[slmerc]

Like to share my test drive experience with everyone here.

Went to the showroom today to have a look at the car and was hoping for
chance to test drive it. The Salesman did not hesitate to offer a test
drive but I had to wait for more than an hour before it was my turn. But
it was good because the first round I sat at the back while another
customer drove at the front with her girlfriend.

Anyway here is my take on this car:

Looks, Build and Quality:

Looking at this car in the flesh, I have to say for the exterior the car
looks as good or even better in real life. The car looks best from front
quarter which most promotional shots are shown. I love the clean but
aggressive lines of the front. The front air intake is big and going
against conventional aerodynamic wisdom, is slightly slanted “backwards”
front to back. From the sides you can see some of the Galant DNA, with
an aggressive tapered front. Here the lancer does not break any
traditional design rules but end up looking good

Similar story at the back and the rear lights is a hate it or love it
affair. BTW the back part looks compact and short compared to most car of
its size. The back of the car is also the place I have my biggest gripe.
Here is where you’ll see the biggest spoiler this side of a Lancer EVO.
I’d reckon you’d add 5kph to the top speed just by removing the damn
thing (more about performance later). Plus every time I look out the
rearview mirror I get the impression the world is horizontally split in
half! That said the spoiler is well made and not just a flimsy piece
plastic add on you see on most boy racer cars. Anyway I’d be more than
happy if they left that option to the aftermarket guys.

Moving inside, you’re greeted with a dark interior (which I’m personally
not a big fan of). The plastics (yes it’s still an averaged priced family
sedan) are pretty good quality but they lack the soft feel of some other
makes. The “napa” leather feels good to the touch but the lack of grain
(it has very fine grain) and will give some the impression that it’s not
real leather. The front driver seats are a real treat as they have one
of the best side supports I’ve seen on any similar class of car and it
has great adjustability. I was very quickly able to adjust to perfect and
comfortable driving position and I have to say what a great driving
position that was.

By the time I waited to drive the car it was already dark so it was a
good chance to see dashboard and meter illumination. Plus points here
again. While the meter cluster looks average in the day time at night it
really shines (pardon the pun). It’s bright and clear and not too glaring
or “ah beng” looking. The best feature of the meter cluster is of course
the Multi Information Display or “MID”. This little gem shows you the
gear you’re in (in paddle shift mode), temp, fuel levels, average speed,
average and current fuel consumption, distance before you run dry and
when it is the next time you need to service the car. One neat trick I
noticed (because I was driving a car with almost no petrol left) is that
it warns you that you’re going to be empty by flashing a big YELLOW pump
icon on the MID. Why was I impressed? Because the MID and backlight
primarily displays all pertinent information in RED and warning displays
in Yellow…. This is smart as in a sea of red backlight another RED
warning display will not be noticed… It also shows someone was obviously
thinking when they designed this.

Other controls like aircond, light switches are pretty standard and easy
to use even. The A/C can be set to full auto or the blower can be pretty
finely adjusted (I count at least 6 steps for the blower).

Performance, Ride, Handling (the fun parts) and NVH (not so fun part)

Remember: I was driving with an addition of 3 adult passengers.

First thing I thought to myself when I saw those huge 18” (215/45R18)
wheels with low profile tires was : “This car will not ride very well”
and I have All in‰2Like to share my test drive experience with everyone here.

Went to the showroom today to have a look at the car and was hoping for
chance to test drive it. The Salesman did not hesitate to offer a test
drive but I had to wait for more than an hour before it was my turn. But
it was good because the first round I sat at the back while another
customer drove at the front with her girlfriend.

Anyway here is my take on this car:

Looks, Build and Quality:

Looking at this car in the flesh, I have to say for the exterior the car
looks as good or even better in real life. The car looks best from front
quarter which most promotional shots are shown. I love the clean but
aggressive lines of the front. The front air intake is big and going
against conventional aerodynamic wisdom, is slightly slanted “backwards”
front to back. From the sides you can see some of the Galant DNA, with
an aggressive tapered front. Here the lancer does not break any
traditional design rules but end up looking good

Similar story at the back and the rear lights is a hate it or love it
affair. BTW the back part looks compact and short compared to most car of
its size. The back of the car is also the place I have my biggest gripe.
Here is where you’ll see the biggest spoiler this side of a Lancer EVO.
I’d reckon you’d add 5kph to the top speed just by removing the damn
thing (more about performance later). Plus every time I look out the
rearview mirror I get the impression the world is horizontally split in
half! That said the spoiler is well made and not just a flimsy piece
plastic add on you see on most boy racer cars. Anyway I’d be more than
happy if they left that option to the aftermarket guys.

