Great car. I have a 2011 with 165,000 and I replaced the cvt at around 150,000 I hope it goes a long time because it has grown on me a lot. The cornering is really great, it’s tiny and you can maneuver so well in it in every way. Just not a fast car, but that’s alright 32.5 mpg for me on average which isn’t that great for a hybrid but it works great for me. Not as efficient as a Prius but a lot cooler and more fun to drive. Oh and a pretty nice stereo in it. The car may make some noises, you may hear wind noise, but you’ll never hear it with your music on. I was impressed with that, it’s a loud stereo, partly because of the unique acoustics of a small car.
@@JamesDGardner I feel the same about the car as well, I'm curious about your CVT replacement , was it expensive ? and Is it something one could do on there own I feel some slipping when taking off from a stops once and a while so its becoming a consideration mine has 109,000
@@richardknieper973 i know hardly anything about cars just for starters😀. I ended up with a crz just by total luck. The CVT replacement was done by a Honda dealer. I’m not sure whether I got the best deal but knowing it was a rarer car I felt scared taking it anywhere else that they might not know what they’re doing, maybe I was right or wrong. It was pretty expensive I think it was about $2000-2400 dollars ( I put it on a credit card and paid it down ASAP) but ever since it has ran really good. I would assume you would want someone knowledgeable about how CVTs work. But beyond that I know nothing. There was a really bad screeching/scratching sound leading up to the thing going out and it took about 2,000 miles after it started for it to stop being able to be driven in reverse and then it was almost undriveable. I got it for an okay deal 6400$ and there wasn’t any signs of the transmission being bad, I think the cvt can be just strange to get used to, going from a regular transmission to that. I drove mine pretty hard some times and it is an automatic not a manual. I always felt like if I had driven it easier that the transmission might have lasted longer. Again I think the slipping feeling may or may not be a sign of the cvt going out, or it may just be that they feel different than a regular transmission. The car has always bothered me how rare it is and how it seems like few people understand the work to be done on it. also from time to time it will have a check emission system light on and after scanning the code I had a few people tell me the catalytic converter needed replaced and then I took it somewhere and they said the light will probably keep turning on and unfortunately that makes it not able to switch driving modes( sport normal eco) but it isn’t clogged up as far as he could tell and he could take it off but he didn’t see any reason and he is a good trustworthy mechanic. So I wouldn’t hesitate to sell it if I were you and you don’t absolutely love the car and can Never part with it and don’t want the cvt to go out unexpectedly but I’d also say that if you really like it to keep it and try to replace it cheap as you can if you like it and it might go a long time. I think it’s not meant to be driven very hard, and maybe the cvts they put in them stock are faulty but you would probably read about that more online as the reason they went out of production and that wasn’t the case, people just didn’t like them/stopped buying them. It has always had a strange noise to the gas being pushed down, it sounds like a space ship is the only way I can describe it, kind of like a pressurized air sound. Always made me worried that the diagnosis’s of the catalytic converter being broken were right but no it just makes a weird sound.
@@JamesDGardner Yeah, I have a 2015. I noticed a whining noise when the gas pedal is pressed a few months after I bought it, wasn't sure if it was normal or not since it's quiet. I wasn't sure if it was a new sound or I hadn't noticed it before. It did kick 2 or 3 times, like my VW did before the transmission went, so I was nervous about having transmission problems, which it shouldn't. It's relatively new (for me). I bought it used at 105k miles. (I had recently bought a VW Passat wagon, 260k miles. Only temporary while I sold 1 car and searched for a new one. $1500, and the owner is like Jay Leno when it comes to maintenance. It kicked back, and my transmission blew after driving only 3x, so I had to sell both cars and get a new, permanent car) But all the mechanics tell me it's fine, except maybe the axles, cause there is some shake. Lots of potholes on my way to work.
But yeah, people weren't so fond of the performance and some CR-X fans weren't pleased with the looks either. Low sales, so they scrapped them and made room for Insight production. But I like it. I don't have nearby tracks to race on, so performance doesn't matter to me, as long as it's fast enough to drive safely on the highway, that's all that matters at the end of the day when you're using a car as a commuter vehicle. As long as it's nice, safe, and quick enough for the highway, I'm all set.
I absolutely LOVE my Honda CR-Z it’s definitely a love-hate vehicle. You either love it(me) or you hate it. In my opinion you have to be a manual transmission enthusiast to truly be able to appreciate this car fully. The fact that I can have a manual transmission car that is a hybrid absolutely blows my mind, it might not be the fastest car or get the worlds greatest gas mileage, but it truly is a blast to drive, especially when you actually own one and learn the little stuff that you can’t learn from simply driving it for a single day. I genuinely enjoy driving mine in Econ mode and squeezing every last bit of gas mileage I can out of it, like the very short gear ratio, to downshifting to charge the electric motor, I love how I’m almost constantly shifting or downshifting. If you are a true driving enthusiast and love a manual transmission this is the perfect car IMHO. Yes, that is a very biased opinion but this is my personal favorite car in the world. If you enjoy a car that constantly begs for your attention(in the manual variation that is, which in my opinion is the only way this car makes sense and you can truly appreciate it), don’t mind the fact that this car has no backseat, and have realistic expectations as for gas mileage, this very well might be the car for you. It definitely is for me.💯💯
I just bought a 2011 CRZ yesterday… and I had an ‘89 CRX SI… I appreciated your comment on your CRX. :) thanks for the video, I love your CALM demeanor, very enjoyable video
It was made for a niche market & those who love it, LOVE IT. Myself included. It's ideal for people who want a sports car, but needed a daily that didn't like the look & feel of the hybrids at the time. And it was more affordable.
