Honda CR-Z - what's it like to live with?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm cross-posting this from the Honda forum in the hope of getting some responses.
The time has come to get rid of my ailing MkIII Clio dCi. It's served me (relatively) well in the 2 years I've had it, but its myriad of electrical gremlins combined with a coolant leak and various worrying noises has led me to look for something more reliable. There's also the issue of ULEZ zones being introduced in my city later this year, so I think a petrol/hybrid is the way to go this time. I don't drive quite as much as I used to, but still average 10-12k a year including a long-ish commute at least twice per week on motorways and A-roads, so I want something that is still capable of that without making me miserable. The rest of my driving is done within the city, so it also needs to handle that without burning a hole in my pocket. It needs to be fairly cheap to run and not crippling on insurance for a 21 year old, and I have a budget of £5-6k.
Taking all of the above into account, I keep coming back to the CR-Z. On paper at least, it would appear to be a very capable replacement for my Clio: economical, cheap to tax, not dismally slow, somewhat interesting, in a fairly low insurance group, and most importantly, Japanese reliability. There aren't very many for sale near me, but I have found a couple of 2010-2012 models with acceptable mileage for well within budget. I've almost talked myself into it, but there's one thing that concerns me...
...the back seats. Or lack thereof. As much as I tried to convince myself they might be usable at a push, I accept that, by all accounts, they're as good as useless for actually carrying humans. On one hand, this shouldn't really bother me, as I very seldom carry passengers in the rear. But on the other hand, I've always owned 4/5 seat cars with usable rear seats, so I am used to having the option when I need it. I'm just not sure how happily I could live with what is effectively a 2-seater, and fear this would become frustrating quite quickly. I'm hoping this car will serve me for a few years, so I need to be sure I make the right decision.
I'd be interested to hear from CR-Z owners who have come from 4/5 seaters: how did you find the transition? Does it become annoying, or does the rest of the car's merits make you overlook this?
I'd also like to know what the performance is like to live with. Many reviews emphasise that it "isn't quick", but I assume that is relative to its competitors. As someone coming from a 1.5 diesel with 88bhp, I imagine it'll be fine for me, but having not test-driven it, I can't be sure. I'm aware that it'll feel different to the diesel, and I'm prepared for that, but are there any circumstances under which it feels truly underpowered? Will it handle the motorway with relative ease? I'm not someone who likes to cruise at a ton, but don't want to be constantly working the gearbox just to make any sort of progress (like I had to with my old Aygo - it wasn't an enjoyable experience).
I'm interested in any opinions, positive or not. And if for any reason you think the CR-Z wouldn't be a good fit for my needs, I'd be open to other suggestions.
Thanks
I'm cross-posting this from the Honda forum in the hope of getting some responses.
The time has come to get rid of my ailing MkIII Clio dCi. It's served me (relatively) well in the 2 years I've had it, but its myriad of electrical gremlins combined with a coolant leak and various worrying noises has led me to look for something more reliable. There's also the issue of ULEZ zones being introduced in my city later this year, so I think a petrol/hybrid is the way to go this time. I don't drive quite as much as I used to, but still average 10-12k a year including a long-ish commute at least twice per week on motorways and A-roads, so I want something that is still capable of that without making me miserable. The rest of my driving is done within the city, so it also needs to handle that without burning a hole in my pocket. It needs to be fairly cheap to run and not crippling on insurance for a 21 year old, and I have a budget of £5-6k.
Taking all of the above into account, I keep coming back to the CR-Z. On paper at least, it would appear to be a very capable replacement for my Clio: economical, cheap to tax, not dismally slow, somewhat interesting, in a fairly low insurance group, and most importantly, Japanese reliability. There aren't very many for sale near me, but I have found a couple of 2010-2012 models with acceptable mileage for well within budget. I've almost talked myself into it, but there's one thing that concerns me...
...the back seats. Or lack thereof. As much as I tried to convince myself they might be usable at a push, I accept that, by all accounts, they're as good as useless for actually carrying humans. On one hand, this shouldn't really bother me, as I very seldom carry passengers in the rear. But on the other hand, I've always owned 4/5 seat cars with usable rear seats, so I am used to having the option when I need it. I'm just not sure how happily I could live with what is effectively a 2-seater, and fear this would become frustrating quite quickly. I'm hoping this car will serve me for a few years, so I need to be sure I make the right decision.
