new car ;)

[Kyo]

Picked up my CR-Z today, took a little cruise to a gas station far away to get some Rowland's ... stock pressure on the way there, 50 psi on the way back






Just pedal control, nothing special, ran a/c most of the way, 60 feels hot to me now Econ most of the trip besides a few minutes after the stop in normal, I haven't set default to econ yet The trip was quite hilly, some 55 mph stints, a good amount of it lower than that.

Hadn't driven a stick regularly in years, so getting the feel of it, and auto-stop didn't kick in a few times for some reason, had music blaring, classic rock sounding great in the EX

Was tired, so didn't get any pictures, but completely stock for now, though considering some fancy rims The silver is much darker in person than most of the stock photos would lead you to believe.

Enjoying the car, love the look, style, design of both the interior and exterior. I'll be happy to keep it above 40 with all the stop signs around town, and I think at least until break in, 60 seems like a far reach without more advanced techniques.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Very nice!!

[FSUspectra]

Rawr! Me likey! A great choice, can't wait to see awesome numbers... more pics to come?

[Mr. Incandenza]

Congrats. I've got a black one outfitted the same way. 6 months in and I love it a little more every day.

Can't wait for Wayne to do a more in-depth review of the car so I can learn some more of his specific strategies.

[uabcar]

Very nice. What where you driving before? Love seeing these 50+ mpg numbers.

[Kyo]

I've been in a 05 Civic Hybrid besides when family has had it for nearly 6 years. I had an 07 Prius for about a year as well. Prius was nice, but I like the Honda hybrid system better personally.

There is definitely some adjustments to be made with this car. You shift a LOT up to 30 mph (6th gear @ 30). The assist/regen acts different. Almost always with 1 bar charge, doesn't seem to effect the mpg that much though.

I'll have to really work to keep even mid 40s it feels, just so many roads that feel like you are on a slight incline with the payback not really matching up. It will be a comprimise between travel time and mpg ... Backroads to the same place will take me 2x the travel time for 5+ mpg gain in my very limited experience.

I do hope once she is broken in (and I'm broken in to her needs), I can occasionally pull a 60+ mpg trip out, with keeping to the basics, no FAS. I don't remember the number, but I did have a near 90 mpg tank on the highway in the civic hybrid in a night trip from TX to FL. I also can't remember if I got 40 or 50 mpg out of a 99 accord 4 cyl on a trip from TX to KS (ugh, memory loss making me feel old).

I know with the patience and dedication I can achieve decent numbers. I can tell it is slightly less efficient than the civic hybrid though. 50+ had become nearly thoughtless in it. 60+ with a bit of effort.

I'm sure I'll get some spirited driving sessions in my future, and, the lady might not always be accepting of 5-10 under speed limit and very slow acceleration, gotta keep her happy as well, or the cost I pay will be greater than the mpg I save ;P


Mr. Incandenza - what techniques do you use now? Browse through some of the articles, techniques from the HCH II article can be helpful, and only try things you feel comfortable with. A little bit at a time helps.



In the next couple weeks, I'll have to pick someone up from the airport, all interstate driving, not sure if I can milk 50 out of it at those speeds, I'll certainly try 45 I'll be happy with.


Did have to use some pick up and go today, and it does get out of its own way when you want it to, I can see why those sport mode drivers are having fun

[Harold]

I had a look at the CRZ at the lot today. Man are these a beautiful looking auto. Everything thing is done too perfection! It was a MT, and man it was tempting. H

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by Harold

I had a look at the CRZ at the lot today. Man are these a beautiful looking auto. Everything thing is done too perfection! It was a MT, and man it was tempting. H

You could take one for a test drive to get a deeper opinion. All it costs is a slew of junk mail.

[Harold]

I was a scared to test drive!!! Its a beauty and I am sure it drives as well! H

[Kyo]

The standard transmission is easy to drive ... I haven't been in a stick daily for many, many years. I did have a 05 Civic Hybrid 'on loan' from the dealership for a week, a couple years ago, but that barely counts

It is fun to drive, I'm keeping it above 40 even in stop and go traffic with no special techniques and nearly no flat section of road that I don't feel like I'm fighting uphill . If you have room in your garage for a 2 seater, this is something to strongly consider, it has a ton of storage space, I've driven a CRX before and this has much, much more room ... lay the back down and I don't know what I couldn't carry besides lumber lol Actually, I'd venture to say I could carry much larger items than the Civic, since you have to work around a back seat that doesn't lay down, examples: Bought a 55 gallon fish tank from wal-mart, it barely fit in back seat while squeezing the door shut ... I could easily put it in the back of the CR-Z. I bought a 42" flat screen and had to remove it from the box because it wouldn't fit in trunk or back seat, but I can see it will easily fit in the back of the CR-Z.

It may be smaller, but the space is more usable, as long as you only carry one other person with you. I noticed Wayne said its great for a single person, I say its great for anyone, make the wife (or husband) drive the people mover, you get the 2-seater and she can still ride with you.

I'll be interested in the Prius v for my girl as the animal/future kids transporter in a couple years.



The only reason I can justify you being scared to test drive the CR-Z is you might want to trade in that Miata for it!!!




On another note, the mode itself doesn't affect your mileage as much as your driving style, if you are light on the throttle, Sport will get you just as much with one caveat ... auto-stop aggression is much much less even in normal. So stop and go Econ is going to be a huge advantage, while if you are in steady state driving, you could choose a more 'responsive' setting as long as you exhibit the same control and driving style. I keep it in Econ most of the time right now though, while I adjust to the car and get myself back in the swing of taking off ... I've stalled a few times, it doesn't have the same feel as my RX-7 had ... I used to take off not using any gas all the time, that clutch was as if it was a part of me, this one is a great clutch, but I'm not tuned into it yet unfortunately Older and longer learning curve maybe