This was not designed to race, not sure why everyone rags on this car. It's well designed and I drive it 70mph everyday in normal, I pass everyone. Everyone says they like how it looks maybe ya all are jealous. I will drive it into the ground, I'm on year six.
Lol, 70mph, even 80 is keeping up with traffic where I am. But yes, I have a 2015, and for commuting on public streets, anymore performance than is necessary for safe driving is irrelevant. It's a good looking car and great as a commuter car. And furthermore, it's rarer nowadays than Aston Martins, Ferraris, and the like.
That's the problem with this car. It wasn't designed to race so you'd expect it to be economical, especially being a hybrid, yet it still doesn't get very good mileage
But hey, no complaints from me, I had a RAV4 1st gen, then a Chrysler 300 V8, both similar mpg and gas guzzlers, so it's a lot better mileage than I've had previously. I get 100 more miles per tank, and it's almost half the cost of what a 300 costs to fill up. It is rated at less than what I thought. But comparable to many cars out there, but as a hybrid, it could use a bit more, but it's not terrible.
@@1granturismo That's why I think they should've had a K series instead of this hybrid stuff. It's no good as a hybrid. There's not much power potential. The way I see it, if it's not getting hybrid mpg, it may as well have an engine with lots of aftermarket support and power potential.
I own an identical red 2011 with 6 speed manual. Your assesment totally nailed it. As a young man, I bought a new '89 CRX DX. $8100!! Loved that vehicle. Yeah, it was a 1.5l 5 speed manual with
i just got one now 2024 - and i love it. i walk up to it like "whaaa!?!!!" this thing is fire. my friend told me to keep it as it is one of kind. i hope i can keep it forever.
I have a 2011 cvt with 340,000 Kms and just added a 2016 manual, honestly I can't get enough, I ride liter bikes and honest a car with 400hp feels just as slow as 130hp, I just drive around town and just stare at the beautiful design it's been 14 years and it has aged beautifully inside and out
I purchased a used 2012 manual transmission 9 months ago with only 89,000 miles on it. It’s stock and Damn I love it. I drive it 115 miles a day and get about 42 mpg. It is so fun to drive. I only drive in normal mode.
I bought a 2014 CR-Z a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I don't mind the low power, it keeps points off my licanse, but the handling, the interior, the well-tuned exhaust note and the overall quirkiness of the thing has got me hooked.
Well, they are not fast stock, CR-Z is my first car, I have it for over 2 years and in that time I've built a turbo engine for it, 190HP is definitely wakes up the car, it goes very nicely! It becomes an actual decent sports car.
@@bendaga yes mate, hybrid works like it used to, which is good, cuz otherwise bottom end would be gutless 😅 And yeah man, it's a different car with turbo on 👀
@@slightlyinsaneraf is the Turbo you have still available for purchase?🤔🤔I have a 2011 CR-Z EX w/Nav 6 speed that I would LOVE to put a turbo on but I’m not sure where to get one for it 🤔😅😅😭😭💀
yeah, turbo I used is Garrett GT2554R. You can get it in BofiRacing website as many MX-5 turbo kits use GT25Rs. It cost me like £650 I believe. You can also get this turbo off TurboZentrum. Both companies are really good to deal with 👍 If I going with that turbo MAKE SURE you get yourself new injectors! EP3, DC5 or whatever brand you want... They must be over 300cc at least. GT2554R only makes 5psi (0.4bar) on stock wastegate, but that's enough to make stock injectors ran out of fuel at around 4000RPM. If you want quicker response from the turbo, and u not planning on forging the engine, I would consider GT2052 as well. Should be in full boost before 3000RPM, you can run stock injectors with it for a while. You gonna run about 8psi of boost with it, so you gonna have it in its sweet spot, GT25 is really only scratching it's surface potential.
I have a 2016 w/manual. I keep it in Sport mode for the most part - put it into Econ or Normal on the freeway. I average around 36 MPG and it is FUN to drive!
Nice, honest and realistic review from someone who understands the old Hondas. I remember test driving a 14 or 15 6sp when it came out. I was hoping for the feels of my 89 CRX Si and I got the same sentiment as you. It lacks that spirit that many pre 2000’s Honda’s have because it feels held back by the weight and power train. But here I am years later considering one as a daily drive commuter lol, but now the problem is finding a 6sp
I have a 2014, I call it my lawn mower daily commuter. It’s a gamer car. It starts in -20 weather. I don’t want extra passengers. It’s my point A to B....My other car is an 18 wheeler.
I'm 6'1 and fit just fine not problems . The mpg isn't as great as you would like. It does a job and it's pretty zippy and fun being show light. The door handles go out at some point and the blind spots are not as bad as they say learn to use your side mirrors.