I'd be interested to hear from CR-Z owners who have come from 4/5 seaters: how did you find the transition? Does it become annoying, or does the rest of the car's merits make you overlook this?
I'd also like to know what the performance is like to live with. Many reviews emphasise that it "isn't quick", but I assume that is relative to its competitors. As someone coming from a 1.5 diesel with 88bhp, I imagine it'll be fine for me, but having not test-driven it, I can't be sure. I'm aware that it'll feel different to the diesel, and I'm prepared for that, but are there any circumstances under which it feels truly underpowered? Will it handle the motorway with relative ease? I'm not someone who likes to cruise at a ton, but don't want to be constantly working the gearbox just to make any sort of progress (like I had to with my old Aygo - it wasn't an enjoyable experience).
I'm interested in any opinions, positive or not. And if for any reason you think the CR-Z wouldn't be a good fit for my needs, I'd be open to other suggestions.
Thanks
Hey there great to hear im among others looking at these. I posted this too recently looking to replace my shed of a civic. I was originally considering an FN2 as a completely different prospect but with a move coming in next few months and with new job im reconsidering what im after and most of my driving is now in the suburbs and greater london.
There seems to be somewhat mixed reviews but i went to drive one and was pleasantly surprised. I drove a GT trim and liked the steering feedback and handling which was confidence inspiring. No its not quick but more nippy but the electric motor does a good job of helping out with the torque. Also nice interior and great boit space with seats down.
Plus i think they look great and are really well equipped. I tested a Mk2 Swift Sport afterwards which was also great but there was something about the cr-z I preferred...i think the driving position and it felt more unique. I may eat my words later but would definitely consider it as a replacement.
There seems to be somewhat mixed reviews but i went to drive one and was pleasantly surprised. I drove a GT trim and liked the steering feedback and handling which was confidence inspiring. No its not quick but more nippy but the electric motor does a good job of helping out with the torque. Also nice interior and great boit space with seats down.
Plus i think they look great and are really well equipped. I tested a Mk2 Swift Sport afterwards which was also great but there was something about the cr-z I preferred...i think the driving position and it felt more unique. I may eat my words later but would definitely consider it as a replacement.
Ads22 said:
Hey there great to hear im among others looking at these. I posted this too recently looking to replace my shed of a civic. I was originally considering an FN2 as a completely different prospect but with a move coming in next few months and with new job im reconsidering what im after and most of my driving is now in the suburbs and greater london.
There seems to be somewhat mixed reviews but i went to drive one and was pleasantly surprised. I drove a GT trim and liked the steering feedback and handling which was confidence inspiring. No its not quick but more nippy but the electric motor does a good job of helping out with the torque. Also nice interior and great boit space with seats down.
Plus i think they look great and are really well equipped. I tested a Mk2 Swift Sport afterwards which was also great but there was something about the cr-z I preferred...i think the driving position and it felt more unique. I may eat my words later but would definitely consider it as a replacement.
Thanks for the response. I did read your thread a few days ago, but didn't realise it was quite so recent. Great hearing your thoughts having driven one - it all sounds very promising! It sounds like the chassis and driving dynamics make up for the relative lack of power, so I'd be happy with that. Honda seem to do a good job of that: every time I've driven my mother's poverty-spec 1.4 Civic, I've always been impressed by how solid the steering, brakes and gearshift feel, and how smooth the engine is. Even though it's dog slow, it's so pleasant to drive that I almost don't care, and she certainly doesn't. I also like the Swift Sport, and would seriously consider one if the insurance was just a tad lower. But if I can get something with elements of that in the CR-Z, but with (imo) added benefits, it's really calling my name. The problem is finding one that ticks all the boxes - most I've seen are either too high mileage, too far away, or sold by dodgy traders. I'm hoping to buy within the next month or so, so I'll be watching Autotrader like a hawk!There seems to be somewhat mixed reviews but i went to drive one and was pleasantly surprised. I drove a GT trim and liked the steering feedback and handling which was confidence inspiring. No its not quick but more nippy but the electric motor does a good job of helping out with the torque. Also nice interior and great boit space with seats down.
Plus i think they look great and are really well equipped. I tested a Mk2 Swift Sport afterwards which was also great but there was something about the cr-z I preferred...i think the driving position and it felt more unique. I may eat my words later but would definitely consider it as a replacement.
