Should I or Shouldn't I??

[StiggyNYC]

I am new to the forum, and trying to decide on buying a CR-Z or not (EX M/T). Currently, I drive an '08 Fit Sport M/T...great car; versatile; sort-of OK seats; 123,000 miles. I've been happy with my Fit, but thinking about changing; I like Honda products, and the CR-Z's been calling me! I drive a lot...average of about 35,000 miles per year...and being in a car for 125 mile stretches non-stop is nothing unusual for me (no, I'm not a salesman!). With gas prices as they are, fuel mileage is important...but, so is comfort and reliability.

So, my question to you is: do you find your CR-Z to be good as your daily commuter, and also good for long trips...on a day-in and day-out regular basis? As I've said, I'm in a car a lot...I like the way the CR-Z handles on a couple of test drives, but that's not the real world. I need to know if I'm going to look forward to getting in it at 7am and driving 100 miles before getting out, and then doing the same thing at the end of the day...every day. Be honest; what have you found its positives and negatives to be? And thanks in advance for your replies!

-Doug

[Varmint]

Welcome to the forums, Doug!

Sadly, I doubt the CR-Z will be a good choice. Sound dampening in the CR-Z is not the greatest. Long drives at high speeds will mean quite a bit of droning noise. Also, I'm assuming your long drives will be at highway speeds, yes? You can get 42-44 mpg driving on the highway, but the CR-Z does best at speeds between 40-55 mph. Seeing over all those vans and SUVs on the highway will be problematic, as will seeing out the back with the CR-Z's limited rear view.

It's not that the CR-Z will be a bad choice. It's just that you won't be getting the most from what the car has to offer.

[CR-Z Canadian]

Hate to agree with Varmint, but there are downsides to spending the whole day in this car. Definite plusses too (check out the threads about what you hate about the CR-Z, and what you like most about it).

To add to Varmint's good points, i might add getting in and out if you are tall, and the large doors if you have to frequent small parking spots. If your work requires large cargo capacity, taking more than one passenger, or getting through deep snow, then you may have second thoughts, too.

All this aside, most of us here have found that the positives outweigh the con's for our purposes. You will just have to arrange for a long distance test drive, to find out for yourself.

If the Z turns out not to be the car for you, try the Lexus CT200H. Several $K more, but I was considering it seriously before falling in love with my CR-Z.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Kyleseghatch]

But if you get the EX the sub will drown out the road noise! Lol. I'm sorry but I love everything about my Z but I also only drive 30 minutes round trip to work but I do drive up to LA about once a week with no problems. At first I found the seats a bit uncomfortable but I found out how to sit to make them feel great. I'm also 6 feet tall and actually prefer sitting low to the ground. I guess I'm a bit biased due to my love for hatchbacks, I've had 7 hatchbacks in 3 years... My old lady hates driving it because she can't see over other cars like in her Element

[StiggyNYC]

I should probably add some more information:

1) 90% of the time, I'm the only person in the car; in the past three years, my Fit has moved a total occupancy of three persons exactly four times;
2) As far as hauling cargo, I usually have only two, maybe three, tool bags...I really don't want to use my car as a truck;
3) I'm not in-and-out of the car a lot; once I'm in, I'm in for an hour or more;
4) Being low to the ground is not an issue for me (my second car was an MGB); most of my vehicles have been fairly low (except for my Jeep Cherokee);
5) Gave up my Cherokee for the Fit because I got tired of $50+ fill-ups;
6) Most of the time, my traveling is on the interstate, 65 mph; but, living in the great Northeast, I also get a fair amount of congestion-style driving;
7) I'm not a speed demon; I don't drive hard; and, I'm not looking for perfection in sport-style handling;
8) My own experience with the CR-Z on the highway is that it's quieter than the Fit (with the radio off), and the seat is more comfortable and supportive, too.
9) I did consider the Lexus CT 200h, but I don't like the price, and it apparently handles too much like a Prius (which I find dull and boring);
10) I also considered a Golf TDI, but issues with the high-pressure fuel pump eating itself alive and Volkswagen's sometimes-dubious reliability record (along with the price) turned me off;
11) The only competition here is the Scion tC; the EPA mileage rating is sort-of okay...the car is built well, and the seating is comfortable...just not 100% convinced that the interior fit and finish is all that great (the CR-Z interior is much better...well, except for that fake chrome on the dashboard and door handles). Besides, the CR-Z is much sexier and cutting-edge.