As a sucker for the Cyberpunk genre and the 80s, the CRX being one of my favorite cars ever besides the Prelude from the same era. Sadly I reasonable couldn't let myself get a CRX, as fun as it'd be to bask in the aesthetic and vibe of it I have to realize that A) it's an absolute thief magnet, my 92 Accord and 89 Prelude I had were CONSTANTLY being broken into. 2) the 80s CRX (and most JDM from the era) are extremely unsafe in regards to crash safety and as someone who's been in two accidents due to someone else's reckless driving, I just feel extremely unsafe driving a thin and light 80s car again. Which brings me to the CRZ, I mean in an era where the 80s spirit/design of Honda and other JDM brands are essentially extinct, there's something very appealing about the CRZ. Cons aside I feel like it's the final hurrah for the 80s era of fun, affordable, angular, and boxy cars.
Those are some great points. I had a Prelude myself and I would be so worried that one day I would come outside to find it gone. As for safety, those crxs are a total death trap. They may be lightweight, but it would not fare well in an accident. The CRZ serves as a good middle ground for sure. Guess the crx will just be a distant memory for us all.
@@bendaga Yeah either it's gone, or in my case the theives destroy parts of it. I came out one morning to my Accord and the nice amber turn signals I had were gone and the passenger side lock was completely ripped out of the door. With my Prelude which was almost immaculate for the age, I came out and my door had a ton of the paint completely stripped and scratched up from where they forced the door open AND my steering wheel was completely bent from them trying to force the Club I had on the wheel off, It just became a really stressful situation, and even a car alarm didn't stop them. As for where they both are, sadly those cars are the two of the cars that big Dodge SUV's and Vans just can't seem to stop doing illegal things like running red lights and making illegal left turns in the rain and crashing into me apparently.
I think enthusiast sometimes try to discredit new creations just by hanging onto nostalgia or try too hard to be "edgy" and they end up missing the fun in things like this car, it doesn't have to be a Prius to be "Economical" and it doesn't have to be a Golf GTI to be "Sporty". The point with this car was to mix so many things into one product that could've reflect it perfectly and they did it. It is sporty enough to get you thrilled and it is economical enough for a car that gives you these kind of feelings when it's being driven in Sport mode. Can you get the Sport feeling from a Prius? NO. Can you get the Economical factor on an old Subaru like you used to have? NO. and that's the point, the car also was advanced for its debut, the first hybrid with a sporty look and with a manual, trying to show new ways to have fun without eating gas like a monster. As an owner that understands all the problems that comes with it specially how impractical it is for some situations, I can tell you by first hand, is way better than what the journalists and enthusiasts say it is, their logical and always have to follow these "rules" minds couldn't get it together. doesn't mean that you can't figure it out too. try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed.
Not a bad car, I purchased my 2012 5 years ago with about 30k miles on it. Currently at 96k, it's been reliable as a daily driver. Minor things needed replaced as expected (Brake pads, tires, car battery). I'm planning to k20 swap it with a Turbo when something major breaks!
Great video, logical and unbiased. Pretty much exactly what i needed to hear about it. Yea probably not as fun as a crx but it really does pique my curiosity
It is very similar in how it drives to my 5 speed MT 95 Civic Ex coupe (stolen after 23 years. This was the closest thing I found to replace it). Has the same amount of power, but distributed across an extra gear so it requires a bit more rowing. Sometimes, but rarely, I do miss the sunroof on my civic, and the ability to put more people in the car, but otherwise I like it as much if not more than my Civic. She deserved a better end than getting stripped and left in the car yard, though😭😞...
Great video, I have the Honda CRZ 2013 refresh edition, I will say that a K&N air filter makes a huge difference to the way the car sounds in all modes but in normal mode it does give it a slightly better tone, it also does make quite a bit of difference to the horsepower. My CRZ has i-VTEC, but the red line is still 6300rpm, the electric motor was also upgraded along with the battery pack which give the refresh 140lb-ft Torque at 1000-2000rpm which is probably one of its biggest strengths. From a design perspective, I definitely prefer the blacked out look for the refresh compared with the older models, the newer model integrates a front splitter aswell which although it probably doesn't achieve much if any down force it does make the car look a bit more aggressive. I think maybe if you drove inside the refreshed edition then maybe you might change your mind a little bit, gotta drive one with a performance filter through I beg! Haha
@@Docinaplane basically they made a few changes (updates) and called it a refresh, only some models from 2013 got the refresh but you can see the difference in the interior of the vehicle as it's all been blacked out and the front and rear we revised along with the addition to a slight change to the electric motor and batteries being lithium ion.
@@Docinaplane the next best thing is to upgrade the exhaust system but that might set you back about £500 or so, but really if you are looking to turn it up to the next level then supercharging the engine will turn it into the sports car that it always should have been, it also keeps its fuel economy damn near close to stock.
I own a 17 Focus RS, and just bought this yesterday as my daily commuter. so if you have a fun car. this is a GREAT fun daily. my first day to work, in the eco mode, it was scary slow but i LOVE it!!! I am saving $1,100 on gas just for daily commutes.
