Looking at a 2012 Base CR-Z - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

Ryude · 01-05-2012, 02:58 PM

It's Crystal Black Pearl, the dealer has one manual and one CVT. My question is, would it be better to wait for an EX to arrive or is the Base close enough that I'll never notice?

Also, I am interested to hear if the manual or CVT is better reliability wise. I test drove the CVT and it seemed smooth, but very lacking in power. I am going to test drive the manual next.

CRZCT · 01-05-2012, 03:09 PM

Did you try the car in sport mode ? If the cvt lacks power for you then your not going to happy with the stick either and maybe best to look at a different car .

forty2j · 01-05-2012, 04:35 PM

The EX benefits are all interior / cosmetic:
- Aluminum floor pedals
- Improved car audio system
- Bluetooth / HandsFreeLink
- Automatic Headlights
etc.

Nothing that would affect the performance of the car. In fact, it's difficult to tell an EX from a base from the outside (though I believe the wheels are different).

(Personally, I absolutely had to have Bluetooth, so I went with EX. As a side effect.. that audio system is sweet, and only the most hardcore audophiles choose to swap it out for something aftermarket.)

Power-wise.. like Crazy said, make sure you did a proper test drive. Some salesfolk have no idea how to sell a CR-Z, and don't even know that there's 3 mode buttons (unless they crammed right before you came in). A proper test drive should cover Econ, Normal, and Sport. Unless you're coming from a True Proper Sports Car, the Sport should feel like an awful lot of power to you.

Ryude · 01-05-2012, 04:52 PM

Thanks guys, I didn't know Sport mode made that much difference.

CRZCT · 01-05-2012, 05:09 PM

You also get HID lights and fog lights with the EX , leather steering wheel too I think . The sport mode transforms the car . You will feel the extra torque , sounds pretty good too . It's not a drag race type car but it has excellent passing power , once your underway you might be surprised it feels stronger than specs lead you to believe .

Ryude · 01-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Yeah I'm not looking for fast just fast enough to safely pass in traffic. Back to my other question, which transmission seems to be more reliable? Which costs more to maintain?

CRZCT · 01-05-2012, 05:45 PM

You have to do periodic fluid changes with the CVT. All service intervals are decided by computer, there are no conventional intervals like on most other cars . So how often that is depends on your driving conditions . I have a CVT and don't anticipate any more maintenance than other automatics . HONDA has learned a lot from years ago so I expect this CVT to be very reliable . Don't think you can go wrong with either transmission , it just comes down to preference .

01-05-2012, 02:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ryude Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	Looking at a 2012 Base CR-Z It's Crystal Black Pearl, the dealer has one manual and one CVT. My question is, would it be better to wait for an EX to arrive or is the Base close enough that I'll never notice? Also, I am interested to hear if the manual or CVT is better reliability wise. I test drove the CVT and it seemed smooth, but very lacking in power. I am going to test drive the manual next.

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01-05-2012, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
CRZCT Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 106	Did you try the car in sport mode ? If the cvt lacks power for you then your not going to happy with the stick either and maybe best to look at a different car .

01-05-2012, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
forty2j Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 188	The EX benefits are all interior / cosmetic: - Aluminum floor pedals - Improved car audio system - Bluetooth / HandsFreeLink - Automatic Headlights etc. Nothing that would affect the performance of the car. In fact, it's difficult to tell an EX from a base from the outside (though I believe the wheels are different). (Personally, I absolutely had to have Bluetooth, so I went with EX. As a side effect.. that audio system is sweet, and only the most hardcore audophiles choose to swap it out for something aftermarket.) Power-wise.. like Crazy said, make sure you did a proper test drive. Some salesfolk have no idea how to sell a CR-Z, and don't even know that there's 3 mode buttons (unless they crammed right before you came in). A proper test drive should cover Econ, Normal, and Sport. Unless you're coming from a True Proper Sports Car, the Sport should feel like an awful lot of power to you.

01-05-2012, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ryude Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	Thanks guys, I didn't know Sport mode made that much difference.

01-05-2012, 05:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
CRZCT Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 106	You also get HID lights and fog lights with the EX , leather steering wheel too I think . The sport mode transforms the car . You will feel the extra torque , sounds pretty good too . It's not a drag race type car but it has excellent passing power , once your underway you might be surprised it feels stronger than specs lead you to believe .

01-05-2012, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ryude Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	Yeah I'm not looking for fast just fast enough to safely pass in traffic. Back to my other question, which transmission seems to be more reliable? Which costs more to maintain?

01-05-2012, 05:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
CRZCT Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 106	You have to do periodic fluid changes with the CVT. All service intervals are decided by computer, there are no conventional intervals like on most other cars . So how often that is depends on your driving conditions . I have a CVT and don't anticipate any more maintenance than other automatics . HONDA has learned a lot from years ago so I expect this CVT to be very reliable . Don't think you can go wrong with either transmission , it just comes down to preference .