CR-V question

I've been doing some research on my next auto and narrowed my choices down
to the CR-V -vs- Rav 4.

Does the CR-V offer an actual car alarm?

It was not mentioned anywhere when I did my research.

The vehicle I am considering is the 2007 2WD LX (almost fully loaded, except
for the moon roof) -vs- the Rav 4 sport edition with the 18 inch wheels and
6 cylinder engine.

The CR-V is more affordable.

 

If affordability is a factor, you should check out the RAV 4 with the 4
cyl engine--nothing wrong with the Toyota 4 cyl. The V6 engine will
give much superior performance in terms of acceleration, especially when
carrying a heavy load(passengers,cargo etc.). I like the appearance of
the new CRV better--no external tire carrier for one thing. On the
other hand, the RAV 4 has more cargo space than the CRV.

Ken

 

The Honda website lists a "security system" in the specs for the '07 CR-V as
standard equipment on the EX & EX-L and unavailable on the LX. I did not
find any discussion of what it provides. You will need to go to a dealer
and get them to show you what it consists of, and if satisfactory, you
probably need to consider upgrading your plans to the EX model.

If you are considering the RAV-4 with a V-6 as an alternative, the
difference between a CR-V LX and EX pales in comparison & will still be more
affordable. I sort-a doubt you will look back at the Honda once you test
drive that V-6.

 

E Meyer sez to fish who blubbed...

Wow, thanks for the advice.
I really needed that.

I know the Rav-4 offers a security system from the specs, just trying to see
what I need to know - like most people, I am looking for a very reliable
auto that will provide reliable transportation for a great many years to
come. A vehicle that would be a pleasure to drive.

When I sampled the stereo system in the CR-V -vs- the Rav-4, it was obvious
that the Rav-4 has a much better quality stereo system.

Is having the spare tire on the back a hassle or convenience?

I mean, if you need to change a flat, with the new CR-V, you would have to
empty the cargo area to get to the hidden spare below the board - but on the
Rav-4 you don't have to touch your valuables inside just to get to the
spare.

Cheers!

 

True. But the external spares have become a high-theft item. In Buffalo,
these are disappearing left and right from all makes of cars...

Fairly easy target...

 

My friend had her spare tire stolen on her RAV4. I am considering a
CRV---and will not look at a RAV4 just for the spare tire reason. Also
if you have a regular car you would have to empty the trunk to get to
the spare tire as well--right? Unless you expect to change tires once a
week(In my 24 years of driving I have never had a flat) I would not use
the convienence of a spare tire to justify your purchase.

I also think buying a car based solely on a stereo is ridiculous.

 

I have an '06 CR-V with the tire on the back. I haven't noticed any CR-V's
or RAV4's driving around here (Dallas) with missing spares. There must be
tire shortage in Buffalo? The dealers around here automatically put wheel
locks on these things anyway, including one on the spare.

Unlike Consumer Reports, who seemed to think anyone buying a CR-V or RAV4
backs into parking places such that the rear door can't be opened, we think
the side opening back door was one of the 06's best features. I was
disappointed to see it go & glad I got the '06 before it was too late.

The inside-stored compact spare is actually a cost/content reduction vs. the
outside mounted alloy wheel and real-tire. You are getting less. The only
valid complaint I have heard about the tailgate mounted spare is that in a
rear end collision it is what will be hit, missing the bumper (assuming
there actually is a bumper) and generally results in excessive damage to the
back of the car.

 

My father works at a local college. The number one theft item in the past
2 years has been external spares. And a wheel lock on them is a joke. It
slows down a theif, but at 3 AM, without having to do any jacking or hard
work, the tire can be pretty easily removed, and sold for $50. For a guy
looking for some quick cash, they are a easy target.

And who really needs a full-size spare, and easily accessible to boot?
How often do you plan on using it? My last flat tire was probably 5 years
ago, and due to my own negligence (not having a proper alignment done
after a tie-rod end replacement, causing quick, uneven wear).

I would prefer a donut hidden in the cargo area, if given a choice...

 

Where is this college?

 

Buffalo, NY.

 

From: (planetx)

Same goes for a security system

 

Happy New Years folks!!

QUAKEnSHAKE typed:

Interesting how you both seem to believe that I would purchase a vehicle
based SOLELY on a single item.

I do not recall every stating that.

