2012 CRV vs. 2012 Forester

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
C'mon,the CR-V has been the best selling vehicle in it's class for years.It's a great vehicle.

C'mon nothing, thats my opinion. If you think its so great thats yours.



If the CR-V had issues,they would be known and the vehicle wouldn't be the best selling in it's class.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
CRV has been the best selling because of sheeple and it's rather boring-looking and 'dependable' etc ...

A Forester has a ton more personality, exclusivity and class, IMO.


I dont know about personality in the forester, and for the plastic leather in the CR-V, I dont know that the forester interior is much better... (though we like the outback interior which is likely very much the same)

But you hit the nail on the head for the rest of it.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
CRV has been the best selling because of sheeple and it's rather boring-looking and 'dependable' etc ...

A Forester has a ton more personality, exclusivity and class, IMO.


I dont know about personality in the forester, and for the plastic leather in the CR-V, I dont know that the forester interior is much better... (though we like the outback interior which is likely very much the same)

But you hit the nail on the head for the rest of it.


If you think the Forester interior is better than the CR-V, you should think the nox/terrain is practically luxury compared to the CR-V. I'll still stand by the nox as the better choice for people who don't care about nimble handling, and want a more comfortable, quieter choice with a backseat with more room than a high school gymnasium.

 

[JHZR2]

I have to wonder just how much less 'nimble' the nox is than anything else.

No thanks on the terrain - too fake for me.

The nox interior is good, some things I like, some I don't. I'd say a little better than the Subaru, same as the CRV.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: Colt
Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
C'mon,the CR-V has been the best selling vehicle in it's class for years.It's a great vehicle.

C'mon nothing, thats my opinion. If you think its so great thats yours.



If the CR-V had issues,they would be known and the vehicle wouldn't be the best selling in it's class.



Exactly. If the CR-V had real issues, people would know and it wouldn't be selling as well as it does.

The sales numbers speak for themselves.

 

[fdcg27]

When we bought the Forester, we thought it had more character than did the CRV.
The Forester also offers better AWD than any Honda, as well as less understeer than any current Honda I've driven.
We also looked at the Ody in drag (Pilot), but my wife considered it too big and too thirsty, although it is a very practical and roomy shape.
It also has the same mechanical problems as it's parent Ody.
The Forester has served us well, and we have no regrets, although we have long considered Hondas the default option in a new car purchase.
Our first Honda was a '76 Civic CVCC, which my wife bought new, so it's not as though we have limited experience with the brand.
The first gen Ody was as reliable and as durable as any four cylinder Accord of the same generation, since that's what it really was, and Accords of that generation are as reliable and as durable as anything else out there.
We had one, which our older son totalled at only 120K.
A shame.
Maybe Honda is not designing and building their vehicles to the same standard they once were?
Maybe my next new daily driver should be a Legacy, rather than an Accord?

 

[Spazdog]

Why not a leftover Mazda Tribute or Ford Escape?

There should be Escapes availiable, the new version of the Escape doesn't get released until April.

Tributes might be a little bit more difficult to find but since Mazda already released the CX-5 you could probably get a pretty good bargain on a leftover model.

Many of the new 4 cylinder Tributes have the Ford 6F transmission. All of the V6es do.

The 2.5 MZR makes a little less horsepower than the 2.4 K24 Honda, but it makes more torque. We'll call it a draw.
The 3.0 MZI V6 is availiable....I would compare that to the CR-V's V6 but Honda doesn't have one.

The CR-V might have been made in Ohio or might have been made in Mexico. The first digit in the VIN will tell you. The Escape and Tribute were made in Missouri.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog

The CR-V might have been made ... in Mexico.


yuck!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Funny because on Sunday night I gave a friend a ride back from the Honda dealer due to his CRV going in on recall for the transmission.

Sure, its a recall, but there must have been a looming massive issue for that to be the case.


I'm not sure how many times this recall has been discussed on this forum (I'm sure I need both hands AND both feet to count it). The recall is a software update that protects the transmission from damage if the user repeatedly slams it back and forth between drive and reverse. No mechanical parts are replaced.

But I think you knew that already.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
I'll still stand by the nox as the better choice for people who don't care about nimble handling, and want a more comfortable, quieter choice with a backseat with more room than a high school gymnasium.


You'd make a great Toyota Camry sales person.

Sounds like the new Equinox is a lot like the Camry in those regards.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I have to wonder just how much less 'nimble' the nox is than anything else.


