That 'Grinding the Gears' Sound

When you “grind the gears” while shifting,
the sound is these two plates rubbing together.

It’s a Honda, from their first ever Manual Driving School.  I blogged it here.

I did not grind the gears.

(click the link above to see an opposite POV video)

With me is Alen, the gentleman behind the event.  We’re in a 2012 Honda Civic Si HFP.

 

Only Manual Hybrid in Existence – the CRZ

Honda CR-Z
Manual version starts at $22,590

The dash controls are so compacted, I was able to show the entire dash, in one collage; rarely happens.

And I fit the backseat into the collage, too. Probably because it’s so small.

No literally; I’m a miniature person, and it’s squishy for me.

It’s great, because who wants passengers, anyway?

 

 

Luxury Vehicle Ownership comes with Decorum

Broke in a brand new Acura ILX. 

No dramatics; I turned it over to a 4-digit odometer YA buddy.

The Acura ILX is their brand-new model that’s entry-level luxury.

To celebrate the launch is the Acura Finishing School:
an evening of styling, and etiquette training.

You’re graduating into luxury automobile ownership, conducting yourself with more decorum comes along with that. 

Welcome to my blog, guys!  

The evening was geared towards men, (no more jeans and sneakers fellas, get used to blazers and suit jackets).  How I was also invited was because I don’t know, I was just glad.

A 4 course meal, while etiquette coach Linda Allan reminded us of proper dining etiquette; she was, and it was, awesome.

At the evening’s conclusion, we were handed keys to a brand new ILX.

There are 6 different versions of the car, including their first-ever Hybrid, congratulations Acura!

Bolstered and stitched seats, crisp and ergonomic trimming, a quick and reliable engine, a 15GB hard drive for music, all features here: Acura ILX

Starting at $27,790.

Subtle classiness.

I wrote about the experience in this week’s, ‘Keri on Driving’ column.  Please read for tips I learned from Linda, they’re good reminders.

(article online here)

Favourite Line:

“… the best part of the evening was the sentiment: A little more decorum all around is never a bad thing.”

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Honda Fit and Animated GIFs

It’s a small car, but it’s not.

A tall, beefy person could fit comfortably in the front seat.  Next time you walk by one, look at its height.

Fun to drive, bigger than you think, get a manual.

The back seat is large; here’s a full-sized stool I brought home.

See how much height there still is? Also see how the back seats is a bench that folds away. A lot can be squished into a Fit.

But it’s still small enough, that you can go places an SUV could not.

It’s a small car, but it’s not. Honda Fit

Press cars are very rarely manual.

I don’t get it. And dumb.  This was a treat.

 

I like to park somewhere, push back the seat and daydream, people watch or read.

Fun to drive, bigger than you think, get a manual

 

 

Shift You Later Civic, Sigh

I love shifting gears, you know this.

Most press cars are automatic. So this week was real refreshing.

Shift, rev, peel, skip from 4th to 2nd, lots of superfluous revving just because I can.

I use the hazard button a LOT when I drive.

It find it more effective than brake lights alone.

See the pink arrow above? Note the positioning, the clear path from wheel to engaging the alert system? That’s how you know this is a drivers car – Honda Civic SI.

Shifting gears is easy, don’t be intimidated.

It’s like learning a little dance routine: depress clutch, shift with arm, release clutch. See? Easy.

Even in 5″ heels.

Had to give it back Monday to Honda Canada.

This week’s car, an Acura MDX.

Acura is the fancy, higher-end line of Honda.

It’s making me drive slower, like the Navigator did. I guess that’s good.