New Owner Observation / Stories

[madbikes]

There is no way I'd expect the FL5 to drive like a S2000/Miata. That would be breaking physics.

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[TypeRD]

Took delivery today. My observation is that pics DO NOT do this car justice. It’s so much wider and muscular in person than I was expecting…which matches what others have said. It’s like the difference between a normal BMW 3 series and an M3. When you see an M3 it is unmistakable. This car is like that. I love it. I’ve gone out to the garage several times to look at it. I’m still in shock that it’s mine. I’m such a nerd.?

As far as driving, I haven’t had much time with it yet obvi, but so far so good. No concerns. Shifts are tight and precise. I haven’t experienced any notchiness as I was expecting from a brand new tranny. It feels tight, but always goes into gear as it should. Note I am shifting pretty slow too as I’m getting used to clutch’s engagement, so that’s likely a factor. It’s pretty different from my 2009 Si I drove for almost 14 years.?

Regarding ride feel, my first impression is that Comfort mode is great for around town. Some have said it feels harsh/rough. I don’t feel that way at all. Did I mention I’m coming from a 2009 Si? ? But seriously, I think it’s mostly a matter of experience and road quality. Time and a few road trips could change my opinion, but I kinda doubt it.

 

[CTR]

There is no way I'd expect the FL5 to drive like a S2000/Miata. That would be breaking physics.

Sorry that statement was more directed at anyone following along - not you directly. My previous "fun car" was an S2000 a few years ago so that's where my comparison comes from. Driving the same roads I used to drive the most noticeable thing is smaller roundabouts.

Regarding ride feel, my first impression is that Comfort mode is great for around town. Some have said it feels harsh/rough. I don’t feel that way at all. Did I mention I’m coming from a 2009 Si? ? But seriously, I think it’s mostly a matter of experience and road quality. Time and a few road trips could change my opinion, but I kinda doubt it.

Congratulations! Comfort is definitely harsher than a normal car but I've noticed it's actually more comfortable than my newer Tacoma on E rated tires. It is all relative and I think it will only be that much better on 18" wheels and slightly thicker sidewalls. The only thing I wish Comfort mode could do is get rid of the road noise on some road surfaces!

 

[TypeRD]

Yeah there’s an overpass I have to cross to get to and from home. It’s loud in any car, because the sound resonates (since the road isn’t on the ground, it’s suspended). In the CTR that overpass is crazy loud. Hahahaha! I guess there’s a price to be paid for the huge contact patch of those wide tires. Not to mention, it’s still a Civic, so it’s not loaded with a lot of sound damping. I’m good with it. To me it’s just one of the idiosyncrasies of the car and not really a problem. My 2009 Si was definitely not a quiet and refined ride. Like you said, it’s all relative.

 

[madbikes]

Sorry that statement was more directed at anyone following along - not you directly. My previous "fun car" was an S2000 a few years ago so that's where my comparison comes from. Driving the same roads I used to drive the most noticeable thing is smaller roundabouts.

No offence taken at all.

 

[TDC50]

Have a little over 1000 miles and so am more willing now to drive it in the 2500-5000 rpm range on curving exit ramps and curving on ramps. Man this car comes alive in that rpm range and in the curves. It feels it was milled from a chunk of aluminum; light on its feet and solid. Corners super flat as well. Amongst all of the cars I’ve owned (9 of them) this is at the top for driving enjoyment and practicality on the streets. I look forward to my daily commute to work now

Made such a good choice buying this car instead of a GR86 or the CT4-V Blackwing. I know, they are all quite different but was looking for a more unique experience than what I’ve already had so my choices were quite diverse

 

[Sazabi]

Took delivery today. My observation is that pics DO NOT do this car justice. It’s so much wider and muscular in person than I was expecting…which matches what others have said. It’s like the difference between a normal BMW 3 series and an M3. When you see an M3 it is unmistakable. This car is like that. I love it. I’ve gone out to the garage several times to look at it. I’m still in shock that it’s mine. I’m such a nerd.?

As far as driving, I haven’t had much time with it yet obvi, but so far so good. No concerns. Shifts are tight and precise. I haven’t experienced any notchiness as I was expecting from a brand new tranny. It feels tight, but always goes into gear as it should. Note I am shifting pretty slow too as I’m getting used to clutch’s engagement, so that’s likely a factor. It’s pretty different from my 2009 Si I drove for almost 14 years.?

