My sister wants me to take her car shopping on Thursday to get her next vehicle. She can't afford new so she's looking for something used with a max price of 14k. She wants a CRV but I'm trying to think of others she may look at in her price range. Anybody have any experience with a CRV or Rav4?

 

It's really a toss up. There seems to be more CRV on the road.

 

Neither. I'd take a Toyota Matrix or a Mazda 3 hatchback.

Small SUVs are even more dangerous than full sized SUVs.

 

I'd look at a later model Rav4. I had a 2003 as a rental car last fall and was very impressed with the pickup, the maneuverability, and the ride. I test drove the CRV several times and each time I was uninspired. While the Rav4 was peppy and fun to tool-around in, the CRV was just blah.

 

What did she say when you told her she could have a 2001 CL-S for $14k?
You need to plant a seed in her head about handling and performance being the keys to active safety in a vehicle, and not let her join the mindless SUV sheep....

 

CRV

 

CRV

 

Look at the Pontiac Vibe (Toyota Matrix). Good incentives. Look at the MAZDA 3. GF has a Mazda Protege5 and she loves it, the 3 is quicker and bigger and priced about the same. Also check out the new Chevy Equinox. I was at a hotel and they were having a seminar for that truck that day and I must admit, it's pretty cool and it undercuts the others.

 

Rav 4

 

$14K used. I'm not sure what model year & mileage that will get you (I'm guessing 2001, maybe 2002) but from car shopping with the latest releases in this class my short list is:

Subaru Forester > Honda CR-V >> Toyota RAV-4

Keep in mind that all three mini-SUVs went through some styling changes over the last couple years. I'm sure the previous generation used market will be get a better deal.

What does she want to do with it? Drive it around the city or do some light off roading? Have more carrying capacity and cargo capacity or just use it more like a car? The Toyota is nice and compact and drives quite car like. It has the smallest cargo room. The CR-V drives more mini-van like, but has a lot of room. The Forester drives more Subie like (true AWD) and has a moderate amount of room.

She should drive all and see what she likes. Each vehicle in this class drives quite differently.

 

well, let me try and answer a few questions. First, there is no way she wants a CLS, she wants a small SUV. I think it has something to do with being only 5' 105 pounds (and no I won't be posting any pics of my sister!). She has only had Honda's in the past so she's reluctant to go with any other brand other than Honda or Toyota. I suggested a Forrester, but she thought they were ugly.

As far as her needs, she's a flight attendant that doesn't drive but maybe 5k a month. We don't have to worry too much about harsh winters here so having a 4x2 is an option. Overall she just wants a bigger vehicle, she drives a small Civic right now.

 

Then it sounds like the CR-V should do her well. It's based on the Civic platform and should be something familiar to her.

 

I’m partial to the RAV4 myself…………
We did a lot of comparisons between the CRV & RAV4 and we ended up getting the Toyota.

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...5&pagenumber=1

 

the first gen CRV's are rated as one of the most reliable cars out there. i used to have one they are very weak (like a civic) but i kinda miss it cuz it was really fun to drive

 

The older CRV's were crap but the news one that got the redesign are great. I'd take the CRV.

 

5K a month? you dont consider that a lot?

 

sorry, meant a year

 

dont buy a CRV or a RAV4 they are both nasty for 14,000 she can get a used 99 tahoe or something nicer.

 

Have her buy a gas station to go with it. Not very good mileage with gas $2.00 a gallon.

 

she needs something that's going to last her a while which automatically nixes the tahoe. My guess is she'll roll over 100k on the odometer before she gets rid of whatever she buys.

 

Try to talk her in to buying another Civic or a Sentra or something. SUV's are fun for about a month but you get tired of them and miss your car. A car is much better when it comes to power, handleing, and gas mileage.

 

Neither of them can be termed SUV's..I'd opt for a Mazda 3 or 5,maybe Toyota Matrix.If she still insists get her a CRV..

 

I'd go with the Rav4

 

The CRV is based off the civic frame.
Our RAV4 is based off the Toyota Tercel.
Both drive like a car and are only SLIGHTLY top-heavy around corners.
They don’t drive like your typical truck-frame based SUV.

My dad has a Toyota Highlander.
It’s based off the Camry frame and drives just like a car.

