"deborah" <v70saffron@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fa20fcab.0402191259.13b9b06d@posting.google.c om...
> I'm a long time Volvo owner but am fed up with the frequent
> maintenance of my Volvo and the high costs of this maintenance. I've
> heard that maintenance costs on Honda are much lower- both in the cost
> of the service but also in the frequency. Is that true? There is
> always something small going wrong on my volvo and I can't get out of
> the dealer at less than $200/ visit.
>
> Can any of you help me with the decision of whether to switch to
> Honda. Right now I own a '98 V70R AWD. I noticed that the Pilot
> isn't much cheaper than many Volvos so the price can't be a deciding
> factor. but what about reliablity?
>
> thanks
>

I looked at both recently, and bought a CRV after mulling over the
differences and test driving both. They are really very different vehicles.
Just to name a few:

- Pilot has three 'rows' seating, CRV has two.
- 6 vs 4 cyl with concurrent power, MPG, towing capacity etc differences.
- CRV avail in 5spd, Pilot auto only.
- CRV cloth only, Pilot leather, or so I recall...
- roughly $8-10k difference in cost (?).
- Pilot has lockable AWD whereas CRV does not
- etc...

There's no question the Pilot is more 'upscale' and a more 'robust' vehicle.
I hate debt, wanted a 5spd with higher MPG rating, and was VERY satisfied
with the ride etc of the CRV. It's more of an econobox than a 'real' SUV,
but realistically 95% of my driving will be on paved roads and the other 5%
will be ok with the CRV. It did fine in the snow recently (6-8in).

So really, the question is: what are you looking for in a new car? As to
repair costs, I've found ALL dealers to be pretty outrageous these days.
Unfortunately, given the complexity of new vehicles, it is also difficult to
find independent shops that can do it all. On the other hand
(fortunately!), new vehicles tend to be MUCH more reliable (don't ask about
my Fiat that needed wheel bearings every 10k, or the Peugeot that needed to
be started with a large screwdriver shorting the starter motor, or my VW
eurovan that's been through two compressors in 100k...).

ymmv
a