:driving:
Like many others, I got an opportunity for a quick test drive in the 2006 Civic EX Sedan (automatic) this afternoon. I wanted to post a few of my first impressions about the car. After reading several other first ride reviews, I think that my experience was very similar.
1) Fit & Finish seems to be more substantial/impressive than 7th Gen. There is a more pronounced clunk when closing the doors. Interior components are high quality hard plastic (as expected from Honda) and everything seems to work as it should.
2) This dash is HUGE. You really don't get a feel for how big the dash is in this car until you sit behind the wheel. There's a lot of real estate under the dash that is not in the hood of the car any longer. It's interesting.
3) Two-tiered instrumentation is a winner. This was the major thing that I had concerns about, and honestly, it was disorienting at first. The speedo sits SO FAR in front of the tachometer (lower cluster) that it seems disconnected. However, the numerals are very large for the speedometer (over an inch) and you really can focus on the road. It's like a heads-up display. Also, I had concerns about the steering wheel blocking my view of one of the clusters, but that is not the case, thanks to the tilt/telescope wheel. Blue illumination is also way cool. Me like! :thumb:
4) Sedan stereo (160watt) is not great. Admittedly, I'm used to a 7-speaker sound system in my Wrangler with a subwoofer. This is not the same. The controls, however are logical and I like the fact that it doesn't look DIN. (just a personal preference). I'm itching to hear the 350watt sound system in the EX Coupe!
5) Firm, supportive seats are also comfortable. I wasn't squirming for the right seating position either.
6) Lots of trunk space, and I (for one) love the idea of the split folding seatback releases being located in the trunk. I hated having to climb in the back of my Preludes to get the friggin key to unlock the seatback. This is much more convenient in my opinion. It's also nice to have the remote trunk release on the keyless entry.
7) DRLs! I always turn on my headlights while driving so this helps make it a no-brainer.
8) Acceleration is responsive with the automatic...but I couldn't tell that much difference in speed between this and the 7th Gen automatic that I drove. However, I'm not an automatic driver. I will have to drive the 5-speed to really get a feel for the car. But, this car does feel more substantial on the road than the 7th Gen.
9) Steering/Handling response is very good. It's what I would expect from Honda and it was a noticeable difference between this and 7th Gen. And while I'm thinking about the steering wheel...thank you Honda for the remote steering wheel controls.
10) Road noise has been reduced, but is still noticeable. It's still not as quiet as the Accord, but then again, it's cheaper. It is much better than 7th Gen.
11) Sunroof controls are actually in the RIGHT place for the first time! :thumb:
So those are my initial impressions.....feel free to chime in with yours.
Like many others, I got an opportunity for a quick test drive in the 2006 Civic EX Sedan (automatic) this afternoon. I wanted to post a few of my first impressions about the car. After reading several other first ride reviews, I think that my experience was very similar.
1) Fit & Finish seems to be more substantial/impressive than 7th Gen. There is a more pronounced clunk when closing the doors. Interior components are high quality hard plastic (as expected from Honda) and everything seems to work as it should.
2) This dash is HUGE. You really don't get a feel for how big the dash is in this car until you sit behind the wheel. There's a lot of real estate under the dash that is not in the hood of the car any longer. It's interesting.
3) Two-tiered instrumentation is a winner. This was the major thing that I had concerns about, and honestly, it was disorienting at first. The speedo sits SO FAR in front of the tachometer (lower cluster) that it seems disconnected. However, the numerals are very large for the speedometer (over an inch) and you really can focus on the road. It's like a heads-up display. Also, I had concerns about the steering wheel blocking my view of one of the clusters, but that is not the case, thanks to the tilt/telescope wheel. Blue illumination is also way cool. Me like! :thumb:
4) Sedan stereo (160watt) is not great. Admittedly, I'm used to a 7-speaker sound system in my Wrangler with a subwoofer. This is not the same. The controls, however are logical and I like the fact that it doesn't look DIN. (just a personal preference). I'm itching to hear the 350watt sound system in the EX Coupe!
5) Firm, supportive seats are also comfortable. I wasn't squirming for the right seating position either.
6) Lots of trunk space, and I (for one) love the idea of the split folding seatback releases being located in the trunk. I hated having to climb in the back of my Preludes to get the friggin key to unlock the seatback. This is much more convenient in my opinion. It's also nice to have the remote trunk release on the keyless entry.
7) DRLs! I always turn on my headlights while driving so this helps make it a no-brainer.
8) Acceleration is responsive with the automatic...but I couldn't tell that much difference in speed between this and the 7th Gen automatic that I drove. However, I'm not an automatic driver. I will have to drive the 5-speed to really get a feel for the car. But, this car does feel more substantial on the road than the 7th Gen.
9) Steering/Handling response is very good. It's what I would expect from Honda and it was a noticeable difference between this and 7th Gen. And while I'm thinking about the steering wheel...thank you Honda for the remote steering wheel controls.
10) Road noise has been reduced, but is still noticeable. It's still not as quiet as the Accord, but then again, it's cheaper. It is much better than 7th Gen.
11) Sunroof controls are actually in the RIGHT place for the first time! :thumb:
So those are my initial impressions.....feel free to chime in with yours.