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I was surprised how inexpensive used CR-Z's are. They look sporty and I had a CRX back in the day I really liked so the aesthetics are appealing. I know they aren't that fast in a straight line but have heard they are fun to drive.
My question is, do they have decent handling/braking? I was a little disappointed that Honda equipped the CR-Z with MacPherson struts in the front AND a torsion bar rear suspension, very low-end stuff.
The reason I am even asking is that I don't really have room for a dedicated track car so this also needs to be a decent DD with good fuel economy.
Maybe I have a warped sense of what's "good" but I always look at amateur and entry-level professional motorsports and see what people are driving. Long story short, CR-Z's are NOT popular. There are many cars I would pick as DD/occasional HPDE car over the CR-Z.
A decent daily driver, that gets good mileage, and only needs to seat 2 people, while providing fun for track days. If only there was such a car in existence...
I was surprised how inexpensive used CR-Z's are. They look sporty and I had a CRX back in the day I really liked so the aesthetics are appealing. I know they aren't that fast in a straight line but have heard they are fun to drive.
My question is, do they have decent handling/braking? I was a little disappointed that Honda equipped the CR-Z with MacPherson struts in the front AND a torsion bar rear suspension, very low-end stuff.
The reason I am even asking is that I don't really have room for a dedicated track car so this also needs to be a decent DD with good fuel economy.
Thanks
Yes they do. Although the underlying suspension architecture isn't as sophisticated as the double-wishbone Hondas of yore, it can work pretty well when properly set up. Which is the case here.
Read this thread on the Fit, which sits on the same basic platform: What? They don’t make great Hondas any more?…What about the Fit?
That GT car in the video doesn't count, but it's pretty cool
I was going to say the same thing... The fit is actually shockingly decent on track when set up correctly and the CR-Z is the same platform with a slightly wider track and a lower body, so I don't see why it couldn't be too.
A decent daily driver, that gets good mileage, and only needs to seat 2 people, while providing fun for track days. If only there was such a car in existence...
Not sure why but I've never particularly liked the Miata. Maybe it's because there are so many of them out there on the track already.
However I DO have a weakness for the S2000. They just cost so dang much for such an old car.
You're not going to get unique and inexpensive in one shot. The more interesting platforms take a bit more money, especially when the support has to grow in order for prices for the chassis/car w/ modifications to be more in the range of "grass roots".
The S2K may be "old", but was ahead of its time technologically which is why it is popular for racing, hence the higher cost. Not just the engine, but the suspension geometry, the materials used, etc.
There was a CR-Z at ITR Expo16 and I believe it was stock. Hasport put a K-series in one and tracked the car for a bit. The only thing I would consider is the hybrid system. If you are considering eliminating the hybrid system I would go for it, but if not a Spec Fit would be my choice for a newer/cheaper HPDE.
look at the Mugen effort lol. wind tunnel tested too, only lousy 1:08.x at Tsukuba. lmao. why waste so much effort. but the aero kit looks damn good though. i like it a lot.
the HKS car @ 320 ps looks very well tuned. engine sounds nice . 1:04.x with AD08 street tire isn't bad at all.
Not sure why but I've never particularly liked the Miata. Maybe it's because there are so many of them out there on the track already.
However I DO have a weakness for the S2000. They just cost so dang much for such an old car.
NC Miatas are pretty nice. Here are a few pics of my stock AP2 on track with a buddies NC. If the feels from an aesthetically-appealing car matter (and they do, I get it) the NC is a good car to start with. Similar straight line speed as the CRZ probably, but much more support, and fun on track.
That being said, you can get an AP1 for just a bit more then an NC miata.
I came close to buying a B-Spec Fit, because reasons. But man I just couldn't get over how un-fun it was. That said, they do well in B-Spec and PWC TCB. Tom O'Gorman won the PWC TCB Championship and David Daugherty won B-Spec at SCCA Runoffs in the same '13 Fit last year.
01-28-2017, 12:58 PM
Honda CR-Z as track/HDPE car
Although the underlying suspension architecture isn't as sophisticated as the double-wishbone Hondas of yore, it can work pretty well when properly set up. Which is the case here.
