I'm sold on a new car; going to purchase it next month.

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Background: 25 years old, works in the city, 18 mile commute to work (one-way). Recently engaged, and we want kids in 3-4 years. Active lifestyle includes a lot of camping and road-trips. I live in Maryland, and we get our fair share of snow here. I need something comfortable, with 4x4 or AWD, decent amount of cargo room, automatic transmission (lots of stop and go driving), and comfortable to drive. I also like long walks on the beach, romance novels, theater, yada yada, yada. :)

2008 Jeep Wrangler X
I have always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. I've always heard that they were reliable vehicles, and they've always had that "cool" appeal. They now come in 2 door and 4 door models. I test drove a 2 door model. The exterior looked great, as I've always liked the looks of the Wrangler. The interior immediately felt like a cheap econo-car. The materials were cheap and it just felt incredibly boring. I was disappointed while driving it as well. It was uncomfortable and boring at the same time. I couldn't picture myself driving it 40+ miles per day. Also, I've heard that owners have had problems with thieves ripping through the soft-top to get into the vehicle. I work in downtown Baltimore, and although I park in a secured garage, I also go out to Baltimore on the weekends a bit, and we park on the street. And there is almost no trunk space. After talking numbers with the salesman, I think I can get a 2-door automatic out of the door for $22K.

Likes: Looks have always been great in my opinion. New lifetime warranty is great. Great 4x4 ability.

Dislikes: Interior was incredibly boring. Power windows is a rare option on the 2-door model (I'm not even sure if it is an option on the 2-door model). Soft-top is a target for thieves. The ride is uncomfortable. Horrible gas millage. Completely impractical for the family man. No trunk space.

2008 Nissan Xterra X
Today, I test drove a 2008 Nissan Xterra. I like the looks of it. It looks rugged and it looks much bigger than a "small SUV" that it is classified as. It has plenty of trunk space, and a nice roof rack. Plenty of utility with this vehicle. I step in, and although there is a comfortable amount of space up front. I do not like the seats; they're this weird two-tone thing that I thought was ugly. The steering wheel was nice, and after test driving the Wrangler, this interior actually looked a lot better. It had a lot of power, boasting a v-6 engine with 261 HP, and 281 lb/ft of torque. Gas millage sucked, as expected at 14/18. I sat in the backseat, and it was surprisingly small. I'm 5'11 and I felt cramped back there. The dealer told me I could take an automatic 4x4 out of the door for $22K.

Likes: Bold, rugged looks. Fantastic power. More comfortable than the Wrangler. Lots of utility. Plenty of trunk space. Nissan reliability. Decent interior.

Dislikes: Ugly seats. Poor gas millage. Small rear seat.

2008 Honda CRV EX
After driving the Xterra, I believed that was the vehicle I would purchase. But I wanted to give the CRV a fair shot, even though it looks smaller and I knew it was underpowered at 166 HP. From the outside, it looks sleak and very nice. I first checked out the trunk space, and it was surprisingly not small at all; plenty of room, almost as much as the Xterra. So I sat inside and started her up. WOW. It was incredibly nice looking. All of the buttons and such were very easy on the eye, and it was also very comfortable. The model I test drove was the EX (without leather). It had the captain armrests and they worked well. It had a sunroof and I could immediately see myself driving it everyday through all types of traffic. This interior blew the Xterra's away; the Xterra doesn't even come close. The interior reminded me of my fiancee's Acura TSX. I drove off, and I could definetly feel that it was not as powerful as the Xterra. But it was much more smooth, and quite peppy. It actually felt like a little sports sedan, and not like a small SUV at all. Very smooth ride! After taking it onto the highway, I dove back into the lot, and parked it. I went into the back seat and it had much more room than the Xterra's back seat. Plus, the CRV's backseat can be adjusted as it mores forward and back. I talked numbers with the dealer and the EX model could be had around $23K, and the EX-L model could be had for about $25K. A little more expensive, but definetly worth it.

Likes: Smooth exterior looks. Alluring interior. Very nice materials and colors. Extremely comfortable. Decent gas millage 20/28. Honda reliability.

Dislikes: Underpowered.


I decided that I will be purchasing a 2008 CRV. I'm going to go with the EX-L trim with the leather, just because it looks and feels better. Going to probably purchase it next month.
 

cardiac

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,082
14
81
Krunchy, I probably have to agree with you on all counts. You did do your homework, too :) Gas mileage is a tradeoff. Either you have POWER, or you have higher MPG. Very hard to have both. I'm sure you'll enjoy the CRV. Make them show you the true invoice, and offer them $100 over that....

Bob
 

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
You're not getting it in black are you? I like the new CRV's but the black ones look like hearses with the way the rear side windows curve :(.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: SearchMaster
You're not getting it in black are you? I like the new CRV's but the black ones look like hearses with the way the rear side windows curve :(.

I like the black, white, or Glacier Blue.
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,338
786
126
CRV is a logical choice as it does everything OK. But nothing is great except resale value.

Underpowered
Bland styling
poor off-road ability
OK warranty

The Xterra & Jeep are in a completely different class of SUV's in comparison to the car-based unibody framed CRV. Of course it road nice, it's a freakin tall wagon!

It' can't tow, it can't offroad, it's not a real SUV. The CRV is built for city slickers who might see gravel once a year. The CRV is FWD while the others you drove are RWD.

The interior material quality of the Xterra & Jeep is poor because the people that buy those vehicles are buying them for the drivetrain and planning on getting the interior dirty with outdoorsy type abuse.

