So I ditched the Miata for a Honda

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07-03-2005, 12:27 AM
altiain

So I ditched the Miata for a Honda

Just kidding, but I figured that would get your attention. :wink:

What I did do was buy a new OTM - an '05 Honda CR-V EX. All-wheel drive with the 5-speed automatic.

If you'd asked me a month ago, this wouldn't have been on my list. However, our recent vacation to Colorado revealed some shortcomings with using the wife's Accord as a family road trip vehicle, and with my parents settling in to their new place in Arizona, there are going to be a lot more long-distance road trips in the near future. Plus, the reality of my upcoming commute (~40 miles each way, much of it through North Dallas gridlock) made me rethink my priorities. I focused on practical, economical, comfortable, and reliable, and the CR-V fits the bill. 21/26mpg city/highway (on regular gas), six airbags, ABS, AWD, stability control, a 6-disc in dash CD changer, really cold a/c, and a sunroof means safety and creature comforts for cross town or cross country. Rear seats that slide forward up to 8 inches means we can haul more behind the rear seats than a typical mid-size SUV, but still use the rear seats for the dogs (or a baby seat) at the same time.

It's no Miata, but it drives like what it is - a tall, car-based wagon. Actually, it's sprung a little more stiffly than Mel's Accord, but it responds well, and the control inputs are linear - it turns and brakes intuitively, and it steps off the line smartly, although it's a little anemic at 75+mph. It's never going to be a backup autocrosser or win any drag races, but as a Suburban Utility Vehicle and OTM, I think it'll do fine.

In the meantime, don't worry about the '99 Sport - after almost four years and 70,000 miles of faithful service, it's been retired to garage queen status.

Here are some pics:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...5_214_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...5_216_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...5_217_full.jpg
07-03-2005, 01:07 AM
Treibenschnell

The All-Wheel-Drive should make for fun on the Auto-X course!! http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...fault/wink.gif

Congrats on the new ride! http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...ult/wiggle.gif
07-03-2005, 01:18 AM
Treibenschnell

Before I forget, you'll have easier and cheaper repairs on this ride rather than the Merc you were staring at earlier this year.
07-03-2005, 07:19 AM
onething

I traded-in a CRV (or VCR as we called it) when I bought the Miata. I was hanging out in Hunt Co. and driving down some very unimporved roads on a daily basis. It did everything it was supposed to do in some very deep blackland mud and water. Never got it stuck thanks to the full time AWD :clap: and only had one problem with it in the two years we drove it. The port where the shifter cable goes into the tranny filled with mud and wouldn't let the tranny shift into drive.
07-03-2005, 08:06 AM
sammm

Our next door neighbors have one and they love theirs. Congrats!
07-03-2005, 09:12 AM
Ataim

ONe of my employees bought one a few months ago and his wife loves it also.

P
07-04-2005, 10:19 PM
bigDstars

Looks nice. Did you consider the Ford hybrid SUV? I'd pick the Honda, but the Ford's mpg numbers looked pretty good (36??) and I would have at least checked it out...
07-04-2005, 11:38 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigDstars

Looks nice. Did you consider the Ford hybrid SUV? I'd pick the Honda, but the Ford's mpg numbers looked pretty good (36??) and I would have at least checked it out...

Nope. The AWD Escape Hybrid starts at about $7k above what we paid for the CR-V, and they aren't offering any incentives (yet). Plus, I intend to drive this truck into the ground over the next eight to ten years and 200,000 miles - I'd be suprised if the Ford's fuel savings made up for the extra maintenance and repair costs it would probably incur over the Honda.

Besides, that's all I need is a Ford that the local dealer can't work on. :razz:

I was kind of interested in the diesel Jeep Liberty, but the price was too high, and the interior didn't offer the flexibility of the CR-V. Besides, it's a Jeep. :mrgreen: I feel comfortable for the long haul buying a Honda.
07-05-2005, 07:40 AM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Besides, that's all I need is a Ford that the local dealer can't work on. :razz:

From my experience with several of the local Ford Dealers that pretty much covers everything Ford Builds! :lol:

Sadly I know a couple of Mazda Dealers that have the same issue......
07-05-2005, 07:41 AM
channelmaniac

You don't like Jeeps? We bought our 89 Cherokee at 62k and sold it with 221k... our 97 Grand is still with us... bought it at 35k and it has 210k on it now... But, diesels seem to be a little pricey and the Liberty isn't the fanciest on the interior.
07-05-2005, 08:49 AM
Mathews2004

I don't think the diesel Liberty offers enough advantage over a CRV or a Forester. Except maybe in towing.
07-05-2005, 11:20 AM
joe.MIATA

Quote:

Plus, the reality of my upcoming commute (~40 miles each way, much of it through North Dallas gridlock)

So where is this commute taking you? I also have a 40 mile commute, but 25 miles of it is 80 mph (if I were so inclined).

