PuffDaddy
03-10-2007, 08:09 PM
I've been reading the posts on this site for the past few months as my wife and I have been considering a new CR-V (or as most here simply call it "V" or "the V").
We got ours two (2) weeks ago (end of February). I say "we" but it's my wife's. Decided on an EX AWD in white and got a reasonable trade for our Subaru Outback wagon. Less then 500 miles on the "V" and it drives really nice - smooth on rough roads and takes turns well. Plus the back seats are roomier than the Outback (have two growing teenage kids). Gas mileage so far (only two (2) fill-ups) 26mpg - 40% highway - 60% city.
Our reason for moving over to a CR-V:
-As stated above, more room in the back (son wears a size 13 shoe)
-Sits higher (e.g. better visibility)
-Easier to get in and out
-We are a track and XC (Cross Country) family, so we're constantly going to races that last the better part of a day. The size of the cargo area allows us to put our folding 10'x10' tent, cooler, four (4) folding chairs, and running equipment (uniforms, spikes, etc...) in the back w/o having to use a roof rack.
-Like the new style (though the bottom lip sticking out of the front bumper looked strange at first, it's now growing on me).
-40/20/40 split rear seats. The folding middle seat allows us to gain easy access to the cooler in the back on those long trips.
-Though not recommended while in transit, center console between front seats folds down to allow front passenger to move to the back seat.
-Fabric seats (had leather in the Outback and never really got use to it (e.g. too hard)).
Things we like:
-Ability to change how doors lock when placed into park
-Backing up with front windshield wipers on causes the back ones to come on too
-Child separator in rear seat (didn't know it had that feature...did you?)
-Ability to put magnet bumper stickers on the hatch (can't do that on an Outback)
-Auto-up windows
-Ability to easily connect MP3 player (after a visit to Radio Shack for a cable)
-Spare tire inside vehicle (though you loose space - aesthetically it looks better IMO). Guess if we need the space that bad, we'd just remove the tire and use our AAA membership if we get a flat.
Things I miss about the Outback:
-Huge sunroof - big enough that it's open above the back seat passengers
-Fog lights standard (option on CR-V)
-Dual-zone climate control
List of forum complaints/concerns and what we've experienced:
-Rear differential - no problem so far
-Mysterious oil leak - no problem so far
-Headrest (or "not a headrest") - no problem so far (very glad about this - I'd hate to have to explain the dead gray tabby cats used as headrests - if you haven't read that post, you don't know what you're missing)
-No hooks for grocery bags. Our 2002 CR-V had this and it was nice, but only held a couple of bags (not enough for a family). As someone suggested, you can get a fold-able bag holder from Case Logic for under $30
-Poor visibility (e.g. blind spot) - noticed this too, so we put a pair of 2" round blind spot mirrors on the outside mirrors
-Waiting for oil indicator to tell us when to change the oil - we'll have to see how that goes. I'm old school (e.g. change oil every 3-5 thousand miles). So if this indicator shows 100% life after 7k, I'll likely ignore it and get it changed.
Things I'd suggest to Honda (very short list...so far):
-Make rear windows go all the way down
-Auto off headlights when car is turned off (though at least it audibly warns you)
-Power tailgate window (not sure that this is possible with the Gen3 curved design)
-Removable rear seats
Accessories added:
-All season mats from Honda (front, middle, and cargo area)
-Gold pin stripe (the wife loves gold on white)
-Curt 2" hitch to carry four (4) bicycles (mounted myself in about 60 minutes. Didn't need to lower exhaust like others - just jacked up the rear passenger side wheel so I could angle the mounting bracket such that it would slide above the muffler).
-3M invisible bra (ordered and will be installed next week...professionally, I know my limitations)
-Fold down step with reflector for trailer hitch (only way we can wash the roof in the back because there's no bumper to step on - unless you use the rear tires as a step)
Planned accessories:
-Tailgate spoiler
-Fog lights
-Exhaust finisher
-Side Steps (black)
Thank you to everyone that posted here and provided my wife and me a place to do our research before our purchase.