Hope you find your replacement soon
Yes I definitely see where youre coming from. I dont think power is everything. The most powerful car ive owned was a Golf GTi but because it was heavy and very comfortable it didn’t feel THAT fast. Ive often thought smaller cars with decent power feel faster because theyre lower, more connected to road etc.
I had more confidence on twisty roads than the type R i tried in the Z.
I really rate the Swift Sport too, to the point im still debating between the two. The swift is more powerful but i thought the ride was crashier. Running costs are probably a little more but not by much.
I dont think you can go wrong with either really. Yes the CR-Z is also harder to get hold of and im also finding the same problems as you- although i am being picky with spec.
I had more confidence on twisty roads than the type R i tried in the Z.
I really rate the Swift Sport too, to the point im still debating between the two. The swift is more powerful but i thought the ride was crashier. Running costs are probably a little more but not by much.
I dont think you can go wrong with either really. Yes the CR-Z is also harder to get hold of and im also finding the same problems as you- although i am being picky with spec.
As a current owner and being around CR-Zs for several years now the main points I would offer are.....
Not a fast car by any means but if you need speed as a priority you need to look elsewhere, saying that
it's not super slow either.
Very little use for anyone carrying more than 1 passenger, need 4 seats?...buy something with 4 seats.
Although it does have plenty room in the back with the seat down.
One of the great things about the CR-Z is it has a massive potential for upgrading, lots of aftermarket stuff
available which culminates with the ultimate mod, a K20 swap, although not a cheap option especially if
you are not doing the work yourself. Most stuff you will ever need to know is on the CR-Z forums as well.
Dont be put off with higher mileage examples as long as they have been looked after, these cars will do 200k miles.
The one thing I would put at the top of a check list is underside corrosion, cant stress it highly enough, they
rust badly due to very thin paint and poorly undersealed, and the further north in UK you are the worse
they are, cars from areas like Aberdeen for example are now so badly rusted some of them are getting close
to scrapping, road salt is the big enemy as ever with most vehicles but it hits the CR-Z particularly badly,
for a keeper undersealing is essential, I would look for a vehicle as far south in the UK as you can, less likely
to be hammered with years of road salt.
Would I recommend one?..... Absolutely!.
Not a fast car by any means but if you need speed as a priority you need to look elsewhere, saying that
it's not super slow either.
Very little use for anyone carrying more than 1 passenger, need 4 seats?...buy something with 4 seats.
Although it does have plenty room in the back with the seat down.
One of the great things about the CR-Z is it has a massive potential for upgrading, lots of aftermarket stuff
available which culminates with the ultimate mod, a K20 swap, although not a cheap option especially if
you are not doing the work yourself. Most stuff you will ever need to know is on the CR-Z forums as well.
Dont be put off with higher mileage examples as long as they have been looked after, these cars will do 200k miles.
The one thing I would put at the top of a check list is underside corrosion, cant stress it highly enough, they
rust badly due to very thin paint and poorly undersealed, and the further north in UK you are the worse
they are, cars from areas like Aberdeen for example are now so badly rusted some of them are getting close
to scrapping, road salt is the big enemy as ever with most vehicles but it hits the CR-Z particularly badly,
for a keeper undersealing is essential, I would look for a vehicle as far south in the UK as you can, less likely
to be hammered with years of road salt.
Would I recommend one?..... Absolutely!.
Pastor Of Muppets said:
As a current owner and being around CR-Zs for several years now the main points I would offer are.....
Not a fast car by any means but if you need speed as a priority you need to look elsewhere, saying that
it's not super slow either.
Very little use for anyone carrying more than 1 passenger, need 4 seats?...buy something with 4 seats.
Although it does have plenty room in the back with the seat down.
One of the great things about the CR-Z is it has a massive potential for upgrading, lots of aftermarket stuff
available which culminates with the ultimate mod, a K20 swap, although not a cheap option especially if
you are not doing the work yourself. Most stuff you will ever need to know is on the CR-Z forums as well.
Dont be put off with higher mileage examples as long as they have been looked after, these cars will do 200k miles.