Actually this car can be very economical on the freeway if you want to. I just drove 200 miles yesterday at an average speed of around 70mph and I got 55mpg
Holy shit, that's nice, getting a lowered one tomorrow, will report back with autobahn experience soon. Would be awesome if I could break 4l/100km, but prob my foot will be too heavy
Man I've had my CRZ CVT 2012 since new 2021 today, never had a problem and has 107k miles,yes Looks fast but is not lol now back roads and inspired driving it handles better than most cars and it's fun to go fast on a slow car than going slow on a fast car!! I LOVE MY CRZ
I've heard they actually wanted to make a k20a version aswell but couldn't get it past safety regulations because the engine would be to close to the cockpit... So sad we need these dumb safety regulations, they ruin all the awesome cars for us...
I have to disagree with you on just one thing: I think the CR-Z is actually a very accurate "Spiritual Successor" (as they called it at Honda) to the CRX. My 88 2nd Gen CR-X Si had no mods and topped out at about 105 HP with its D16A6 engine, that was it...I then had a 94 del Sol with the B16A1 engine that produced 150 HP...but in the US that was just called the del Sol, not the CR-X del Sol....by the time the CR-Z came out with its hybrid engine I-VTEC it was re-released in 2013 to have a combined HP of 130. Technically MORE powerful than the 2nd gen CR-Xs. The car IS heavier though with the battery, but the extra weight also compliments its handling. I think when people think of CR-X they automatically THINK of the modified engines or engine swaps that made them screamers...fact is, off the line...the CR-Z has more HP than the CR-X. EDIT: OK, I rewatched your work and given the status as a platform car for modifications and swaps that the CR-X is; and given how difficult it is to mod and swap the CR-Z; the two cars are very different. I STILL would say that the Z is a "Spiritual Successor" to the X as Honda advertised just given its aesthetic nature, something even more sporty looking that a "Hot Hatch", the Z takes its profile from the X...the two cars look like they're related.... but I understand you hesitation and decision better now.
hey! necroposting like hell but if the hv battery pack goes bad the car has a back up 12 volt starter to start the car, its also used in excessively cold conditions. however; since the 12 volt battery has a very low cca rating and is mostly used to start up the car's electronics and act as a power source for the lv electronics its not ideal. in addition the cr-z has no traditional alternator so so if the motor/generator goes bad you gotta replace it for obvious reasons.
It is, I think, to date the ONLY hybrid vehicle available with a manual transmission. It was the MT/hybrid combo that caught my attention, because I like driving the stick shifts and there are fewer and fewer available. I'm also interested in fuel economy and environment, so the hybrid label immediately attracts me but always goes hand in hand with CVT/automatic transmission. As soon as I saw the CRZ had the MT option, I had never heard of it but wanted to check it out. A very hardworking sales rep at the local dealership scrounged up one of the CVTs to test drive, and as soon as I saw it, I was really excited because its aesthetics really suited my tastes. After driving it, finding a manual 6 speed became my mission, even though they are harder to come by. I had one within a week of that test drive and I love it. It's a very niche car that appeals to an unusually diverse demographic that tends to have very eclectic tastes. Edit: Actually I misspoke - Apparently Honda's Insight also had the 5 speed MT. But although the Insight gets better fuel economy, it also feels very sedate and boring by comparison. This car really turns heads. For a while I was thinking people were casing my house to rob it because they kept slowing down when driving past. It wasn't until I noticed people doing the same thing at my MOM'S house that it finally dawned on me - people were slowing down to check out the ride parked in front!
So 30 years ago they got 150 hp out of a 1.6l engine and today they need a 1.5liter hybrid for130 hp? Honda could might as well put a small diesel engine in it. same power, same torque, same mileage ...
Thanks for watching! What are your thoughts on the CRZ? Feel free to comment below. ✌️
Great car. I have a 2011 with 165,000 and I replaced the cvt at around 150,000 I hope it goes a long time because it has grown on me a lot. The cornering is really great, it’s tiny and you can maneuver so well in it in every way. Just not a fast car, but that’s alright 32.5 mpg for me on average which isn’t that great for a hybrid but it works great for me. Not as efficient as a Prius but a lot cooler and more fun to drive.
Oh and a pretty nice stereo in it. The car may make some noises, you may hear wind noise, but you’ll never hear it with your music on. I was impressed with that, it’s a loud stereo, partly because of the unique acoustics of a small car.
