RMurphy

yeah, black. That's an excellent idea for a daily driver. LOL!

I do admit I sometimes look at the nose of it and wonder what it might look like with that center portion around the license plate done in gloss black vinyl. I also think the car would look sharp with some serious window tint (as do most white cars). But for now I'm running it as is until I come up with a wrap plan.

And I have no idea what continuously variable valve timing is. I'm still reading the owner's manual to figure out how to make the auto-locking doors stop auto-unlocking just because I take the keys out of the ignition. That and the new tracking stuff that lets me know elapsed drive time, MPGs, and predicted range based on current fuel and recent MPGs...gotta figure out what button combinations do what. Otherwise, everything about it has been very intuitive.

Oh... and I did watch one review before I bought it that complained about the bright blue display on the radio. Yep... he was totally right.

boltonblue

OK folks the S2000 has stepped variable valve timing better known as VTEC.
Hit 5 grand and the cam lock kicks in and the valve timing changes to follow a second, more aggressive cam profile.

Continuously variable timing has an actuator built into the crank which allows for the cam timing to incremented in very small i.e. continuous steps as you progress though the power band.

as for dual? I would guess that it has a separate adjuster for the intake and exhaust cams.

boltonblue

sort of like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRtz0koLhU

boltonblue

Of course the other advantage to VTEC is it can actually extend the duration or dwell time of the valves as opposed to just advancing or retarding timing.
This is critical for high RPM operation.

raymo19

It was the continuously variable part that had me puzzled.

dlq04

I am driving a 2002 Accent today. A loaner car with 40k on the OD. Got it while they replace a broken windshield in my truck. I am really enjoying it. Great road feel, throws around easily, and is as basic as they come these days; i.e., roll up windows, etc. I am really temped to take a new one out for a test ride just for grins.

paS2K

Unbelievable "brown nosing" ^^^ from dlq04....sucking up to the new mod

RedOne2007

Nice little car. Looks like a Honda Fit. You should have some good years with it.

It saves you quite a bit up front, but over 5 years its total cost is higher than the Fit and about the same as the used MINI. But the monthly payment is less with the Accent. And compared to the MINI it runs on regular.

dlq04

Do you work at Edmonds.com in your spare time?

RMurphy

Fit sits taller. I think it looks more Ford Focus/Fiesta-like than Fit. Mazda2 is cuter and I still think I would have been happy with that choice too.

What monthly payment do you mean?