Car shopping

[Squatch]

After much contemplation, I made the decision that my wife needed a newer ride to be driving around in. With a 7 month old granddaughter to be carting around, and the fact that I feel my lovely bride deserves a little more comfort (and safety), the old '96 XJ 2-door just isn't fitting the bill. So, after calming her initial fears that I was implying that we need to sell her prized Cherokee (it's not going anywhere), I got her onboard.

First thing I did was get a pre-approved loan. That makes shopping a lot easier. Next, I sat down with her and discussed what she's looking for in a vehicle. We narrowed it down to a Honda CRV (2012 to 2016). Well, that's her first choice, anyway. I tried to steer her to a Honda Crosstour (2010-2015). Never heard of one? Most people haven't. They were a dismal failure in sales. Basically an upscale Accord hatchback/crossover thingy. It's definitely one of Honda's more obscure vehicles. And that in and of itself makes it more appealing to me, because I'm just weird, like that. How obscure? Cars.com has 163 CRVs listed for sale (dealerships) within a 150 mile radius of my zip code. And the Crosstours? Four. Just four. Hmmm...

So, we test drove one (a Crosstour) with 53,000 miles on it. A 2014 that's absolutely loaded with every conceivable option available on the Crosstour. Turns out that she absolutely loves it. AWD, leather, Blind Spot Detection, Navigation, back-up camera, and a bunch of stuff that I have no idea how to use. Remember, it's for her, not me. There was a TJ parked off to the side, and I inquired about it, but was informed that it's the Service Manager's rig, and he won't part with it. "They're a collectible now, you know." is what I was told. Really?

We didn't buy anything tonight, as I'm running off just three hours of sleep, and I'm not willing to make a big decision and/or purchase while this rummy. Besides, we both agree that she really needs to test drive a couple different ones, as well as the CRVs, so she can make the comparisons. So, we'll be off again tomorrow, hopefully gathering the information that will help us make a reasonable decision. If any of you have any input on these two models, or have a suggestion on another ride, feel free to comment. But be forewarned, there will never be another Subaru in the stable. That ship has sailed...

Have a great night,
Squatch

 

[Chris]

All I can tell you is that I've owned 3 Hondas, they are as follows:

• 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring
• 2006 Honda CR-V
• 2012 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite (this is our current family vehicle)

The CR-V had 220k miles on it when we sold it and never had a single issue or left us stranded once. Both of the Odysseys are fantastic minivans, reliable, and have also never left us stranded.

Honda builds a solid car. As far as modern vehicles go (not recreational ones either like a Wrangler), the only ones I would ever buy are Hondas, Toyotas, and Subarus. You can't go wrong with any of those. I've owned some of each, and they are definitely quilt build vehicles.

 

[Squatch]

We've kind of decided that it will be a choice between Honda and Toyota. She inquired about Nissan, but I just can't quite see spending that kind of coin on one. Same for the Korean twins, Hyundai and Kia. I wish I could feel good about some American iron, but there's nothing "modern" out there that even remotely works for us. So yes, Honda or Toyota. As I stated, Subies just won't happen. I've owned three of them, and it was a love/hate relationship with each.

 

[Chris]

Nissan is a big no go for me. I know too many people with them that have all had some issues.

Honda or Toyota both build outstanding vehicles that should be trouble free for a long time to come.

 

[lowranger]

My wife bought her Honda CRV brand new in 2015. She loves it. It's a great car. Lots of room, comfortable and she hasn't had one problem with it. When she let's me drive it, I think it handles great, I have plenty of room, seat slides way back. I like the little button on the shifter that takes it in and out of overdrive. If you are cruising along in overdrive and need some extra power, like to pass someone going up hill real quick....hit that button and hang on!

 

[RussTJ]

I have a 2016 CRV and have been very happy with it. It's my DD and I put 20k miles on per year and IMHO the heated seats are a middle aged dream come true. I also owned two Toyotas before this, a Camry and a Corolla and both served me well. I don't think that you can go wrong with Honda or Toyota.

 

[06lj]

We owned both a CRV and Crosstour that my wife drove when we lived in Colorado. The CRV was the better car for her. It was easier to drive and did great in the snow. The front seats were more comfortable and I liked having the folding arm rest. The Crosstour was a good car also. My wife complained that it was difficult to drive. I drove it on occasion and agreed that it required more driver input. We actually traded the Crosstour for the CRV. My wife also loved the Crosstour when she first drove it. It really had a premium feel. However, within the year she loathed the car and we took a financial bath getting rid of it. That was just our experience and really they were both good cars. If you like the Crosstour it might be worth looking at the Acura ZDX. Its the same car and doesn't cost much more.