Congrats on the upcoming job and new car.
07-05-2005, 11:47 AM
POS Racing

Hey Altiain, you do realize Kestrel also has a Honda CRV, does that now make you two soul mates? :flower:
07-05-2005, 01:03 PM
Kestrel

I can feel the bond from here... :flower:
07-05-2005, 03:16 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Hey Altiain, you do realize Kestrel also has a Honda CRV, does that now make you two soul mates? :flower:

That's just down-right creepy... http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...ault/humpy.gif
07-05-2005, 05:22 PM
Majik

I would have bought an H2, but thats just me... :geek:
07-05-2005, 05:47 PM
Treibenschnell

I can't recall, but isn't the CRV where the rear axle is visible!? I mean, you can literally see the damned thing spinning down below the body...

Edit:

Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be any different than any other half shaft...
07-05-2005, 06:35 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe.MIATA

So where is this commute taking you? I also have a 40 mile commute, but 25 miles of it is 80 mph (if I were so inclined).

Congrats on the upcoming job and new car.

Thanks. The new commute will be taking me from North Richland Hills to Garland and back again. Some parts wide open, some parts bumper-to-bumper gridlock, unfortunately.
07-07-2005, 07:48 PM
srivendel

http://www.finsveen.org/images/Shocked%20NC.JPG

Wow. That's one helluva commute.

Did you consider the RAV-4? They've always struck me as pleasantly sporty.

I have to ask, though: why not a sport wagon?

S.
07-07-2005, 10:41 PM
OzCop

My spouse looked at the CRV before buying a Pilot last year. The seats were too hard for her, and she didn't like the seating position. Other than that, she liked it better than the Tribute ES, which was a damn fine SUV. The Pilot has been her favorite SUV since the first one in '95, a Jeep Grand Cherokee which we kept and drove for 4 years, and 80K trouble-free miles. The AWD and 5.1 Liter V 8 made it a guzzler, but it was one fine ride... :drive:
07-07-2005, 11:05 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Wow. That's one helluva commute.

Meh. About 40 miles each way. It would suck in the Miata, but I won't be doing it in the Miata. :wink:

I've done worse. That, and we'll probably be looking to build a new home closer to Southern Oklahoma (and Mel will be looking for a job in Plano ISD for the '06-'07 school year) in a year to 18 months, so it won't be forever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by srivendel

Did you consider the RAV-4? They've always struck me as pleasantly sporty.

I have to ask, though: why not a sport wagon?

S.

I don't know why, but the RAV4 has never appealed to me in the slightest. We did stop by a Toyota dealer and looked at one briefly, but the cargo area was smaller, not as well shaped, and a lot less flexible than the CR-V.

As for sport wagons - most of them were either too small, or too expensive. The Legacy and Forester were really the only vehicles that came close to the CR-V on price and cargo capacity... but I've owned four Hondas in the past. I guess I was just more willing to trust my money with Honda.

Besides, I wasn't looking for the wagon equivalent of the Miata with this purchase. I was looking for something that got good gas mileage, was comfortable to drive, could haul my family up to Winter Park or out to Sedona in winter or summer, and (hopefully) wouldn't spend a significant amount of time in the shop. I still have the Miata, so when I want something to really drive, I'm covered. When I want something to slog to work through gridlock in air-conditioned, 7 speakered, all weather, multi-cupholdered comfort, I'm covered. :mrgreen:
07-08-2005, 06:25 AM
srivendel

Fair enough. Those are honest, sensible reasons for buying the CR-V. Here's to hundreds of thousands of trouble-free miles. :chug:

And here's a good reason to respect Honda:

Decision by Honda to put crash, rollover ratings on window stickers stirs debate

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

Posted Date: 7/7/05

The decision to put government crash-test and rollover ratings on window stickers of 2006 Hondas and Acuras was a no-brainer, Honda Vice President John Mendel said last week in announcing the move.

But the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents the Big 3 and six-import brand companies - not including Honda - worries about "information overload," spokesman Eron Shosteck says. A sticker shows price, accessories, emissions and fuel economy figures, domestic content percentage, origin of major components and assembly location.

Another question: How will Honda's decision affect pending legislation to make the ratings display mandatory? If automakers do it voluntarily, some will argue, there's no need for a law. On the other hand, Honda's move may be used as an example that such a law wouldn't be a big stretch for car companies.

