DukeFrisbee
Senior Member
Test drove the ITS today. I'll try and NOT repeat what every other review has said and focus on some areas where I might have differing perspectives or impressions. Car had 25 miles on it, was spotless and in the showroom. They took it out for the test drive and put it back after. I drove it for about 20 minutes, didn't take it past 4500-4800 rpm. I'm just not "that guy".
First the visuals - I looked at the car pretty close, paying special attention to how well they did on the install of the lighted emblem and CF spoiler since those seem to be the most intrusive installs. The general fit and finish was excellent. I really don't know if some you guys are just mad at the price or you drive higher -end lexus' or mercedes. The panel gap -even on the front bumper was tight and even, and if there were any panel color variations I didn't see it either in the showroom or out. Also, the paint feels excellent. They must use a ton of clear because it feels like glass. I'm guessing after a minor single-stage paint correction (just to do it) and ceramic coating there wouldn't be a single surface you could put a cup on and not have it slide off! I have a friend who details high-end cars and you'd be shocked at the paint condition some of the cars that cost 3-4x more are delivered in.
Doors felt solid, closed tight with a solid feel and sound, all the touch points and user controls you interact with felt good. I really don't know how anyone can complain EVEN at this price point. We have a MK7.5 Golf R in the house and the ITS is SIGNIFICANTLY more refined in terms of materials and finish quality. The argument that this is a $50K version of a $35K car is dumb. A good friend who has an amazing collection of cars just added a CT5 V - Blackwing. How about a $110K+ version of a $40K car!?!
The drive - I think the one takeaway I have that may be a bit different comes down to perspective. What are you used to and what are you looking for? It pulled nicely, there was zero sign of any torque steer, and the exhaust sound in Sport+ was lively if a bit tame. The shifter was a shorter throw version of many Honda's I've driven. Precise, smooth, and amazingly easy to drive. Even if you don't drive stick, if you want one, find a way to get it home and practice in your neighborhood for an hour or two and you'll be fine. I could teach anyone to drive stick in this car.
BUT, if you are looking for a super short, gated shifter (ala S2000) this isn't it. If you want a sharp, focused, track car for the street, this isn't it. I felt it is a bit tame, even in Sport+. Back to perspective though - I drove my weekend car to work today and to the dealership - a 2020 GT350. The Tremec MT feels alot like what you'd have to do to the S2000's shifter if it had to handle 2-3x the HP and TRQ. The ride, on the softest setting is much more harsh than the ITS in Sport+. BUT, if my direct comparo was a Jeep or SUV the ITS might feel like a Mclaren!
Styling wise I like it because it's a bit odd. Especially with the fenders. It will still look sharp in some of the more subtle colors and a bit bonkers in colors like Tiger Eye or Apex Blue. It visually stands up from almost any angle though it's best side is the rear angle view. It looks REALLY good from there.
Bottom line? I absolutely LOVED it! Rowing up and down through the gears is effortless and engaging, rev matching is so subtle it's perfect, not the often overdone "look at me, I blipped the throttle for you" that some cars have. It pulls nicely at almost any RPM and will no doubt impress even more once it's broken in and you run it out to redline. If you want a sporty, quick, MT 4 door with a cavernous hatch, great dynamics, good quality fit and finish and common bloodline to a very well aftermarket supported sister car this is for you. I can't wait to make one my daily.
First the visuals - I looked at the car pretty close, paying special attention to how well they did on the install of the lighted emblem and CF spoiler since those seem to be the most intrusive installs. The general fit and finish was excellent. I really don't know if some you guys are just mad at the price or you drive higher -end lexus' or mercedes. The panel gap -even on the front bumper was tight and even, and if there were any panel color variations I didn't see it either in the showroom or out. Also, the paint feels excellent. They must use a ton of clear because it feels like glass. I'm guessing after a minor single-stage paint correction (just to do it) and ceramic coating there wouldn't be a single surface you could put a cup on and not have it slide off! I have a friend who details high-end cars and you'd be shocked at the paint condition some of the cars that cost 3-4x more are delivered in.
Doors felt solid, closed tight with a solid feel and sound, all the touch points and user controls you interact with felt good. I really don't know how anyone can complain EVEN at this price point. We have a MK7.5 Golf R in the house and the ITS is SIGNIFICANTLY more refined in terms of materials and finish quality. The argument that this is a $50K version of a $35K car is dumb. A good friend who has an amazing collection of cars just added a CT5 V - Blackwing. How about a $110K+ version of a $40K car!?!
The drive - I think the one takeaway I have that may be a bit different comes down to perspective. What are you used to and what are you looking for? It pulled nicely, there was zero sign of any torque steer, and the exhaust sound in Sport+ was lively if a bit tame. The shifter was a shorter throw version of many Honda's I've driven. Precise, smooth, and amazingly easy to drive. Even if you don't drive stick, if you want one, find a way to get it home and practice in your neighborhood for an hour or two and you'll be fine. I could teach anyone to drive stick in this car.
BUT, if you are looking for a super short, gated shifter (ala S2000) this isn't it. If you want a sharp, focused, track car for the street, this isn't it. I felt it is a bit tame, even in Sport+. Back to perspective though - I drove my weekend car to work today and to the dealership - a 2020 GT350. The Tremec MT feels alot like what you'd have to do to the S2000's shifter if it had to handle 2-3x the HP and TRQ. The ride, on the softest setting is much more harsh than the ITS in Sport+. BUT, if my direct comparo was a Jeep or SUV the ITS might feel like a Mclaren!
Styling wise I like it because it's a bit odd. Especially with the fenders. It will still look sharp in some of the more subtle colors and a bit bonkers in colors like Tiger Eye or Apex Blue. It visually stands up from almost any angle though it's best side is the rear angle view. It looks REALLY good from there.
Bottom line? I absolutely LOVED it! Rowing up and down through the gears is effortless and engaging, rev matching is so subtle it's perfect, not the often overdone "look at me, I blipped the throttle for you" that some cars have. It pulls nicely at almost any RPM and will no doubt impress even more once it's broken in and you run it out to redline. If you want a sporty, quick, MT 4 door with a cavernous hatch, great dynamics, good quality fit and finish and common bloodline to a very well aftermarket supported sister car this is for you. I can't wait to make one my daily.
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