Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?

Lyle · Post by **Lyle** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:12 pm

I started another thread, this is interesting!

> >--- In
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
, brad fenn
> wrote:

Lyle, let me ask you this? Have you ever driven your Honda 600? Because I have to say that out of hundreds of cool cars I have owned,that the Honda 600s were about the most fun to drive.

> >From: Lyle
> >Subject: [anzhonda600owners]

Brad, I only drove my coupe around a small parking lot to make sure it was OK.
So no I really have never driven one.
Saying it's the most fun to drive, is alot coming from a classic car guy. Now I am really looking forward to driving it!
OK power wont be anything, but I know it will handle great. Plus just keeping up with traffic will be an adventure and fun.
Thanks I feel better about buying one.
Lyle

> From: Kevin Lister
> To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com I agree with Brad.

My Honda 600 Sedan is the funnest car to drive that I've ever owned! I can't wait for the dry weather so I can take it out of the garage and start driving it again.

woodwizard · Post by **woodwizard** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:42 am

All I can say is...
driving a Honda 600 is like a fine wine - it only gets better with age!
And the more familar you become with the car and it abilities, the more fun you have.
It's not quick outa the gate(unless you're really abusing it), but once up to speed it can hold it's own and it's nimble manuverability will out do any full size car. Parking is a breeze, straight roads boring, and when done properly - you can scare the begeebers out of your passenger ;)
Just beware of the urge to drive on the sidewalk!
Dan ....owner of the "HELMET"

--- On
Wed, 3/23/11, Lyle

wrote:
> From: Lyle
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
> To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 11:11 PM
> I started another thread, this is interesting!
> > >--- In
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> , brad fenn
> > wrote:
> Lyle, let me ask you this? Have you ever driven your Honda 600? Because I have to say that out of hundreds of cool cars I have owned,that the Honda 600s were about the most fun to drive.
> > >From: Lyle
> > >Subject: [anzhonda600owners]
> Brad, I only drove my coupe around a small parking lot to make sure it was OK.
> So no I really have never driven one.
> Saying it's the most fun to drive, is alot coming from a classic car guy. Now I am really looking forward to driving it!
> OK power wont be anything, but I know it will handle great. Plus just keeping up with traffic > will be an adventure and fun.
> Thanks I feel better about buying one.
> Lyle
> > From: Kevin Lister
> > To:
> anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> I agree with Brad.
> My Honda 600 Sedan is the funnest car to drive that I've ever owned! I can't wait for the dry weather so I can take it out of the garage and start driving it again.

Roman Ansonov · Post by **Roman Ansonov** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:08 am

I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
�
I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...

Mike McGregor · Post by **Mike McGregor** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:47 am

I agree. It handles like a fast lawn mower. The back wheels and fronts wheels are so very close to each other.
Not that it's a bad thing. It's the "uniqueness" of it's handling is what makes it fun to drive, not it's great performance. I love driving mine, and I would drive it more often if I didn't have to go on the highway so much. I know it can do 55 if I push it, but I spent a lot of time building my engine, and I like keeping the rpm's low, so my Honda N600 rarely even sees 45 - Something that doesn't bother me at all, but sure seams to piss off everyone else.
Oh-Well. :-)

--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Roman Ansonov

wrote:
From: Roman Ansonov
Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 5:08 AM
I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...

T W S · Post by **T W S** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:02 am

its nowhere near done but i had a really rusty z600 that i was going to just scrap out. i found a 97 Geo Metro with a 4 cyl and cut the body off it and shortened the length 14". The Z600 body shell is just sitting on it right now but i really wonder how it will handle. I suppose the ride of it will be that of a Geo but it does make me wonder how squirrelly it will be with the shorter length.
From:
Mike McGregor To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Thu, March 24, 2011 9:47:25 AM Subject:
Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
I agree. It handles like a fast lawn mower. The back wheels and fronts wheels are so very close to each other.
Not that it's a bad thing. It's the "uniqueness" of it's handling is what makes it fun to drive, not it's great performance. I love driving mine, and I would drive it more often if I didn't have to go on the highway so much. I know it can do 55 if I push it, but I spent a lot of time building my engine, and I like keeping the rpm's low, so my Honda N600 rarely even sees 45 - Something that doesn't bother me at all, but sure seams to piss off everyone else.
Oh-Well. :-)

--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Roman Ansonov

wrote:
From: Roman Ansonov
Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 5:08 AM
I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...

Roman Ansonov · Post by **Roman Ansonov** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:05 am

Mine seen 70 daily on the way to work ;)
�
Fun slowmobiles these are!

brad fenn · Post by **brad fenn** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:43 am

Some say they wont go that fast, but I used to drive a 600 coupe back and forth from Texas to Florida in excess of (lets just say) 90mph. I had only minor port work done and a free flow exhaust. The big problem I had was melting the tires off of it at sustained high speeds. And I thought the handling was decent.Although,I did roll that one, I had to swerve into a curb at about 45 to avoid a truck. It just landed on its side,I flipped it back on its wheels and continued on. A friend of mine found a garage kept Coupe with 45k miles on it a while back, said he had his at 90 before. He thinks its the most fun car he has ever had,although his other cars are a Corvair and a Convertible Metropolitin.
From:
Roman Ansonov To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Thu, March 24, 2011 10:05:03 AM Subject:
Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
Mine seen 70 daily on the way to work ;)
Fun slowmobiles these are!