Moving inside, you’re greeted with a dark interior (which I’m personally
not a big fan of). The plastics (yes it’s still an averaged priced family
sedan) are pretty good quality but they lack the soft feel of some other
makes. The “napa” leather feels good to the touch but the lack of grain
(it has very fine grain) and will give some the impression that it’s not
real leather. The front driver seats are a real treat as they have one
of the best side supports I’ve seen on any similar class of car and it
has great adjustability. I was very quickly able to adjust to perfect and
comfortable driving position and I have to say what a great driving
position that was.

By the time I waited to drive the car it was already dark so it was a
good chance to see dashboard and meter illumination. Plus points here
again. While the meter cluster looks average in the day time at night it
really shines (pardon the pun). It’s bright and clear and not too glaring
or “ah beng” looking. The best feature of the meter cluster is of course
the Multi Information Display or “MID”. This little gem shows you the
gear you’re in (in paddle shift mode), temp, fuel levels, average speed,
average and current fuel consumption, distance before you run dry and
when it is the next time you need to service the car. One neat trick I
noticed (because I was driving a car with almost no petrol left) is that
it warns you that you’re going to be empty by flashing a big YELLOW pump
icon on the MID. Why was I impressed? Because the MID and backlight
primarily displays all pertinent information in RED and warning displays
in Yellow…. This is smart as in a sea of red backlight another RED
warning display will not be noticed… It also shows someone was obviously
thinking when they designed this.

Other controls like aircond, light switches are pretty standard and easy
to use even. The A/C can be set to full auto or the blower can be pretty
finely adjusted (I count at least 6 steps for the blower).

Performance, Ride, Handling (the fun parts) and NVH (not so fun part)

Remember: I was driving with an addition of 3 adult passengers.

First thing I thought to myself when I saw those huge 18” (215/45R18)
wheels with low profile tires was : “This car will not ride very well”
and I have All in‰2Like to share my test drive experience with everyone here.

Went to the showroom today to have a look at the car and was hoping for
chance to test drive it. The Salesman did not hesitate to offer a test
drive but I had to wait for more than an hour before it was my turn. But
it was good because the first round I sat at the back while another
customer drove at the front with her girlfriend.

Anyway here is my take on this car:

Looks, Build and Quality:

Looking at this car in the flesh, I have to say for the exterior the car
looks as good or even better in real life. The car looks best from front
quarter which most promotional shots are shown. I love the clean but
aggressive lines of the front. The front air intake is big and going
against conventional aerodynamic wisdom, is slightly slanted “backwards”
front to back. From the sides you can see some of the Galant DNA, with
an aggressive tapered front. Here the lancer does not break any
traditional design rules but end up looking good

Similar story at the back and the rear lights is a hate it or love it
affair. BTW the back part looks compact and short compared to most car of
its size. The back of the car is also the place I have my biggest gripe.
Here is where you’ll see the biggest spoiler this side of a Lancer EVO.
I’d reckon you’d add 5kph to the top speed just by removing the damn
thing (more about performance later). Plus every time I look out the
rearview mirror I get the impression the world is horizontally split in
half! That said the spoiler is well made and not just a flimsy piece
plastic add on you see on most boy racer cars. Anyway I’d be more than
happy if they left that option to the aftermarket guys.

Moving inside, you’re greeted with a dark interior (which I’m personally
not a big fan of). The plastics (yes it’s still an averaged priced family
sedan) are pretty good quality but they lack the soft feel of some other
makes. The “napa” leather feels good to the touch but the lack of grain
(it has very fine grain) and will give some the impression that it’s not
real leather. The front driver seats are a real treat as they have one
of the best side supports I’ve seen on any similar class of car and it
has great adjustability. I was very quickly able to adjust to perfect and
comfortable driving position and I have to say what a great driving
position that was.

