OK! Here are my initial impressions. Drove both the S and the CVT today for the first time. First the S, then the CVT. Hot late afternoon so A/C on in both. Route was about a three mile rectangle on city streets with traffic varying from heavy to very light. No switchbacks, hills or lengthy straightaways, 4 or 5 stop signs and lights. I loved the S! From the combination purr and whine of the engine to the easy but notchy transmission to the responsiveness of the car-it is a jewel. Easily a 10 on a 10 point scale! I loved the CVT! Responsive, even in D, and a real scoot in SD. The manual aspect of SD is a kick, but-maybe because of my inexperience-it performed better when I just let it do its thing. The engine/exhaust sound isn't as mellow-kind of raspy, and I like the body details better on the S, but those are the only negatives for me. The performance of the CVT was almost as terrific as the S, maybe a 9.2 on that 10 point scale, given the driving conditions. And I learned something about myself as a bonus. Despite many years of 911s, I no longer like to use a clutch. It might be ok once in a while, but for a daily driver on the Ventura Freeway, trying to get from Westlake Village to West LA or downtown on a Friday afternoon, my left knee aches just thinking about it! So, as of now, even if my wife isn't interested, I'm leaning toward the CVT. I want to spend a day with one and take it over the roads Spy mentioned, but I'd be surprised if I don't feel the same afterwards-the concept of that CVT is pretty terrific and I can understand why the posters who own that car rave about it. More later... |