@@JamesDGardner I feel the same about the car as well, I'm curious about your CVT replacement , was it expensive ? and Is it something one could do on there own I feel some slipping when taking off from a stops once and a while so its becoming a consideration mine has 109,000
@@richardknieper973 i know hardly anything about cars just for starters😀. I ended up with a crz just by total luck. The CVT replacement was done by a Honda dealer. I’m not sure whether I got the best deal but knowing it was a rarer car I felt scared taking it anywhere else that they might not know what they’re doing, maybe I was right or wrong. It was pretty expensive I think it was about $2000-2400 dollars ( I put it on a credit card and paid it down ASAP) but ever since it has ran really good. I would assume you would want someone knowledgeable about how CVTs work. But beyond that I know nothing. There was a really bad screeching/scratching sound leading up to the thing going out and it took about 2,000 miles after it started for it to stop being able to be driven in reverse and then it was almost undriveable. I got it for an okay deal 6400$ and there wasn’t any signs of the transmission being bad, I think the cvt can be just strange to get used to, going from a regular transmission to that. I drove mine pretty hard some times and it is an automatic not a manual. I always felt like if I had driven it easier that the transmission might have lasted longer. Again I think the slipping feeling may or may not be a sign of the cvt going out, or it may just be that they feel different than a regular transmission. The car has always bothered me how rare it is and how it seems like few people understand the work to be done on it. also from time to time it will have a check emission system light on and after scanning the code I had a few people tell me the catalytic converter needed replaced and then I took it somewhere and they said the light will probably keep turning on and unfortunately that makes it not able to switch driving modes( sport normal eco) but it isn’t clogged up as far as he could tell and he could take it off but he didn’t see any reason and he is a good trustworthy mechanic. So I wouldn’t hesitate to sell it if I were you and you don’t absolutely love the car and can Never part with it and don’t want the cvt to go out unexpectedly but I’d also say that if you really like it to keep it and try to replace it cheap as you can if you like it and it might go a long time. I think it’s not meant to be driven very hard, and maybe the cvts they put in them stock are faulty but you would probably read about that more online as the reason they went out of production and that wasn’t the case, people just didn’t like them/stopped buying them. It has always had a strange noise to the gas being pushed down, it sounds like a space ship is the only way I can describe it, kind of like a pressurized air sound. Always made me worried that the diagnosis’s of the catalytic converter being broken were right but no it just makes a weird sound.
@@JamesDGardner Yeah, I have a 2015. I noticed a whining noise when the gas pedal is pressed a few months after I bought it, wasn't sure if it was normal or not since it's quiet. I wasn't sure if it was a new sound or I hadn't noticed it before. It did kick 2 or 3 times, like my VW did before the transmission went, so I was nervous about having transmission problems, which it shouldn't. It's relatively new (for me). I bought it used at 105k miles.
(I had recently bought a VW Passat wagon, 260k miles. Only temporary while I sold 1 car and searched for a new one. $1500, and the owner is like Jay Leno when it comes to maintenance. It kicked back, and my transmission blew after driving only 3x, so I had to sell both cars and get a new, permanent car)
But all the mechanics tell me it's fine, except maybe the axles, cause there is some shake. Lots of potholes on my way to work.
But yeah, people weren't so fond of the performance and some CR-X fans weren't pleased with the looks either. Low sales, so they scrapped them and made room for Insight production. But I like it. I don't have nearby tracks to race on, so performance doesn't matter to me, as long as it's fast enough to drive safely on the highway, that's all that matters at the end of the day when you're using a car as a commuter vehicle.
As long as it's nice, safe, and quick enough for the highway, I'm all set.
I absolutely LOVE my Honda CR-Z it’s definitely a love-hate vehicle. You either love it(me) or you hate it. In my opinion you have to be a manual transmission enthusiast to truly be able to appreciate this car fully. The fact that I can have a manual transmission car that is a hybrid absolutely blows my mind, it might not be the fastest car or get the worlds greatest gas mileage, but it truly is a blast to drive, especially when you actually own one and learn the little stuff that you can’t learn from simply driving it for a single day. I genuinely enjoy driving mine in Econ mode and squeezing every last bit of gas mileage I can out of it, like the very short gear ratio, to downshifting to charge the electric motor, I love how I’m almost constantly shifting or downshifting. If you are a true driving enthusiast and love a manual transmission this is the perfect car IMHO. Yes, that is a very biased opinion but this is my personal favorite car in the world. If you enjoy a car that constantly begs for your attention(in the manual variation that is, which in my opinion is the only way this car makes sense and you can truly appreciate it), don’t mind the fact that this car has no backseat, and have realistic expectations as for gas mileage, this very well might be the car for you. It definitely is for me.💯💯
It's the sensible choice for today's dumbed down road rules and over policing of trivial things :)
I just bought a 2011 CRZ yesterday… and I had an ‘89 CRX SI… I appreciated your comment on your CRX. :) thanks for the video, I love your CALM demeanor, very enjoyable video
It was made for a niche market & those who love it, LOVE IT. Myself included. It's ideal for people who want a sports car, but needed a daily that didn't like the look & feel of the hybrids at the time. And it was more affordable.
This was not designed to race, not sure why everyone rags on this car. It's well designed and I drive it 70mph everyday in normal, I pass everyone. Everyone says they like how it looks maybe ya all are jealous. I will drive it into the ground, I'm on year six.
Lol, 70mph, even 80 is keeping up with traffic where I am. But yes, I have a 2015, and for commuting on public streets, anymore performance than is necessary for safe driving is irrelevant. It's a good looking car and great as a commuter car. And furthermore, it's rarer nowadays than Aston Martins, Ferraris, and the like.
That's the problem with this car. It wasn't designed to race so you'd expect it to be economical, especially being a hybrid, yet it still doesn't get very good mileage
But hey, no complaints from me, I had a RAV4 1st gen, then a Chrysler 300 V8, both similar mpg and gas guzzlers, so it's a lot better mileage than I've had previously. I get 100 more miles per tank, and it's almost half the cost of what a 300 costs to fill up.
It is rated at less than what I thought. But comparable to many cars out there, but as a hybrid, it could use a bit more, but it's not terrible.
