North Hollywood Toyota Test Drive
 

The Story:
Today, I was driving down Lankershim Blvd. and I noticed two FR-Ss in front of North Hollywood Toyota, so I pulled in, parked wherever the hell I felt like it and started looking at the cars. Both were 6 speed MT. One salesman approached me. I said, "I want to test drive this car." Ninety seconds later, he appeared with the key. One minute after that, I was driving the car through Toluca Lake and on the freeway.


Impressions:

The Car:
Not sure, but I think it was the Premium, not the Limited. It priced out at $26,000.

Gearbox:
Like the S2000, but not as tight feeling and not as short a throw. Finding the gates for 3-4-5-6 felt awkward. It may just take some getting used to. A good gearbox.

Steering:
Nice turning ratio, but it felt heavy and numb. In fact, the entire car felt nose heavy.

Engine:
Not much is going on below 6,000 rpm. It's fine for a street car, but it's unimpressive for a sports car. After 6k, the fun begins. I don't mind having a car that you have to keep "on the boil," but this one really makes you work.

Handling:
I can't comment. I didn't get much of a chance to get a sense of it.

The Sound:
Sounds great. But anyone here under 25 will want it to be louder (because you ruined your hearing using ear buds).

General:
The car seems big. But, at the right price, it could be fun.

Price:
North Hollywood Toyota has already ordered and is going to install some sort of aero accessory kit. That's how they're gonna make some money. Maybe you could negotiate your way out of it.

Salesman:
Danny Ramirez (818-508-2900 x334; dramirez@nohotoyota.com). No fuss, no muss. A mature man, not the usual dumbbell salesman. I liked him (and I don't like anybody).




Your Milage May Vary :happy0180: