First Road Trip Report

[2cam16]

Just got back yesterday from an SFO-Yosemite/Twain Hearte/ Columbia-SFO trip and I must say, this "van" performed better than I thought ! Break-in period finished during the trip. Gas mileage was what I expected, MUCH better than my ex-Odyssey. 2 fill-ups averaged us with 25mpg, this with a/c on almost the whole trip and a lot of climbing, some steep at that.
I was pretty impressed with the handling of the car in the twisties. BETTER than my ex-Odyssey on H&R springs.The steering reaction in left-right-left transitions was very good. Felt even better than my WRX ! Tires seem to grip well. I didn't hear any squealing.
Power was there, the "van' held it's own. Although I got used to a V-6 but this 4 is pretty good. I accidentally hit the rev-limiter in 2nd on a manu-shift mode overtake of a semi. I forgot I was on manu and my wife was like " what was that !" . I just told her we hit the rev-limiter, no biggie. ;)
Space was definitely limited compared to the Odyssey but still enough for us. Comfort was good.
The tint I had installed definitely helped during the trip.
All in all, a pretty good vehicle for a road trip and I'm happy. :)
Some pics:
Right outside Yosemite Valley
http://www.pbase.com/2cam16/image/64982998.jpg
In the valley below El Capitan
http://www.pbase.com/2cam16/image/64981644.jpg
On Highway 120 outside Yosemite
http://www.pbase.com/2cam16/image/64981714.jpg

[jandree22]

Beautiful shots and VERY glad to hear you had a great trip... I'm so eager to take delivery it's not funny!

haha, the rev limiter... for those that know what it is, when you hit it it's just an 'oops' moment, but for the wife sittin next to you, it's like 'did you just break the car'?! I definately hit it the same way you did on a test drive. vvvrrrRRROOOOOroOOMroOOMroOOMroOOM (lol2)

[2cam16]

Thanks, Jandree. I found that spot on the highway a couple of years ago and told the wife that we HAVE to stop there this time to get some pics. That scenery and the afternoon sun worked out perfect.
It is a fun vehicle. Looks like it will even be more fun than our former as I think I may be "sneaking" this out one of these days to go autocrossing instead of my usual WRX ! :D
LOL about the wife. You hit it right on the spot. Just how mine reacted.
So any updates on your delivery date ? You must be itching !!

[jandree22]

Looks like it will even be more fun than our former as I think I may be "sneaking" this out one of these days to go autocrossing instead of my usual WRX ! :D
Just remember, shiny side up! (first)
http://img335.imageshack.us/img335/2484/02005330788000dy.jpg



So any updates on your delivery date ? You must be itching !!
Yes, I'm dying. Last Friday I called my dealer... it was supposedly built sometime last week and he'd have more info and the VIN by the end of this week. I called tonight, he wasn't in and I left a voice mail. It's supposedly due in for delivery sometime near the end of August/early September. I have vacation the last week in August so it'll be interesting to see what comes first... hopefully it'll come in while I'm gone so I'll have something to look forward to when I leave Key West :)

[Zoom5Zoom]

jandree hope they don't sell it while your on vacation.............. jk

[iam1ru12]

Great pics. I also saw your post on the Ody board....you showed great restraint. I wish we could get the Mazda5, but with 3 little ones (and a dog) it's just not possible. It's most likely a 2G Ody for us.

Glad you had a great time....hard to imagine it handled anywhere near a WRX, awesome!

-Mike

[2cam16]

Great pics. I also saw your post on the Ody board....you showed great restraint. I wish we could get the Mazda5, but with 3 little ones (and a dog) it's just not possible. It's most likely a 2G Ody for us.

Glad you had a great time....hard to imagine it handled anywhere near a WRX, awesome!

-Mike
Thanks Mike. Yeah, I'm still doing my mod duties over at the Ody board.
You will definitely need a larger vehicle for the little ones and the dog. Specially if you go on a roadtrip.
Yeah, like I mentioned, the steering response seemed quicker than my WRX. :)