Drove a new FRV with the 2,2 liter diesel motor today: sweet car, great motor. Hard to believe they matched it up with a 6-speed box because the torque is so incredible that shifting gears is hardly worth the effort. Jumping from first to third or even fourth barely slows the acceleration at all. The acceleration on the autoroute in sixth gear with just a wee bit of pressing on the throttle serves up an instant forward thrust that blew me away. The rest of the FRV is pretty nice too. Lots of space and I have to say I kind of like that three across up front seating, even though I ran it alone. Reminded me of the old (very old actually) days of driving around in my parents classic american sleds with those huge bench seats that were seemingly designed for exploring the opposite sex. Okay, not that much room in the FRV but it's pretty roomy anyway. Front end feels kind of heavy in the handling department but what the heck, this is no lightweight coupe. Love the way the back seats flop down to create a nice big space with a totally flat floor. All in all have to say the FRV is looking like a pretty attractive option for replacing my trusty Kangoo, though for sure the Honda is way more sophisticated and hence lacking in the praticality department where the Kangoo shines. Haul crap in the back of the Kangoo then just hose it out if needed! Won't work with the Honda.
But as attractive as the FRV is in so many respects, the new Civic is really hard to turn down. Haven't driven one yet but after having experienced the diesel in the heavier and considerably less aero FRV, I can easily imagine that the Civic with the same motor is one seriously sweet drive that ought to post great fuel consumption figures. My guess is that the euro Civic with the diesel will beat the hybrid for economy at the pump. Beautiful car to look at and to sit in. Way better in life than in the photos. Honda has obviously been spending a lot of time studying what the italians have been doing with the Alfa's and Fiat's in the design department. Hard to believe that those jelly heads running GM never took advantage of their ownership % of Fiat. Some great ideas over there in Italy. Clearly Honda paid attention even if the detroiters didn't have a clue. Then again nothing new there.
I remember a post by a german member in which he seemed to say that Honda's built in England were not great in the quality department, unlike Honda's built in Japan, but based purely on visuals, the new Civic is one fine automobile. I don't know where the FRV's are built. Kind of surprising Honda doesn't sell them in the states but then again given the addiction for size, weight, and never-used 4X4 systems, I guess they didn't see much sense in creating an americanized version. I'll drop down and try out the Civic as soon as we get out of this snow cycle. At least the FRV made it up the mountain to where I live without snow tires. The roads were snowy but there was more black showing than white so I wasn't totally surprised but I was wondering for awhile - and wishing I had my Insight which I'd left at the dealer's to have the alignment done.
Anyway, if you ever have a chance to test out the Honda 2,2 liter diesel, don't hesitate. Fantastic motor. Too bad the FRV doesn't have instant fuel consumption read outs. Would have been interesting to see those.
But as attractive as the FRV is in so many respects, the new Civic is really hard to turn down. Haven't driven one yet but after having experienced the diesel in the heavier and considerably less aero FRV, I can easily imagine that the Civic with the same motor is one seriously sweet drive that ought to post great fuel consumption figures. My guess is that the euro Civic with the diesel will beat the hybrid for economy at the pump. Beautiful car to look at and to sit in. Way better in life than in the photos. Honda has obviously been spending a lot of time studying what the italians have been doing with the Alfa's and Fiat's in the design department. Hard to believe that those jelly heads running GM never took advantage of their ownership % of Fiat. Some great ideas over there in Italy. Clearly Honda paid attention even if the detroiters didn't have a clue. Then again nothing new there.
I remember a post by a german member in which he seemed to say that Honda's built in England were not great in the quality department, unlike Honda's built in Japan, but based purely on visuals, the new Civic is one fine automobile. I don't know where the FRV's are built. Kind of surprising Honda doesn't sell them in the states but then again given the addiction for size, weight, and never-used 4X4 systems, I guess they didn't see much sense in creating an americanized version. I'll drop down and try out the Civic as soon as we get out of this snow cycle. At least the FRV made it up the mountain to where I live without snow tires. The roads were snowy but there was more black showing than white so I wasn't totally surprised but I was wondering for awhile - and wishing I had my Insight which I'd left at the dealer's to have the alignment done.
Anyway, if you ever have a chance to test out the Honda 2,2 liter diesel, don't hesitate. Fantastic motor. Too bad the FRV doesn't have instant fuel consumption read outs. Would have been interesting to see those.
<j/k>
