[Sport-Tech]

A Whiteout MT was made available at Ken Shaw for a quick test drive this morning for those who pre-ordered. Drives were basically glorified around-the-block excursions lasting 7-8 minutes but were enough to get some initial impressions. As I live fairly near the dealership I was able to drive roads I know well and assess how the FR-S handled and rode them in comparison to my 1st-gen Tiburon. My first thoughts:

Pros:

• solid solid solid. Car feels like it has been carved out of a big block of
  granite, vault-like rigidity and incredibly well planted.
• Whiteout is an absolute knockout on this car.
• steering weight seems just right, as does steering ratio
• turn-in is immediate and responsive, no nose-heavy ploughing
• brakes were simply outstanding on panic stop test - feel, smoothness, control
• clutch has just the right weight, quick take-up
• no lag in throttle response, and no throttle hanging
• power is solid throughout the torque range in my view, no noticeable hole, certainly more than enough there to get you in serious trouble with the law very, very quickly.
• engine note surprisingly quiet at idle, pleasant and not too intrusive at low /part throttle, really livens up at higher rpm, sounds strong even though the tone does not have the nth degree of refinement - Porsche still wins here. But definitely not blatty or ricey.
• perfect size for its mission
• great driving ergonomics for all controls; seat wonderfully body hugging (5'11", 150 lbs)
• tail can cut loose a little bit even with full TC/VSC on
• fabulous balance between handling and suspension compliance requirements, rides smoother than the current Corolla XR-S over irregularities. An Integra GS is a kidney masher by comparison.

Cons:

• not quite as light or lively feeling as a MX-5 at slower speeds (probably will be much better in this regard on highway)
• steering feel not quite up to a 70's Porsche - has a more damped feel
• bad blind spots, even over-the shoulder looks will not be enough - use mirrors!
• hood level and bottom of windshield quite high relative to older sporty cars like Prelude, Integra, 1st gen Tiburon - a slight feeling you are being swallowed/cocooned in car, visibility not as good. Raising the seat to fully compensate cuts off forward upward vision too much.
• shifter more notchy than an MX-5, a little too notchy IMO, but I can imagine it would be easy to get used to
• front hood line has a black rubber gasket that peers through, makes the line too distinct - why did they not put the lid edge further forward at the lights?