Any advantage to new 2011 vs. new 2012?

[patti87]

I'm sorry if this topic has been discussed before -- I ran a search but didn't find anything specific.

I have my heart set on a CR-Z EX (manual) -- fell in love with the first one I saw and been pining ever since.

Besides price, is there anything about the 2011 model that was better than the 2012model?

There are several new 2012s around so I can bargain on those, but today I found out that a local dealer has a 2011 on the lot, looks like what I want, and we are starting at a price about 2K below where I'd start negotiating on a 2012.

Good idea, bad idea? I sent an email to the salesperson asking what other features it has, but maybe y'all will tell me to just keep on walking, as the 2012s are simply a better car.

Many thanks in advance.

--Patti

[Saulutations!]

The 2012 is the better option. Something in the roof or structure was reinforced or made with stronger materials so it is able to withstand close to 16,000 pounds of force in a rollover where the 2011 could only withstand around 10,000 pounds of force. Honda was able to make the 2012 safer by only adding 17 pounds of curb weight to the car.

[patti87]

Well, I *am* a safety consultant, so this definitely sounds like an important consideration!

Thank you!

[Saulutations!]

You're welcome.

Here is the thread which states the award that the 2012 CR-Z won because of it...

Twelve American Honda Models Earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK

[Ludercrz]

other than that and the black interior option on some 2012s there's no real difference.

you'll be able to negotiate a better price on the 2011 since you're "taking it off their hands" so to speak. they always want to get rid of the older models to make room for the new so they'll bargain more on a last year's model.

[CR-Z Canadian]

Hi Patti - welcome to the forum.
Saulutations, that's a really interesting bit of info. I learn something on this board every day. Guess the moral of the story is to get the 2011, and just not roll it. Best to keep elephants from sitting on the roof, too!

Ludercrz is right - tell the dealer you really WANTED a 2012, but you'll be willing to compromise and take the '11 if he'll make it worth your while. The only real drawback to the older model year is resale value, so let the dealer take the hit if you can.

And, if you are who I think you are, then Jane says to just buy the car and be done with!

[GaZoom]

A sticker under the hood of our cars says it should be driven at least 30 minutes per month to keep the IMA battery in good condition.

I looked for and bought a CR-Z with the highest VIN I could find, not one that had sat
on the lot for many months.

Last Fall I made my first test-drives, the cars all had flat IMA batteries and rusty brake discs.

I decided then to wait for a "fresh" one.

Have been more than happy with the CR-Z 6-speed, and the IMA battery never goes below 4 bars.

[forumonlooker]

the brake discs will start to look "rusty" within a week. Just the type of metal they use to cut costs. I usually only drive it on the weekends and by then for the first mile it makes a grinding feel/sound as the corrosion is sanded off.

[ShazzNADES]

I'm confused. Why did they have to reinforce the roof if the 2011 model already had a five star rollover crash test rating?

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[forty2j]

Originally Posted by ShazzNADES

I'm confused. Why did they have to reinforce the roof if the 2011 model already had a five star rollover crash test rating?

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One is the chance of rollover, and the other is how it performs in the event you do manage to roll it. Given that our low, flat car has almost zero chance of rolling, the "improvement" was more of a political one so they could win the award, and not a serious consideration for buyers.