Drove an Acura TSX, BMW Z4 3.0 6Speed and Lancer Evo today!
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: St. Louis, MO
Drove an Acura TSX, BMW Z4 3.0 6Speed and Lancer Evo today!
My trip today turned out a bit differently than planned. I was wanting to meet up with some fellow S2000 owner's in Wilmington, about 2 hours south of New Bern. My wife and I got a late start and we decided to have lunch in Jacksonville (about an hour north of Wilmington). At any rate, we got to Wilmington well after the meet and I'm sorry for that, but at the same time, I'm thankful for the drives that I had.
First, we stopped at the Honda dealer in Wilmington that also sports an Acura dealer next door. My wife and I instantly eyed a new TSX. We took it for a leisurely drive around Wilmington and it was very nice. My wife really liked some of the features but overall, she felt it was just a "nicer" Accord.
Of course, that's pretty much what it is. The power is adequate and "good" for the car, but I think that some buyers will be wanting more than 200hp. The look of the exterior is flawless and aggressive. The interior is refined and simple, yet elegant. Overall the TSX was a good car for our drive. We (my wife and I) really liked it but it was'nt anything to go crazy over.
Our second stop was to the BMW dealership where we found a 3.0 Z4 in Titanium Silver Metallic with Black interior. The car was specially ordered for a customer but the customer backed out at the last minute.
I have to say that I was *extremely* impressed with the features of the Z4. Of course, this model was sporting a $46k price tag too, so I had to remind myself of that. This was not the first Z4 I've driven but it *was* the first 6speed. The clutch was extremely sensitive and I hated it, just to be frank. Also, the shifter was not tight at all, IMO. If I were to buy one, I would certainly go with an Automatic with Step-tronic. I really disliked it that much. The power was constant but I really hated that the power seemed somewhat "delayed." Also, the handling was sub-par. I feel as my S2000 is on it's toes and the Z4 felt heavy and made lane change movements as I would suspect from a Caprice Classic. Okay, perhaps that was a bit over the edge. But I could not see myself driving the Z4 on the Dragon and enjoying it. The most enjoyable part of the Z4 was the "latch-less" top and the insulation the top provided. I know, who cares about the top, but for me, it can be annoying trying to make a business call and driving 70+mph with so much road noise in the cabin. Also, I absolutely 
LOVED the audio system. Superb, crisp sound and I liked how the radio automatically raised and lowered the volume depending on the speed. Very nice.
Now, the third stop. A look at the Evolution and a visit that *I* did not expect a test drive. However, they (the dealer) seemed pretty interested in selling it (with a $3k markup that they considered throwing out the window if I bought today). The Evolution is very nice. An excellent "out of the box" automobile for sure, but it simply lacks something. One thing it's not lacking is $PRICE$. Sticker price was $30,800 and with their "Dealer Handling," the price shot up to $33,799.
But let's get past all that, the DRIVE, how was the DRIVE? I absolutely LOVED it! It handled the corners very well and the lovely turbo was ever so ready. I wanted to keep driving it. A feeling I rarely have with a new car. It was simply awesome and ALL that I could do is think about how GREAT this Evolution would drive on the Dragon. My wife did'nt care for the Evolution and thought that a row of Lancers near the rear of the dealership was a hige row of Evolutions.
You can't blame her. She also drove with me on the test-drive, but she did not really care for it. Hey, it's an acquired taste. I really believed Car and Driver after the drive, the Lancer Evolution is definately "comfortable to drive at the limit." Not to say that I *ever* got the Evo to that stage, but it certainly was inspiring my confidence.
After all this (quite a fun-filled day), my wife and I stopped by the Honda dealer in Jacksonville to see a couple getting out of a New Formula Red S2000, after a test drive. I pulle dup and said, "You'll absolutely love it, BUY IT!" This, of course, turned into a 20 minute conversation that *DID NOT* leave out s2ki.com! A great couple. I really hope they buy the car and join the board.
Well, I'm exhausted and running off to bed. Glad I could share.
First, we stopped at the Honda dealer in Wilmington that also sports an Acura dealer next door. My wife and I instantly eyed a new TSX. We took it for a leisurely drive around Wilmington and it was very nice. My wife really liked some of the features but overall, she felt it was just a "nicer" Accord.
Of course, that's pretty much what it is. The power is adequate and "good" for the car, but I think that some buyers will be wanting more than 200hp. The look of the exterior is flawless and aggressive. The interior is refined and simple, yet elegant. Overall the TSX was a good car for our drive. We (my wife and I) really liked it but it was'nt anything to go crazy over.Our second stop was to the BMW dealership where we found a 3.0 Z4 in Titanium Silver Metallic with Black interior. The car was specially ordered for a customer but the customer backed out at the last minute.
