Honda Car Forum

On 3/26/07 1:02 PM, in article
18473-46080AB5-659@storefull-3317.bay.webtv.net, "Mister Bear"
<MisterBear07@webtv.net> wrote:

> I like the looks of the new CRV, but there are two problems:
>
> The CRV could use a bit more power. It's pretty gutless compared to a
> Rav4 with a 6 cyclinder.
>
> Discounts on the new CRV are awful. The best I can do locally is around
> $700 off sticker. When the dealer wants $26,000 for a small SUV
> (CRV-EXL AWD) that's a bit much in my book. Wait a few months, and I'll
> bet the discounts are up to $1400, maybe more. Actually, a few buyers
> claim they're getting discounts around that level already.
>
> The Rav4 looks quite a bit roomier, and I believe 3rd row seating is
> available. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4, Forester and a couple of
> other smallSUVs higher than the CRV. MrB
>

When I looked at them last year, the RAV4 was not roomier than the '06 CRV
and, though the 4 cylinder RAV4 had more horsepower on paper, the CRV felt
quicker and more responsive to drive. The V6 is a hot rod and Honda does
not have anything to compare to it. The third seat is a joke & only viable
for small children. Don't make your decision based on solely on reading
specs or consumer reports reviews. Consumer Reports is useful for
identifying which cars have dismal maintenance histories and which ones roll
over too easily. If you wade through the babble on the CRV and RAV4, you
will find that Consumer Reports actually rates them extremely close to each
other.

Bottom Line - You really have to drive them each and be honest with
yourself about what you like and dislike about them before you buy anything.