 

[glwood]

Another vote for CRV. My wife loved hers, and would still be driving it but for someone totalling it in a collision.

We got a Rav4 afterward that was also a solid vehicle. Have you looked at those?

 

[zebra12]

I know, I know but -

Subaru Crosstrek- you can get an auto Premium model for $22K-ish (I paid $22.7 when they were brand new) 33 mpg and you get to enjoy the first 50,000 miles of trouble and service free ownership (other than oil and air filter).

I hate hippies too, and a ton of them drive Subies, but bang for the buck the Crosstrek is hard to beat.

 

[Squatch]

My wife bought her Honda CRV brand new in 2015. She loves it. It's a great car. Lots of room, comfortable and she hasn't had one problem with it. When she let's me drive it, I think it handles great, I have plenty of room, seat slides way back. I like the little button on the shifter that takes it in and out of overdrive. If you are cruising along in overdrive and need some extra power, like to pass someone going up hill real quick....hit that button and hang on!

So, is it a 2015 with the CVT transmission? They did a mid-year change to the CVT. I've never driven anything with a CVT, and I'm trying really, really hard to keep an open mind about them. The thought of never sensing a shift point is hard for my mind to process. I've watched videos of people getting on them hard, and listening to the revs staying up there has me almost wanting to yell at my monitor "Shift, damn you, shift!!! " The 2014 has what one reviewer referred to as an "antiquated 5-speed automatic". Antiquated? Really? He should try driving something with an old 2-speed Powerglide in it. Anyways, thanks for the input, @lowranger. Appreciate it.

 

[Squatch]

I have a 2016 CRV and have been very happy with it. It's my DD and I put 20k miles on per year and IMHO the heated seats are a middle aged dream come true. I also owned two Toyotas before this, a Camry and a Corolla and both served me well. I don't think that you can go wrong with Honda or Toyota.

This falls right in line with our way of looking at things. And you're right about the heated seats. While I don't use 'em in my Lincoln, the wife climbs in and turns the bun warmers on before she even buckles up!

 

[Squatch]

We owned both a CRV and Crosstour that my wife drove when we lived in Colorado. The CRV was the better car for her. It was easier to drive and did great in the snow. The front seats were more comfortable and I liked having the folding arm rest. The Crosstour was a good car also. My wife complained that it was difficult to drive. I drove it on occasion and agreed that it required more driver input. We actually traded the Crosstour for the CRV. My wife also loved the Crosstour when she first drove it. It really had a premium feel. However, within the year she loathed the car and we took a financial bath getting rid of it. That was just our experience and really they were both good cars. If you like the Crosstour it might be worth looking at the Acura ZDX. Its the same car and doesn't cost much more.

My wife and I read your reply with great interest. We haven't driven a CRV yet (will today), but we both loved the Crosstour's seats. As for it needing more driver input, could you elaborate a bit on that? We found it to exceed our initial expectations on ride quality. A much heavier feel (which we both prefer in a vehicle), and generally felt fairly large, which again is a quality we both enjoy. The view out the back leaves something to be desired, but with the back-up camera and the Blind Spot Detection System (which worked beautifully), we felt we could overlook that shortcoming.
So, my wife just asked me how it was your wife came to loath the car? As for taking a financial bath on it, that is my one concern with the Crosstour. If we decided to sell it a few years from now, will there even be a market for it? There's hardly one now...
Thanks for the great input. Really appreciate it!

 

[Squatch]

Another vote for CRV. My wife loved hers, and would still be driving it but for someone totalling it in a collision.

We got a Rav4 afterward that was also a solid vehicle. Have you looked at those?

We haven't ruled out the Rav4, or the Venza. The reviews I've read and/or watched on those both placed the Honda products above them in interior fit and finish. Drivetrains were comparable, and the ride quality win was handed to the Toyotas. If we find one of either while focusing on the CRV today, we'll certainly give them a look, as well. Thanks for the suggestion, @glwood!

 

[Squatch]

I know, I know but -

Subaru Crosstrek- you can get an auto Premium model for $22K-ish (I paid $22.7 when they were brand new) 33 mpg and you get to enjoy the first 50,000 miles of trouble and service free ownership (other than oil and air filter).

I hate hippies too, and a ton of them drive Subies, but bang for the buck the Crosstrek is hard to beat.

