I can see the comparisons now. Both will weigh around 2500lb, priced around 22, 2+2 seating, and very efficient. Honda is shooting to hit 40mpg on regular fuel for this hybrid while making it incredibly sporty. Lets not forget the car having a 6speed manual transmission standard. U.S. spec engine is rumored to have a 160hp 204lb torque 1.8 liter engine. We have an R56 in the family and I'd love to see how the Japanese counterpart would compete. How do you think she will hold up?

Honda says it is 95% production ready:

 

Yeccch! It's a Honda. 'Nuff said.

 

Its a polarizing design...i like it! I won't be buying one but it is fun looking. Lets see how it turns out when it hits our shores.

 

I have always liked the CRX but I'm not really feeling the CR-Z.

 

What is going on with that dashboard? Looks awfully cluttered and disorganized.

 

Mature.

 

The honda will not have cold start rattle,break sunroofs,have electrical problems,will be tuner friendly,will have dealers that care,if repair is needed out of warranty the honda will be inexpensive to repair and the honda will have friendly service staff to keep your car at its best.

The honda will be a appliance , will not give you a smile when you get behind the wheel and will be just like the other honda you just passed.

 

I agree with most of that Stig. Its crazy how I can get 4 OEM brake pads on my S2000 for the less than the cost of 2 OEM on the MINI. It just annoys me when people say it still a "Honda." I stick up for the MINI too when the Honda guys are telling me how expensive it is to repair out of pocket.

The S2000 is fun to drive. The NSX was a blast. Has anyone ever drivin a FWD European Civic Type R. Oh my GAWWD!! Amazing. Integra Type R? Amazing. CRX Si? Too tossable! The NSX and S2k are two cars that came out of left field and blew its competitors out of the water when it was suppose to. Honda having canned anything worth looking at by enthusiasts know they need something right now. Just the fact its available with a different engine and a 6MT says something. I hope it comes true.

 

Wow, I feel bad for the people who have crappy dealer service from Mini. Our dealer is awesome.

I also fully expected the MCS to be expensive to maintain. It's a premium vehicle to a certain extent.

With regards to the CR-Z, it's a pretty nice looking car, especially from the outside. Interior is pretty meh inducing. I've never had the joy of driving an S2000 or NSX, but every other Honda (Integras, Civic, Accords, Preludes) I've driven has been boring as sin. Granted, my brother in law's CRX SI was fun, but it was also a trash heap.

I doubt the CR-Z will have the driving dynamics and grin inducing fun of an MCS.

 

I have my doubts as well but ya never know.

 

looks pretty good!

 

Honda makes great cars. This one looks interesting. Looking forward to seeing the production version..

 

The exterior looks good to me and the interior definitely beats the center stack of the MINI. Ugh. I'd consider getting one as a cheap commuter car if I still have a commute in a couple years. I'd also consider a fit or fiesta and this seems like a much nicer option than either of those. Now if only we could get the Fiat 500 or Mito here...

 

I have driven a U.K. spec type R

I had a New Crx si back in 87 and loved it


I use my Jcw as a track day car and shopped Civic Si and found the only traight of any Honda Dna was a lack of Tq.


If honda would get rid of the buck rogers styling and have the engineers design the cars and suspensions again i may go back to owning a honda for my cheap weekend play toy.


The only drawbacks to Mini would be that it is designed by germans and made by english,cost of purchase , cost of repairs and parts,lack of dealer coverage and the volkswagen cabrio type of classification .

 

We will get the 500 but it will be built by Chrysler Just imagine owning a car with fiat reliability and chrysler build quaility

 

I like it, but we will have to wait & see what it looks like when it reaches production. Comparing it with a MINI is kind of an apples & oranges comparison.

The CR-Z may have 2+2 seating, but only little kids are going to fit back there. Anyone of normal size will have to be legless & headless. In a MINI they only need to be legless.

Looking at the pictures I'm wondering how one will attach a big aluminum Pep Boys wing & there is no place for the required 14 inch fart pipe.

All in all I think it looks good.

 

Looking at the pictures I'm wondering how one will attach a big aluminum Pep Boys wing & there is no place for the required 14 inch fart pipe.

I think the latest Honda/Ghetto performance mod is having four 20 inch fart cans coming out the back.

 

We are a little behind the times around here. Thankfully that hasn't happened here just yet. WOW can't wait for it.

 

When I was shopping for a new car I test drove an S2000 and an Integra Type R on the winding roads in the hills east of Monterey. I've own a 1990 Integra for 20 years (1989 Oct. 31 and still have it). I like the reliability of the Honda/Acura, and my Integra has been a good car. However, none of them were as much fun to drive as the MCS.

 

When I was shopping for a new car I test drove an S2000 and an Integra Type R on the winding roads in the hills east of Monterey.

I had a ball running a Ferrari 430 scudaria up and down the Pch and the Cvr

 

That sounds like fun alright. Did you take it down to Big Sur? Or, out Carmel Valley Road past the Village? Nice run from Carmel Valley Village to Arroyo Seca.

 

Makes me pine for my younger days and my 1984 CRX. Fun little car that could do a u-turn on a residential street without coming near the curbs. Simpler times.

 

I've always preferred German cars over Japanese. Even though the Mini is technically English I would assume it has some German input since BMW owns it. I know it feels German when driving one. Nothing wrong with the Japanese vehicles but the don't seem as sport oriented, they are simply to mushy for me. So I'll be sticking with the Mini, thank you

 

I'll look forward to test driving one. Hard to imagine that it could be as fun to drive as a MINI.

 

I love it and look forward to having more small, fun, and fuel efficient cars on the market.