This is from a Car & Driver comparison test of 2010 SUVs:

"On West Virginia’s narrow farm roads, the Terrain rarely felt fully connected to the tarmac and heaved about as if it might suddenly spill into the oncoming lane. That sapped driver confidence, which is a shame because the Terrain’s skidpad grip—tied with the taut little CR-V’s—proves it can cling with the best of them."

In another similarity to the Camry, the Terrain (and Equinox too I imagine) has a competitive level of ultimate grip, but doesn't seem to have the same level of "transitional handling" as other more nimble choices. They summarized the Terrain as:

“What we have here is a ‘professional grade’ Equinox—competent but not playful.”

Very much like Nick described it. Clearly, the Equinox/Terrain and CR-V are aimed at different audiences in the small SUV market. Folks who like how the Equinox/Terrain drive probably wouldn't like the CR-V. And folks who like how the CR-V drives probably wouldn't like the GM offerings. Neither are better or worse, they're just different. Like red vs. blue, or Coke vs. Pepsi.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I have to wonder just how much less 'nimble' the nox is than anything else.


This is from a Car & Driver comparison test of 2010 SUVs:

"On West Virginia’s narrow farm roads, the Terrain rarely felt fully connected to the tarmac and heaved about as if it might suddenly spill into the oncoming lane. That sapped driver confidence, which is a shame because the Terrain’s skidpad grip—tied with the taut little CR-V’s—proves it can cling with the best of them."

In another similarity to the Camry, the Terrain (and Equinox too I imagine) has a competitive level of ultimate grip, but doesn't seem to have the same level of "transitional handling" as other more nimble choices. They summarized the Terrain as:

“What we have here is a ‘professional grade’ Equinox—competent but not playful.”

Very much like Nick described it. Clearly, the Equinox/Terrain and CR-V are aimed at different audiences in the small SUV market. Folks who like how the Equinox/Terrain drive probably wouldn't like the CR-V. And folks who like how the CR-V drives probably wouldn't like the GM offerings. Neither are better or worse, they're just different. Like red vs. blue, or Coke vs. Pepsi.


I think your partially right. I think 90% of the people that buy cars in this segment could not care less about how it handles.

 

[Vikas]

Are there anybody here who thinks Odyssey do NOT have transmission problems? BUT they are still the best selling minvans. I mean every third private vehicle in New England is a Odyssey minivan and that is hardly an exaggeration Morale:- Just because something is sold by boatload does NOT mean it has no problems.

Bill in Utah just mentioned about his former 2007 Subie needing to have the head gasket replaced.

HG on Subaru and transmission on V6 Honda :- saying those issues have been since fixed is just not enough for me.

- Vikas

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Funny because on Sunday night I gave a friend a ride back from the Honda dealer due to his CRV going in on recall for the transmission.

Sure, its a recall, but there must have been a looming massive issue for that to be the case.


I'm not sure how many times this recall has been discussed on this forum (I'm sure I need both hands AND both feet to count it). The recall is a software update that protects the transmission from damage if the user repeatedly slams it back and forth between drive and reverse. No mechanical parts are replaced.

But I think you knew that already.


Yes, it has been discussed, but the reality is that in this age of electric nanny everything, something like this should not have been the case out of the factory.

Maybe there are a ton of other AT recalls by other makes that I am just not aware of, but this, mechanical or not, was just dumb to me...

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Are there anybody here who thinks Odyssey do NOT have transmission problems? BUT they are still the best selling minvans. I mean every third private vehicle in New England is a Odyssey minivan and that is hardly an exaggeration Morale:- Just because something is sold by boatload does NOT mean it has no problems.



- Vikas


Well,the Honda vehicle in this thread is the CR-V.
Trans problems were on the Honda V6 models.CR-V's don't have a V6 option.The trans is fine.
January '11 alone 18960 CR-V's were sold. .

http://hondanews.com/media_storage/new/2012_Jan_Sales.gif


CR-V sales
2010 203,714 units.9th best selling vehicle.
2011 Tumbling out of the Top 10 are the Honda Civic and CR-V, two perennial favorites whose sales were hurt by natural disasters in Asia.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-top10-best-selling-cars,0,4506344.photogallery

The CR-V is a rock solid vehicle or we would know about any major issues.
Yet,I still prefer the Outback for it's better AWD,6 cyl availability and just like the look more.

