Central TX wait time on CR-V's ?

[sweet100s]

Am looking to buy a 2007 CR-V in the Austin, TX vicinity (which theoretically could include Dallas, Houston, San Antonio) within the next several weeks.

Couple of questions for you Wise Ones out there:

1) What should I be careful about in the price negotiation process?

2) What should I pay specific attention to when I take receipt of the new CR-V? (I've seen references to a differential problem to look out for)

3) I've heard the wait time is 8 weeks? Anyway to shorten that?

4) Any feedback about dealers in the Austin area?

5) What else don't I know that I should know?


This is the what I'm looking for, from the Honda web site:

2007 CR-V 2WD EX-L
with Honda Satellite Linked Navigation System™ Automatic Transmission

in either Beige, Green Tea, or white

Base MSRP*: $26,800
Destination & Handling: $595
MSRP including selected accessories: $29,128
Selected Accessories (installation costs not included):
EXTERIOR Tailgate Spoiler $289
Front Splash Guards $63
Color-Matched Door-Edge Guards $69
INTERIOR All-Season Floor Mats $139
Cargo Tray$105Auto D/n Mirror $229
Auto D/n Mirror Attachment $86
Cargo-Area Cover $235
ELECTRONICS Back Up Sensors,
Borrego Beige M (yr-566m) $259
Back Up Sensors Attachment $259

Thanks!! :mrgreen:

[NLPayne]

1) What should I be careful about in the price negotiation process?

Don't pay for undercoating, fabric protector, paint protectant, etc. Tell the dealer how much you will pay and don't not ask how much they want.

2) What should I pay specific attention to when I take receipt of the new CR-V? (I've seen references to a differential problem to look out for)

Take a tire pressure gauge and make sure the tires have 30 psi, then take a long test drive. The differential problem seems to be a thing of the past.

3) I've heard the wait time is 8 weeks? Anyway to shorten that?

Some dealers get a lot of CR-Vs and some only get a few. My dealer always has between 15 and 23 in stock. They sure look pretty sitting in a row.

4) Any feedback about dealers in the Austin area?

Sorry, can't help there.

5) What else don't I know that I should know?

Well, you probably already know the CR-V is a quality small SUV. Every time I drive mine I'm impressed.

Selected Accessories (installation costs not included):

Man, you're loading that CR-V down. I bought my options at discount and installed them myself. Probably saved about 50%.

EXTERIOR Tailgate Spoiler $289 Love mine, looks good.
Front Splash Guards $63 Should be standard.
Color-Matched Door-Edge Guards $69 Don't like them.
INTERIOR All-Season Floor Mats $139 Makes cleaning easy.
Cargo Tray$105 Makes cleaning up spills easy.
Auto D/n Mirror $229 Too much money - not needed.
Auto D/n Mirror Attachment $86 See above.
Cargo-Area Cover $235 Don't like it - not needed.
ELECTRONICS Back Up Sensors, Borrego Beige M (yr-566m) $259
Back Up Sensors Attachment $259 Wish I had them but too much money.

Don't forget the body side moldings.

Thanks!! :mrgreen:

Good luck and enjoy your new CR-V.

[dizchik]

Have you gotten any quotes from local dealers? Or do you know if any of them have the one you want in stock?

I live in North Dallas (McKinney) and our Honda dealerships (David McDavid, Honda of McKinney, Lute Riley) have all gotten new shipments of V's. Unfortunately when I got mine, it (seemed like it) was the last of 4 V's out of all the dealerships I went to...

[sweet100s]

NLPayne, thanks so much for your specific feedback!

Tell the dealer how much you will pay and don't not ask how much they want.I've always been told that you should always get the other person to name a price. But... maybe that's not true for the CR-V because of supply & demand?

Take a tire pressure gauge and make sure the tires have 30 psi, then take a long test drive.There is a problem with ... tires losing air? or the tire pressure monitoring system? Or, is that a general test.

Well, you probably already know the CR-V is a quality small SUV. Every time I drive mine I'm impressed.They seem like very fun rides. There is 1 feature that I've not seen on any other car as well done, and that really made me go "Wow". But I've not seen it mentioned here -- the cargo shelf in the back. It seems to make the back like a bookshelf! Seems like it would be perf for grocery shopping. The Honda website describes it as:
"The new dual-deck cargo shelf allows for easy cargo organization. Larger, heavier items can go under the shelf while lighter items can be placed above. It even hides in the floor when you don't need it."