In the ratings program, vehicles get one to five stars based on how well they protect crash dummies in front and side impacts and on how well they resist rollovers.
S.
07-08-2005, 07:05 AM
Kestrel

My CR-V has been extremely reliable, reasonably comfortable (trust me -- you don't want to sit in the back for a road trip from Dallas to San Antonio :shaking: ), and met my fuel economy expectations (meaning it's pretty good, but not astounding).

On the other hand, it's the single most boring car I've ever owned. Slow and buzzy. Automatic (not even the fun of one of those "gated manu-matic" thingy's). Lousy sound system (which admittedly could be fixed with a $200 aftermarket "upgrade"). Every time I get into the car, I just feel my heart sink knowing how dull the drive is going to be.

Now I have the older model... perhaps the newer one is better. And in any event, it'll certainly serve you well as a daily driver. Mine still does it's job. :thumleft:
07-08-2005, 08:55 AM
srivendel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Every time I get into the car, I just feel my heart sink knowing how dull the drive is going to be.

That's the funniest thing I've read all morning.

http://www.midtownsaturnsaab.com/05p...ddr-linear.jpg

We love our 9-2X Linear (exactly the same as the pictured car). They can be had right now for around $17,500. That's 165hp, 5-speed, AWD, ABS, side air bags, etc. Plus Saab good looks and a better suspension than the Impreza.

It wouldn't be as good in stop-n-go traffic as an automatic equipped vehicle, but it is a lot of fun to drive.

S.
07-08-2005, 10:27 AM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

[color=navy]
On the other hand, it's the single most boring car I've ever owned. Slow and buzzy. Automatic (not even the fun of one of those "gated manu-matic" thingy's). Lousy sound system (which admittedly could be fixed with a $200 aftermarket "upgrade"). Every time I get into the car, I just feel my heart sink knowing how dull the drive is going to be.

Now I have the older model... perhaps the newer one is better. And in any event, it'll certainly serve you well as a daily driver. Mine still does it's job. :thumleft:

What year is yours, Kestrel? I know they originally shipped with 126hp, which got bumped to ~140 in '00, iirc. The new ones have 160hp (and 162 lb-ft of torque), and the '05s have a 5-speed automatic. It's a little deliberate when pulling out to pass at 75mph, but it gets off the line just fine - in fact, I was suprised on the test drive at just how punchy it feels around town compared to my wife's Accord, which has a similar power-to-weight ratio. The 5-speed tranny kicks down much more quickly and willingly than the 4-speed auto in her car.

I actually suprised myself (and the guy next to me in the Forester) in the rain yesterday morning. :cool:

Don't get me wrong - it's not going to win any drag races, but I think it would get the jump on a Miata to 60mph, unless the guy in the Miata got a good launch. Road & Track rated the '02 CR-Vs (which made do with a 4-speed automatic) at 8.4 seconds 0-60mph... not much slower than an NB.

Seven speakers, in-dash 6 disc CD changer, and the one I bought is loud enough to make your ears bleed. It also has better sound quality than my '98 Prelude or my wife's '00 Accord does. The OEM stereo will also play MP3s, and is pre-wired for XM satellite radio. It's certainly not concert hall quality, but for an OEM stereo system this one will do me just fine.
07-08-2005, 12:07 PM
Kestrel

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

What year is yours, Kestrel?

1999.
126hp.
Dull but reliable/practical... ;-)
07-08-2005, 12:19 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Dull but reliable/practical...

http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...ult/shutup.gif

http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...fault/cool.gif
07-08-2005, 01:18 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kestrel

Dull but reliable/practical... ;-)

Are we talking about you or your CRV? :bom: (Just kidding!)
07-09-2005, 02:46 PM
ccage

Iain:

Congrats again on the job and new vehicle. Hey -- the Miata's my favorite car (that I own), but sometimes you've gotta do other things and the Miata loses out. You've now got the best of both worlds... Drive the Miata when it's nice, and use the other for people- or stuff-hauling, or for long trips.

I'm sorta with Channelmaniac in that I also have an old Jeep Grand Cherokee (a '97) that has 140k on it right now. I just spent a good $1k letting the dealer do a lot of little things that need to be done -- worn-out door locks and the like -- and plan on keeping it for a good while longer. Yeah, friends have said "that's two months of car payments -- buy a new car," to which I always point out, "yeah, but then there're those other 46 (or 34, 22, etc.) payments after those... That's what gives me the willies."

I also keep a '97 F150 around for hauling dirty stuff. Other than the mileage on the Jeep/Truck, they're great vehicles. Hey, at least they're less thirsty than an H2...

Anyway, enjoy!
Chuck