The one thing I would put at the top of a check list is underside corrosion, cant stress it highly enough, they
rust badly due to very thin paint and poorly undersealed, and the further north in UK you are the worse
they are, cars from areas like Aberdeen for example are now so badly rusted some of them are getting close
to scrapping, road salt is the big enemy as ever with most vehicles but it hits the CR-Z particularly badly,
for a keeper undersealing is essential, I would look for a vehicle as far south in the UK as you can, less likely
to be hammered with years of road salt.
Would I recommend one?..... Absolutely!.
Thanks for this! Not a fast car by any means but if you need speed as a priority you need to look elsewhere, saying that
it's not super slow either.
Very little use for anyone carrying more than 1 passenger, need 4 seats?...buy something with 4 seats.
Although it does have plenty room in the back with the seat down.
One of the great things about the CR-Z is it has a massive potential for upgrading, lots of aftermarket stuff
available which culminates with the ultimate mod, a K20 swap, although not a cheap option especially if
you are not doing the work yourself. Most stuff you will ever need to know is on the CR-Z forums as well.
Dont be put off with higher mileage examples as long as they have been looked after, these cars will do 200k miles.
The one thing I would put at the top of a check list is underside corrosion, cant stress it highly enough, they
rust badly due to very thin paint and poorly undersealed, and the further north in UK you are the worse
they are, cars from areas like Aberdeen for example are now so badly rusted some of them are getting close
to scrapping, road salt is the big enemy as ever with most vehicles but it hits the CR-Z particularly badly,
for a keeper undersealing is essential, I would look for a vehicle as far south in the UK as you can, less likely
to be hammered with years of road salt.
Would I recommend one?..... Absolutely!.
Speed is not really a priority - I'm more looking for something that isn't hopelessly gutless than "fast". As I assumed, most of the reviews/people I see complaining about it being "slow" are comparing it to the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe dCi, neither of which are on my list anyway. I can't see any reason why the CR-Z wouldn't have enough power for my needs, and I like N/A petrols, so the perceived "slowness" doesn't put me off. I don't really plan on modding it, but it's good to know I have options should I change my mind.
The corrosion issue is something I wasn't aware of, so I appreciate you mentioning it. I live on the east coast of Scotland, so it is something I'll need to be careful of. If I got to view any of the more local examples, I'll be sure to take a mechanic friend with. But if they're all rotten, I wouldn't be adverse to travelling further south (if COVID regs permit).
Glad to hear another recommendation - I'm quite sold on it now!
Bought a £1k shed CR-Z for T6 Junior,
It's a complete shed with over 250k on the clock ..... It's had 2 services & two MOT's .... passed both and been utterly reliable,
I love driving it ... so dinky compared to the van
It's perfectly nippy for daily driving, It even blat's up & down the bypass/motorway comfortably.
You really wouldn't want to inflict anyone over the age of 8 to a journey in the rear seats.
Just my observations
Edit ... just seen Pastor Of Muppets's comment .... I know of 3 and none exhibit any rust including ours ... I guess it's previous keepers cleaning regime dependent
It's a complete shed with over 250k on the clock ..... It's had 2 services & two MOT's .... passed both and been utterly reliable,
I love driving it ... so dinky compared to the van
It's perfectly nippy for daily driving, It even blat's up & down the bypass/motorway comfortably.
You really wouldn't want to inflict anyone over the age of 8 to a journey in the rear seats.
Just my observations
Edit ... just seen Pastor Of Muppets's comment .... I know of 3 and none exhibit any rust including ours ... I guess it's previous keepers cleaning regime dependent
Edited by T6 vanman on Thursday 25th February 16:12
T6 vanman said:
Edit ... just seen Pastor Of Muppets's comment .... I know of 3 and none exhibit any rust including ours ... I guess it's previous keepers cleaning regime dependent
Absolutely agree, the main problem is folk using the car all winter in an area bad for needing gritted,Edited by T6 vanman on Thursday 25th February 16:12
like here in east Scotland, most folks aren't very much aware of what is happening underneath their
car and by the time they find out its become chronic, one of the problems is most of the underside
is covered with plastic trays which tends to trap moisture and rots the underside completely out of sight.
The side sill panels are also bad for trapping muck and grime which remains wet for long periods
especially through winter, combine that with the sills not even having underseal on them, only a thin
layer of paint and you can guess the rest, they need periodically removed and cleaned out,(easily removed)
and a coat of underseal applied to the metal, well that's if you plan on keeping it long term, which I think
is well worth doing.