I have to say that I was *extremely* impressed with the features of the Z4. Of course, this model was sporting a $46k price tag too, so I had to remind myself of that. This was not the first Z4 I've driven but it *was* the first 6speed. The clutch was extremely sensitive and I hated it, just to be frank. Also, the shifter was not tight at all, IMO. If I were to buy one, I would certainly go with an Automatic with Step-tronic. I really disliked it that much. The power was constant but I really hated that the power seemed somewhat "delayed." Also, the handling was sub-par. I feel as my S2000 is on it's toes and the Z4 felt heavy and made lane change movements as I would suspect from a Caprice Classic. Okay, perhaps that was a bit over the edge. But I could not see myself driving the Z4 on the Dragon and enjoying it. The most enjoyable part of the Z4 was the "latch-less" top and the insulation the top provided. I know, who cares about the top, but for me, it can be annoying trying to make a business call and driving 70+mph with so much road noise in the cabin. Also, I absolutely LOVED the audio system. Superb, crisp sound and I liked how the radio automatically raised and lowered the volume depending on the speed. Very nice.Now, the third stop. A look at the Evolution and a visit that *I* did not expect a test drive. However, they (the dealer) seemed pretty interested in selling it (with a $3k markup that they considered throwing out the window if I bought today).
The Evolution is very nice. An excellent "out of the box" automobile for sure, but it simply lacks something. One thing it's not lacking is $PRICE$. Sticker price was $30,800 and with their "Dealer Handling," the price shot up to $33,799. But let's get past all that, the DRIVE, how was the DRIVE? I absolutely LOVED it! It handled the corners very well and the lovely turbo was ever so ready. I wanted to keep driving it. A feeling I rarely have with a new car. It was simply awesome and ALL that I could do is think about how GREAT this Evolution would drive on the Dragon. My wife did'nt care for the Evolution and thought that a row of Lancers near the rear of the dealership was a hige row of Evolutions. You can't blame her. She also drove with me on the test-drive, but she did not really care for it. Hey, it's an acquired taste. I really believed Car and Driver after the drive, the Lancer Evolution is definately "comfortable to drive at the limit." Not to say that I *ever* got the Evo to that stage, but it certainly was inspiring my confidence.After all this (quite a fun-filled day), my wife and I stopped by the Honda dealer in Jacksonville to see a couple getting out of a New Formula Red S2000, after a test drive. I pulle dup and said, "You'll absolutely love it, BUY IT!"
This, of course, turned into a 20 minute conversation that *DID NOT* leave out s2ki.com! A great couple. I really hope they buy the car and join the board.Well, I'm exhausted and running off to bed. Glad I could share.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Seattle
lol i didnt mean it about m3s
its my opinion based on 330Ci...i hate the electric throttle due to the hesitation and the clutch itself is too long...its hard to accurately use it...the shifter is bit long on the throw too
its my opinion based on 330Ci...i hate the electric throttle due to the hesitation and the clutch itself is too long...its hard to accurately use it...the shifter is bit long on the throw too
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,784
Likes: 2
From: Greer, SC
I don't know if the Z4 you drove had the sport package or not, but the one I drove did and it was a very nice handling car. I'd have to say that the only reason I'd rate it below the S2k would be because it felt heavier through tight turns. I agree with the clutch/shifter comments, which is why I want to drive the SMG version VERY badly! 
For $46k, though... I'd buy an $8000 beater and get on the waiting list for the Elise!!!
For $46k, though... I'd buy an $8000 beater and get on the waiting list for the Elise!!!
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: mount airy
I drove my friend's M3 and hated the clutch/shifter. I could get over it, but after the S2000 nothing is as good (except maybe the NSX )
BTW put the XLR on you list for test drive. I'd love a hard-top convertible. Maybe you can also test the new SL, but I think maybe GM is getting closer (less weight, less $$$, more power.
what am I saying? can a GM product really compete???)
)BTW put the XLR on you list for test drive. I'd love a hard-top convertible. Maybe you can also test the new SL, but I think maybe GM is getting closer (less weight, less $$$, more power.
what am I saying? can a GM product really compete???)
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 946
Likes: 1
From: NOVA/SI NY
I think that the clutch in the M3 is fine, it's harder in the S to find the take up point. The M3 cannot come close to comparing to an S2000 in the shifting department. I'm not sure that anything can. The quick ratio steering on the S is also one of it's strong points, in this regard the EVO VIII must be awesome.
