1st day assessment of the Prix

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot)
06/24/2015 at 08:40 • Filed to: Grand prix

[excuse the portrait pic, my camera won’t take nice landscape photos anymore] so it’s officially been a day since I took the Prix home with me. Needless to say, it’s been quite the interesting experience. Keep in mind that for the past 5 years, I’ve been DD a PT cruiser.

The only similarity that I’ve discovered between the prix and pt is the fwd system, where I’m being pulled instead of pushed. The prix sits lower than the pt, is considerably longer that the pt, and feels a lot wider that the pt. Plus since the prix sits closer to the ground, there is a significant decrease in body roll. Then again, I haven’t push the prix hard yet.

The pt has 150 hp and 165 torque, while the prix has 200 hp and 230 torque. Whereas the pt takes a while to get up to speed (you can calmly drink your coffee while jamming your foot down) the prix jumps up to the speed, where I immediately take my foot off the gas because I’m trying to find that sweet spot. The sweet spot, is of course, where you give the car gas and it allows you to cruise the car without increasing your speed. It changes with your speed, but I’m looking for the sweet spot at 70 mph.

Also, the acceleration is crazy with the prix! It’s tense for me because I’m not use to that kind of response from any car. And I’m nervous that it might be too much for me to handle, at least right now. I am slowly adjusting to it though. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s different from what I’m used to. I honestly can’t imagine a super charger on the engine.

I’m planning on pulling a Takumi move from Intial D, and drive two cars periodically. I really want to get used to both, known their differences, and the pros and cons of each. I plan on driving the pt on the weekends, and the prix during the weekdays. It’s gonna be crazy for me to constantly readjust to these two cars, but I think it’s a needed challenge if I’m to consider myself a gearhead. Personally testing myself, challenging myself, so I can adapt to any car.

Well, that’s my assessment of the prix so far, coming from a gearhead who’s previous fastest car was a pt. It’s nothing compared to what you guys have, but I’m working my way up there, :).

DISCUSSION (24)

505Turbeaux > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 08:46

Also, the acceleration is crazy with the prix

I might weep when seeing your list of driven cars. However, everyone has to get their feet wet somehow! Congrats!

PS9 > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 08:48

Good trolling opportunity; pronouncing the car’s name as ‘Pricks’ in conversation.

So, you brought another car?
Yeah! I’ve always wanted a Grand Pricks, and now I got one!
...Don’t you mean Grand ‘Pree’?
Umm, no, I mean Grand Pricks. Come on dude, the name is right there on the back of the car! See? Grand*points to x* Pricks!
...

zeontestpilot > 505Turbeaux
06/24/2015 at 09:06

Saturn sl2, dodge neon, and a ‘00 Malibu. I should state though, all of those cars were pre-oppo and pre-gearhead, so I didn’t think of them much besides being an ‘appliance’. So it’s hard to compare them.

After I got the pt, then I became a gearhead. My basis for comparing cars is the pt, because I know it really well.

Leon711 > 505Turbeaux
06/24/2015 at 09:08

My latest purchase has similar power to the prix, you might weep at my list too.

Hang on, I driven a turbo miata (circa 220hp) and a v8 vantage.

505Turbeaux > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 09:10

that prix is a rocketship compared to all those!

zeontestpilot > PS9
06/24/2015 at 09:13

True story, at my previous job a fellow employee was ticking me off, so I called her a prick. I thought it was something like ‘jerk’, no biggie. Apparently she considered it a swear, and told other people I swore. Thing is, I don’t swear, ever. So my butt was covered since no one believed her.

The next day I did apologize to her, because despite me being upset, I shouldn’t of resorted to name-calling. We made amends, and were still friendly coworkers.

zeontestpilot > Leon711
06/24/2015 at 09:19

Well, you easily topped my list, lol.

zeontestpilot > 505Turbeaux
06/24/2015 at 09:25

Is it? I dont remember the first two much, except the sl2 idled quickly. I do vaguely remember the Malibu, but not enough to compare it to anything else.

Oh, I’ve driven a ‘05 corolla too, my dads, since I’ve been a gearhead. That thing was a bit quick to accelerate, like the prix. Plus it was extremely light weight, at least compared to the pt. There’s a corner that’s a 90 degree turn, I can...umm...make it going 25 to 35 mph in the pt. Can’t do that in the corolla, it dances around a lot. Of course, the turn is pavement to dirt/rocks, so the grip dramatically changes. Lol.

Leon711 > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 09:27

Miata belongs to a friend, I had one too with no turbo and the V8 Vantage was a supercar experience at Brands Hatch my current ride is 2005 GTI and after reading up on the prix, they are evenly matched.

Jonathan Harper > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 09:33

Well, with power comes great responsibility...to do hooning things. Have you ever done the cafeteria tray trick with the rear wheels?

zeontestpilot > Leon711
06/24/2015 at 09:38

Really? Evenly matched? Wow. I wonder, what’s considered the norm in terms of hp?

zeontestpilot > Jonathan Harper
06/24/2015 at 09:45

Hooning is on the list, but right now I’m really focusing on the car dynamics, to get a feel for it. How long does it take to accelerate, the reaction of the brakes, how quick does it turn, the turning radius, etc.

I could do crazy stuff with the pt because I had a good feel for the car, :).

Have not done the tray trick, but since I live on dirt roads, I have wanted to power slide the pt. I just can’t find a secluded space, or gather the courage, to try it, :/.

uofime-2 > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 10:03

Last month I went from an Aveo to a WRX, I know how you feel! Going back and forth between the two was crazy. I quickly came to realize just how crappy everything about the Aveo was especially after going back to it after 2 weeks in the WRX.

Leon711 > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 10:05

200hp each, 207lb ft versus 230lb ft, mine with a DSG is 0-60 in 6.7 versus 7. 2900lbs vs 3400lbs. 146 mph vs ?

zeontestpilot > uofime-2
06/24/2015 at 10:23

Ha, that is a jump!

Rico > zeontestpilot
06/24/2015 at 12:12

Prick is a dick. Which is also not a curse but you called her a dick lol.

zeontestpilot > Rico
06/24/2015 at 12:22

Ha, oops....

105 HP of fury > zeontestpilot
06/26/2015 at 00:13

Congrats on the new car. Not just a regular prix, but a grand prix! It may take some getting used to, but I’m sure you’ll adapt.

zeontestpilot > 105 HP of fury
06/26/2015 at 06:29

Thanks. I am adapting to it quicker than I thought, but the acceleration is still taking some getting used to, especially that sweet spot.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > zeontestpilot
06/26/2015 at 09:10

Have you ever thought about finding a local (or somewhere relatively nearby) autocross event? Most events have instructors there to help first time drivers and it really does help you get a real feel for your car if you’ve never really pushed it before.

zeontestpilot > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy
06/26/2015 at 11:52

I'm not aware of any. Usually when u have fun it's on dirt roads, where I know the route and what to do.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > zeontestpilot
06/26/2015 at 13:10

Well dirt roads are always fun too, hahaha. Just make sure you don’t have any “meetings in the woods” if you know what I mean ;)

zeontestpilot > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy
06/26/2015 at 17:24

With the cops? Hey no! The route I use has only one intersecting road, and the route is like 2 to 3 miles long. It’s great for maintaining a constant higher speed while keeping control of your car while its bobbing around on the dirt and rocks, while avoiding pot holes. Dang that prix has little ground clearance, :/.

Unless you meant something else, lol.

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > zeontestpilot
06/29/2015 at 09:08

Yea, I meant like a meeting with the trees/bushes, lol. As in *CRASH* hahahaha.