<p>BTW - I took the time to input some automatic price quotes on one particular popular insurance company’s website.</p>
<p>I pitted the CR-V against the Accord. The result - not dramatic, but with all other factors being the same, an entry trim CR-V did indeed generate a slightly better price than a similarly spec’ed Accord for the base coverage package.</p>
<p>However - opt for a more expensive and better rounded coverage package - and the CR-V’s premiums overtake the Accord. The difference was due to the collision coverage - which is significantly higher for the CR-V because I assume is because it’s a bigger car and likely will cost more to repair in the case of an accident. However, the Accord commanded a higher comprehensive coverage premium. Obviously, thefts are a greater risk to the Accord.</p>
<p>The boy actually preferred the styling of the new Hyundai Tucson and Chevy Equinox over the CR-V. However - there are not enough Tucsons in stock at local inventories to pick from, and the Equinox ended up being too expensive.</p>
<p>I have a 2009 CRV and love it. On a recent highway trip I got 29 mpg. I get somewhere around 23 for my normal driving. It is a 4 cylinder, but doesn’t feel like 4 cylinders I’ve driven in the past. It has very good pick up. </p>
<p>Both of my sons are more than happy to drive my car; they were so happy when I got rid of my van. I have a red CRV and my oldest calls it a mom color.</p>
<p>We drive a CRV made in 2000. No Problems! The only reason we don’t lend it to our son in college (we don’t assist in buying them cars till they land paying jobs in summers that are compelling and out of our city) is because it is such an old model that the airbags are limited to two in the front. In this respect (safety in accidents)…I don’t consider it college worthy. Our son competes on a team at Vanderbilt and I can only envision two more kids in the back and regrets.<br>
Looks like I will be driving the 2000 around a long time solo while looking for a used car for college son maybe next summer…when he will be 20 and unlikely to come home again. The price points on the Hyundais are attractive compared to the Honda but we are Honda lovers. We also drive a rebuilt wreck Highlander. Yep. Local guy here sells to a lot of our friends…buys wrecked cars at auction and rebuilds them. Wondered if we made a mistake but in year five of driving the rebuilt wreck…with the title that proclaims its flawed history–we have only to enjoy a large car that allows us to pack more in college runs with no problems…so it turned out well. and we only raised two kids…clearly we didn’t plan for a budget for nicer cars in this decade. still ten years out of the CRV and no signs of issues
duke son paying his own way in life now and driving a 2006 Accord.</p>
<p>How often do you end up doing your regular maintenance such as oil and filters? By looking into the manual, I’ve found that the CR-V seems to depend on an internal ‘smart’ computer that calculates usage levels depending on conditions and gives recommendations accordingly, rather than list a traditional listing of recommended intervals. How has that worked for you?</p>
<p>I bought my 2009 last July, so I’ve only seen the oil usage monitor. When it gets down to 15% oil usage left it shows you every time you use the car. Once you get to 5% a yellow tool also shows on the dash telling you to get it serviced now. I had changed the oil at about 10,000 miles and am now at 15,000 and the monitor shows me at 70% usage. I definitely don’t need to go as often as I did with my old car. My dealer still recommends every 5,000 miles, but I don’t know if that if justified.</p>
<p>The new CRVs we were looking at came in closer to the $25K mark…if the price is $21K…and the mileage up to 29 on the highway…that is much more reasonable. I got my mileage numbers from two family members who LOVE their CRvs…but NOT the mileage.If they had been shopping for a Honda with great mileage, they would have gotten a Civic hybrid…or even a regular Civic.</p>
<p>Both DO agree the CRV is mighty comfortable…and they love it…and it’s reliability. </p>
<p>If you feel $21K is a “deal” for a car for a college student…then go for it. I said…it’s a GREAT car. Personally, I think it’s an expensive car for a college freshman, but <em>I</em> am not buying it…you are. AND it is a great vehicle.</p>
<p>thumper1, are you aware that the Civic does not come with standard stability control (Honda calls it Vehicle Stability Assist) except on their highest EX-L trims? Opt for that and you push the price up into the 21k range - comparable to an entry level CR-V.</p>
<p>Same with the Fit. To get all the safety features, you need to buy a Fit Sport trim with added Navigation.</p>
<p>Therefore - our choices came down to the Accord and CR-V. The added cost is well worth it. And besides - this car will be spent on the highway for the majority of the time anyways, so we didn’t want a small car to begin with really.</p>
<p>I think it is a great choice - I might be more inclined to purchase a used one - maybe a 2007 or so - than brand new - but I think the choice is good. It’s not too big - but certainly has enough room to take all the stuff back and forth. Son is presently starting his sophomore year and has not taken his car so far - he has a 2000 Honda Accord - which runs fine - but I think it is a little old to venture far from home with in case of mechanical difficulties. More inclined to keep that car at home for younger son to learn to drive on and purchase a more recent used Honda Accord or CRV for older son for next year.</p>
<p>Another CRV owner, (2000) bought it used 4 or 5 years ago and have had no problems. Male driver in the family finds it not comfortable to drive, really hates how it handles hills (acceleration?), and the location and and how the cruise control works. I, personally only care that it handles well in the snow (it does) and that it does have costly repair bills (none at all.)</p>
<p>We’ve had our CR-V since 2001. Only problem, we didn’t get the luggage rack. Now, we are transporting son to college, and were able to jury rig a small turtle topper. If only we had gotten the luggage rack, we could have gotten a bigger topper. But we are fitting three very large people and all the stuff for college in the CR-V. Love the ability to fold down one side of back seat. Great for hauling two by fours or for big loads like we have tonight. I’m looking at a Pilot for my next car. I currently have a Camry, and husband drives the CR-V. The Passport was the other choice, and husband is fussing at me now for not letting him get that one for more space. Back then, we had no idea we’d be traveling five hours to bring son to school. But highly recommend the CR-V. Been a great car. Have over 150K miles on it, and plan to drive it to 250K.</p>
<p>Oh wish we could afford the pilot! Sat in one and played around with the interior at the dealership. She’s a beaut! And a fun/versatile interior. But Alas, the CR-V is the much more realistic and proper choice. We’ve decided to buy - it’ll be either white or silver and we’ll start cross-shopping e-quotes now.</p>
<p>Also going to be looking for certified used models from the 2006 model year. That 2nd generation was the best on styling, I feel.</p>
<p>We have a 2000 CRV that my daughter has driven since she got her license. It is an amazing car. VERY reliable and a great drive! I have found the Honda service people to be good, both here in NJ and down in FL where my daughter is in college. Actually, we’ve always had Volvos, but I feel they’ve priced themselves out of our affordability. When the lease on our current one is up, we’re going to get ourselves a CRV.</p>
<p>We are back from dropping son off to college in our CR-V. We had a X-Cargo topper from Sears, which we had a strap kit for since we didn’t have a luggage rack. It worked fine. But I do urge you to get a CR-V with a luggage rack. You may have more options for roof storage. Very comfortable five hour ride. The style has changed often over the years. Back when we bought, in 2001, the Passport was the next model up. The Pilots seem to be getting bigger over the years, so no surprise they’re getting too expensive. We’ve got 150K miles on her, and plan to drive her another 100K.</p>
<p>Update: negotiated a price of $20,900 for the CR-V LX 4WD excluding destination/tax/dmv, and will get to drive it home in the next week or two :)</p>
<p>Driving a 2004 Honda Pilot and just love it - best car I have ever owned. Would definitely recommend the purchase of a used (certified/inspected/with warranty) Pilot to anyone who finds a new one too expensive.</p>