The other interior feature that seems so much more clever than other interiors is how the gear shift is up off the floor leaving empty space there.

I was also considering the Hyundai Sante Fe - seems like you get a ton of car for the $$. I tend to hang on to my cars forever so resale value is not a factor, and they have a much better warranty. However, their 2007 model doesn't have a tire pressure monitoring system.


I bought my options at discount and installed them myself. Probably saved about 50%.Where from? I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but not experienced at all with modding cars.

>> Front Splash Guards $63 Should be standard.
Are rear splash guards standard?

>> Color-Matched Door-Edge Guards $69 Don't like them.

Why not?

>> Don't forget the body side moldings.

Do those protect the door from dings? or is it cosmetic.

>> Auto D/n Mirror $229 Too much money - not needed.

I can't remember if the CR-V includes the garage door opener on that Mirror, or it if was the Sante Fe.

>> Back Up Sensors Attachment Wish I had them but too much money.

Agreed. It seems like a lot for just sound.

Have you gotten any quotes from local dealers? Or do you know if any of them have the one you want in stock?I've been to one dealership where I was told there'd be a 8 week wait. Didn't get a complete quote.

Thanks for the info on the dealer inventory dixchik! I might drive up and check them out.

[sweet100s]

NLPayne, why did you get the AWD?

I was considering that for in-rain performance, but wasn't sure if I could justify it based on that.

[sleeksilver]

NLPayne, why did you get the AWD?

I was considering that for in-rain performance, but wasn't sure if I could justify it based on that.

Better resale value, no matter where you are.

As for your tire question, no the tires do not loose air. Some dealerships do not lower them to the recom. pressure after taking delivery. They ship the vehicle at the maxium PSI to prevent flat spotting of the tires.

[NLPayne]

I'll try to answer some of your questions. Linda and I are not normal people and hope we never become normal. The last eight years we have traveled in the USA, Canada and Mexico in a motorhome and we often take the CR-V off-road so that is why an AWD is a must for us. I know the CR-V is not a true off-road SUV, but our 99 CR-V never let us down driving across deserts and climbing mountains.

Tire Pressure - When you take a test drive you want to see what the ride and noise will be so make sure the tires have the correct pressure. The dealer could have left the max pressure in the tires and I have known of dealers who drop the pressure low to give prospective buyers a smoother ride.

Door Edge Guards - I like the smooth lines of the sides and the only thing those guards protect is chips on your door edges if you whack another vehicle and you won't do that with your new CR-V.

Body Side Moldings - They offer some protection from others hitting your CR-V with their doors, but I installed them mainly for their looks.

Auto Day/Night Mirror - That is an expensive option to get an auto dimming mirror and a compass. I had rather flip the lever between day and night myself and I don't have a Navi, but I have a Garmin GPS which gives direction.

Front Splash Guards - The rear splash guards are standard and the front ones should be too.

Cargo Cover - The EX and EX-L comes with a shelf so anything you store under it is hidden and only 20 lbs can be placed on the shelf. I don't see a need for a pull over cover to cover the cover. If you decide you want one later you can buy one and put it in yourself, no real installation.

Buying a CR-V - Over the years I have bought about 20 new vehicles, about 8 used vehicles and 2 motorhomes. I have always laid my check book down and told the salesman exactly what I will give for the vehicle "out-the-door." That puts me in charge of negotiating and if he accepts my offer I write the check, if he does not accept the offer I walk out. I never ask a salesman how much he wants for a vehicle because that puts him in charge and me on the defensive. The longest I have nogotiated with a salesman was 15 minutes and that was for a quarter-million dollar motorhome.

These are my opinions and I know others have valid opinions that are different than mine. And my opinions and advice is worth exactly what you pay for it - Nothing.

Good luck.

[BlkCRV2007]

I don't believe the front splash guards a standard but the rear ones are. I bought them online for $33 and installed them myself in 10 minutes. all you need is a short screwdriver. I bought the floor mats too for $100.

I've never liked the auto-dimming mirrors. They came with my C320 and also my dad's landrover. Once it gets dark out, you can't see anything but headlights cause they get so dark. I actually bought a racing mirror to cover them so I can see out the rear windows.

I also wanted to point out that if your planning on buying the one with Nav, your not going to need the backup sensor since the Nav comes with the rear backup camera anyways.

[sweet100s]

NLpayne & BlkCRV,

Thanks so much for your replies!

:mrgreen: