So I had already driven one once, but it was very tame city driving and the salesperson was with me. Car was reminiscint of my MSP, so I liked it. Went for a drive today and got to fly solo. So here goes:
The porter pulled the car up, and I noticed immediately that the exhaust note was almost 'burpy.' Im assuming it was because it was cold and runs pig rich, so fuel was igniting someone in the exhaust, creating small pulses. Got in the car and the CEL was on. Immediately a bad taste in my mouth. The friendly salesman said it was nothing, that if it isnt blinking it is fine, and that it is prolly from them refueling the car with it running. I didnt see them fuel it before they gave it to me, but whatever. The car is super easy to drive. Clutch releases a little higher than I am used to, but I got used to it quick. Does anyone with bigger feet think that the gas and brake pedals are awfully close? I was wearing size 12 dress shoes and I had to be careful when I first took off not to heel-toe the damn thing, but again, I got used to that. Power was pretty impressive. I took it on a backroad, revved it to 2.7K and slipped it fast, and was promptly introduced to the traction control. Got out of it,went WOT again, hit 1-2 pretty hard and BAM. Thought the transmission was going to come thru the floor. Is that due to that rear motor mount or is the tranny mount weak or is this not common at all? Either way, it was not pleasant. So anyways, whipped thru some twisties and it felt nice. Got back on the highway, hit 1-2 not as hard, no bang, then was wow'd by 2nd. It pulled pretty damn good. Hit 6K fast and then felt what the dyno sheets show. You really can feel the fall off in power over 6K. Anyways, hit 2-3 pretty hard and missed 3rd. Anyone else think the gearbox is a bit loose for a performance car? Banged when I missed 3rd, not the normal grind noise you hear, so im guessing that car has a bad tranny mount. Goosed it in 2nd again and hit 3rd around 6K and did fine. Definitely a learning curve with this gearbox coming from a shortshifted T56. Overall, I couldnt make a decision. I havent really driven anything else, and I love the concept of this car, but Im not sold on the finished product just yet. I think Ill need to drive one again before I can even think about buying one. I think the one I drove may have just been flogged on pretty good, because the whole tranny slamming issue shouldnt be happening and it can throw off the geometry of the entire driveline and I would assume make shifts more laborous. Should I go find another one to drive or is this stuff common (banging, sloshy gearbox)?
The porter pulled the car up, and I noticed immediately that the exhaust note was almost 'burpy.' Im assuming it was because it was cold and runs pig rich, so fuel was igniting someone in the exhaust, creating small pulses. Got in the car and the CEL was on. Immediately a bad taste in my mouth. The friendly salesman said it was nothing, that if it isnt blinking it is fine, and that it is prolly from them refueling the car with it running. I didnt see them fuel it before they gave it to me, but whatever. The car is super easy to drive. Clutch releases a little higher than I am used to, but I got used to it quick. Does anyone with bigger feet think that the gas and brake pedals are awfully close? I was wearing size 12 dress shoes and I had to be careful when I first took off not to heel-toe the damn thing, but again, I got used to that. Power was pretty impressive. I took it on a backroad, revved it to 2.7K and slipped it fast, and was promptly introduced to the traction control. Got out of it,went WOT again, hit 1-2 pretty hard and BAM. Thought the transmission was going to come thru the floor. Is that due to that rear motor mount or is the tranny mount weak or is this not common at all? Either way, it was not pleasant. So anyways, whipped thru some twisties and it felt nice. Got back on the highway, hit 1-2 not as hard, no bang, then was wow'd by 2nd. It pulled pretty damn good. Hit 6K fast and then felt what the dyno sheets show. You really can feel the fall off in power over 6K. Anyways, hit 2-3 pretty hard and missed 3rd. Anyone else think the gearbox is a bit loose for a performance car? Banged when I missed 3rd, not the normal grind noise you hear, so im guessing that car has a bad tranny mount. Goosed it in 2nd again and hit 3rd around 6K and did fine. Definitely a learning curve with this gearbox coming from a shortshifted T56. Overall, I couldnt make a decision. I havent really driven anything else, and I love the concept of this car, but Im not sold on the finished product just yet. I think Ill need to drive one again before I can even think about buying one. I think the one I drove may have just been flogged on pretty good, because the whole tranny slamming issue shouldnt be happening and it can throw off the geometry of the entire driveline and I would assume make shifts more laborous. Should I go find another one to drive or is this stuff common (banging, sloshy gearbox)?
. Besides 2007.5 might bring bigger and better things.