I am basing my purchase decision on many factors and am simply pointing out
a mere few things on the list that I am using as a measure of which vehicle
is better equipped to fit my needs.

Thanks for the reply and have a happy and safe 2007!!
_________
===fish===
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

 

Well then just from reading looks like the Rav4
1.Better stereo
2. better engine v6
3. security system
4. 18"wheels
5. larger cargo area

vs

CR-V
1.more affordable

Might come down to just one item "cost".
You want all those other things or save money.

What is the price difference anyways?

Which has the better ride, lower insurance, better mpg?
Ray

 

QUAKEnSHAKE respectfully pointed out:

There are a few others I plan on visiting the respective dealers for.

I am considering vehicles that offer good gas mileage as a first priority,
then I take it from there.

For example, the Honda Element (22/27)
The 2008 Ford Escape (36/31)
Toyota Highlander (was considering the Hybrid, but I can get the gas version
in the Limited trim for less and the mileage difference isn't that far off.

That's where the research comes in.
What I can afford to balance will help serve as a general guide.

It varies depending on many things.
However, I am simply setting up which vehicles I feel deserve my invested
time to take a closer look at and if satisfied, a test drive.

As much as I like the Honda CR-V, there seem to be quite a few negatives
with it that tip the scale for me.

I mean, the service dept. is a sure sign of what I should expect.

For example, I bought my 97' Saturn back in '96, have it serviced only at
the dealership with the genuine parts and it has been the most reliable
vehicle I have ever owned.

I want THAT experience and the service dept. at the Toyota
dealership -compared- to the Honda dealership was dramatic - a clear winner
by far.

However, chosing a vehicle based only on one single item or feature, such as
a superior service dept. might be unwise.

Lower insurance?
I didn't realize that chosing a....

....very interesting and valid point, Ray!

The 2008 Saturn Vue is coming spring with a very aggressive price point
geared with Hybrid technology in a V4 & two levels of V6 engines - but the
reviews I've watched the videos of were not very impressive enough to
consider, unless PRICE is the main concern - I want QUALITY, so there must
be a balance.

Pay a little more for quality?
Yes!
_________
===fish===
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

 

That must be the hybrid.

You might want to subscribe to ConsumerReports.org where you can get
the test results for the '07 CRV and the others you are considering.
You can set up a side-by-side comparison, although it doesn't include
all of the stats available in the full report. I note that the
Forester is significantly narrower than the CRV, RAV and Escape which
are nearly identical in size. Highlander is a little bigger.

Of these, The Ford definitely lags in reliability, depreciation and
owner satisfaction. It also did worse in crash tests, especially if
you don't have the optional side air bags (which are standard in the
other cars.)

The CRV had the best "emergency" handling which I would relate also to
"sporty" handling. That would be a big factor for me, but I would
prefer a sporty station wagon to any of these hulks. The Ford had the
worst braking performance. The Highlander with the V6 was fastest.
The Forester and RAV with I4s were a second slower to 60 and the CRV
and Escape hybrid were another second behind. The mileage of the
Highlander (19 overall) was worst of the bunch reflecting its bigger
size and V6 engine. CRV got 21, Forester 22 and RAV 23 and the Escape
hybrid got 26. If you get the Highlander with the hybrid, it jumps to
27, and it actually gets faster. Of course the cost soars as well.
Substitute the V6 for the hybrid in the Escape and mileage plummets to
17 with little improvement in acceleration. (So much for the theory
that hybrids don't do anything.)

Lots more info at the site. Not free but pretty cheap, especially
when you are shopping for a car.

So, Fish, why do you want an SUV anyway?

 

You might also want to check different dealerships if you have more
than one to choose from. There may be big differences between
dealerships with the same brand.

How can you compare service departments anyway? Does one look cleaner
and shinier? That might just mean they do a lot of hosing, if you
know what I mean.

 

I don't see where the service department of the local dealer should be an
issue (except maybe if you go with a Ford). In 12 years of Hondas, I have
visited a dealer's service dept once for an inconsequential warranty issue
on the '96 Odyssey, once for a warranty issue with the '00 Acura TL (peeling
trim on a window frame), once for a defective plastic cargo hook on the '06
CR-V. All under warranty, all at different dealerships, and all resolved
quickly without hassle.