I know a few CR-Z owners and every one of them absolutely loves their Z with some saying they will never
sell it.
jjmonaghan said:
Thanks for this!
Speed is not really a priority - I'm more looking for something that isn't hopelessly gutless than "fast". As I assumed, most of the reviews/people I see complaining about it being "slow" are comparing it to the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe dCi, neither of which are on my list anyway. I can't see any reason why the CR-Z wouldn't have enough power for my needs, and I like N/A petrols, so the perceived "slowness" doesn't put me off. I don't really plan on modding it, but it's good to know I have options should I change my mind.
The corrosion issue is something I wasn't aware of, so I appreciate you mentioning it. I live on the east coast of Scotland, so it is something I'll need to be careful of. If I got to view any of the more local examples, I'll be sure to take a mechanic friend with. But if they're all rotten, I wouldn't be adverse to travelling further south (if COVID regs permit).
Glad to hear another recommendation - I'm quite sold on it now!
I second this. Be extra careful with rust, I discovered this with my 8th gen civic. Theyre not renown for rust but mine was flagged up on an mot recently. It never had before weirdly but nonetheless it is there. I discovered the car when new originally came from a costal area in Scotland when registered. Unfortunately I completely missed this. Thankfully I didn’t spend too much on it. Speed is not really a priority - I'm more looking for something that isn't hopelessly gutless than "fast". As I assumed, most of the reviews/people I see complaining about it being "slow" are comparing it to the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe dCi, neither of which are on my list anyway. I can't see any reason why the CR-Z wouldn't have enough power for my needs, and I like N/A petrols, so the perceived "slowness" doesn't put me off. I don't really plan on modding it, but it's good to know I have options should I change my mind.
The corrosion issue is something I wasn't aware of, so I appreciate you mentioning it. I live on the east coast of Scotland, so it is something I'll need to be careful of. If I got to view any of the more local examples, I'll be sure to take a mechanic friend with. But if they're all rotten, I wouldn't be adverse to travelling further south (if COVID regs permit).
Glad to hear another recommendation - I'm quite sold on it now!
Unfortunately it does seem to be a Japanese car thing so im taking extra care next time.
In terms of the reviews i dont get why they’re compared to cars like the scirocco and megane diesels. Id say more in line with Mini (apparently Honda benchmarked it for the handling), A1 but i think it fills a market which doesn’t exist anymore which is the small sporty coupe. Ie Puma, Tigra, Celica etc. Possibly why i like them.
I did actually debate a scirocco but have seen so many accounts of failed tensioners and engine woes. Partly why i wanted to stick to a reliable marque.
And in terms of slowness no i wouldn’t say gutless. It would be nice if it revved out a bit more like the swift i tried but cant have it all i guess. Theres always the option of supercharger!!
I wouldn’t imagine its cheap but they do look appealing! I look into options and kits can get the car anywhere between 150bhp to 200bhp depending on how mad you want to go.
Edited by Ads22 on Thursday 25th February 18:25
Edited by Ads22 on Thursday 25th February 18:54
Also to OP dont read too many reviews. I think this applies to all cars but you’ll always read something that puts you off. I have read so many to the point its maddening and makes you indecisive so ive stopped reading them. I always think owners reviews are more helpful if anything.
Ads22 said:
Also to OP .... I always think owners reviews are more helpful if anything.
^^^This^^^Pastor Of Muppets said:
I know a few CR-Z owners and every one of them absolutely loves their Z with some saying they will never
sell it.
The CR-Z isn't perfect, The engine isn't a powerhouse of horsepower, The rear visibility isn't spectacular and the rear seating ...just isn't, Yet the only arguments in the T6 household involve who's stealing the keys to the little white beasty sell it.
I had one for 3-4 years doing about 20k miles a year on it and loved it. Felt quick but I was coming from a 1.2 Fabia beforehand so it's relative.
On the rear seats, they are awful. In LHD markets they were replaced with storage bins, and my skinny 5ft 2 mate had to put his legs across to the other side when sat behind me (5ft 9).
Driving wise it was great, the steering felt direct and the gearbox was great to use. My dad had an EP3 Type R and he said it felt like the same gearbox or very similar which was always rated highly. The 3 driving modes did feel like they made a difference, sport seemed to weight up the steering and increase throttle response whilst eco did the opposite.