Thoughts?

[sleighman]

I have put 20k on mine in less than 1year and this isn't a daily driver but my wife and I have traveled all over the south in this car and I find the seats very comfortable as does she. I think the arm rest helps. Yesterday I went to the Florida CRZ meet in Ocala Florida and it was 120 miles one way. I drove 2.5 hours there and then spent the day hanging out then drove 2.5 hours home and the car was very comfortable the entire trip. I also had the radio jamming the whole time and really brushed off any road noise.

I would say to me anyways this would be my pick for a daily driver but I like small sporty cars.

[Jayemtee]

Because the Fit really is a pretty darn good car, you've got a pretty solid baseline for the CR-Z to beat. I don't think it's the ideal replacement for you. I think you could easily make it work for you if you really want it to.

Have you thought about waiting one more year to let Honda push out some more changes that may have been sidelined by their floods?

[atteSmythe]

Whoops, saw you've already done the test drive!

Negative - big blind spots to get used to/work around. I've always driven with my side mirrors turned way out, but had to do that even more than I was originally comfortable with in the CR-Z. Backing out is worse than changing lanes in this regard.

Positive - there's something undefinably fun about driving the CR-Z. IMO, it's just way more satisfying to zip around in than it has any right to, for the power that it has. I've never had any trouble with comfort, even on 8 hour drives. Economy is great (though better on the auto).

I'll echo Jayemtee, though - Fit's a fine vehicle, and was the other contender when I was looking to buy last time. I don't think you could really go wrong between the two.

[gozoner]

My commute is 220 miles round trip; I do it 2-3 times per week. I drive ~65 mph on LA freeways; generally no traffic in the mornings (5-6:40 am) and some stop-and-go in the evenings (4:30-6:30 pm). I'm averaging ~43.7 mpg for my commute. The CR-Z is suburb. It does everything well. Fast enough; efficient enough; quiet enough; comfortable enough. Good stereo, nice iPhone integration; enough storage. In NYC? Easy to park. If you adjust the mirrors out wider, the blind spot isn't a problem.

And, when I bought the CR-Z I travelled from Boston to LA in 3.5 days w/ about 10 hours/day driving. Definitely comfortable enough. Yes, my foot got numb but the seat is wide enough to shift about and get the blood flowing again.

Go for it!

[Varmint]

Originally Posted by StiggyNYC

I should probably add some more information:

1) 90% of the time, I'm the only person in the car; in the past three years, my Fit has moved a total occupancy of three persons exactly four times;
2) As far as hauling cargo, I usually have only two, maybe three, tool bags...I really don't want to use my car as a truck;
3) I'm not in-and-out of the car a lot; once I'm in, I'm in for an hour or more;
4) Being low to the ground is not an issue for me (my second car was an MGB); most of my vehicles have been fairly low (except for my Jeep Cherokee);
5) Gave up my Cherokee for the Fit because I got tired of $50+ fill-ups;
6) Most of the time, my traveling is on the interstate, 65 mph; but, living in the great Northeast, I also get a fair amount of congestion-style driving;
7) I'm not a speed demon; I don't drive hard; and, I'm not looking for perfection in sport-style handling;
8) My own experience with the CR-Z on the highway is that it's quieter than the Fit (with the radio off), and the seat is more comfortable and supportive, too.
9) I did consider the Lexus CT 200h, but I don't like the price, and it apparently handles too much like a Prius (which I find dull and boring);
10) I also considered a Golf TDI, but issues with the high-pressure fuel pump eating itself alive and Volkswagen's sometimes-dubious reliability record (along with the price) turned me off;
11) The only competition here is the Scion tC; the EPA mileage rating is sort-of okay...the car is built well, and the seating is comfortable...just not 100% convinced that the interior fit and finish is all that great (the CR-Z interior is much better...well, except for that fake chrome on the dashboard and door handles). Besides, the CR-Z is much sexier and cutting-edge.

Thoughts?

Oh, since you put it that way... If that's what you're accustomed to, yes, I think the CR-Z will suit you. In fact, if you buy anything else, I shall be exceptionally perturbed.

p.s. It's not fake chrome, it's real tin! That should make you feel much better about it.