New CR-Z

[banzai]

Another CR-Z test pilot here this weekend. Also a black Sport model with 6-speed.

Overall impression is that it isn't too bad; ride and handling is very good, interior is snug but it should be a genuine 2-seater not a pretend 2+2. I thought the driver's seat had a bit to much lumbar support but that is probably adjustable. The instruments are a bit gimmicky and I also found they were badly affected by sunlight. My test was around the middle of the day so the sun was pretty much straight down.

I'm not used to cars with such low torque so take-offs on Sydney hills took me a while to get used to. I usually take off around town with quite low revs but the CR-Z just doesn't have the low end to carry it off. If Honda could pull another at least another 100kg out of the car it would really help.

Design I also think the car needs to be lower. Not just 20 or 30mm lower on the suspension but 40 or 50mm lower on roof height. Get rid of those rear seats and lower the seat height to go with it and you would have a lighter, smaller and even more fuel efficient car with better performance. I guess Honda marketing says different.

At < $30k I'd buy one but at $40k the numbers just don't add up for a low to moderate fuel user like me and this is a problem for all hybrids. I can have a lot more performance in a number of other cars for similar cost or similar fuel consumption for a lot less. I like the CR-Z and its unique selling point is its styling which is streets ahead of any other hybrid, and indeed most other cars on the market.

If, as reported the replacement battery would cost $2k at current prices, then at current prices and usage it would take me at least 5 years to realise that replacement cost.

I love small sports/sporty cars and I love the potential of the CR-Z. Put a K20A in it and I would by one today. It is the size that a modern Integra Type R should be and arguably looks a lot better than the current Civic.

[Philip Lee]

Sat in one yesterday but didn't test drive. It's a white lux and I couldn't be bothered with the CVT.

The silly thing is, leather seat up front but cloth at the back. WTF....

Anyway the roof is too low with the sunroof. Felt cramped and my head touches the top constantly. I gave up!!!

After looking at reviews of 86, I think id rather buy that instead....

[aaronng]

The fact that you wouldn't buy a Honda yourself shows ur not true passionate about Hondas.

I'm a moderator on Ozhonda and even I wouldn't buy any of Honda's current lineup. there is no need to be passionate to the point of blindness. This blind passion just turns ppl into fanboys.

[UNLS1]

I'm a moderator on Ozhonda and even I wouldn't buy any of Honda's current lineup. there is no need to be passionate to the point of blindness. This blind passion just turns ppl into fanboys.

QTF!


good to see a few of you going out for a drive.
ive been driving ours for a week now, i think at my height 6'3" its not a good daily for my size. Still fun to drive but its auto and we are still waiting for manual stock.
As far as anjin said about not being able to see the front, its the same as Jazz, Civic and oddyssey! U just learn to drive with it.

[curtis265]

yes u definitely do get used to it. If you can't see the bonnet then you're not going to hit something that u can still see if that makes any sense

[denot]

After looking at reviews of 86, I think id rather buy that instead....

You know that if it ever come down here, it will cost around 45k+ mark, right?

[Philip Lee]

You know that if it ever come down here, it will cost around 45k+ mark, right?

is this info from Toyota Australia or just speculation?? there are too many rumours flying around and i would just patiently wait for offical info then make my decision accordingly.

[denot]

is this info from Toyota Australia or just speculation?? there are too many rumours flying around and i would just patiently wait for offical info then make my decision accordingly.

when CRZ hasnt been released in Jap, they are rumor that this car will be sold for $20k-$25k now they release it here with $13k (52%) more than the highest number rumored.

now, 86 hasnt been released, and the rumor it will be around $30k so based on the figure above, the esimate will be around 152% x $30k = $45.6k

And based on the good review it has, what could stop Toyota AUS from jacking up the price?

[Philip Lee]

if this is your logic, lets use the FJ Cruiser as an example (both made in Japan, both lowish volume).

in japan FJ is around 3.3M @ 80 that's around $41,250. RRP here is $44,990.00 + orc.

the 86 is rumoured to starts in the mid 2M, lets say 2.7M = $33,750. therefore given your logic, the 86 should start around $37k + orc for the base model.

CRZ in japan starts from 2.3M = $28,750, nearly $4-9k higher than your rumored claim of starting at $20k-25k. Aussie spec cars also have better spec than the cheapest CRZ in Japan.

also you can't just compare what Honda does/did to what Toyota will do. their pricing strategy is most likely different.

[aaronng]

Unless I really wanted a hybrid, I'd also look at the FT86 first. Yummy, I just wished it had a tad more power.

[denot]

if this is your logic, lets use the FJ Cruiser as an example (both made in Japan, both lowish volume).

in japan FJ is around 3.3M @ 80 that's around $41,250. RRP here is $44,990.00 + orc.

the 86 is rumoured to starts in the mid 2M, lets say 2.7M = $33,750. therefore given your logic, the 86 should start around $37k + orc for the base model.

CRZ in japan starts from 2.3M = $28,750, nearly $4-9k higher than your rumored claim of starting at $20k-25k. Aussie spec cars also have better spec than the cheapest CRZ in Japan.

also you can't just compare what Honda does/did to what Toyota will do. their pricing strategy is most likely different.

Are the price stated by you is the final price? I was comparing it to the rumor, 86 hasnt got RRP yet (even in Japan). So you cant compare RRP of FJ and CRZ with rumored price of 86

[Philip Lee]

Are the price stated by you is the final price? I was comparing it to the rumor, 86 hasnt got RRP yet (even in Japan). So you cant compare RRP of FJ and CRZ with rumored price of 86

obviously my price that i worked out above is not final. in no way did i imply or express otherwise.

my calculation was trying to explain that your logic is flawed because (1) working with rumoured price is meaningless (by the CRZ comparision) and (2) estimating a companies' potential price based on the situation of another company is also meaningless (with the FJ calculation).

therefore my conclusion is still:

....there are too many rumours flying around and i would just patiently wait for offical info then make my decision accordingly.