Was out driving with my wife today and spotted an entire parking lot coned off into a course. Then I spotted a boat load of CRZs lined up to run and lined up to look at, every color seemed to be there. It must have been sponsored by Honda because there was a big Honda tent and Honda signs through out the lot. Here are some phone pics I snapped real quick before they had time to see that we weren't supposed to be there.

 

Were they just unloading them into the parking lot or were they actually auto-x/racing them? Sounds unusual for them to be putting mileage on unsold cars...

 

It was a driving course made of cones, so I don't think these cars will be sold to customers. The cars clearly don't have any of the plastic on them and were def being driven around this track. Typically when a car is delivered it has a paint protectant all over it and has plastic on the seats, steering wheel, and the aluminum wheels. This was probably a ride and drive event for employees, so they can experience the cars functions.

 

whats the big deal? there CRZ's!!!!ugliest most horrid car honda made

 

I loved the CR-Z concept, then when I saw the production version I was "eh..." but lately, the more I see, the more I like. It looks like a really cool little car.

 

i want the black one.

 

...in the absence of any newer, prettier and faster Honda, the CR-Z is the next best thing. If you can't justify buying one then stick to your old car until Honda pulls out a new S2000, Integra, or NSX -if that ever happens... In the meantime, this will remain the hottest new Honda, and thus the object of desire for many. Go figure...

 

I would have liked to get in on an event like this.

Would be cool (and maybe embarrassing) to have a 1st and 2nd Gen Si out there to see how they compare.

 

how d you get on the lot? didn t they tape it off so people can t get in?

 

Looks more like a low speed test drive host by Honda.

 

Ride and drive for Honda salespeople.

 

probably a press event for journalist... or a ride and drive as stated above.

 

It was the CRZ press release there in Cinci at the Oasis country club for Honda employees. I was there and did a few laps in a 6-speed one and drove another 6 speed on the street. Car is fun to drive hard, the autocross course was setup to go as hard as you wanted on. ABS and VSA will stop you in a hurry from getting it too loose but it will still kick the back end around. Even for the small course I still got to almost 40mph in the slalom. There is a big difference in the different modes, most people here will leave it in sport as the added IMA boost and steering feel is more suited to spirited driving.

The cars were also pre-production cars not to be sold to the public. Only difference between them and the production ones is slight changes in the autostop feature.

 

and thats why i will stick to old hondas

 

i agree..not hating..if u don't like the crz car.just buy used like
integra/prelude/civic/crx/accord or something...looks better,good on gas or faster then the crz.

 

I personally love the CR-Z, I think it's an awesome car, because it seems like it'd be fun to drive, and it gets good fuel economy. Plus, the Mugen version looks amazing.

 

The people from Honda I spoke to get anywhere fro
46-57mpg in the pre production cars.

 

yep it was a test track for honda employees i just went to one today in ft lauderdale. they set up a little autocross course and it was really fun! not just for sales people tho i am a tech and i got to go.... it handles amazing for stock car with 122hp! that means a lot too cause i have a full suspension crx that i autocross... enjoy. ps i spoke to one of the main guys there who is a pretty high ranking i guess "honda employee" who was responsiable for setting up this event and there is no plans for an si version.... yet.... lol

 

This is a Honda sponsored ride and drive for Honda sales consultants. Being one, I have had the opportunity to attend these. We recieved our first two CR-Z's yesterday and I can say being of the biggest skeptics of the CR-Z, I am thoroughly impressed. I take back all the negative things I have said about the car. Switching between Sport and Econ mode and driving the **** out of the car while in sport mode we were still able to average 37mpg in town for over 20 miles!!!! This car in econ mode driving conservatively is easily capable of 50+ mpg. It's too bad the car can't be rated in Econ from the factory due to government regulation.

Additionally, the car is an absolute blast to drive. Handles great, and despite what the numbers tell has a good amount of power and very low in the rev range. All 128 ft/lb torque is available at 1000 rpm!!! Although not fast, it truly is a FUN hybrid. Which is quite frankly what Honda is trying to impose.

The dash and overall look is top notch. Interior materials are amazing, and in Honda fashion build quality is unbeatable for the money. HID's are standard on CRZ EX and above, USB is standard throughout. What's not to love for under 20k????

 

0-60 in 9.8 seconds....A KIA Forte will **** on it in every way.....I miss the old honda car compeny....

 

You're an idiot...but take solace in the fact that you're not alone.

Go back to the late '80s and early '90s when the Honda movement took off int the states...the cars now considered classics (CRX, civic hatch, DA integra, etc) were underpowered, barebones econo-boxes. Honda never offered us big horsepower options like the Neon SRT, that's just not how they operate. Let's face it, outside of the enthusiast community (which comprises a small portion of Honda sales), the average consumer doesn't really want or need a fast civic...just a safe/affordable/reliable way to get from A to B. Regardless what you envision "a Honda should be," early D series civics and LS powered Integras used every trick in the book to hang with the faster Toyotas and Nissans.

The above was adapted (some parts very closely) from the current issue of Honda Tuning. I'm not affiliated in any way with the mag but this months issue is outstanding.

 

No. That would be the 1st gen Insight sorry to say.

Drove one today and they look great in person and drive awesome too.

 

Bold = truth

Why is this lost on the community? The CRX was not a rocket when it rolled off the assembly line, but it did/does handle well, got amazing gas mileage, and was reasonably spirited to drive. Nonetheless, you'd still get laughed at by the mustang and pick-up crowd for driving a tiny 4 cylinder. Fast forward ten years later...nothing has changed. Civics and Fits are considered nerd and girl cars, respectively (not hating...I drive a Fit and have a swinging d!ck).

When the CRZ and Fit become 2nd and 3rd owner cars they will become hugely popular with the tuner crowd. If I'm wrong, I'll buy everyone who posts in this thread a beer. Who knows, in ten years hybrid assist swaps might become the standard. Take the civic hybrid vs. The CRZ hybrid swap for example...this is already being discussed on the crz forums.

 

^This.

I quoted you twice b/c I agree with everything you posted.

I drove a Prius the entire month of June and absolutely hated it. The CRZ is a game changer. SRSLY, Toyota even put the brakes on the media darling RWD FT86 to see how the market reacts to a sporty Hybrid. Honda is showing us the future....we just have to catch up.

 

I think this is the right frame of reference.

It's not any kind of sports car in absolute terms, but if you're looking at a car like the Prius or Insight, then you might see how the CR-Z is more a car for enthusiasts.