Author Topic: cr-v or rav4? (Read 675 times)

gofaster · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:32:05 PM »

I'll second the suggestion to buy a Subaru. Or go with an Xterra.

My current vehicle is a 98 Toyota 4runner. Never had any trouble with it. Still running on the same tires that came with the truck (Michelins) but replaced the belts and such as regular maintenance. It qualifies as a mid-size SUV.

My wife's vehicle is a 02 Nissan Xterra. A/C makes a funny noise but dealership can't find anything wrong with it. I suspect compressor clutch but what do I know; I'm just a consumer. Other than that, its been a great little truck. It qualifies as a mini-SUV, but is only 6 or 7 inches shorter than the 4runner. We don't miss those few inches. I like the fact that you can take the upholstery off the seats and wash the fabric, then put it back on. The seams are held together by plastic clips.

My advice: if you want small, go with a Subaru. If you want not-so-small, go with the Nissan.

As for the CRV and RAV-4, my general rule of thumb is to avoid anything with the spare tire mounted over and beyond the protection of the bumper. You back into one post and you're looking at a couple grand in bodywork repairs, and probably a shattered rear window, too.

Also keep in mind that a short wheel base and high center of gravity will make the CRV and RAV-4 spin like a top.

Sandman · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:42:54 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by gofaster
I'll second the suggestion to buy a Subaru. Or go with an Xterra.

Have to say... I love my X. Guess I should have recommended. Assumed that if he was in the market for CRV or RAV4, he wasn't looking at truck-based SUVs.

Oh... and I must mention that the sheep like it!

SOB · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:52:40 PM »

Buy a snazzy new red dress and a pair of high heels, then just do eenie meani miney moe to pick between the CRV or RAV.

slimm50 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2004, 04:00:52 PM »

We own a 98 CR-V, and a 04 CR-V, and a 04 Civic. The 98 CR-V has 122k on it and runs like new car. As you can see, I'm sold on Hondas.

edit: buy what you like, like what you buy...to paraphrase someone in here.

Halo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2004, 09:57:08 PM »

Thanks guys for the advice, macho oriented as would be expected. You might enjoy a little more background about my SUV quest, since buying autos gets to be such an expensive hassle sooner or later.

I had a 2000 Ford Focus SE wagon which I loved. One of best all-around ergnomically outstanding and peppy but practical cars I've ever seen, and lots of raters thought so too.

But ... at 28,000 miles (six months after the 36-month warranty expired), the air conditioner also expired. $1500 for whole new basic guts. Ridiculous for car AC to ever go out, and that soon shows a basic manufacturer problem that the manufacturer ought to correct gratis.

Naturally it was my tough luck and no help from the Ford dealer (even with all its We-Are-Wonderful trophies prominently displayed), so I figured it was time to consider other alternatives before spending around $2k for new AC and 30k checkup and maintenance on a four, soon to be five, -year-old car.

Never had an SUV, and frankly no longer do enough surfing or non prime road driving to need one, but thought an SUV still might be handy.

I drove the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. The RAV4 is generally rated snazzier and more agile and the Honda larger and more versatile.

I tried to like the RAV4 but detest the black on white gauges, the tach in the middle of the dash (for an automatic!), the generally squeezed in feeling, especially in the back seat, and short wheelbase.

I liked the CR-V but as usual Honda was basically arrogant and would not deal. When looking for a new car, I always start with Honda but have never bought one yet because they basically dictate instead of negotiate, and no product is that perfect.

So I drove the RAV4 again. And finally realized that most of all I want a terrifically reliable car with plenty of comfort, size, economy, performance, durability, and value.

So I bought a Toyota Camry LE four-door sedan. Yes, just like your father's Oldsmobile, which also was a terrific car.

Thanks again for your SUV advice. SUVs look like fun but I found I needed just a good ol' plain sedan after all.

Mini D · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:20:56 AM »

The Camry was a much smarter choice than either of those two "suvs".

MT... you still have the gayest car of the posters on the BBS. That's coming from a Mini owner. HAHAHAHAHA.

Creamo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:36:57 AM »

The Camry is an excellent choice, and all kidding aside, MiniT speaks the truth Sand.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:41:00 AM »

MT posted in this thread?

I can verify that Sandy and MT are not the same guy. I saw them both at the same time.

BTW thx Sandy for the AccessPort contribution. Only $389.99 to go!!!

B17Skull12 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2004, 01:07:35 AM »

yea same here, but i got the Faces wrong at Chino i think. Mt was the Blading guy with Grey hair and i confused Sandy with Bumbwipe.

Sandy was the guy who brought his 2 kids right?

mora · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:18:57 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Halo
[BBut ... at 28,000 miles (six months after the 36-month warranty expired), the air conditioner also expired. $1500 for whole new basic guts. Ridiculous for car AC to ever go out, and that soon shows a basic manufacturer problem that the manufacturer ought to correct gratis. [/B]

What happened, did the compressor broke(not unusual in a Ford)? That sounds pretty expensive. Did the manufacturer refuse to accept even partial liability for the repairs?

Mini D · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2004, 08:00:20 AM »

I don't believe he did post in this thread funkytard, but that doesn't mean his car isn't the gayest. Let's say sandman's car rated a 5 on a scale of 1-10 on the gayness chart. MT's car would be about 10 times gayer than that. Yes... a 50.

Mighty1 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2004, 08:05:32 AM »

Rav-4 is a Jeep wannabe.

You need to get yourself a nice Jeep Wrangler Sport or Sahara.

Halo · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2004, 09:11:34 AM »

Yes, Mora, after a dye leak test the dealer concluded the entire compressor needed to be replaced. It was the usual 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty, whichever comes FIRST (as usual, not later which would be better warranty), and I missed it by six months but still 8,000 miles under the warranty.

Had a 1985 Pontiac 6000 which also was a great car except its air conditioner went out about a year after warranty. I stupidly bought an extended warranty from a third-party (still through the dealer), but they always weaseled out of fixing the ac.

That was before dye tests, so while various connections were tested and some seals replaced, the ac would never hold a charge more than a couple months.

That was the bad-for-atmosphere CFC-22, so I quit feeding the leak and just drove the car several years without ac.

I've had quite a few other cars, some of them not rated that highly, that had great air conditioners and never needed any recharging.

Seems like many vehicles as always are luck of the draw, although the excellent consumer and auto rating services can help us get better odds.

Sandman · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2004, 09:19:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by B17Skull12
yea same here, but i got the Faces wrong at Chino i think. Mt was the Blading guy with Grey hair and i confused Sandy with Bumbwipe. Sandy was the guy who brought his 2 kids right?

I brought my son and his friend. FWIW, I think MT has more hair than I.

B17Skull12 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2004, 10:13:08 AM »

yea i remember that.