By the time I waited to drive the car it was already dark so it was a
good chance to see dashboard and meter illumination. Plus points here
again. While the meter cluster looks average in the day time at night it
really shines (pardon the pun). It’s bright and clear and not too glaring
or “ah beng” looking. The best feature of the meter cluster is of course
the Multi Information Display or “MID”. This little gem shows you the
gear you’re in (in paddle shift mode), temp, fuel levels, average speed,
average and current fuel consumption, distance before you run dry and
when it is the next time you need to service the car. One neat trick I
noticed (because I was driving a car with almost no petrol left) is that
it warns you that you’re going to be empty by flashing a big YELLOW pump
icon on the MID. Why was I impressed? Because the MID and backlight
primarily displays all pertinent information in RED and warning displays
in Yellow…. This is smart as in a sea of red backlight another RED
warning display will not be noticed… It also shows someone was obviously
thinking when they designed this.

Other controls like aircond, light switches are pretty standard and easy
to use even. The A/C can be set to full auto or the blower can be pretty
finely adjusted (I count at least 6 steps for the blower).

Performance, Ride, Handling (the fun parts) and NVH (not so fun part)

Remember: I was driving with an addition of 3 adult passengers.

First thing I thought to myself when I saw those huge 18” (215/45R18)
wheels with low profile tires was : “This car will not ride very well”
and I have All in‰2Like to share my test drive experience with everyone here.

Went to the showroom today to have a look at the car and was hoping for
chance to test drive it. The Salesman did not hesitate to offer a test
drive but I had to wait for more than an hour before it was my turn. But
it was good because the first round I sat at the back while another
customer drove at the front with her girlfriend.

Anyway here is my take on this car:

Looks, Build and Quality:

Looking at this car in the flesh, I have to say for the exterior the car
looks as good or even better in real

[ace]

apprecite the lengthy report. I will try it this weekend to confirm
again. As for the exhaust note, I think it can be address by patch up
Dynamatt (aftermarket sound insulator) through out the boot area.

[911]

appreciate ur review.
Have heard someone talk abt the exhaust note or the engine noise when rev up.
Hope ppl going for test drive pay attention to this.

How abt pick up (compare to civic 2.0) and wind noise?

[slmerc]

Thanks,

The last time Id rove the Civic was during it's launch some months ago
and the Hoanda salesman was "Stingy" with the test drive session, so I
migth actually visit Honda for anoterh test drive. But I think
acceleration times migth be similar but teh Civic may have better kick
feeling during acceleration.

I didn't notice wind noise but it probably the tire noise that over
powered everything else.

[911]

Slmerc,

It is difficult to choose between Civic 2.0 and the new Lancer.
I think there r key factors in deciding 1 of them:

1) Performance of i-Vtech engine vs New Mitsubishi Mivec Aluminium engine
2) Ride and handling
3) Saving of Lancer lower price + 3yrs free maintenance Vs higher resale
price of Civic

[fretsurf]

The exhaust noise is not isolated. It was evident during my test drive as
well.

The cabin is quiet. While stopping at traffic lights, I could not hear the
engine sound at all except for the aircond blower. Which might explain why
the gripe on the exhaust noise and the tyre noise as well, which was
noticeable during drives.

Paddle shift works... and I was really having fun!

At the end of the day, after comparing Honda 2.0S to the Lancer, I decided
to book the Lancer.

[dejase]

Any idea where we can check out this car in Ipoh?

[syuhairi]

dejase

u can see at EON Jln Kuala Kangsar... Went for a look yesterday. So bad
no test drive unit. Only for showroom unit..

[ace]

911,

I can say that the civic resale value wouldn`t be as great as before as
now it is ckd. I have friend who tried to sell of his 2.0 civic which is
8-9months only can only fetch 100k-105k. This is 20K depreciate in less
than 1 year! So, please don`t have the same mind set as last time.

[dejase]

Thanks !! I check MMM website and it didnt show any location in Ipoh.