Regarding ride feel, my first impression is that Comfort mode is great for around town. Some have said it feels harsh/rough. I don’t feel that way at all. Did I mention I’m coming from a 2009 Si? ? But seriously, I think it’s mostly a matter of experience and road quality. Time and a few road trips could change my opinion, but I kinda doubt it.

THIS. People would stop shitting on the car's looks, if people read this and just gave an opportunity to see the car in person.

Described my feeling perfectly.

 

[CyberCTR]

THIS. People would stop shitting on the car's looks, if people read this and just gave an opportunity to see the car in person.

Described my feeling perfectly.

TBH I don't know how people think it looks like the pics. There is such a significant difference and pics don't do it justice. I still am in awe a lot of the time when I walk up to my CTR at just how low it sits and its presence.

 

[Rhorn]

Regarding ride feel, my first impression is that Comfort mode is great for around town. Some have said it feels harsh/rough. I don’t feel that way at all. Did I mention I’m coming from a 2009 Si? ? But seriously, I think it’s mostly a matter of experience and road quality. Time and a few road trips could change my opinion, but I kinda doubt it.

Congrats on your car.

So about the comfort mode. I dont think most people know this but the dampers/suspension actually changes based off of your driving behavior. So if you are driving slow or not aggressive, it will feel more soft. I don't know all of the parameters that the sensors monitor like if Gs, or steering input come into play, but the ride does change. So that could be why some people say that it feels harsh. There are times when it does feel a bit rough (not as bad as +R) but since I learned that its based of your driving behavior I've gone alot slower in certain areas and noticed that it will ride better

 

[TypeRD]

Congrats on your car.

So about the comfort mode. I dont think most people know this but the dampers/suspension actually changes based off of your driving behavior. So if you are driving slow or not aggressive, it will feel more soft. I don't know all of the parameters that the sensors monitor like if Gs, or steering input come into play, but the ride does change. So that could be why some people say that it feels harsh. There are times when it does feel a bit rough (not as bad as +R) but since I learned that its based of your driving behavior I've gone alot slower in certain areas and noticed that it will ride better

Thanks! That’s good to know. I’ve only driven around town a little bit and was being careful not to increase cop magnetism beyond the normal baseline setting that’s built into the car from the factory.?

 

[Robert.C]

It's definitely not a small car. You can feel it in the tight roundabouts. It's still plenty fun to drive but if you're expecting Miata/S2000 feel you will not get it with the FL5 (or likely any 4 door car).

This is my biggest fear. I'm still excited about the car and I'm still confident that I'll enjoy it, but for the pure, simple pleasure of driving, I doubt it will be able to match my AP1.

 

[rui]

This is my biggest fear. I'm still excited about the car and I'm still confident that I'll enjoy it, but for the pure, simple pleasure of driving, I doubt it will be able to match my AP1.

It's best as a companion to an AP1, rather than a replacement.

 

[Robert.C]

It's best as a companion to an AP1, rather than a replacement.

Which it will be!

 

[VPMotors]

Hey new owners,

Congrats on your new purchase. I had a question for you all; might seem a little stupid but bear with me. My experience driving manuals is wholly in India, where my parents own a diesel hatchback, and most relatives have diesel cars too, due to diesel being cheaper than petrol back home and giving better gas mileage. Owing to the fact that diesel cars have higher torque which is available lower down in the rev range when compared to similar segment petrol cars, they start moving ahead when you let go of the clutch, without needing any throttle application. So my muscle memory of driving a manual is just modulating the clutch to get moving, with no throttle application. I drove a manual Mustang V8 here once, and because it had lots of torque, it was the same for that car (just modulating the clutch to get moving without requiring any throttle). I was wondering if the Type R had the same requirement to just get it moving. I can modulate the clutch just fine but whenever I have driven petrol hatchbacks in India (they are tiny ones with less than 100 HP and 100 lb ft torque), I have stalled them because of them needing the throttle as well. My guess is that with more than 300 lb ft of torque, the Type R shouldn't need the throttle like the Mustang to get moving. Could you let me know what has been your observation so far?

Regards,

Vivek.

 

[Dallman]

I taught my grandson to drive my 2019 Type R. It is really hard to make it stall. Probably one of the easiest cars to drive. I'm sure the new one will be the same.

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