Five years later, what does GRM make of the CR-Z?

down the road from me there's one with Prius Killer on the back..that's all I got.

Basil Exposition wrote:

I studied the specs when these things first came out. I don't remember 'zactly, but I think the performance specs were about on a par with the original CRX. The sporty car of the future, in other words, wasn't any sportier than the one of the past (20 years past, at that). People looking for the performance went elsewhere and the car didn't really make sense for the appliance shoppers looking for mpg.

From my foggy recollection the performance specs on the CRZ were on par with a standard NON-SI CRX. Hearing what they go for I would actually consider buying a used one at this point. When they first came out I was disappointed that Honda had the potential to bring out a hardcore drivers car and instead brought a pseudo Prius.

There is a purple 2013 on eBay going for cheap. Currently under $8k. Nevermind. It has a reserve.

Anyway didn't Rut from TGUSA like it???

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O322au5zB3c

Once the CR-Z gets cheap enough to make turbo Honda engine swaps a possibility like the Insight, we'll start seeing some movement.

Keith Tanner wrote: And emissions.

In the long game isn't that a safety issue?

Well, from a practicality perspective a $12k Volt is a more prudent expense than a similarly priced CR-Z. Might even be faster?

singleslammer wrote: In reply to calteg: Likely other than safety, which most of us take risks on every day.

I think he meant the same model year as the CR-Z, which would be this car:

Basically a normal civic with all the aero parts from the hybrid.

I dunno, could be cool to look into modding the electrical side of things. Better battery, add another motor controller in series to over-volt the crap out of the electric motor. RallyX. Sounds fun to me.

Keith Tanner wrote: And emissions.

Depends how far down that rabbit hole you want to go. The company in China that mined the rare earth minerals that went into the batteries? The manufacture and shipping of said batteries?

edit: and yes Mcarp22 got what I meant.

Hondas HART group runs a CRZ in STF here locally prepped I think near the extent of the rules.

Droning loud exhaust.

After every run they sit in grid and hold it at 3k rpms for 3min to recharge the IMA system.

Most annoying berkeleying car I've ever experienced at an event.

McTinkerson wrote: Once the CR-Z gets cheap enough to make turbo Honda engine swaps a possibility like the Insight, we'll start seeing some movement.

Here's the problem guy- that's a l15a7 motor. And believe me you- (since I've now owned two generations of Honda Fit) those engines actually DEFEAT and mods you make. Honda built the most bassackwards ecu ever. Cold air intake? Header? Cam? Port work? Forget it. The drive by wire system only opens 80% at WOT. Add more air? Forget it. The ecu backs the throttle plate off.

Forced induction does have an effect, but it's not anything to right home about. You'll blow 5-7k on a kit, you'll MAYBE get 170hp. And to make matters worse, two guys on fitfreak have tried megasquirt and met with dead ends.

When they launched, try had huge markups. They just didn't keep pace with competitors' specs. Down on power, cargo room, seats. Should have launched it with the Civic's NA four and eliminated the weight/complexity of the hybrid drivetrain, or made it the second coming of the 1g Insight.

I've come to the conclusion that Honda of America just really enjoys shooting themselves in the foot. They release incredible, class leading vehicles that gather a cult following, then they drop the nameplate or just refuse to update the vehicle to keep it competitive.

CRX

Legend

80's-90's Civic

Integra

NSX

The S2k and Fit are the only decent vehicles they've released in the past 15 years, and they neutered the Fit as soon as they possibly could.

In reply to calteg:

whoa whoa whoa, the Element is pretty damn awesome, so awesome that they killed it

As for the Element, our 2005 4wd auto just went past 160,000 miles. They do need the exhaust valves adjusted, ours have been done twice. "Cold" start issues caused no end of chasing ghosts until the enter-net provided the cure.

Two ongoing things to deal with. First is the rear doors, they work when you are parked all by yourself, out in the south 40 of the parking lot. Most disturbing is the door dings. The slab sides if the car do nothing but attract hits, over and over again. Even when you attempt to park out in the south 40.

I have one I bought because of the depreciation. I have had it almost 3 yrs now, will write more later

Nope even 5 years later I still would not want one.

For not much more money I would get an Abarth instead.

Didn't realize they depreciated like that. I'd be interested in one. 5 lug, decent brakes and mpgs, nice chassis, fancy goofball Honda interior. Would be a fun commuter with some chassis/power mods if it can be tuned easily.

If I was still in the market for a hyper efficient, safe, newer commuter, it would be high up on the list.

I just don't like the looks. The volt I think looks much better.

scottdownsouth wrote: down the road from me there's one with Prius Killer on the back..that's all I got.

Bazooka on the front?

dean1484 wrote: I just don't like the looks. The volt I think looks much better.

That's like saying you don't like the looks of the Fiesta you think the Mustang looks much better. The Volt and CRZ have almost nothing in common except that they are hybrids. Different size, shape, # of seats, class, intended usage etc.

Anyway, I think the CRZ is the best looking car Honda have made in years.

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

dean1484 wrote: I just don't like the looks. The volt I think looks much better.

That's like saying you don't like the looks of the Fiesta you think the Mustang looks much better. The Volt and CRZ have almost nothing in common except that they are hybrids. Different size, shape, # of seats, class, intended usage etc. Anyway, I think the CRZ is the best looking car Honda have made in years.

Ditto.

Plus, I'm ugly, but hey, I get E36 M3 done. Would you scorn me? You're not marrying it, you're driving it.

Coming from the guy driving a Leaf. Also ugly. Also awesome.