UPDATE!

Well, I was away for a month, then came back and put another 150 miles on it, some of it just driving it around town, some on the highways, and some of it on some curvy back roads that are a bit broken up in places.

First, the shifter seems to have gotten better (or maybe I just don't remember from a month ago). I'm quite happy with it now.

The car handles great on smooth roads, but when the roads get crappy (as they do quite often here) the harshness almost becomes unbareable for a daily driver. I would take the trade-off if it were MY DD, but since it's my fiance's, I've made the decision to pick up some 18" wheels in the hopes that the taller sidewalls will help smooth the ride out. Also, the stock Bridgestones are LOUD! I'm hoping the KDW's that I'm getting to replace them are a bit quieter.

I know I'll get flamed for making the car softer, but I was lucky that my fiance agreed to this car as a DD in the first place (she wanted an Accord!). I DON'T want her to regret her decision everytime she drives the car.

Still kicking myself for not getting NAV . . .

ORIGNAL POST . . .

I picked up my Athens Blue Coupe yesterday, here are my impressions after the first 150 miles, if anyone cares . . .

Athens blue/Wheat
Premium/full aero/trunk mat/XM

First the cons . . .

1. The shifter isn't quite as nice as I had hoped. The throws are short, but the gates aren't very precise. It feels like there is some other obstruction that the shifter clicks through before it engages each gear.

2. The clutch makes a horrible howling noise whe you disengage it above ~4000 rpm as you are shifting. I hope this gets better as I drive it more.

3. The ride is a bit stiffer than I had hoped. It's very busy, even on roads I thought were smooth. Road noise and impacts are much worse than the Sedan I rented two weeks ago. This isn't suprising considering the 19" wheels and sport suspension, but I wish it were a little better. I'm a ride/handling engineer by trade, so I'm pickier than most here.

4. The Bose system sucks. You have to turn it up to 20+ to get the treble to balance our with the bass, and some stations/CD's just CAN'T sound good.

Besides the above nit picks, I LOVE this car. I've gotten TONS of compliments on it already. The driving controls (steering wheel/pedals) are placed perfectly and very responsive, and the seats are perfect for me. I can't wait until it's dry to tackle some my favorite local back roads to see how the car handles, but I think it'll be a blast up to about 7/10 or so. I wish I had gotten the NAV system, but I guess it's not that big a deal, this car won't be going out of town very often.

 

maybe thats why the owners manual says dont shift above 4k rpms until you break in the engine??? i dont know, just a thought...

 

i don't think you should rev the car above 4k rpm's at any point during the break-in period. with the ride, i'm actually surprised how nice the ride is considering the sport suspension and 19" wheels. i had the 5at with 17" wheels and really don't feel that much difference.

 

I didn't shift passed 3K yet and I have 650 miles on it and i ALSO have that light hummm or howl when you disngage the clutch to shift...WHAT IS THAT!!!!

 

I've had mine since Friday. I have 120 miles on it. As for your comments:

1. I found it pretty smooth, at least relative to the 2004 I had test driven last year.

2. I'm staying under 4000rpm (having a real hard time doing so) but I get the same noise/sound. I think it'll go away in time.

3. I like it. The ride doesn't really bother me. In fact, it's better than I thought it'd be.

4. The Bose system has failed to impress me. I was expecting better.

I can add one more thing to this list. I can't get the front seats to move forward by pushing the button on the back of the seats. It sometimes works and other times it does not. Is there anyone else seeing this? Am I not doing it right?

But overall this car is really great! First night, I had a buyers remorse. Next morning when I drove the car, it all went away. I was all smiles. No regrets at all...

 

Hmmmm...odd. I just got mine about 2 weeks ago and I think the shift gates are very precise. Clutch is very smooth(900 miles) over and under 4000rpm. Ride is crisp with excellent response to even the slightest move of the steering wheel. I love the ride feel...in tune with the rode. JMO

On the seta issue, you must leave the seat forward then push button to make it go back. Don't push seat back then button. You know what I mean??

