Honda CRV

[El Camexican]

Time again for one of my least favorite man of the house tasks... buying a car for the wife.

The rule of thumb is that I can't possibly pick the right "anything" for her. I swear it's like trying to please Goldilocks, but without the just right option. The last time I tried to surprise her with a new car I ended up having to sell it a few months later because she didn't want to drive it. (Who doesn't love a standard transmission!???)

Anyway, we've tested the Escape, Rouge (they call it the X Trail here) CRV and the Rav4. We've narrowed it down to the CRV and the Rav4. She likes the Honda's larger seating (I debated making a comment about that, but decided to keep my teeth instead). Where as I like the Toyota that seems much more refined and sporty, but there is no way in heck I'm making the final call on this one, it's all on her this time.

I'm just wondering if any of you guys have had any bad experiences with a CRV?

[jb2wheels]

Your wife wants the CRV? Buy the CRV.

My best friend has had a couple of CRVs for his wife over the past 10+ years. They've been good to him and seem to hold their value really well.

Sorry I don't know the years off the top of my head. I have no interest in the mini SUVs. I think a mini-van is a better choice in all cases except the mini-van stigma.

We rented an Escape in CA over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was fine, too, but no indication of long term viability.

I'd buy a CRV if my wife wanted one.

[El Camexican]

Your wife wants the CRV? Buy the CRV.

Sounds simple enough, I know. I should have mentioned that she once picked out and bought a new car on her own. My only input was to insist she buy a 6cyl and not a 4. She waited a month for it to be delivered, then a week later announced that she didn't like the car. My fault? I guess.

My point being that as the vehicle person of the family not only am I supposed to agree with her pick, I'm also responsible for warning her if she's not making the right choice. Does this make sense? If it does please explain it to me, I can't figure it out. Life was simpler before women.

[onformula1]

Done deal-
http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/trim/platinum/

[Bren_downe]

"CRV" means Porsche. They speak in codes, I'm sure of it.

[atc007]

Honda?? Seems like a sure no brainer to me. Escapes are tin boxes,rust buckets. I know you don't need to consider that down there,up here? WOWSERS. Good luck,it will all be fine till something goes wrong, then obviously it will be your fault.

[El Camexican]

Escapes are tin boxes,rust buckets.

I'd have thought that too. I've never seen anything native to here rust, but yesterday I took my truck in to the dealer because there are two small rust spots coming up from under the paint. They are minuscule, the kind of thing that only show and shine freak like me would notice, but none the less they are coming up from under the paint and not because of any paint damage. Poorly processed import metal no doubt.

[83ATC185]

My sister has owned a CRV for 2 years( its a 2001, not sure how the new ones compare)She said it gets near 30mpg. i think she had a new radiator put in it, other than that she hasn't mentioned any other problems. I'd buy one any day but those types of vehicles aren't my thing.

Me and mine are about to split the cost of an A to B car for her and get rid of the 400/month insurance/car payments.

Let me know if you learn anything that helps the process go smoother i'll be all ears. at least shes finally came around to my way of thinking about the value of a nice, used, paid-for ride. That has taken me 7 years.

IMO best thing to do if you're looking into getting a pretty new car and have it narrowed down to a few serious choices, would be to rent each one of them for a few days, that way she can see what she likes and doesn't like about each one.

[atc007]

One of our old physical therapists drove one for many years, traded hers in at 250000,for another new one exactly the same. Up and down hills al day,hers was awd.

[El Camexican]

Done deal-
http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/trim/platinum/

Fortunately for my wallet there is only about 190" left to park after my truck is in the garage, so a full size SUV is out of the question. Beside that our parking areas here are better suited for a VW bug than a truck.

[jb2wheels]

Sounds simple enough, I know. I should have mentioned that she once picked out and bought a new car on her own. My only input was to insist she buy a 6cyl and not a 4. She waited a month for it to be delivered, then a week later announced that she didn't like the car. My fault? I guess.

My point being that as the vehicle person of the family not only am I supposed to agree with her pick, I'm also responsible for warning her if she's not making the right choice. Does this make sense? If it does please explain it to me, I can't figure it out. Life was simpler before women.

Makes sense to me - I've been married 24+ years.

Yes always your fault.

No explaining it - no logic to it. I can't remember where I heard it but the saying goes something like women are like men minus logic and accountability...

It's all part of the fine print on the marriage license.

[El Camexican]

Thanks ATC King! I'll be adding the extended warrantee!

[tripledog]

I bought a 2006 Chevy Colorado that has variable valve timing (someone please feel free to correct me if that is the wrong term). The truck has less than 75K on the clock, and runs and drives PERFECT. It won't pass inspection due to a P0017 diagnostic (camshaft/crankshaft correlation) code that causes the check engine light to come on. The oil was dirty when I bought the truck, but since it ran so good, I thought is was NBD... WRONG! I have changed the oil and filter 3 times, replaced the variable camshaft timing solenoid, camshaft position sensor, changed the oil and filter again, replaced the crankshaft position sensor along with ANOTHER oil and filter change, cleared the P0017 code 5 times, and (my mechanic) attempted to perform several crank/cam relearns with his scan tool. Freakin' truck is in great shape, runs and drives great, but won't pass inspection due to the check engine light. And you can't just clear the light and have it pass... It needs to have somewhere between a hundred and a MILLION miles of drive time for the diagnostics to run. Just because the light is out doesn't mean that the gremlins aren't home (ask anyone that has had to fund an expensive repair because a family member decided to make a CEL disappear by covering it with electrical tape). I wish I had done a bit more research BEFORE I bought this vehicle, as they seem to have a proclivity for destroying cam chains and related exhaust cam parts. This is a $2k repair that I can't afford at this time. I have done everything within my ability to fix the truck, but I will likely take a loss just to be rid of it. Moral of the story, VVT is the spawn of Satan (IMHO), and I now own a $5,500 yard ornament. I know you will likely buy a brand new vehicle, El, but even with zero miles, there are clunkers among us. You may wish to google Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Consumer Reports to help you make up your wife's mind. Best of luck, brother.

[El Camexican]

You may wish to google Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Consumer Reports to help you make up your wife's mind. Best of luck, brother.

For sure, always do. It seems some older CRV's have vibration at certain points. Aside from that there doesn't;t seem to be anything that jumps out. Nothing I own has dirty oil with the exception of my lawnmower. I know what you mean about the problems though. When I was dealing in used trucks I ran into more than a few that had not received proper oil changes and had a lot of gummed up parts. As I was just flipping them I'd dump engine flush into them and run them for a few hours before changing the oil and cleaning the dipsticks with steel wool. Everyone love a clean dipstick.