@@1granturismo That's why I think they should've had a K series instead of this hybrid stuff. It's no good as a hybrid. There's not much power potential. The way I see it, if it's not getting hybrid mpg, it may as well have an engine with lots of aftermarket support and power potential.
I own an identical red 2011 with 6 speed manual. Your assesment totally nailed it. As a young man, I bought a new '89 CRX DX. $8100!! Loved that vehicle. Yeah, it was a 1.5l 5 speed manual with
i just got one now 2024 - and i love it. i walk up to it like "whaaa!?!!!" this thing is fire. my friend told me to keep it as it is one of kind. i hope i can keep it forever.
I have a 2011 cvt with 340,000 Kms and just added a 2016 manual, honestly I can't get enough, I ride liter bikes and honest a car with 400hp feels just as slow as 130hp, I just drive around town and just stare at the beautiful design it's been 14 years and it has aged beautifully inside and out
I purchased a used 2012 manual transmission 9 months ago with only 89,000 miles on it. It’s stock and Damn I love it. I drive it 115 miles a day and get about 42 mpg. It is so fun to drive. I only drive in normal mode.
I bought a 2014 CR-Z a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I don't mind the low power, it keeps points off my licanse, but the handling, the interior, the well-tuned exhaust note and the overall quirkiness of the thing has got me hooked.
Well, they are not fast stock, CR-Z is my first car, I have it for over 2 years and in that time I've built a turbo engine for it, 190HP is definitely wakes up the car, it goes very nicely! It becomes an actual decent sports car.
Do you still run the hybrid system alongside the turbo? I bet the car is a blast with 190hp!
@@bendaga yes mate, hybrid works like it used to, which is good, cuz otherwise bottom end would be gutless 😅
And yeah man, it's a different car with turbo on 👀
@@slightlyinsaneraf Turbo all the things 👀
@@slightlyinsaneraf is the Turbo you have still available for purchase?🤔🤔I have a 2011 CR-Z EX w/Nav 6 speed that I would LOVE to put a turbo on but I’m not sure where to get one for it 🤔😅😅😭😭💀
yeah, turbo I used is Garrett GT2554R. You can get it in BofiRacing website as many MX-5 turbo kits use GT25Rs. It cost me like £650 I believe. You can also get this turbo off TurboZentrum. Both companies are really good to deal with 👍
If I going with that turbo MAKE SURE you get yourself new injectors! EP3, DC5 or whatever brand you want... They must be over 300cc at least. GT2554R only makes 5psi (0.4bar) on stock wastegate, but that's enough to make stock injectors ran out of fuel at around 4000RPM.
If you want quicker response from the turbo, and u not planning on forging the engine, I would consider GT2052 as well. Should be in full boost before 3000RPM, you can run stock injectors with it for a while. You gonna run about 8psi of boost with it, so you gonna have it in its sweet spot, GT25 is really only scratching it's surface potential.
I have a 2016 w/manual. I keep it in Sport mode for the most part - put it into Econ or Normal on the freeway. I average around 36 MPG and it is FUN to drive!
What I like to hear!
Nice, honest and realistic review from someone who understands the old Hondas. I remember test driving a 14 or 15 6sp when it came out. I was hoping for the feels of my 89 CRX Si and I got the same sentiment as you. It lacks that spirit that many pre 2000’s Honda’s have because it feels held back by the weight and power train. But here I am years later considering one as a daily drive commuter lol, but now the problem is finding a 6sp
well said!
I have a 2014, I call it my lawn mower daily commuter. It’s a gamer car. It starts in -20 weather. I don’t want extra passengers. It’s my point A to B....My other car is an 18 wheeler.
Wow must feel like driving a flea coming from a 18 wheeler 😂 thats really cool tho!
I'm 6'1 and fit just fine not problems . The mpg isn't as great as you would like. It does a job and it's pretty zippy and fun being show light. The door handles go out at some point and the blind spots are not as bad as they say learn to use your side mirrors.
As a sucker for the Cyberpunk genre and the 80s, the CRX being one of my favorite cars ever besides the Prelude from the same era.
Sadly I reasonable couldn't let myself get a CRX, as fun as it'd be to bask in the aesthetic and vibe of it I have to realize that A) it's an absolute thief magnet, my 92 Accord and 89 Prelude I had were CONSTANTLY being broken into.
2) the 80s CRX (and most JDM from the era) are extremely unsafe in regards to crash safety and as someone who's been in two accidents due to someone else's reckless driving, I just feel extremely unsafe driving a thin and light 80s car again.
Which brings me to the CRZ, I mean in an era where the 80s spirit/design of Honda and other JDM brands are essentially extinct, there's something very appealing about the CRZ. Cons aside I feel like it's the final hurrah for the 80s era of fun, affordable, angular, and boxy cars.
Those are some great points. I had a Prelude myself and I would be so worried that one day I would come outside to find it gone.
As for safety, those crxs are a total death trap. They may be lightweight, but it would not fare well in an accident.
The CRZ serves as a good middle ground for sure. Guess the crx will just be a distant memory for us all.
@@bendaga Yeah either it's gone, or in my case the theives destroy parts of it. I came out one morning to my Accord and the nice amber turn signals I had were gone and the passenger side lock was completely ripped out of the door.