I never experienced any rust issues, car was 5 years old when I got it and I drove it all year round and cleaned it sporadically. But it's normal route was between Reading and High Wycombe on the M4 so wasn't dealing with loads of gritted roads.
Running costs were great, low tax, economical with normal driving and tyres are small so you can (or could anyway) get Pirellis for about £60 each. Mine had a full Honda history and I kept it that way just because I wanted to make sure the hybrid stuff could be checked by people who knew what it was. That was the theory anyway, I know the garage I used to work at wouldn't have been able to check it.
In the end the only reason I changed was because I needed a more practical car, but I'd happily go back to one if circumstances allowed.
On the rear seats, they are awful. In LHD markets they were replaced with storage bins, and my skinny 5ft 2 mate had to put his legs across to the other side when sat behind me (5ft 9).
Driving wise it was great, the steering felt direct and the gearbox was great to use. My dad had an EP3 Type R and he said it felt like the same gearbox or very similar which was always rated highly. The 3 driving modes did feel like they made a difference, sport seemed to weight up the steering and increase throttle response whilst eco did the opposite.
I never experienced any rust issues, car was 5 years old when I got it and I drove it all year round and cleaned it sporadically. But it's normal route was between Reading and High Wycombe on the M4 so wasn't dealing with loads of gritted roads.
Running costs were great, low tax, economical with normal driving and tyres are small so you can (or could anyway) get Pirellis for about £60 each. Mine had a full Honda history and I kept it that way just because I wanted to make sure the hybrid stuff could be checked by people who knew what it was. That was the theory anyway, I know the garage I used to work at wouldn't have been able to check it.
In the end the only reason I changed was because I needed a more practical car, but I'd happily go back to one if circumstances allowed.
Im going to check out a nice looking example tomorrow. Looks well looked after so heres hoping. Is a nice Sport model. A GT would be nice but not a fan of leather seats and theyre even harder to come by it seems!
These definitely arent common cars.
These definitely arent common cars.
Edited by Ads22 on Saturday 27th February 11:15
Okay so i managed to have a go in one today with the potential view on buying. However, despite the car being in really good condition body wise, there was rust developing underneath and learning the car was originally from Scotland (ive had the same issue with my civic) also the car had no petrol! And i just get a good feeling from the dealer. A shame.
The car itself im not 100% on. It rode well has nice steering but on second impressions it felt heavy and i didn’t enjoy flooring it everywhere. There was also more bodyroll than id liked but that may be down to the tyres.
Am actually a bit gutted as i really wanted to like it as it looked great in the flesh. I may be being too harsh but the dealer experience, the rust and the lack of power has put me off somewhat. I think you could potentially make it great with some mods but do not know if the cost is worth it.
Bit depressing as i have no idea what car i would like that fits what i want without going for something dreary and white goods. The swift sport seems the obvious choice but they just dont do it for me for some reason.
The car itself im not 100% on. It rode well has nice steering but on second impressions it felt heavy and i didn’t enjoy flooring it everywhere. There was also more bodyroll than id liked but that may be down to the tyres.
Am actually a bit gutted as i really wanted to like it as it looked great in the flesh. I may be being too harsh but the dealer experience, the rust and the lack of power has put me off somewhat. I think you could potentially make it great with some mods but do not know if the cost is worth it.
Bit depressing as i have no idea what car i would like that fits what i want without going for something dreary and white goods. The swift sport seems the obvious choice but they just dont do it for me for some reason.
Edited by Ads22 on Sunday 28th February 16:48
Ads22 said:
Okay so i managed to have a go in one today with the potential view on buying. However, despite the car being in really good condition body wise, there was rust developing underneath and learning the car was originally from Scotland (ive had the same issue with my civic) also the car had no petrol! And i just get a good feeling from the dealer. A shame.
The car itself im not 100% on. It rode well has nice steering but on second impressions it felt heavy and i didn’t enjoy flooring it everywhere. There was also more bodyroll than id liked but that may be down to the tyres.
Am actually a bit gutted as i really wanted to like it as it looked great in the flesh. I may be being too harsh but the dealer experience, the rust and the lack of power has put me off somewhat. I think you could potentially make it great with some mods but do not know if the cost is worth it.
Bit depressing as i have no idea what car i would like that fits what i want without going for something dreary and white goods. The swift sport seems the obvious choice but they just dont do it for me for some reason.