Go test drive one before you make a statement like that.

 

"My guess is she'll roll over 100k on the odometer before she gets rid of whatever she buys."

My guess is she'll roll over before she gets to 100k in a CRV or RAV4!

Why does she want to be in a vehicle that is less safe than a Civic???

http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles...asics/8121.asp

 

CRV is ...... imo

 

I totally agree with you. In fact my wife wanted a Pilot but I thought it looked like an over-grown CRV. But, in the end, the CRV is my sister's choice, not mine.

 

When Toyota made the RAV 4, they wanted small off-road worthy SUV. So the 4 wheel drive system on the RAV is better than the CRV making it a little more off-road worthy.

Honda went more for features and road qualities, so you generally get more features in the CRV, and the newer ones have more power than the RAV 4.

Hopefully this helps a little. I personally think the RAV looks cooler but they're both pretty sweet rides.

 

Both suck off road, I have a 03 CRV and got it stuck like NO OTHER in some minor stuff...

While the RAV4 looks better than the CRV, the CRV is the most practical thing ever. Its more fun to drive than a RAV4 and has more power, well the newer ones do anyway I don't know about the old... I say CRV

 

i wanna see some offroad pics to see how the crv and rav4 compete against the jeep liberty

 

prius

 

Jeep Liberty offroad> CR-V and RAV4

it clearly states in the both the CR-V and RAV4's manual that it is not intended for off road use

 

CR-V is roomy, almost minivan like. Simple trims levels/options.

RAV4 looks better. Silly option packages.

Both now have same HP/TQ.

The Honda is MUCH safer.

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/...uv_current.htm

 

 

I haven’t taken our RAV4 off road yet, but I have tested its 4WD performance in the snow.
I had the sucker BURIED in about 12” of snow in a local parking lot and I could barely even make the wheels spin before it dug in.
I know the 4-Cyl doesn’t have gobs of torque, but it handle’s its own pretty well.

Before we bought it, the dealer had a little “test track” setup in the field behind the showroom.
It was basically just a 1/2-mile trail cut through the snow by one of the bigger SUV’s.
My wife was driving and at first she was hesitant, but after the THIRD time around she was having a ball.
One part there was a large puddle of ice about 20FT across.
The sales guy had her STOP with the front wheels resting on the ice.
Then he instructed her to FLOOR IT.
The front wheels spun for a fraction of a second and then the rear took over.
Once it got grip it powered right across the area.
Not ever owning a 4WD vehicle we were both pretty impressed and ended up buying it there.

 

If you get the “L-Package” you get pretty much everything you need.
All the appearance stuff, power windows, mirrors, locks, tire cover, tinted windows, fog lights, oversize wheels, body color bumpers, floor mats, tonneau cover, Leather wheel & more.
The only other thing ours has added is the roof rack, spoiler & remote locking.

 

They have great options. But it can be difficult to find a Toyota with the colors, trim, and package you want in your area. Most people I know end up getting a Toyota transferred from out of state. Toyota seems to drop the ball with supply and demand.

With Honda/Acura, it is easy to find what you want, more straightforward.

 

Yes, I’ll agree with you there.
Plus if you check the Toyota website they have different packages for different areas of the country.

The good thing is that when we were shopping, most dealers had 20+ RAV4’s in stock so there was plenty to pick from and discounts galore.
The only Honda dealer near me for miles had only ONE CRV to test drive then you ordered the color/model you wanted.
It was like pulling teeth to get 1000-dollars off MSRP from them.
And all East coast CRV’s are built in England instead of Japan which I wasn’t too thrilled about.

We had three Toyota dealers fighting for our business and got over 3-Grand off MSRP and got to drive it right home.

 

Stop scraping the bottom of the barrel, and find her a nice used fwd Lexus RX300. If you find her the exact color she wants, she will want to hold on to this thing forever....

 

Scraping the barrel? Just because the car doesn't have leather doesn't mean it's a POS. Every car mentioned in this thread (except maybe for the Jeep) is a decent quality car that will last many miles/years. The RX300 is in a totally different size and price class and doesn't sound like what the original poster was interested in. People that want a mini/small SUV don't want a mid-sized SUV.