With my Prelude which was almost immaculate for the age, I came out and my door had a ton of the paint completely stripped and scratched up from where they forced the door open AND my steering wheel was completely bent from them trying to force the Club I had on the wheel off, It just became a really stressful situation, and even a car alarm didn't stop them.
As for where they both are, sadly those cars are the two of the cars that big Dodge SUV's and Vans just can't seem to stop doing illegal things like running red lights and making illegal left turns in the rain and crashing into me apparently.
I think enthusiast sometimes try to discredit new creations just by hanging onto nostalgia or try too hard to be "edgy" and they end up missing the fun in things like this car, it doesn't have to be a Prius to be "Economical" and it doesn't have to be a Golf GTI to be "Sporty". The point with this car was to mix so many things into one product that could've reflect it perfectly and they did it. It is sporty enough to get you thrilled and it is economical enough for a car that gives you these kind of feelings when it's being driven in Sport mode. Can you get the Sport feeling from a Prius? NO. Can you get the Economical factor on an old Subaru like you used to have? NO. and that's the point, the car also was advanced for its debut, the first hybrid with a sporty look and with a manual, trying to show new ways to have fun without eating gas like a monster. As an owner that understands all the problems that comes with it specially how impractical it is for some situations, I can tell you by first hand, is way better than what the journalists and enthusiasts say it is, their logical and always have to follow these "rules" minds couldn't get it together. doesn't mean that you can't figure it out too. try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed.
Well said!
Not a bad car, I purchased my 2012 5 years ago with about 30k miles on it. Currently at 96k, it's been reliable as a daily driver. Minor things needed replaced as expected (Brake pads, tires, car battery). I'm planning to k20 swap it with a Turbo when something major breaks!
K20 swap would be so cool. Congrats!
I still have dreams of my CRX Si.
Me too, me too...
Still have my vtec crx with 60 thousand miles on him.
Like you I have the manual, 2015. It has a little more HP and torque than the model shown since Honda updated the model slightly in 2013.
A little more HP and torque probably goes a long way with such a light car. Nice.
Great video, logical and unbiased. Pretty much exactly what i needed to hear about it. Yea probably not as fun as a crx but it really does pique my curiosity
Appreciate it - Thank you
It has nothing shared from the civic. It's a fit with a electric motor. Which is great. The fit is a very fun car.
It is very similar in how it drives to my 5 speed MT 95 Civic Ex coupe (stolen after 23 years. This was the closest thing I found to replace it). Has the same amount of power, but distributed across an extra gear so it requires a bit more rowing. Sometimes, but rarely, I do miss the sunroof on my civic, and the ability to put more people in the car, but otherwise I like it as much if not more than my Civic. She deserved a better end than getting stripped and left in the car yard, though😭😞...
Great video, I have the Honda CRZ 2013 refresh edition, I will say that a K&N air filter makes a huge difference to the way the car sounds in all modes but in normal mode it does give it a slightly better tone, it also does make quite a bit of difference to the horsepower.
My CRZ has i-VTEC, but the red line is still 6300rpm, the electric motor was also upgraded along with the battery pack which give the refresh 140lb-ft Torque at 1000-2000rpm which is probably one of its biggest strengths.
From a design perspective, I definitely prefer the blacked out look for the refresh compared with the older models, the newer model integrates a front splitter aswell which although it probably doesn't achieve much if any down force it does make the car look a bit more aggressive.
I think maybe if you drove inside the refreshed edition then maybe you might change your mind a little bit, gotta drive one with a performance filter through I beg! Haha
What do you mean by REFRESH edition? I'm picking up a 2013 EX CVT today. I wanted a manual, but could not find one in red.
@@Docinaplane basically they made a few changes (updates) and called it a refresh, only some models from 2013 got the refresh but you can see the difference in the interior of the vehicle as it's all been blacked out and the front and rear we revised along with the addition to a slight change to the electric motor and batteries being lithium ion.
@@AidanCGaming Thank you so much! I'm going to do the K&N air filter like you recommend :-)
I did the K&N and totally found what you did with the car. Very fun to drive!
@@Docinaplane the next best thing is to upgrade the exhaust system but that might set you back about £500 or so, but really if you are looking to turn it up to the next level then supercharging the engine will turn it into the sports car that it always should have been, it also keeps its fuel economy damn near close to stock.
I own a 17 Focus RS, and just bought this yesterday as my daily commuter. so if you have a fun car. this is a GREAT fun daily. my first day to work, in the eco mode, it was scary slow but i LOVE it!!! I am saving $1,100 on gas just for daily commutes.
Actually this car can be very economical on the freeway if you want to.
I just drove 200 miles yesterday at an average speed of around 70mph and I got 55mpg
Thats good to hear. Didn’t get the chance to drive the car enough, but think I was getting low-mid 30’s driving in the city
Holy shit, that's nice, getting a lowered one tomorrow, will report back with autobahn experience soon. Would be awesome if I could break 4l/100km, but prob my foot will be too heavy
A very good rational review. The problem were, and he said it himself, his expectations. It's all about expectations when your are dealing with the Z.
Appreciate it
Man I've had my CRZ CVT 2012 since new 2021 today, never had a problem and has 107k miles,yes Looks fast but is not lol now back roads and inspired driving it handles better than most cars and it's fun to go fast on a slow car than going slow on a fast car!! I LOVE MY CRZ
So the Prius is more fun xD
@@RennieAsh 🤣
These are actually great for k-swapping and very easy to do as well.