We got ours two (2) weeks ago (end of February). I say "we" but it's my wife's. Decided on an EX AWD in white and got a reasonable trade for our Subaru Outback wagon. Less then 500 miles on the "V" and it drives really nice - smooth on rough roads and takes turns well. Plus the back seats are roomier than the Outback (have two growing teenage kids). Gas mileage so far (only two (2) fill-ups) 26mpg - 40% highway - 60% city.
Our reason for moving over to a CR-V:
-As stated above, more room in the back (son wears a size 13 shoe)
-Sits higher (e.g. better visibility)
-Easier to get in and out
-We are a track and XC (Cross Country) family, so we're constantly going to races that last the better part of a day. The size of the cargo area allows us to put our folding 10'x10' tent, cooler, four (4) folding chairs, and running equipment (uniforms, spikes, etc...) in the back w/o having to use a roof rack.
-Like the new style (though the bottom lip sticking out of the front bumper looked strange at first, it's now growing on me).
-40/20/40 split rear seats. The folding middle seat allows us to gain easy access to the cooler in the back on those long trips.
-Though not recommended while in transit, center console between front seats folds down to allow front passenger to move to the back seat.
-Fabric seats (had leather in the Outback and never really got use to it (e.g. too hard)).
Things we like:
-Ability to change how doors lock when placed into park
-Backing up with front windshield wipers on causes the back ones to come on too
-Child separator in rear seat (didn't know it had that feature...did you?)
-Ability to put magnet bumper stickers on the hatch (can't do that on an Outback)
-Auto-up windows
-Ability to easily connect MP3 player (after a visit to Radio Shack for a cable)
-Spare tire inside vehicle (though you loose space - aesthetically it looks better IMO). Guess if we need the space that bad, we'd just remove the tire and use our AAA membership if we get a flat.
Things I miss about the Outback:
-Huge sunroof - big enough that it's open above the back seat passengers
-Fog lights standard (option on CR-V)
-Dual-zone climate control
List of forum complaints/concerns and what we've experienced:
-Rear differential - no problem so far
-Mysterious oil leak - no problem so far
-Headrest (or "not a headrest") - no problem so far (very glad about this - I'd hate to have to explain the dead gray tabby cats used as headrests - if you haven't read that post, you don't know what you're missing)
-No hooks for grocery bags. Our 2002 CR-V had this and it was nice, but only held a couple of bags (not enough for a family). As someone suggested, you can get a fold-able bag holder from Case Logic for under $30
-Poor visibility (e.g. blind spot) - noticed this too, so we put a pair of 2" round blind spot mirrors on the outside mirrors
-Waiting for oil indicator to tell us when to change the oil - we'll have to see how that goes. I'm old school (e.g. change oil every 3-5 thousand miles). So if this indicator shows 100% life after 7k, I'll likely ignore it and get it changed.
Things I'd suggest to Honda (very short list...so far):
-Make rear windows go all the way down
-Auto off headlights when car is turned off (though at least it audibly warns you)
-Power tailgate window (not sure that this is possible with the Gen3 curved design)
-Removable rear seats
Accessories added:
-All season mats from Honda (front, middle, and cargo area)
-Gold pin stripe (the wife loves gold on white)
-Curt 2" hitch to carry four (4) bicycles (mounted myself in about 60 minutes. Didn't need to lower exhaust like others - just jacked up the rear passenger side wheel so I could angle the mounting bracket such that it would slide above the muffler).
-3M invisible bra (ordered and will be installed next week...professionally, I know my limitations)
-Fold down step with reflector for trailer hitch (only way we can wash the roof in the back because there's no bumper to step on - unless you use the rear tires as a step)
Planned accessories:
-Tailgate spoiler
-Fog lights
-Exhaust finisher
-Side Steps (black)
Thank you to everyone that posted here and provided my wife and me a place to do our research before our purchase.