You obivously want a car-based SUV, based on your needs so you should test-drive some of the other car-based SUV's out ther:
Ford Escape & Mercury Mountaineer 200HP V6
Ford Edge 265HP V6
Hyundai Santa Fe
Toyota Rav-4
Chevy Equinox & Pontiac Torrent - large cargo area & big back seat - 3.4L V6 Standard
Mazda CX7 - Turbo 2.3L

Other RWD truck-based SUV's you might like:
Dodge Nitro
Jeep Liberty
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Hummer H3



 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,542
920
126
Dave-Did you look at Subaru at all? You could probably get a pretty nice Forester for low to mid $20k price range...maybe even less right now with rebates.

Xterra is horrible on gas as is the Jeep. Out of the ones you listed I'd go with the Honda too.
 

Shaotai

Platinum Member
Jan 22, 2002
2,062
0
0
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
What about the Toyota RAV4? I would pick that over the one's you've listed.

RAV4 FTW!
Seriously, the RAV has consistently been ranked high in reviews and consumer feedback.
I have a first gen Rav4 and can't wait to get into the new one. (Especially the new V6!)
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: Shaotai
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
What about the Toyota RAV4? I would pick that over the one's you've listed.

RAV4 FTW!
Seriously, the RAV has consistently been ranked high in reviews and consumer feedback.
I have a first gen Rav4 and can't wait to get into the new one. (Especially the new V6!)

Yea, the Rav4 has more power, but it lacks in styling. The interior of the Rav4 doesnt even compare to that of the CRV.
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
LandCruiser FTW ;)

Big bruising jap 4WD ftw :D

Prados rock, but you don't get them iirc.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Fmr12B
It' can't tow, it can't offroad, it's not a real SUV. The CRV is built for city slickers who might see gravel once a year.

That's the vast majority of SUV drivers, right there.

It has faux AWD...the pencil-thick driveshafts in the rear allow it a tiny bit of extra traction in slippery conditions. Towing capacity is low, but sufficient for a small trailer, jet ski, whatever. Off-roadability is more about the driver than the car, unless you're deliberately getting into the really knarly stuff. A careful driver in a regular car is able to get safely down the vast majority of dirt and gravel roads in this country. The truck-based SUV just absorbs the numerous mistakes that your average incompetent is likely to make off-road.

A friend has one of the older CRVs. It's a really solid car if you just need a bit more storage room and ground clearance than a car, and don't want to be a poser with a jacked-up Wrangler who never goes off-road.

Originally posted by: dug777
LandCruiser FTW ;)

Big bruising jap 4WD ftw :D

Prados rock, but you don't get them iirc.

I agree...for true off-road ability, it doesn't get much better than an old Land Cruiser.

The FJ40-45 is my favorite. I think the big ones of the later generation aren't as capable or nimble in tight, technical stuff.
 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Originally posted by: dug777
LandCruiser FTW ;)

Big bruising jap 4WD ftw :D

Prados rock, but you don't get them iirc.

both the 4runner, GX470, and the FJ cruiser are based off of the LC Prado 120 platform. Personally (well, Id take a FJ), out of your choices, Id take the Xterra. The CRVs downsides have already been pointed out. The wrangler is a shell of its former self. Its just a liberty with a boxy body. The best thing about the wranger was the solid axles, and they've done away with that. Though Ive never owned one, a few friends have had xterras. Off road performance is decent for a stock rig. Relativly roomy, and seems to have a decent amount of power (do they have the supercharged engine like the frontiers?).

 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Also, have you ever ridden in a soft top jeep at highway speeds? I did once, one of the worst driving experiences of my life. Not only dont think about having a conversation, dont think about listening to music. At least now they have ifs the ride wont tear you ass up on long trips like the old ones did.
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
CRV is too feminine IMO. The curves are all girly, as is the marketing.
I mostly see women drive these.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: senseamp
CRV is too feminine IMO. The curves are all girly, as is the marketing.
I mostly see women drive these.

One review I read said that the new CRV was targeted towards married thirty-something women with children.

I don't care though, it was very comfortable and I was impressed. Besides, it felt like a Bentley when compared to my daily driver (1997 Ford Escort, 5-speed manual).
 

sisq0kidd

Lifer
Apr 27, 2004
17,043
1
81
My dad has a CRV and I drive it on occasion. It's a very nice car for the price :thumbsup:

You've made a solid decision.
 

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
105
106
Good choice my parents have the RDX which is KINDA like the CRV which I would recommend you get the RDX you can find a new 2007 RDX for about 29 000

I believe that they have the same chassis as well as same engine family (Rdx has a turbo)
 

alfa147x

Lifer
Jul 14, 2005
29,307
105
106
I saw that you went with the EX-L the RDX is 4000$ more
I would HIGHLY recommend that you go with the RDX

but the CRV is not a bad choice either
 

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
Yes, if you don't care about the feminine image, the CR-V is a good pick. You should be able to trade it in for a minivan when you have kids and get good money for it.
Just don't expect anything that can go offroad, these cars are just reshaped AWD wagons. I would also check out the Nissan Rogue, it should be a bit more powerful and sporty than CR-V while getting same or better mileage due to the CVT, and more masculine.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: alfa147x
I saw that you went with the EX-L the RDX is 4000$ more
I would HIGHLY recommend that you go with the RDX

but the CRV is not a bad choice either

The RDX is $4K more. It's in a completely different price bracket than that I am shopping in.