 

Springs struts/shocks are tighter then stock and the tires are thinner. im surprised you didnt feel a difference. I feel every little pebble in the road. I dont mind the stiff ride, but do appreciate the smooth feel of the M45 (two different beasts).
the NAV system is great ! and would still buy it again. please note if you did get it expect wires to rub and make noises while driving, this will grate on ya.

I didnt really adhere to the break in much, mostly because i know how cars are driven at dealerships and mine came with 170 miles (transfer from other dealer). I'm a believer about the majority of breakin occuring VERY VERY early 10-20-30-40 miles. As well as the highly disputed break-in methods from having the engine rev up to certain marks for a suspended period of time and having the engine cool down.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

speak amongst yourselves

ppp

 

When your letting some one out, you fold the top half of your chair using the lever on the side...then you press the button.

When attempting to return the chair back to its original spot, you must FIRST press the button and let it complete sliding back, then fold the upper half back manually. If you move the top half back to its original position before pressing the button, or while its sliding back...it will STOP sliding back or won't move at all and you'll have to do it using the power buttons.

 

2. The clutch makes a horrible howling noise whe you disengage it above ~4000 rpm as you are shifting. I hope this gets better as I drive it more.

4. The Bose system sucks. You have to turn it up to 20+ to get the treble to balance our with the bass, and some stations/CD's just CAN'T sound good.


My car has 9k miles on it and it still makes that howling sound when I rev past 4kRPM's, it really doesn't bother me but I do notice it. As for the Bose system, where do I really begin?
1.) I think that it really has No treble period (I'm a huge audiofanatic and maybe part deaf ).
2.) When I'm playing CD's and "only CD's" the left-side speakers cut in and out (Dealer has already ordered a new HU for me but has not installed it yet). I read a post where other memebers were having the same problem.
3.) I expect much more out of BOSE.
4.) I got better radio reception in all of my other cars inculding the Hyundai I once owned.
5.) The cheap center consol also retains straches.

Besides these things I love the car. It's been my dream car for the past 2 years and I finally own one. Looking into XM radio sometime in the near future.

 

I'm not beating on the car by any means, the highest I've had it up was about 4500. The noise is there even as low as 3000, but around 4000 it gets to be overbearing.

Like I said, I'm a ride/handling engineer. I spend 8hrs a day 5days a week driving different cars tuning the suspensions for ride and handling. I'm pickier (and more sensitive to differences) than the average person when it comes to this . . . I'm paid to be.

The steering and responsiveness is great, but I wish the car would settle down a bit on "smooth" roads.

 

I'm an ameture DJ on the side, so I'm a bit of an audio fanatic as well. I haven't had any real problems like those you've described, just disappointment in the sound quality. I'm well aware that Bose is more of a marketing company than a maker of fine audio equipment (there home audio gear is utter crap), but I've heard the Bose system in my freind's CTS and it is much better than ours. I'm hoping my "real aluminum trim" keeps up it's appearance.

 

I agree with 1,2 and 4. I had this car cor 11k miles now and the shifting is still not as smooth as I thought. There is alittle 'gate' in some gears, especially in 2nd. The howling noise when reving high won't go away, I don't konw what it is. The BOSE system sux but there is always aftermarked.

 

all you guys/ gals know that hes talking about the NEW 05 6MT, right?!?!

its different than the previous models... shifting, horsepower, torque, interior, brakes... etc...

 

bose system sucks? i think the sound is very clean. there is a perfect amount of bass and treble. i think its great for stock. and i use to have a sound system in my 2000mustang gt. but then again maybe i just got sick of all that loud *** bass...

 

I love the BOSE system... Its crystal clear...you can hear the guitar picks scratch the strings in Rock music and the bass is clear and tight, not muddy/sloppy.. Cant comment on the radio as i only listen to AM for morning commute/news.... I like it..