So, what's it like driving a performance icon from 1985 in 2014?
The first thing you notice is the visibility. Holy cow. Low sills, thin pillars and glass everywhere. You can see everything.
The second is the space. This is a small car, but you've got loads of room. Some of that is thin doors, some of it is a lack of airbags and infotainment screens and all the stuff that fills up a new car. Just check out that interior (again).
The seats are broad and surprisingly flat between the big bolsters. The wheel's got a relatively thin rim. In fact, everything just feels delicate. Not fragile, but minimal. All the controls feel light before you start to move. When you start the car, you can start it without depressing the clutch. Haven't been able to do that for some time in new cars. The controls are also very simple and can be used without looking at them. I have a big beef with touch screens in this regard. That radio's a long ways away, though.
The speedo has a clear marking at 55 mph. Now that dates things.
The car starts fairly easily, but not immediately. Fuel injection has come a long way. Still, it settles down quickly. Moving off, the clutch is light and the exhaust makes a yummy little growl. It's immediately obvious that this is a non-assisted rack, and that it's not a very fast ratio. Takes a bit of recalibration.
It's a light car (under 2000 lbs) and combined with those light controls you find yourself scooting ahead of traffic quickly. Second gear is fun - even when you're not trying hard - and you pop up to 40 mph with some alacrity and without effort.
It's small. Other traffic is big. Now, I'm used to Miatas and I own a classic Mini. But somehow the delicate feel of this car makes it feel smaller. It could be the visibility and familiarity as well, of course.
It's not a fast car these days. It's nimble and, like the Mini, it likes to scoot. But 75 mph feels like you're going somewhere quickly. In fact, you always feel a sense of speed that's missing in a new car. Acceleration requires revs, this is not a torquey creature. That's accompanied by a nice throaty induction noise through the stock airbox. The gearshift is very precise, with a spring detent going into 5th. 5th is surprisingly far to the right, too. It's like Honda wants to you show real intent before slotting the big gear.
Cornering - I'll learn more about that. The high tire pressures had it understeering pretty badly. But with the pressures changed, it's happier. Still wants to understeer a bit on steady state, but I was able to have some fun with a double roundabout. Left a modern Civic wondering which way I went.
I'm not sure it's as ridiculously entertaining as the Mini. That car is overflowing with character and you're wrestling with it all the time as it snorts and growls and fights the wheel and laughs at your need to use the brake. Nothing else immerses you in the business of driving like a Mini. But unlike the Mini, the CRX can also double as a real car. It's going to work well as a daily commuter - entertaining without being all-consuming, makes fun noises but isn't overt about it. Sure, it won't fare well in a head-on with an Excursion or F350, but it should have decent active safety and you can't complain about the visibility.
I'm looking forward to driving this every day.