What goes WRONG with a USED Honda CR-Z? Should you buy one?

This week we check out the Honda CR-Z, the spiritual successor to the CR-X from the 1990s. If you're in the market for a sporty, quirky, hybrid sports car, could this be it? What goes wrong with them, what are they like to drive and live with and most importantly, should you buy one? We find out.

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Skip ahead:
00:00​​​​​​​ - Intro
00:17 - Exterior issues
06:00 - Interior issues
08:15 - Practicality and features
11:02 - Safety
11:12 - What's it like to drive?
15:14 - What goes wrong?
18:27 - Should you buy it?

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#honda #crz #hondacrz #japanese #carreview #cars #carenthusiast #carexpert

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Listen to the podcast!

[stefanpulpitel]

Good on you guys for giving this car a fair shake. It gets dumped on so much by people who don't understand the intent

[PatrickTCAPIreland]

As an owner who hasn't watched yet, door handles go wrong and that's it

[Investment_Hedgehog]

I've had mine since it was only 4 or so years old - a 2010 manual with the full Mugen asthetics package. Engine got torn apart at 200, 000 KM, and the amount of wear on engine internals was very minimal. Never had oil dilution issues, in fact not once had it played up over the years.

Fast forward to today and it's heavily modified with forged aluminium and titanium internals, 17" accord Euro alloy wheels + Cusco adjustable suspension, custom titanium exhaust from the head back, Stand alone ECU, and a water injected supercharger.

It screams. It....screams!

[Codesta]

Got an original model when it was 2 years old in Japan.
He’s right about a lot of the issues. The door handles get sticky. The blind spots are insane, so I have to be super careful when changing lanes.
The plastic buttons do become yellow from the sun.
The entertainment system is garbage in this modern day.

Living in Japan, there are a lot of mountain roads. It’s an absolute joy to drive up a winding mountain in Sport mode.

I’ve had mine for 12 years and counting, and I’m not planning of selling it anytime soon.

[shapeshifter]

5th owner of a 2013. Bought at 100, 000 miles, currently at nearly 170, 000 miles. Beat the everloving shit out of it and no issues (other than the faded headlight housings). 6MT

[gaufrid]

I bought a brand new Honda Civic 1.5 five door hatchback back in 2012. For one of the services, the dealer wasn't able to complete the work on the day, and gave me a loan car overnight and for the next day. I was amazed. It was a red CR-Z with paddle shifters. I loved it. I would have loved to keep it, but unfortunately I couldn't afford it. I really enjoyed putting it in sport mode and using the paddle shifters. I remember when you were in eco mode there was green lighting on the dash, and it went red when in sport mode. It's true that rearward vision was not good, but my wife owned a 2003 Toyota Prius at the time, so it wasn't that different. I also remember it was a bit of a stretch back to the seatbelt. I certainly could have happily lived with one. What a beautiful car.

[kingjulian]

I recall when this car was named Car of the Year by Wheels. I think i might have seen about 3 of them on the road since. They were a complete failure sales wise.

[johnnybutler]

As an owner of a 2018 fk8 type r, I can testify that the paint is still shit. In fact, writing this has probably caused it to chip or scratch again 🤦🏻‍♂️

[xinrew]

ive been looking for a first car and the crz is one of the highest cars on my consideration list, so this video came at a right time! thank you redriven😁😁

[MrBryn]

I just took delivery of a brand new Suzuki Swift and it has even less power than this.
But because it weighs less than a ton it is an absolute delight to throw around.
Light weight with great steering and handling over fast and heavy every time.

[kornkernel]

Ever since I saw this in the road, I pretty much I love with this car and would love to own one someday. It is not really powerful but glad to hear and other reviews that this is still fun. The fact there is even supercharge model is interesting. I've seen others even done K-swap with these for serious horsepower, which also benefits a weight shed since hybrid don't work on those, thus no more batteries and associated components for those.

I hope Honda in the near future will make another CR-Z, maybe that might be a full EV or a proper hybrid.

Idk what's with Honda especially that era, but they really never fails me with their interior design especially dashboard. They just looks so futuristic, usable and aged well for me. Most early 2000 or mid 2000 cars dash just looks so dated to me, but most Honda's don't suffer. And the exterior styling of this car is just timeless.

[jasonkaroq]

I like it. Great car and video( as usual). I was in Barcelona in 2010 and there were around 25 cr-z's in various colours all parked on a hill in a line. I wish I still had the photo. It looked epic .

[scottcarter]

What goes wrong with a Honda CR...you lost me. Damn Adam, you still haven't made the swim to NZ for the NSX...I'll swim out and meet you halfway...

[jdmguy]

I can tell you that basically nothing goes wrong with a CRZ! My Mum has a white UK spec 2010 model - purchased new. It has not suffered any failures whatsoever in 14 years and only required tyres and some brake consumables to date. It still feels solid too with no rattles or creaks. Its fun to drive, economical and actually quite practical for a small coupe. Above all they look cool and as many comment, are destined to become future classics. A damn shame Honda discontinued them without a replacement.

[ashzciwobuz]

Had a 2011 manual with the cd player. Best car I've ever owned imo.

Edit: haven't watched yet but door handles and blindspots

[justinsmith]

Think you got your hybrid battery info around the wrong way. There are almost no major issues (especially in terms of failures) with the old Zf1 batteries. Yes they can lose efficiency but they can be rejuvenated. The update zf2 lithium ion batteries are more prone to failure and way more cases of catastrophic issues with those. The first gen is definitely the one to go for in terms of overall reliability

[ivjo]

As someone who picked up a CRZ recently I am very happy to see you guys thoughts on it. :)

[Asymmetry]

Do love the look of the car but was underwhelmed what was under the bonnet. If it had a K series motor would be commanding insane used prices now.

[Beef]

Loved this review! Would it be possible to review a Nissan Maxima A33? Im planning to buy one and would love for you to do a review on it. Keep up the good work!

[lucasaviro]

Love this car, would get this easily over a audi, bmw. Not a fan of the manual (probably cant drive one lol) but good car
Im Just waiting for the Prelude video