Love my 2011
Good review man, love your chill vibe and you're exactly right about what you said.
I've heard they actually wanted to make a k20a version aswell but couldn't get it past safety regulations because the engine would be to close to the cockpit... So sad we need these dumb safety regulations, they ruin all the awesome cars for us...
That would've been really cool. But I'm sure they would be worth an arm and a leg nowadays
Honda crz is a cool hybrid sport car
agreed
Great video mate. Subbed.
Appreciate it
WithOUT the navigation... looks so much cleaner, without the out of date nav a phone easily bests anyway.
I have to disagree with you on just one thing: I think the CR-Z is actually a very accurate "Spiritual Successor" (as they called it at Honda) to the CRX. My 88 2nd Gen CR-X Si had no mods and topped out at about 105 HP with its D16A6 engine, that was it...I then had a 94 del Sol with the B16A1 engine that produced 150 HP...but in the US that was just called the del Sol, not the CR-X del Sol....by the time the CR-Z came out with its hybrid engine I-VTEC it was re-released in 2013 to have a combined HP of 130. Technically MORE powerful than the 2nd gen CR-Xs. The car IS heavier though with the battery, but the extra weight also compliments its handling. I think when people think of CR-X they automatically THINK of the modified engines or engine swaps that made them screamers...fact is, off the line...the CR-Z has more HP than the CR-X.
EDIT: OK, I rewatched your work and given the status as a platform car for modifications and swaps that the CR-X is; and given how difficult it is to mod and swap the CR-Z; the two cars are very different. I STILL would say that the Z is a "Spiritual Successor" to the X as Honda advertised just given its aesthetic nature, something even more sporty looking that a "Hot Hatch", the Z takes its profile from the X...the two cars look like they're related.... but I understand you hesitation and decision better now.
Cool car,ı love it look like different
got the same car in silver. i love it !
Glad to hear!
Hi
Can the 2011 model still be driven as a regular gas car if the hybrid system ( battery, ima system..etc...) no longer works?
hey! necroposting like hell but if the hv battery pack goes bad the car has a back up 12 volt starter to start the car, its also used in excessively cold conditions. however; since the 12 volt battery has a very low cca rating and is mostly used to start up the car's electronics and act as a power source for the lv electronics its not ideal. in addition the cr-z has no traditional alternator so so if the motor/generator goes bad you gotta replace it for obvious reasons.
Is it also one of the first, if not the first hybrid sports car with a manual?
Could be! I’m actually not sure.
It is, I think, to date the ONLY hybrid vehicle available with a manual transmission. It was the MT/hybrid combo that caught my attention, because I like driving the stick shifts and there are fewer and fewer available. I'm also interested in fuel economy and environment, so the hybrid label immediately attracts me but always goes hand in hand with CVT/automatic transmission. As soon as I saw the CRZ had the MT option, I had never heard of it but wanted to check it out. A very hardworking sales rep at the local dealership scrounged up one of the CVTs to test drive, and as soon as I saw it, I was really excited because its aesthetics really suited my tastes. After driving it, finding a manual 6 speed became my mission, even though they are harder to come by. I had one within a week of that test drive and I love it.
It's a very niche car that appeals to an unusually diverse demographic that tends to have very eclectic tastes.
Edit: Actually I misspoke - Apparently Honda's Insight also had the 5 speed MT. But although the Insight gets better fuel economy, it also feels very sedate and boring by comparison.
This car really turns heads. For a while I was thinking people were casing my house to rob it because they kept slowing down when driving past. It wasn't until I noticed people doing the same thing at my MOM'S house that it finally dawned on me - people were slowing down to check out the ride parked in front!
Please tell me something about hybrid batteries, I really like this car but I'm afraid of them.
Batteries eventually go bad but I wouldn’t be too discouraged
I think you are confusing VTEC with something else because the CRZ have i-VTEC
Crz doesn't look bad but.. the back bro, I don't need everyone know I have a hybrid
Just remove the hybrid badge
What kind of MPG does this car get?
On average, I get 30 in the city and 40 on the interstate. Tbh in the city there isn’t much difference in eco vs sport
if the exhaust upgrade to the Mugen Sports Triangle Exhaust or Dual Exhaust... its sound pretty nice👍😎
Good to know!
@@bendaga yupp... for a time being what modification you have done for this car??
@@piee93able it was 100% stock
@@bendaga oohh okayy...
How tall are you and did you feel cramped?
5’ 10” and not at all
I bought mine from a guy who was easily 6'3 and he fit fine.
The lisense plate say bmw lol
Team beam
low output good milage.
So 30 years ago they got 150 hp out of a 1.6l engine and today they need a 1.5liter hybrid for130 hp? Honda could might as well put a small diesel engine in it. same power, same torque, same mileage ...
It's a great car but doesn't fit the standard person - not big enough, or not "powerful" enough.
I'd like to see more unique cars
Just like the Del Sol in being such a disappointment. Hopefully they bring it back as a EV
As soon as I 👀 mask .. I ended .. Thanks
I’d just rather have a Fit sport.