Good Idea starting a Test Drive Impressions thread. I had posted my review in a different thread, but I copied it below since this thread is a better place for it.
I'm comparing this to 2 years ownership of my S2000, and 10 years ownership of my 1991 CRX Si, so I'm using some pretty good benchmarks; @Goose and anyone else, I would strongly encourage you to test a 6mt. I've driven Honda CVT before and it shouldn't be in any "sporty" car. The 0-60 is about 1.5 s SLOWER with the CVT, not to mention rowing of gears is a big part of wat makes any "sporty" car feel "sporty" See Below:
EX Navi 6MT Blue Driving Impressions:
Stopped out earlier to test drive. I was initially very unimpressed with the car while driving. Disappoined actually. It felt like a dog right off the bat, but when I placed it in sport mode and turned off the A/C it came to life.
I tried Econ mode very briefly on the highway with the cruise control and it was no different than any other car. Got closer to home and jumped into some roundabouts. The first 2 runs felt like a Fit Sport. Tires crawled a bit, felt like they weren't enough tire for the car. I realize all tires have a 100 mile break-in period, so I figured that had to be part of it. I drove it a bit more and went back to the roundabouts after the odo read 38 miles, and it seemed like a night and day difference. I was able to transition my steering right to left and go straight through effortlessly, and with no tire noise.
I took it to my favorite sweeper (the section of southbound Riverside Dr that passes under 161) and the car took it so fast I could have sworn I was in my S2000. That was actually the most impressed I was during the entire drive.. If you have some favorite tight 40-60MPH sweepers then you need to get this car!
I took my wife for a drive in the car, and she kept commenting on how cool the interior was. I could tell she was thoroughly impressed, then she asked how much the car costs: I told her "this is top of the line but around $23k" to which she responded "that's all?!" She absolutely loved it, and thought it was a much more expensive car.
Complaints: The stock tires suck. After getting some miles on them the car handled VERY well, but the tires were still noticably inadequate. I'd imagine the HFP 17" with summer tires would transform the already excellent handling. Additionally, the passenger seat sits very low and has no height adjustment.
Positives: Awesome handling, smooth and effortless clutch and shifter, isolates and absorbs bumps very well, feels like 50/50 balance when cornering, exhaust note is rowdy when you push it but almost nonexistent when you are cruising, AVERAGED 37.2 MPG over 67 Miles of mixed driving ALL Sport Mode spirited driving
ALSO NOTE: I've read reviews where they averaged 25mpg, and where they were able to deplete the battery in Sport Mode, etc.. The reality is - unless you are on a racetrack - you eventually get stuck behind someone, you oftentimes obey the speed limit, and your spirited driving happens in short bursts.. This resulted, for me, in a battery pack that was NEVER less than 3/4 charged, 37+ MPG average, and a big fat smile on my face.
Bottom Line: The performance and technology are perfectly in line with the pricing structure, and there's arguably not a better car available for someone who needs a FUN commuter car. Initially disappointed, now I'm in love with this car.
Enjoy your test drives!
Here's a bit more on my impressions. These observations are simply to help others when they evaluate the car.
