Subtle_Cynicism
01-13-2006, 05:46 PM
So tonight I finally test drove a black 06 GTP coupe with a six speed manual. Had every option. Very nice.
I liked the heated leather seats; although I didnt notice they were even on, as my ass never warmed up as much as I'd like to have. The car itself warmed up very quickly, and I appreciated that as it was 29 degrees outside. The automatic climate control is amazing. The engine idled nicely, and the clutch was a dream compared to my Firebird.
However, I was quickly irritated with the shifter. I was a little annoyed with how notchy it was. I liked it a lot, but the notchy feel it gave me and the noise it made while shifting made me think it felt cheap. I also was irate when I went to park it, I couldn't inch backwards in reverse, because I couldn't get it in reverse. Ten minutes later, a technician told me you have to pull up on a tab on the boot to get it in there. Because I couldnt get it into reverse, I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I thought I broke the car and the salesman obviously had no idea, so I was ready to be shot.
I was happy with the interior. I love the backlighting, the XM, and my mom was doing dance moves in the backseat it was so roomy and comfortable she said. The sound system; though I didnt test too hard, was nice, and the steering wheel radio controls were a bit small for my fingers, however the XM was a pleasure, like always. The steering wheel felt too tight for me at first, but I got used to it and enjoyed it, as did I enjoy the telescopic wheel.
That said, I was slightly uncomfortable driving it, as it felt bigger than I was used to, and the smaller than average rear window impeded a great deal of view, as did the head rests in the back. Paired with equally tiny side mirrors, I was nervous making lane changes.
The windows were nice, but I can see how the auto down when you open the door, and then auto up when you shut it to get a better seal would be shitty in the midwest when we get dumped on with ice and snow, or if you wash it in the snow.
Overall, I really liked it. I am not certain this is the car for me, as I still have other cars I need to look at and test drive, but I was impressed, for the most part. I'm just not sold on the rear 3/4 of the car; it looks awkward from any angle, and far too long. There is nothing there; just dead space, and it makes the wheel look awkward.
However, they were unloading a new Solstice as I was leaving the lot, and I think I peed myself a little bit. Smaller than I thought it was though, that's for sure.
I liked the heated leather seats; although I didnt notice they were even on, as my ass never warmed up as much as I'd like to have. The car itself warmed up very quickly, and I appreciated that as it was 29 degrees outside. The automatic climate control is amazing. The engine idled nicely, and the clutch was a dream compared to my Firebird.
However, I was quickly irritated with the shifter. I was a little annoyed with how notchy it was. I liked it a lot, but the notchy feel it gave me and the noise it made while shifting made me think it felt cheap. I also was irate when I went to park it, I couldn't inch backwards in reverse, because I couldn't get it in reverse. Ten minutes later, a technician told me you have to pull up on a tab on the boot to get it in there. Because I couldnt get it into reverse, I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. I thought I broke the car and the salesman obviously had no idea, so I was ready to be shot.
I was happy with the interior. I love the backlighting, the XM, and my mom was doing dance moves in the backseat it was so roomy and comfortable she said. The sound system; though I didnt test too hard, was nice, and the steering wheel radio controls were a bit small for my fingers, however the XM was a pleasure, like always. The steering wheel felt too tight for me at first, but I got used to it and enjoyed it, as did I enjoy the telescopic wheel.
That said, I was slightly uncomfortable driving it, as it felt bigger than I was used to, and the smaller than average rear window impeded a great deal of view, as did the head rests in the back. Paired with equally tiny side mirrors, I was nervous making lane changes.
The windows were nice, but I can see how the auto down when you open the door, and then auto up when you shut it to get a better seal would be shitty in the midwest when we get dumped on with ice and snow, or if you wash it in the snow.
Overall, I really liked it. I am not certain this is the car for me, as I still have other cars I need to look at and test drive, but I was impressed, for the most part. I'm just not sold on the rear 3/4 of the car; it looks awkward from any angle, and far too long. There is nothing there; just dead space, and it makes the wheel look awkward.
However, they were unloading a new Solstice as I was leaving the lot, and I think I peed myself a little bit. Smaller than I thought it was though, that's for sure.