Welcome to 2012!
by Big Chris
on December 31, 2011
We interrupt our Saab story to wish you all a happy and safe New Year's! May your 2012 be blessed with fun, interesting and reliable vehicles!
Anyone looking at the new 2012 models? I know I'm interested in the new Honda CRV for my wife, but I'm 99.999% certain we wouldn't buy a new model year car at this point in our lives/finances.
kenny on January 01, 2012 at 08:49 PM
I am going to say it... I have not seen one American based release of any car from any manufacture in the last 20 years that has been a even slight lust. Well, I liked the Jetta Diesel Wagon pretty well. But the new MK6 lines are horrendous from VW.
Nope... nothing since the 1993-4 Corrado.
Saves me some serious money not wanting anything on the market.
My wish would be a VW Polo Diesel, a base mode under 12 grandl/no power options/steel wheeled Fiat 500 (no cheese-wizz power windows and locks and mirrors), an Electric 500, and for VW to release another Westfalia. I saw a Eurovan Syncro yesterday at the REI return sale (I wonder how it ended up in CA?), here is a glimpse: http://youtu.be/TGkCb8eVcJM
That Car Guy on January 02, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Chris, I think Honda is about to redesign the CR-V, so you may want to wait a few months and get the freshened model.
Big Chris on January 02, 2012 at 07:26 PM
2012 is the new model from what I understand. Not buying at the moment, probably will be making some sort of move this spring assuming both our cars survive till then.
mattc on January 04, 2012 at 01:43 AM
My wife has a 2008 CRV EX and loves it. She bought it slightly used in 2010 and it has been an incredible reliable and comfortable CUV.
Big Chris on January 04, 2012 at 08:00 AM
What does the '08 get for gas mileage in real world use? My wife has a '96 Civic (stick) that gets absurd mpg. and she's going to be in for a shock filling a new vehicle I suspect (she wants a small-mid SUV/CUV).
That Car Guy on January 04, 2012 at 09:43 AM
The only negative thing I can say about a 3-4 year-old CR-V is that, at least around here, they hold their values so well that you might as well get a new one. I've seen them lose about a thousand dollars a year on depreciation... maybe less.
Usually the banks (and others) charge a higher percentage for a used car loan, so you might pay as much or more for a used CR-V than a new one.
Just a suggestion... but they DO hold their value. That's always something to remember at trade-in or sale time.
kenny on January 04, 2012 at 10:50 AM
We test drove the CRV and were more won over by the Subie Forester when we bought our next 25 year car in 2004.
It did not have that spare tire in the way on the rear door, handled better/feel stable and flat like a well planted sports sedan, and we are getting 32 MPG with our 5 speed manual.
The newer line retains all the attributes with more space and even more refinement. They have been consecutively rated the best all around cross vehicle since they were introduced. It has been clear to us why.
The nifty thoughtful features like the weather band radio have been handy in snowy conditions too. It is about the finest combination of efficiency, reliability, and all weather user friendliness out there IMHO.
We don't plan on trading it in, ever. Just drive it til the wheels fall off. Like I plan to do with my 92 VW GTI.
So far, 105k miles and all it has needed is fog lamp bulbs. Not even a battery yet in nearly 8 years.
Big Chris on January 04, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Thanks Kenny - the Forester is on my short list as well. We - like you - drive the wheels off our vehicles. The '96 Civic has 245K, my '01 van 244K, so we get our money's worth.
mattc on January 04, 2012 at 05:20 PM
My wife's CR-V gets in the low 20's around town. On trips we average about 29-30mpg. It will not rival your Civic in terms of fuel economy but it does hold its own for the segment. Honestly, this segment (CUV) are filled with great choices. You really cannot go wrong with any of them.
kenny on January 05, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Great year for the Civic. Very nice! Good luck... we (or, I should, "I") researched like a crazy man before we settled on the Forester. The TDI Jetta wagon of the same year, 2004, was our 2nd choice. Granted, I have a feeling we would have had more problems with it. The offer I had was soo good at the time, $18300 for a new TDI Jetta wagon. Or, about $500 more than I paid for the Forester 2.5X with a trailer hitch and upgraded stereo after negotiating on price for 2 hrs. Those TDI's hold value really well.. so it was a serious toss up. Seeing how reliable the Forester and nice to drive it has proven to be, I am glad we went that direction.