Is the Honda CR-V a woman's vehicle?
cubbieswin
Member Posts: 5
My girlfriend is buying a 2009 Honda CRV EX-L. I really like the car but I've wondered if this car is designed for women and would it be odd for a 6'2" man to own one?
I'm just curious how many men own a CRV. What's your take?
I'm just curious how many men own a CRV. What's your take?
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To me, any vehicle with automatic transmission is a woman's vehicle. There is just too much disconnect between the driver and vehicle when equipped with a slushbox, or faux manual. 3 pedals is what it is all about.
I am not saying that it is wrong for a man to drive automatic. It is not anymore wrong that a man wearing a dress and make up, which seems to be a common occurence, but it is not for me :P
That aside, I have to say that 8 out of 10 CR-V's I see are driven by women. I like our 2009 CRV, and I have no issues as a man driving it, but women really seem to like it. I read somewhere that Honda's target demo for the CR-V were cool, hip moms and older, empty nesters.
Then in '08 our daughter bought the new, cuter version and looks exactly like the little blonde girl in the CR-V teevee ads. Her friends like it so much they ask her to drive when the crew goes gal-ivanting.
I'd say ignore the marketing ninnies and buy what best fits your intended use.
I'm 5ft10in, 195 pounds of solid muscle (snigger) and just purchased an EX-L. Had considered a pickup to replace my aging F150, but settled on the Honda.
Odd for a man to drive? I don't think so. Just don't make fun of me, cuz I may hit you with my "man bag".
As for an automatic. On my last car I HAD TO HAVE a manual. After 3 years, I'm tired of it. It was my 3rd car with a manual, and I enjoy it soemtimes, and it's great for trailer towing but I have a 3 mile commute with 7 stop signs and 2 stop lights. It gets a little tedious constantly shifting... and in the snow it get pretty tiring trying to fight wheel spin. And then at freeway speeds, most all automatics these days cruise much quieter and more comfortably.
Nothing wrong with an automatic or a manual. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. But don;t try and tell someone they are better or worse for having one r the other.
On my motorcycle however, I would never want a automatic. But it's a lot less work shifting a motorcycle manually... my current motorycle has wider spaced gearing than my car, so I shift it a lot less.
Oh and "real" men, want a motorcyle with actual performance (something that can stop & turn too)...not just all show and no go. So while I do think cruisers are pretty...stop revving the stupid things and making tons of noise...it looks silly because they are accelerating so slowly. But I will wave as a zip by quietly on my BMW touring bike. Same thing with bif pick-ups with V8's. Yes it makes 200+HP and lots of torque...bu it's carrying 4000+ lbs... so no, it's not really that fast...just loud.
I only looked at recent models, and only 5 or 6, but the ratio was like 4 or 5 men to 1 or 2 women. I think everyone is downsizing and thinking of the days ahead when the O man will put a floor under gasoline prices so they cannot drop below a certain level.
BTW-I have seen bluiedgods CRV that runs 0-60 in 8 seconds flat. He replaced the original tranny with an M-22 rock crusher from a '69 Chevelle SS. Much more manly.
He also has another CRV with a stock engine that runs high 10s in the quarter mile. That one has a 20 speed tranny from a Kenworth.
After driving it for a few weeks, I like it better than our Altima. Sitting higher, you can see the corners better so it feels narrower (it's actually 2" wider) and a lot shorter... (it actually is 10" shorter). But I think the turning circle is smaller (shorter wheelbase) yet it doesn't feel clumsy and tipsy like a Yukon, minivan or a Jeep.
Really, it's a great alternative to a minivan if you only need to haul 5 people and a moderate amount of cargo. Much better mileage too!
I had to go upstate and pick up the "other" truck. It was a Mack conventional about 10-15 years old and like 300K plus on it. It had been a tractor and was converted to a dump body. It had an really ugly brown job on it, no seat belts, no radio, and the doors didn't lock.
It was parked on a little hill, on the grass, nose up. I had to get in and pull it out. It had those big mirrors on each fender. When you started it up, everything shook. I think it was the first time I was ever scared of a vehicle! Needless to say, I was really earning my money driving that piece of crap around.
My hubby's opinion is that manufacturers have learned that wives have veto power in almost all family car decisions, so the old boxy design is out of favor, even though it has plenty of functionality. He has no explanation for the growing popularity of the grinning cartoon-fish front-end treatment. Also, he doesn't claim that his explanation holds for the Mini, which he regards as a Chick Car, because it's excessively cute.
It's strictly a practical purchase. I like the look of the Escape more, but not their resale value or reliability.
Although women love them, men like them also. It just happens to be "gal friendly". one reason is the height of the seat at entry into the vehicle. It is not much of hike for the average lady to get in. My wife (5'2") can get in easily. I am 5'10, and easily fit in the car. My friend, who is 6'4" has no trouble driving theirs, even on long trips. I really like the CR-V.
I bought a CRV in 2010 to mostly drive for business. My wife hates it and refuses to go on long trips in it.
Regards:
Oldbearcat
I don't think it's a chick car. Wifey drives a Volvo wagon. This CR-V is my car for hauling all my stuff....