Thinking of buying a CRZ (Please read entire post before replying)

[Dcbeltwayrunner]

So here's my story. About 2 years ago I went looking for a car. I went to Nissan, Mitsubishi, Chevy, and Ford. I just couldn't find anything I really liked. So a few weeks later I decided to go to a Subaru dealer. The first car I looked at was the 2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5i. I test drove it and loved it, so I bought it. Stupidest decision of my life. Now 2 years later the car has had 2 engines, a tourque converter, a new transmission, and new catalytic converters. Needless to say I had so much warrenty work that the dealer actually retracted the warrenty on the car. Earlier this week it went in for an oil leak, apperantly while having the oil changed at the dealership the technician put the drain plug back in so tight that he cracked the oil pan, causing it to leak out all over my driveway while it sat that night. Im truely fed up with Subaru now. Basically Im trading the p.o.s. in Ive test driven 3 cars today; a Nissan Juke, a Chevy Cruze, and the CR-Z. The CR-Z was by far my favorite, and im pretty convinced that its what I want. Although the biggest question I have is; Which trim line/version is the best for what I want to do? Now I'm 20 years old so natrually I want the exhaust and the H.I.D lights an maybe even a spoiler and body kit. I dont want to make the mistake I did with the Legacy and by a base model only to find all of the after market parts are only for the 2.5GT (premium model) So any advice on which CR-Z to get would be extremely helpful meaning base model or EX. BTW thanks for listening to my rant about how bad Subaru is.

[TallyBlue]

Sorry bout the bad luck with the Sub. I guess you've never owned a Honda before, they're GREAT cars. Yeah, there can be a lemon in any brand, but Hondas rep is good for a very good reason, they are quality vehicles.

As for the trim level, get what you want, look at the differences between the two. One owner I know didn't realize the base didn't have the fancy brake and gas pedals and was wishing he had noticed it - though I don't think that would have changed his mind about which trim he bought.

The differences a mostly cosmetic anything that fits on a base model will fit on an EX and vice versa. There's only one engine, but two tranny's to choose from. I hear the stick is a blast and they're very popular, but so is the cvt, so be sure to drive both unless
you KNOW you want one or the other.

Above all, cruise this forum! You will learn a lot about the car before you ever drive it off the lot.

Good luck in your search and be sure to post pix of the new CR-Z, ummm I mean car! No, I really meant CR-Z hahaha!

[singe19]

Sorry to hear about your subaru. I myself, also being a 20 yr old guy, have the cr-z ex w/o navi. I don't really find the navi worth the price tag. The only things i regret not getting are the 17 inch wheels and the front lip spoiler...oh and getting the cvt over the manual. I really wish i had stuck with the manual tranny.

[Scotty001]

Without dissecting why you had so many problems with the Subaru and the warranty, which seems to be the exception to the case - the CR-Z is a great little car.. I and others here are sure you would/will love it..

[Kyleseghatch]

Take it from me if you like. I've always owned hondas in my short 23 years (9 to be exact) and from first glance wasn't very fond of the crzs. After getting behind the wheel of my 6 speed crz I fell in love and bought it instantly. Out of all the hondas I've owned I've never had a single problem until I started modifying it...heavily. Not talking exhaust/intake I'm talking internals. Maybe I've been lucky or maybe Honda makes very reliable vehicles. There's 2 cents from the new guy. Enjoy whatever you end up buying friend.

[romiata]

Sorry to hear about your Subie issues. I had a 02' WRX, but never had any problems- even after heavily modifying it.
As for the CR-Z comparisons between the Base and EX, they are cosmetic, as far as I can tell. I went with the Base, knowing I was going to change the lights, stereo, add the pedals, Mugen bodykit and a bunch of other things. It looks like your from the DC area. I work in Springfield, VA and commute from Orange, VA: about 120 miles, most of which is on I95. I can attest to my CR-Z's comfort and reliability, so far, having tacked on 9600+ miles in just over 3 months. Because I have changed quite a few things on it, so the characteristics have changed too, but it is expected after adding larger wheels, lowering and adding an intake (no exhaust yet)
Anyway, good luck on your decision. Btw, as far as I know, the only differences between an '11 vs '12 is the Black interior available only in the Black CR-Z vs the grey interior for all colors in the '11. We still don't get the glass roof that the JDM and EDM get

[EmptieHand]

The non-cosmetic differences between the base and EX model are:

1. Heated side mirrors (turns on when you use the rear defroster).
2. Auto headlights.
3. Foglights.
4. Bluetooth
5. Lighted vanity mirrors on both sides (driver side only in base)
6. VSA
7. 360 watt 7 speakers with subwoofer

[jgb2004]

I purchased a 6MT EX with NAVI and am very pleased with it. The NAVI was a little bit of a splurge for me and I might not go for it if I was to do it over again. I read somewhere that it was designed by Alpine in 2004. So, it was very nice in 2004 but it is a little outdated now. On top of that, a couple times it was unable to locate my desired destination.

The OP asked if aftermarket stuff was exclusively for the higher trim level: No, CR-Z trim level doesn't really matter when it comes to add-ons.

To add to EmptieHand, I think these are also important differences between base and EX:
1. 360-Watt AM/FM/CD Premium Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer
2. Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
3. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights
4. Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift Knob (6MT)
5. Textured Aluminum Pedals

Ok, so #4 and #5 are definitely cosmetic, but I'm not sure I could go without #4 now that I've had it.

My advice to anyone buying a CR-Z, would be the EX (no NAVI) and 6MT if you can handle it

[LoneStar70Blue]

I have an EX, but the base has a lot of standard features. As someone else said, you can add many options later. The way the fog lights are located and designed, they don't add much to night vision, but I believe the HID headlights are a big plus. The leather wheel is nice, but not necessary. Bluetooth is the biggest reason to get the EX, IMHO, but you can add that too, even if not on the wheel. I can't really see any diff with subwoofer on or turned down. Maybe just be me.

[gordonfc]

Where are you dcbeltwayrunner? (D.C.)?
Sounds like the U.S. or Canada due to the Chevy Cruze reference.
The CRZ 'GT' is only available in the U.K. and maybe Japan ! It includes a sunroof.

My Silver 6MT Canadian version is the same as the U.S. "EX" car except we do NOT have the U.S. mandated TPMS (tire press. mon. sys.) or the NAV option, and we only get a choice of 3 colours (white silver red, DUH)

I Like having the H.I.D. headlights, Auto lights on and off, the fancy 'sports' pedals. fog lights, more powerful audio sys. with 6 speakers plus a sub woofer and 320 watts.
Good luck making a decision.

Gord, Toronto, Canada.