These cars just don't need to constantly return to the dealer like your
American cars of yesteryear. There are no tune-ups until at least 100,000
miles, just periodic fluid changes and checks that you can easily do
yourself, or have done pretty much anywhere.

 

Gordon McGrew respectfully added...

Yes and my research is limited until I pick up some magazines.

I understand the next Consumer Reports should be due by January 9th (if I am
correct).

I want to further add that any vehicle in the Limited trim will always have
more safety, stability, security, bells & whistles than the base.

Having said that, until the liquid hydrogen fuel cells start leaping into
our production autos, the Hybrids are certainly helpful (but you have to
consider the cost, plus Hybrids haven't been around long enough to base any
reliability standard that I know of).

The magazine edition should be coming soon.
Last visit to the bookstore revealed in small print, "Display until January
8, 2007".

I am doing that now with the Kelly Blue Book website.

I never owned a Ford and was simply looking at the stats before doing any
real research.

Someone at work drives one of those Ford SUV's, but it is not the Hybrid
edition.

Anyhow, the top two vehicles remains the Honda CR-V and the Toyota Rav-4.

I was told that the spare tire on the back could be a cause for concern in a
rear end collision, which has me researching much more than I had originally
had intended.

Elsewhere, someone pointed out that the rear hatch on the 2007 Honda CR-V is
flush right above the bumper and a collision would destroy the hatch because
of the way it connects to the bumper when it's closed/locked.

Those few concerns are the reason for my continued effort.

I hope my efforts will help someone lurking in this newsgroup as she or he
begins their own car research.

Until I round up my preferred choices, then take them for a test drive, I
will continue asking as many questions as I possibly can think of.

I hate to cross Ford off the list, but your helpful facts have been a wealth
of help!

Just checking my list, I crossed the Forester off my list a while back -
must have been something in the specs that didn't measure up.

Wow, the Highlander had pretty good numbers last time I checked.

I didn't realize the CR-V was that bad!

Wow, those numbers listed on those websites are not very accurate.

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid (2 WD) got city: 36 / hwy: 31.

I know!! That's why I went one level down to the gas version which wasn't
too far off the mark.

The magazine edition is coming very soon - I can't wait!!

Shopping can be fun, but when you have to have something delivered because
you can't get it to fit in your trunk, it takes the fun out of shopping.

If you have ever shopped at the Home Depot, for example, you will find more
pick-up trucks, SUV's, etc. than at your - actually, I see them everywhere.

But seriously, shopping for big items you can take with you and save on
delivery is something I have been wanting.

Last year, I had replaced every major appliance in my kitchen.

If I had an SUV, I could have saved some time and expense.

But when I think about other shopping, like my frequent trips to New York -
oh how I would just LOVE to buy those items that I currently cannot consider
without the expense of delivery.

There are other reasons, such as the ability to sleep in the back when I'm
too tired to drive, I just pull into a rest stop off the turnpike and take a
nap.

But with gas mileage getting better as technology continues to improve, we
will be seeing better designs.

As for now, the overly hyped --- H U M M E R --- (had to stretch those
letters) has gas mileage not worth bragging about.
_________
===fish===
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

 

After I bought the '06 CR-V last year, I found that the mileage number
reported by Consumer Reports from their tests turned out to be exactly what
it gets (and has absolutely nothing in common with the EPA sticker). Based
on that one data point, CR is probably the best bet to get an idea about
real world mileage. Btw - the auto issue is always April.

 

The cover on the rear spare deteriorates and need replacement every two
years or so. Also, it makes it a hassle to use hitch-mount bicycle
racks, though I did find one that would work on the older CR-V. You can
get a set of wheel locks that includes one for the spare, but it's still
a pain. Don't use spare tire mount bicycle racks, as the rear door isn't
strong enough.

I'm so glad that Honda got rid of the damn side-opening door, and
external spare.

As to the alarm, I guess you could always go with an after-market alarm.

I installed the Honda alarm on my CR-V and it was an easy installation
(plug and play), but after a few years, something went wrong and it
sometimes would take pushing the remote button fifty or a hundred times
for the car to unlock. I've had good luck with the CrimeGuard alarms
from Crutchfield. When I bought the vehicle, I had the dealer remove the
piece of crap after-market alarm that they had installed, but I was
pissed because there were still holes that they had drilled. I had them
replace the trim around the speedometer and gauger, but there were other
holes in the chassis. I'll never go back to that dealer again.