LOL Subarus have a dark and sordid past when it comes to their involvement in my life. It's just something that will take years for me to overcome, if ever. I ended up riding as a passenger in one yesterday, and was grossly disappointed in myself for even getting in it. Yes, it's that bad...

 

[06lj]

My wife and I read your reply with great interest. We haven't driven a CRV yet (will today), but we both loved the Crosstour's seats. As for it needing more driver input, could you elaborate a bit on that? We found it to exceed our initial expectations on ride quality. A much heavier feel (which we both prefer in a vehicle), and generally felt fairly large, which again is a quality we both enjoy. The view out the back leaves something to be desired, but with the back-up camera and the Blind Spot Detection System (which worked beautifully), we felt we could overlook that shortcoming.
So, my wife just asked me how it was your wife came to loath the car? As for taking a financial bath on it, that is my one concern with the Crosstour. If we decided to sell it a few years from now, will there even be a market for it? There's hardly one now...
Thanks for the great input. Really appreciate it!

My wife ended up not liking the car due to the feel of it. It is bigger and feels heavier. As I recal the steering was heavy. It sounds like you might prefer that in a car. She was working as a home visit nurse at the time and the bigger car probably wasn't as easy to zip in and out of parking spots and driveways. It was also harder to see out of and ours did not have the blindspot monitor. It probably didn't help that right after we got it it was voted as one of the ugliest cars. I'm not sure how much that public opinion mattered to her but I suspect it made a difference in how she felt about the car. I didn't drive the car that much but always felt the interior was the best thing about it. It felt much higher quality than what you would expect on a Honda. My only advice is that if you don't plan on keeping it forever I would pass on it. Even Honda wasn't able to recover the car from the bad opinions people had about the design. Ours was still basically new and the Honda dealer didn't even want it back. Re-sale options will be limited. The CRV on the other hand will always have a market.

 

[Squatch]

My wife ended up not liking the car due to the feel of it. It is bigger and feels heavier. As I recal the steering was heavy. It sounds like you might prefer that in a car. She was working as a home visit nurse at the time and the bigger car probably wasn't as easy to zip in and out of parking spots and driveways. It was also harder to see out of and ours did not have the blindspot monitor. It probably didn't help that right after we got it it was voted as one of the ugliest cars. I'm not sure how much that public opinion mattered to her but I suspect it made a difference in how she felt about the car. I didn't drive the car that much but always felt the interior was the best thing about it. It felt much higher quality than what you would expect on a Honda. My only advice is that if you don't plan on keeping it forever I would pass on it. Even Honda wasn't able to recover the car from the bad opinions people had about the design. Ours was still basically new and the Honda dealer didn't even want it back. Re-sale options will be limited. The CRV on the other hand will always have a market.

I think you're spot-on with your general assessment of the Crosstour. Personally, I love the thing. However, I love Edsels, Gremlins, Marlins and Pacers, as well (Pacer being the only one I haven't owned...yet). Remember the '74-'78 AMC Matador coupe? An absolute favorite of mine. So, obscure and off-the-wall styling is right up my alley. However, this purchase is for her, and not me. It's whatever she decides.
Thanks for the reply, @06lj. Really appreciate it!

 

[Squatch]

So, we ended up driving home a 2015 Honda CRV base model. It's a Kona Coffee color. Brand new tires, 36,587 miles. Former Honda employee lease car. I asked my wife to choose between that one and another base model CRV, and an absolutely loaded model that was a little more expensive. We discussed it for an hour, and chose the one she drove home. It's not my cup of tea, but she really loves it, so it's all good. Thanks to all for your comments and recommendations. I enjoyed the input!

 

[Chris]

So, we ended up driving home a 2015 Honda CRV base model. It's a Kona Coffee color. Brand new tires, 36,587 miles. Former Honda employee lease car. I asked my wife to choose between that one and another base model CRV, and an absolutely loaded model that was a little more expensive. We discussed it for an hour, and chose the one she drove home. It's not my cup of tea, but she really loves it, so it's all good. Thanks to all for your comments and recommendations. I enjoyed the input!

First order of business, put 31s on that bitch and a full size spare! I'm thinking M/Ts too!

 

[Squatch]

Ha!!! My interest in that car starts and ends with the payments!

 

[Chris]

Ha!!! My interest in that car starts and ends with the payments!

Just remember... most CR-V owners trade up to a JKU or a JLU. At least that's what I find!