, Pacifica's and V8 FWD Pontiac's, they paid too much for work and they did not diversify offerings enough, depending too much on the truck lines. I wont attempt to defend every Japanese company but Honda is beyond reproach on most fronts. The only big mistake is failing to build more performance cars.

[gonzo]

I will put it another way. My 08 MCS was 25,600. It has everything an urban run about needs for me. Sunroof, blue-tooth/ipod/cd with a great 6 speed and scoots through traffic almost bike like.

I have 25K on the odo and have not had one problem. I can't remember the last vehicle I had that could stand next to that claim. In fact, I don't think there has been one in the stack of past brands.

Honda's are tanks which I like. I just don't like that thing at all for what it is supposed to be and accomplish. That's me.



I will take a much quicker better handling car for a few grand more. 0-60 around 6.4. Free maintenance and loaners.
Then you could look at the other side of the fence. "Why not spend 28 and get a xxxxx" So it is all relative really.

If people that want nav, leather etc for the price you listed with a couple of young chipmunks under the hood then more power to them.

10.5 secs to 60, as I said, is frightning. At least here in Dallas, it's every man and women for themselves. I would be in the market for some 35" waist Depends to sport while sitting on my new leather seat with that car.

[ENINTY]

What I find funny is the Ford Fusion Hybrid is faster than the CR-Z and gets better fuel mileage, along with being a real car.

[maswastage]

Just more proof that gasoline hybrids are a waste of time and effort. My 335d can get 40+ mpg on the highway, and will easily average 30+ with lots of city driving, yet is twice as fast, larger, heavier, and more well equipped. Of course, this CR-Z is significantly cheaper, but even at that price point a diesel will be a lot quicker and at least as efficient.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

What I find funny is the Ford Fusion Hybrid is faster than the CR-Z and gets better fuel mileage, along with being a real car.

Very true, but I believe it's about $10k more if specced similarly.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I will put it another way. My 08 MCS was 25,600. It has everything an urban run about needs for me. Sunroof, blue-tooth/ipod/cd with a great 6 speed and scoots through traffic almost bike like.

I have 25K on the odo and have not had one problem. I can't remember the last vehicle I had that could stand next to that claim. In fact, I don't think there has been one in the stack of past brands.

Honda's are tanks which I like. I just don't like that thing at all for what it is supposed to be and accomplish. That's me.



I will take a much quicker better handling car for a few grand more. 0-60 around 6.4. Free maintenance and loaners.
Then you could look at the other side of the fence. "Why not spend 28 and get a xxxxx" So it is all relative really.

If people that want nav, leather etc for the price you listed with a couple of young chipmunks under the hood then more power to them.

10.5 secs to 60, as I said, is frightning. At least here in Dallas, it's every man and women for themselves. I would be in the market for some 35" waist Depends to sport while sitting on my new leather seat with that car.

A few problems:

1. We are talking about a base Mini Cooper, the S wont even come close (it would be over $32,000 by the time you add everything).

2. Mini's are good cars that handle well, i know. That does not change the fact that you dont know if the CR-Z will be any different. I expect the same from a team that benchmarked the Elise and Cayman for driving feel.

3. As you are adamant about the fact that it is too slow, i presume all you do while driving in Dallas (Great City) is go from 0-60 from stoplight to stoplight. I also presume you have seen this video of a 0-100 KM Sport run if you are in a hurry. Not really that sluggish, is it?

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[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by maswastage

Just more proof that gasoline hybrids are a waste of time and effort. My 335d can get 40+ mpg on the highway, and will easily average 30+ with lots of city driving, yet is twice as fast, larger, heavier, and more well equipped. Of course, this CR-Z is significantly cheaper, but even at that price point a diesel will be a lot quicker and at least as efficient.

This car averages 30+ in the city even according to the EPA. Yours is rated at 23/33 or something close. You are so eager to put your experience forth but refuse to take their advice that the car can and will do 50MPG Highway if it is in Economy at face value.

P.S: Since it costs half of what yours does, i would say significantly cheaper is the understatement of the year