First 300 Miles-New Coupe V6 6MT

[Smatta Head]

Took delivery on Saturday.
I LOVE this car!
First, let me say that there is truth in the rumor that the manual transmission is difficult to drive smoothly. There is something about the clutch and the engine wanting to GO that makes smooth shifting, let's say, tricky-especially in the low gears. Just takes some getting used to, s'all.

Other than that, there are NO complaints about this car. It really is awesome! Everything, right down to the feel. The engine is superb. Plenty of power. Very quiet. Difficult to hear below 4K rpms. The stereo is very high end. I did not get Nav, and will not miss it, although I will miss the special bluetooth cell phone features that come with it-which I believe should be standard equipment on all cars at this point, just from a safety standpoint.

Finished product is exceptional. Took my car for a ride to the mountains to stretch its legs. I believe this car is actually easier to drive when using cruise control, for some reason.

Will post pics after the body kit goes on this week.

Later
SH

[CameronJr9]

Excellent. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you like the ride. I wonder if the shifting issue will be something you just sort of learn? I haven't driven one (yet!), but I'll definitely have to take note of that when I do.

[Smatta Head]

You're right-really.
Today, I seemed to have a much better feel.
It is definitely a learned feel.
There is nothing wrong with this car, at all.

On the bad side, I don't have any flaw to tell about, yet.
The big button that controls the CD changer is taking some
getting used to, but otherwise the car is really NICE!
It's a very cool nice...very comparable with the bmw.

Drive it, you'll buy it!

[Smatta Head]

Fuel tank will hold 18.5 gallons (!).

First tank was probably 70-75% highway mileage,
most of which was with cruise control set at 65-75 mph.

I got 409.7 miles until I had to get gas or get walking,
which gives me 22.05 mpg/avg.

I will probably average more like 20, which is exactly what
I anticipated.

Those new mpg ratings are very accurate!

Really cool. Really thirsty, too.

[Smatta Head]

Definitely the road noise.
Not sure if it is the tires, not enough sound proofing, or what.
But when you aren't listening to the stereo, and you're going
along at, say 50-65 mph, there is a good amount of
road noise.

Anyone else notice this?

[Darth Do'Urden]

Originally Posted by Smatta Head

Took delivery on Saturday.
I LOVE this car!
First, let me say that there is truth in the rumor that the manual transmission is difficult to drive smoothly. There is something about the clutch and the engine wanting to GO that makes smooth shifting, let's say, tricky-especially in the low gears. Just takes some getting used to, s'all.

Other than that, there are NO complaints about this car. It really is awesome! Everything, right down to the feel. The engine is superb. Plenty of power. Very quiet. Difficult to hear below 4K rpms. The stereo is very high end. I did not get Nav, and will not miss it, although I will miss the special bluetooth cell phone features that come with it-which I believe should be standard equipment on all cars at this point, just from a safety standpoint.

Everything you've stated is spot-on. Also keep in mind that the Hands Free Link will be available as an accessory on the '08 Accord non-Navi units sometime very soon. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Smatta Head

I will probably average more like 20, which is exactly what
I anticipated.

Those new mpg ratings are very accurate!

What type of terrain and traffic do you typically drive in? Here in the Midwest (Oklahoma specifically) there's virtually NO hills, and the traffic congestion is exceptionally mild. As such, most of my customers (I currently sell cars for Honda) as well as myself (on my previous car, also a Honda product) are getting closer to what the '07 EPA ratings were showing on '07 Honda vehicles, be it a Ridgeline or a Civic.

I actually expect to level out at a standard 22mpg overall after about 7,000 miles or so (once everything's broke in nicely and all), and as high as 29 on those longer highway trips.

Originally Posted by Smatta Head

"Biggest flaw so far"--Definitely the road noise.
Not sure if it is the tires, not enough sound proofing, or what.
But when you aren't listening to the stereo, and you're going
along at, say 50-65 mph, there is a good amount of
road noise.

Anyone else notice this?

Maybe it's because I'm coming from a significantly noisier high-revving 4-cylinder, but I think the road noise is exceptional for a coupe. I think a bit more noise just comes with the territory of having a slightly shorter wheel-base and larger wheels.

The tires are...expensive. Honda definitely didn't cheap out on the rubber. Those suckers are like $250 each. A smooth grand on tires? Kudos, Honda.

My wife is even impressed with this car, and she just plain never cares about cars...at all. Maybe it's the Navi and Bluetooth that's to blame. =P

As far as MY impressions...only thing I don't like is the shift knob. I really can't wait to find a billet/aluminum shift knob to put on it. The OEM knob isn't terrible, but the clear plastic top with the gears under it just seems a bit hoaky, in my opinion. Why there isn't a billet/aluminum knob available as an accessory from Honda is beyond me.

[webby]

good info - and I'd say you'll be able to get a new knob in no time. In fact, I bet some of the 8thgen civic si knobs may be able to be used if the threads are the same.

[wbb1211]

Originally Posted by Smatta Head

Took delivery on Saturday.
I LOVE this car!
First, let me say that there is truth in the rumor that the manual transmission is difficult to drive smoothly. There is something about the clutch and the engine wanting to GO that makes smooth shifting, let's say, tricky-especially in the low gears. Just takes some getting used to, s'all.

Other than that, there are NO complaints about this car. It really is awesome! Everything, right down to the feel. The engine is superb. Plenty of power. Very quiet. Difficult to hear below 4K rpms. The stereo is very high end. I did not get Nav, and will not miss it, although I will miss the special bluetooth cell phone features that come with it-which I believe should be standard equipment on all cars at this point, just from a safety standpoint.

Finished product is exceptional. Took my car for a ride to the mountains to stretch its legs. I believe this car is actually easier to drive when using cruise control, for some reason.

Will post pics after the body kit goes on this week.

Later
SH

I would like to know about your body kit. Just bought a white EXL coup with MT. I like the car a lot!

[Smatta Head]

Mine is OEM, and looks great.
It is identical to the ones in the photos in this site.
I am considering lowering the car with springs, but it really is not too high as stock,
and I am in the NorthEast, so we have winter weather and bad roads!

I just may stick with what I got.

I am considering getting a used S2000 for summer fun, though!
Any comments?

[wbb1211]

S2K look to be a fun car! I would like to drive one. I thought about getting one a few times but it seemed to be a little small to have as a only car. Would make a great summer car!