Ah that's disappointing to hear! I had heard rather mixed opinions on the driving experience, but it's useful to hear a more critical view from an impartial perspective. Obviously my experience might be different, but I feel like it probably isn't a safe bet to buy without test driving - and given the difficulty in getting test drives from dealerships at the moment, that's a very real possibility for me. The car itself im not 100% on. It rode well has nice steering but on second impressions it felt heavy and i didn’t enjoy flooring it everywhere. There was also more bodyroll than id liked but that may be down to the tyres.
Am actually a bit gutted as i really wanted to like it as it looked great in the flesh. I may be being too harsh but the dealer experience, the rust and the lack of power has put me off somewhat. I think you could potentially make it great with some mods but do not know if the cost is worth it.
Bit depressing as i have no idea what car i would like that fits what i want without going for something dreary and white goods. The swift sport seems the obvious choice but they just dont do it for me for some reason.
Edited by Ads22 on Sunday 28th February 16:48
To be honest, having lost the rose-tinted spectacles, it's rapidly starting to make less sense to me now. All the better examples I'd seen were running into £6-7k territory, and I'm not really willing to spend that kind of money on a 10-year-old car that, on the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly impressive. As much as I also want to avoid something boring and white-goods, reliability is my top priority, and for that money I can easily get something on a 65 or even a 16 plate. All things considered, it makes more sense for me to buy something newer, if a bit boring, that will hopefully last me for a few years with no major issues until I'm financially more comfortable to look at something more interesting that I can afford to keep healthy. I've always liked Mazdas (I feel like they're a bit less white-goods than other white-goods brands, if that makes any sense), and currently have my eye on a very tidy 16 plate 2, as well as a couple of slightly older, higher-mileage 3s. It's really just a case now of deciding if the mileage and age compromise is worth it for the sake of having a bigger, more practical car. I think I'd be very happy with either (if perhaps not exactly thrilled by the driving experience), and neither appear to have any common major issues to report - apart from corrosion, which would simply be a case of prevention and monitoring.
@Ads22 - out of interest, what are you thinking now? Any alternatives on the shortlist?
Sorry for the anti-climatic conclusion to the thread! I appreciate all the discussion and helpful responses - I just had to let my head rule my heart in the end, sadly
Interesting it sounds we’re currently in the same boat. Definitely dont go on my verdict. I did post my findings on a crz forum who suggested that possibly the model i drove wasnt in the best health but some of my views did mirror that of some reviews.
Weirdly though i did find the GT i drove a better drive so I may try one more when i can.
Like you said it’s difficult to get a test drive at the moment so i may just wait it out until the restrictions lift.
I might try and hold out for a later model with improved battery also.
In terms of budget i feel as though £5-6k should easily get you a good one. They do range towards £9k for a later one with low miles but definitely go on condition and not mileage (as with most cars and especially Hondas) average to higher mileage is probably better to go for anyway as apparently these cars dont fare well not being used often.
Im assessing what I actually need from a car for work and my own enjoyment so im not going to rush into a decision for the sake of having a new car.
Interestingly i also like the Mazda range - the newer ones look great. They may not be the most exciting but i do hear positive things about them.
Im also considering more juicy stuff like the fn2 and 130i but i think my leanings are towards Honda as i know they wont bankrupt if they do go wrong (which is rare!)
The daily running costs is something im keeping an eye on as dont particularly want to be at the fuel pumps every minute!
I think id still consider the CR-Z as it would be a great car to make your own but am aware in doing so it may undo the money youd save!
Decisions decisions!
Weirdly though i did find the GT i drove a better drive so I may try one more when i can.
Like you said it’s difficult to get a test drive at the moment so i may just wait it out until the restrictions lift.
I might try and hold out for a later model with improved battery also.
In terms of budget i feel as though £5-6k should easily get you a good one. They do range towards £9k for a later one with low miles but definitely go on condition and not mileage (as with most cars and especially Hondas) average to higher mileage is probably better to go for anyway as apparently these cars dont fare well not being used often.
Im assessing what I actually need from a car for work and my own enjoyment so im not going to rush into a decision for the sake of having a new car.
Interestingly i also like the Mazda range - the newer ones look great. They may not be the most exciting but i do hear positive things about them.
