Test Drives

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » November 29, 2005, 5:10 pm

I was fortunate to have a relaxing day off from work yesterday and decided I wanted to test drive a few cars I've been meaning to evaluate.
Took the new civic for a spin first. I was actually looking forward to this as I have the '98 and my wife the 2001. The walkaround was very nice and the car feels a ton more solid than my wife's and makes my '98 sound like a tin car to be frank. The trunk was ok. The back seat shrunk numerically but, supposedly, it felt bigger. I set the front seat to my driving position and got in the back and seems that numbers don't lie as it did feel smaller than my wife's car. Pretty uncomfortable to be honest. I like the pull down armrest back there but I wouldn't ship any adults around if I could avoid it. I then got to take it for a spin. It felt decent to drive and definitely far more quiet than previous civics but I got to say, I f'ing hate the dash as well as the view outside the front of the car. While I know sloping hoods are good to slice air, I'd like to be able to actually see some portion of the hood. I saw nothing out the front, no point of reference, nothing, just a neverending dashboard. Even with the seat up all of the way, it was uncofortable not seeing any of the front sheet. I honestly would never buy this car and was highly disappointed to be honest. Fortunately, they had an '06 accord for me to test. Now that car was great. So much thought was put into making it an ergonomic tour de force. It drove very very well to boot. Considering the price differential between the ex civic and accord, I couldn't possibly see going for the civic.
I wanted to drive a subaru legacy sedan but the dealership was too far out of the way considering I am not planning on seriously purchasing anything for awhile.
I made an appointment to drive the Infiniti M35x as well. Whoo, what a car. If I ever had the green light to purchase a 45k-ish car, I would be in like Flynn.
Lastly I drove the IS250 all wheel drive. Again, just a terrific car. There are no deals being made at all on this car so I'd still be out the door in the high 30's but it was a pleasure to drive nonetheless.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » November 29, 2005, 5:42 pm

How about that new Mazda Speed6......its a sub 30k all wheel drive turbocharged inline 4...They just started showing up on lots here, and I've been meaning to take one out.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » December 1, 2005, 11:02 am

Because of the over-the-top tuning and what I imagine will be a harsh ride, I really wouldn't put the mazdaspeed on my radar. It's just not my type of car. If I go out again I will take a TL, a BMW 3, an Altima V6, and the Legacy out for a spin.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » December 1, 2005, 11:25 am

The IS line is great except that the 250 is a bit underpowered and the 350 (which is a GREAT car) does not come with a stick. I was wondering how people would like the new Civic dash as I did not like it myself..

The new Mazdaspeed6 is a great car imo and will most likely end up being my daily driver when I return (and then a fun car for nice days! Weeeh!). Another great similar car is the Subary Legacy 2.5GT, and also the new Volvo S40 T5 AWD is great. Dang, I have to go test driving..