 

[Brons2]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: Eddie
Yes, some years ago Subarus had HG problems which are now fixed. Honda had transmission and oil burning problems with some engines and presume they are fixed?


The CR-V has actually never been afflicted with these problems. The transmissions have been solid in them since they came out in the late '90s. I browse multiple CR-V owners forums out there and there is never a mention of a transmission issue. If the transmissions are bad, you'd see it first on an owners forum.


I have immediate family members who had 2 1st gen CR-Vs, a 99 and a 2001. Both with manuals, so no automatic issues here.

The first gen CR-Vs had a tendency to burn exhaust valves. The exhaust valves would self-tighten and eventually get too tight and burn. One family member had to have a $1000 valve job because of this problem. It's common on CR-V boards. Honda lengthened the service intervals on valve adjustment, but the B20 engine in the first gen needs more frequent valve adjustments lest you suffer this problem.

The other CR-V in the family had a problem for the first 30K where it woule stall, stumble, miss, etc, at random times. It was in the dealer at least 10 times, at 3 different dealers. My family member was ready to do a lemon law on it when finally she gave Huggins in Fort Worth one more shot to fix it and they finally did. They replaced the entire ignition system pretty much.

Yes, I know the newer generations have the K24 engine which is a nice family, but it doesn't get rid of the sour taste in my mouth.

My other rub with the CR-V is that it is not very roomy. I am 6'7", yes very tall, but I fit in the current gen Forester very well. I would never purchase a CR-V for that reason alone, never mind the mechanical issues I personally witnessed.

I say, go with the Forester. It's a great vehicle.

I also echo the recommendation of the Equinox, a very nice small SUV. very Roomy! But I understand if your wife has been burned by Chevy in the past. As you can understand my family did not get such great service from Hondas.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yes, it has been discussed, but the reality is that in this age of electric nanny everything, something like this should not have been the case out of the factory.


I agree that it should have been ironed out earlier on, but that's a different discussion. If every detail on every car were ironed out during pre-production, there'd be no such thing as a recall or a TSB. That's just the nature of complex engineering and manufacturing (and more recently, as you state, software development).

My point was that the automatic transmission in the CR-V has never been problematic like some of Honda's earlier V-6 transmissions. Ownership forums will be the first place repeated problems arise, and there just simply aren't transmission issues with these vehicles. They don't have oil screen problems like some of the V-6 engines. The AWD system, while certainly more complex of a drivetrain than FWD, isn't an issue in terms of durability. They're just very solid little vehicles.

 

[cchase]

The biggest problem with Honda V6 transmissions isn't that they fail - it's Honda's failure to acknowledge or assist those who have had failure as a result of a clear design deficiency.

Whether that's an issue on a CR-V, I don't know. If they have transmission problems, they aren't common.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Brons2

The first gen CR-Vs had a tendency to burn exhaust valves. The exhaust valves would self-tighten and eventually get too tight and burn. One family member had to have a $1000 valve job because of this problem. It's common on CR-V boards. Honda lengthened the service intervals on valve adjustment, but the B20 engine in the first gen needs more frequent valve adjustments lest you suffer this problem.

The other CR-V in the family had a problem for the first 30K where it woule stall, stumble, miss, etc, at random times. It was in the dealer at least 10 times, at 3 different dealers. My family member was ready to do a lemon law on it when finally she gave Huggins in Fort Worth one more shot to fix it and they finally did. They replaced the entire ignition system pretty much.

Yes, I know the newer generations have the K24 engine which is a nice family, but it doesn't get rid of the sour taste in my mouth.


The B20B and B20Z were odd choices for the CR-V with it's ultra thin siamesed cylinder liners and the atypical cylinder head problems you mentioned.

I wonder why they didn't use an F-series engine? The F22 in the Accord is extremely reliable (seen many 300,000+ mile CB7 Accords? I have.) and it had been in production a long enough time to be affordably produced. More torque. Probably would have matched the mpg too.

 

[Chris B.]

I just looked at the CRV, Rav4 and Forester and Outback. I test droven them all. I even took them to a very steep grass hill with snow to test the AWD. They all made it up but the CRV had the least trouble with the Rav4 having the most. Took 5 trys with the Rav and 4 trys Sabarus and 2 trys with the CRV. For what it is worth. I think the Honda was the best built and has the best track record for prue reliability and according to JD Powers was the single most trouble free car in 2011.