Im also considering more juicy stuff like the fn2 and 130i but i think my leanings are towards Honda as i know they wont bankrupt if they do go wrong (which is rare!)
The daily running costs is something im keeping an eye on as dont particularly want to be at the fuel pumps every minute!
I think id still consider the CR-Z as it would be a great car to make your own but am aware in doing so it may undo the money youd save!
Decisions decisions!
Edited by Ads22 on Monday 8th March 19:42
Edited by Ads22 on Monday 8th March 19:49
jjmonaghan said:
Ah that's disappointing to hear! I had heard rather mixed opinions on the driving experience, but it's useful to hear a more critical view from an impartial perspective. Obviously my experience might be different, but I feel like it probably isn't a safe bet to buy without test driving - and given the difficulty in getting test drives from dealerships at the moment, that's a very real possibility for me.
To be honest, having lost the rose-tinted spectacles, it's rapidly starting to make less sense to me now. All the better examples I'd seen were running into £6-7k territory, and I'm not really willing to spend that kind of money on a 10-year-old car that, on the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly impressive. As much as I also want to avoid something boring and white-goods, reliability is my top priority, and for that money I can easily get something on a 65 or even a 16 plate. All things considered, it makes more sense for me to buy something newer, if a bit boring, that will hopefully last me for a few years with no major issues until I'm financially more comfortable to look at something more interesting that I can afford to keep healthy. I've always liked Mazdas (I feel like they're a bit less white-goods than other white-goods brands, if that makes any sense), and currently have my eye on a very tidy 16 plate 2, as well as a couple of slightly older, higher-mileage 3s. It's really just a case now of deciding if the mileage and age compromise is worth it for the sake of having a bigger, more practical car. I think I'd be very happy with either (if perhaps not exactly thrilled by the driving experience), and neither appear to have any common major issues to report - apart from corrosion, which would simply be a case of prevention and monitoring.
@Ads22 - out of interest, what are you thinking now? Any alternatives on the shortlist?
Sorry for the anti-climatic conclusion to the thread! I appreciate all the discussion and helpful responses - I just had to let my head rule my heart in the end, sadly
@jjmonaghan Hope you managed to find an ideal car in the end, did you go for the 2?. Funnily enough after your suggestion I have investigated Mazdas a bit more after noticing some very nice previous gen 3's at a Mazda garage near my work. These look great, really nice interior and I like the sound of the Skyactiv engines. No one seems to have a bad word to say about these! (Yet!) Apparently are fun to drive which is a bonus - The mentions of MX-5 dna within the drive also raised an eyebrow! Actually looking through their range Mazda don't seem to make a bad car.To be honest, having lost the rose-tinted spectacles, it's rapidly starting to make less sense to me now. All the better examples I'd seen were running into £6-7k territory, and I'm not really willing to spend that kind of money on a 10-year-old car that, on the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly impressive. As much as I also want to avoid something boring and white-goods, reliability is my top priority, and for that money I can easily get something on a 65 or even a 16 plate. All things considered, it makes more sense for me to buy something newer, if a bit boring, that will hopefully last me for a few years with no major issues until I'm financially more comfortable to look at something more interesting that I can afford to keep healthy. I've always liked Mazdas (I feel like they're a bit less white-goods than other white-goods brands, if that makes any sense), and currently have my eye on a very tidy 16 plate 2, as well as a couple of slightly older, higher-mileage 3s. It's really just a case now of deciding if the mileage and age compromise is worth it for the sake of having a bigger, more practical car. I think I'd be very happy with either (if perhaps not exactly thrilled by the driving experience), and neither appear to have any common major issues to report - apart from corrosion, which would simply be a case of prevention and monitoring.
@Ads22 - out of interest, what are you thinking now? Any alternatives on the shortlist?
Sorry for the anti-climatic conclusion to the thread! I appreciate all the discussion and helpful responses - I just had to let my head rule my heart in the end, sadly
Your are right they do seem a slightly left field choice and would be nice to not go for the usual Ford, Vauxhall route etc. I haven't completely discounted the CR-Z but I think I would need to do something about that lack of power it has and end up modifying it. Also Mazda seem to have the chassis department well sorted too, which Honda seemed to have dropped the ball on until recently - have fond memories of an old Civic (the one that shared a platform with Rover) that dated back to when Hondas really handled well. - whereas my 8th gen 1.8 really doesn't!
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