Kevin Lister · Post by **Kevin Lister** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:32 am

Mike,
I am able to drive my sedan at 65 on the freeway all day long. It's a little slow climbing up highway 17 (Santa Cruz Mountains) but it roars on flat roads.
I tend to keep my car at 65 or less so as not to overstress the engine.
I'm wondering if you have a mechanical problem as your car should hum right along at 65 too! ;o)
kev

--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Mike McGregor

wrote:
From: Mike McGregor
Subject: Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:47 AM
I agree. It handles like a fast lawn mower. The back wheels and fronts wheels are so very close to each other.
Not that it's a bad thing. It's the "uniqueness" of it's handling is what makes it fun to drive, not it's great performance. I love driving mine, and I would drive it more often if I didn't have to go on the highway so much. I know it can do 55 if I push it, but I spent a lot of time building my engine, and I like keeping the rpm's low, so my Honda N600 rarely even sees 45 - Something that doesn't bother me at all, but sure seams to piss off everyone else.
Oh-Well. :-)
--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Roman Ansonov

wrote:
> From: Roman Ansonov
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
> To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 5:08 AM
> I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
> I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...

brad fenn · Post by **brad fenn** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:03 am

Don't laugh at this fact. Our Honda 600s have high performance engines. The rule of thumb is that any engine that produces at least one horsepower per cubic inch is considered high performance. The specs are 36 cid,36 hp.and weighing in at 1300lbs. The older VWs, (say a 59 bug),had 36 hp, was 72cid and weighed in at 1800lbs.
From:
Kevin Lister To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Thu, March 24, 2011 12:32:38 PM Subject:
Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
Mike,
I am able to drive my sedan at 65 on the freeway all day long. It's a little slow climbing up highway 17 (Santa Cruz Mountains) but it roars on flat roads.
I tend to keep my car at 65 or less so as not to overstress the engine.
I'm wondering if you have a mechanical problem as your car should hum right along at 65 too! ;o)
kev

--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Mike McGregor

wrote:
From: Mike McGregor
Subject: Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:47 AM
I agree. It handles like a fast lawn mower. The back wheels and fronts wheels are so very close to each other.
Not that it's a bad thing. It's the "uniqueness" of it's handling is what makes it fun to drive, not it's great performance. I love driving mine, and I would drive it more often if I didn't have to go on the highway so much. I know it can do 55 if I push it, but I spent a lot of time building my engine, and I like keeping the rpm's low, so my Honda N600 rarely even sees 45 - Something that doesn't bother me at all, but sure seams to piss off everyone else.
Oh-Well. :-)
--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Roman Ansonov

wrote:
> From: Roman Ansonov
> Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
> To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 5:08 AM
> I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
> I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...

Mike McGregor · Post by **Mike McGregor** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:15 am

Kev,
I might have mechanical "imperfections" as I would like to call them.
I rebuilt the engine myself last fall. A valve keeping had ended up inside the combustion chamber and roughed up the tops of each pistion and the head and bent all four valves.
I cleaned up the pistons, and the head, and replaced the valves. Now it runs pretty well, but there's a not-very-nice loud tapping sound coming from my engine. It kind of sounds like the valve tappets are smacking the valve really hard or like maybe the piston is smacking the valve. When I listen to the engine with an engine stethoscope, I don't hear the banging/tapping sound as much.
I don't know what it is. It starts right up, and idles, and runs pretty well(by my standards). It just goes TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP. As it's running.
I got tired of trying to locate the tapping, and so now I just ignore it. Maybe that's not a good idea.... :-)
Got any ideas?

--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, brad fenn

wrote:
From: brad fenn
Subject: Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 11:03 AM
Don't laugh at this fact. Our Honda 600s have high performance engines. The rule of thumb is that any engine that produces at least one horsepower per cubic inch is considered high performance. The specs are 36 cid,36 hp.and weighing in at 1300lbs. The older VWs, (say a 59 bug),had 36 hp, was 72cid and weighed in at 1800lbs.
From:
Kevin Lister
To:
anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
Sent:
Thu, March 24, 2011 12:32:38 PM
Subject:
Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
Mike,
I am able to drive my sedan at 65 on the freeway all day long. It's a little slow climbing up highway 17 (Santa Cruz Mountains) but it roars on flat roads.
I tend to keep my car at 65 or less so as not to overstress the engine.
I'm wondering if you have a mechanical problem as your car should hum right along at 65 too! ;o)
kev
--- On
Thu, 3/24/11, Mike McGregor

wrote:
> From: Mike McGregor
> Subject: Re: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
> To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 7:47 AM
> I agree. It handles like a fast lawn mower. The back wheels and fronts wheels are so very close to each other.
> Not that it's a bad thing. It's the "uniqueness" of it's handling is what makes it fun to drive, not it's great performance. I love driving mine, and I would drive it more often if I didn't have to go on the highway so much. I know it can do 55 if I push it, but I spent a lot of time building my engine, and I like keeping the rpm's low, so my Honda N600 rarely even sees 45 - Something that doesn't bother me at all, but sure seams to piss off everyone else.
> Oh-Well. :-)
> --- On
> Thu, 3/24/11, Roman Ansonov
>
> wrote:
> > From: Roman Ansonov
> > Subject: [anzhonda600owners] Re: Is the Honda 600 fun to drive?
> > To: anzhonda600owners@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 5:08 AM
> > I'm not sure why people are saying that this car handles good, maybe if they are comparing it to a 18 wheeler?
> > I'm used to racing my 560 HP racecar on 315 mm slicks, while my N600 had 4.5 inch wide trailer tires. It understeered worse than any other car I've driven before. Having said all that, N600 is one of most fun vehicles I've driven and owned that I will not forget ;) You'll just have to start driving one everyday and you will fall in love...