New NW Chicago Owner

[WendyC]

I finally bit the bullet and bought my CR-Z over Labor Day. I had been looking at them and planning to replace my '98 New Beetle, I was just trying to squeeze every last drop outta that car first. I'd just spent $800 bucks on new water pump, timing belt, and a few other necessities. To prepare, I'd got a few online quotes from area dealers, then went in for a test drive to see how I liked the CRZ. Loved it!
Honda was having their .9% financing, and there were only 2 models at the dealership, an EX w/NAV and one EX w/out NAV. I don't need nav at all, so I wanted to move fast. I also really, REALLY wanted the blue color, but there were none to be found in the area. But I have to admit the black looks sharp too. I put down the deposit and told my husband we should buy now.
My car must have agreed, because the Saturday morning I was to pick up the car, it was really dogging badly..we made it to the dealership and at least I almost broke even on the work I'd just put into it. This was a car very beaten up on the inside, and probably needed another 2400 worth of work to make it reliable...that said, it was good to me, I put over 120K miles on it, and never really had to do any major work to it in 13 years. I am hoping the Honda is just as reliable.

What really struck me when I parked this thing in my driveway is how much it reminded me of my old '84 Chrysler Laser (although MUCH better looking). So I got used to the non-existent back seat and the big blind spot with the useless rear windows. I LOVE this car....I got used to driving it in econ mode, so when I do decide to put it in sport it is a thrill :-) I'm getting about 37 MPG so far, and it's not even broken in yet. The instrument panel looks a bit like a ****pit and the controls are very well placed. The hands-free bluetooth is awesome, and keeps me from having to dig in my purse to find my phone when it rings. The 6-speed shifter is one of the smoothest I've ever driven.

The Fit would have been a more practical car as far as space goes. But I am of the age and lifestyle where I don't need to be practical! I've always wanted a 2 seater and had been thinking about getting Prius or Insight...am I GLAD that Honda came out with this!!!

2011 CR-Z EX 6MT Crystal Black Pearl
1998 New Beetle 5MT Techno Blue
1990 Geo Metro 5MT Bright Blue
1984 Chrysler Laser 5MT Black
1978 Datsun B210 Auto, Sh** Brown

[CR-Z Canadian]

Glad your first experiences with the CR-Z have been great.
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on the car.
You'll find that you have a lot of company here, from the Chicago area, and many of us from farther afield.

[Varmint]

Welcome to the forums. Nice choice for your Z, same as mine.

[Jakecrxsi]

Welcome. Pictures

[CRX-SiRT]

Hello and welcome...

[GaZoom]

Congrats and welcome!

[gomarlins3]

Welcome.

[hotboxn]

Welcome! Nice to see another Chicagoland CrZ

[xxxsteven]

I love not having to be practical any more. Thanks for your informative letter, and enjoy your CR-Z.

[WendyC]

Steven - Love your blue Z, that's the color I wanted. The black is growing on me though. I've never HAD to be practical, no kids, etc...but it's always been in my nature. In fact, I researched a lot of other cars, and found the CR-Z is a lot of car for the money...I consider it a pretty good buy. The extra MPG is just a plus!

I love this forum, finding a lot of good info regarding keeping it looking nice, getting even more mileage, and pictures of those pretty blue ones (I've not even seen a blue one in person!).

I'll post pics of mine as soon as I get them up on Picasa or Flickr or somewhere. But since I don't do any mods, badge removal, etc, it looks just like the stock photos :-)