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Honda CR-Z Debuts Amid Unprecedented Apathy
by
Derek Kreindler
(IC: employee)
Published: September 21st, 2012
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Just to pre-empt the inevitable; you could go out and buy a 25 year old Honda CRX HF and get superior fuel economy to a CR-Z. You could also wind up having your legs amputated after a fender bender, thanks to the wonderful “light weight” construction of the CRX. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s the new Honda CR-Z. Apparently it makes 20 more horsepower from the electric drivetrain. Then again, it may be a moot point since CR-Z imports have slowed to a trickle, thanks to unfavorable exchange rates.
Derek Kreindler
More by Derek Kreindler
Published September 21st, 2012 1:56 PM
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I also heard that they are making the rear view standard; this means they have listened to two of the three major complaints with the performance boost. I don't think they'll change that third complaint about the second row of seating.
Nobody wants a two-seater that isn't a roadster, Corvette, Cayman, or supercar anymore. Actually, I don't think anyone ever did. "Sport hybrid"? What the heck is a sport hybrid? Neither a good sports car nor a Prius/Volt killer, at least.
I like the sporty look of the CRZ , but not so much the poor rearward visibility . Frankly I can use some mild hypermiling techniques to get better mpg in my 04 Civic EX 5 speed than the CRZ EPA ratings . But when one is about 6-8 years old and in my price range I would consider one , doubt if they'll still be making new ones then unless they're non-hybrid or get even better mpg . The current CRZ should be capable of 50+ mpg using moderate hypermiling methods since hypermiling guru Wayne Gerdes got around that in the Eco mode with 55psi in the tires and the AC off . www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=924288&page_number=2
As a former owner of a 1st gen Prelude and former occasional borrower of a CRX HF I am a fan of these even with the extra bloat compared to the CRX. I see these fairly reasonably priced even heavily marked down. Last year I saw a leftover/demo 2011 w/ a few thousand miles on it at my local Honda dealer for a mere $15k. If you don't need the rear seat or can order the JDM rear seats they can be a good deal.