Hi from Australia. Great video on a great car. On my second CRZ after a five year break. Went back to one after having a civic type r, Mazda mx 30 EV and a Mazda 3. Much more responsive , well balanced and far roomier than a mx5/miata. I am still over 6foot but not quite 6’ 1” and I still sit more upright than I would like in a mx5. The CRZ is based on the Honda Jazz/Fit platform and running gear with different track dimensions, width and height. Also the 1.5 litre engine eventually went into the Jazz which only appeared as a 1.3 litre for some years. Both CRZ’s were bought with cvt transmission (more plentiful). Our higher spec examples became a single model after two years with 17 inch wheels, glass roof heated leather seats and 10 kilowatts of more combined power and a lithium ion battery rather than nickel metal hydride. Change the cvt fluid/filter every 40000 kilometres and it will last and has a wider ratio spread than the manual. I achieve 45-50 us mpg highway/city easily. The current CRZ made in 2013 and only had 30000 miles on it so hanging onto it till I drop. Cheers
I own a na Miata and I just bought a 2013 cr-z manual ex that I just drove for the first time this past weekend and I’m very impressed with it! K-swapping it in the future is the reason for getting it. I sold my 09 jcw mini cooper and bought the cr-z. Fun fact the people in Europe would rather have the back bins than we got rather than the back seats they got because they’re absolutely useless. The stereo is phenomenal change that head unit and trust me the cr-z interior is much bigger than the Miata.
Sports+ button always makes me chuckle a bit when I’m driving my crz but just fyi only works when you’re going straight so that’s why it wasn’t working for you immediately in the video. Doesn’t engage when ur steering wheel is turned.
I have owned the same color (North Shore Pearl Blue) 2011 CR-Z EX 6M since June 2016, which I bought with 91K miles. It now has about 137K with the original battery pack. I love it! It is a very engaging car to drive. I love the manual transmission.
I just picked up a 2011 CRZ GT with low mileage (88.000 km's) for 8000€. Was originally interested in a MX5 ND, but couldn't fit in one. And having a backseat was also a requirement. It's power isn't that impressive but coming from a 60hp Car it's still a massive difference, and being able to go full throttle without breaking 5 laws is nice. The handling is amazing. Now I am slowly starting to like the MX5 NC, maybe that will be my third car. Seems like I found my kind of car.
I swapped from a 2021 Hybrid Corolla 2.0L with a CVT to an NC 2.0L and still love both. The Corolla is the more practical, comfortable, efficient and actually quicker car of the two! But it was more than I needed and, isn't a convertible.
The CRZ is a great looking car. So is my 2016 ND. Was interested in buying the CRZ when it first came out but was turned off by cvt. I didn't know at the time a manual was available. My Honda dealer never told me.
