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Comments
Thanks!
Tom
"Although functional as a minivan/sport-utility crossover, the Aztek's repulsive styling and weak engine still relegate it to second-class status as a family vehicle."
If you truly are a glutton for punishment, quit trolling here and start a "CR-V vs. Aztek" thread. It'll be a gas.
Isuzu Rodeo, Nissna Pathfinder and Lexus RX300.
The interior passenger volume of the CRV was larger than all and just slight smaller than the Highalander and RX300 (looking at front/rear headroom, hip room and shoulder room from specs from carpoint.masn.com)
All others were slightly longer (3 or 4 inches)
and a in some cases an inch or to wider but passenger volume fairly similar. Actually the CRV has the most rear leg room of all hands down.
This is important especially for moving around with a 3 and 1 year old.
Of course the others all have a little more cargo space, but the tumbling rear seats easily compensates for that.
Theses other all cost more and in case 10K more.
Hard to believe the VRC is compared in the same class as the RAV$ or Escape.
It should be re-clasified as mid-sized.
RE : Aztek - While it's looks are in the eye of the beholder, I think the re-styled 02 is OK. That said, quality of the vehicle has been very good and price wise it's right there with CR-V. Wouldn't likely buy one myself, but there might be a few people cross-shopping.
Salzo - Yep. No armrest for the manual. Aftermarket companies offered one for the 97-98 models, which didn't offer an armrest with either transmission, but I haven't seen one for the new models.
Corey76 - Knock yourself out. Get that thread going. First you'll need to decide what "better" means. Some folks want cargo capacity, some want reliability, others want power, and then there are the folks who want clean emissions and fuel economy. Figure out how to rank these vehicles and I'll welcome the chance to learn more about the Aztek.
As for size... Length is only one dimension. Look at all the others and you'll find that the Aztek is quite a bit larger.
Zops - With 108 cu.ft. of interior space, the CR-V is technically a mid-size. I believe that the Santa Fe and VUE may be as well.
Steve
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Steve
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I believe Honda didn't install armrests with the manual since they could interfere with shifting.
Personally, I own a '00 with an automatic, and I rarely use the armrest.
Ty
zops: your 1- and 3-year olds must have really, really long legs!
OK I'll shut up now.
-juice
I have a hard time seeing cars on both sides about one to two vehicles behind me. Part of the problem is probably inherent to SUV's, in that you sit up higher and cars aren't necessarily in your peripheral vision. The rear view isn't too bad, except for the often mentioned middle head rest. I have a child seat there, so I removed mine as per the owner's manual.
The road noise isn't excessive. It is more noticeable at highway speeds. Wind noise and or engine noise don't seem to be a problem. I do occasionally get a slight whistle when wind speeds are high from my roof rack (which is an accessory option).
Regarding handling; I may be off as I haven't driven my new V a great deal (only about 350 miles on the odo so far), but the handling seems quicker than my Accords and maybe a bit more fun, if not as precise. The Accord's strength is it's steering, which is very accurate and satisfying, but it's handling is not that great. It doesn't inspire you to take corners fast. The same seems true of the CRV, although it is maybe a bit more fun than my Accord. Neither can even come close to matching my Integra, which is logical, since both the Accord and CRV are more family cars than sports cars.
I see a few aztecks on the road, so there are people buying them despite the looks, because they fit their needs. but it does nothing for me, should i call it useless then?
If I get it, I may drive it a while before deciding about adding the armrest.
- Bill
I was kind of worried about no armrest but it has not bugged me yet. I tend to drive with my right hand on the shifter most of the time anyhow. I have yet to do any long trips so that opinion might change.
I just got a 2002 Accord SE (4 cyl 5 speed) and the CR-V does feel "zippier" to me as well. The gearing on the Accord is much taller plus there is an extra 10 hp and ft-lb torque. The variable intake timing also makes for broader power in the CR-V. A 2003 Accord with the same 2.4l engine opened up a bit for an extra 10 hp on top plus taller gearing would make a nice 4 cyl Accord.
Steve
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Good luck!
When: Saturday Jan 19
Where: Pine Barrens (Lebanon State Forest, NJ)
Meet: Intersection of Rte 70 and 72 near Whiting, NJ
Time: 10:45-11am
Who: AWD/4wd Vehicles (no 2wd please)
What: Off-road Trail Ride through the barrens, will be fun for all, we encourage Subarus, Rav4s, CRVs, Isuzus, Highlanders, 4-runners, Santa Fe, Explorers, etc.
****Details****
Have had mine for 2 weeks and have noticed absolutely NO irritating noises. A great SUV and reasonably priced for the options you get.
In fact it has more passenger volume/room than the 4runner, Nissna Pathfinder, Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo. Only the highlander had more volume but you pay a hefty premium for that car.
Lots of pep as well. Unless you need major towing capabilities and just really want a bigger engine
for that off-road ability through the mountains and down a rocky creek bed then go with a larger but much more expensive SUV.
Very comfortable with ample space for my 1 and 3 year olds.
Not much negative to say so far.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
It's not rock hopping, so the CR-V will likely do fine. You probably can push the limits a little if you choose to.
I strongly recommend it. I also strongly recommend a car wash before your wife sees what you did to your car. :-)
-juice
Seriously--plenty of acceleration and very easy to keep up with traffic flow (2WD LX auto). Passed without using OD. Smooth and quiet ride for the most part. Minimal wind and engine noise. The most noise was coming from those four things on the wheels. Annoying.
Caught myself doing 80 and felt like 60. Still have to be vigilant with mirrors because of limited rear view. (Got some of those stick-on ones for the side mirrors that increase the view--works great.)
Parking is a breeze, even in downtown garage. Haven't tried parallel yet. Good control on road but occasionally feels "light". Not a lot of sway, though, but I don't push it. The hard part is keeping alert to my speed--it's easy to get going too fast in congested traffic. Thank goodness the brakes are adequate.
I'm really liking this car. Wish the seats were about an inch deeper, but all in all, a good decision.
Paisan - Thanks for the invite! I'd go (Jersey isn't too far Massachusetts), but I'm booked this weekend. Sounds like fun.
Good question. Yes, the car would slow down because there is now more resisitance to the momentum of the engine. While in OD, there is less resistance to the engine and it can run at a lower RPM. This means better fuel economy and a less noisy ride.
However, it also means less power. You need to be higher in the RPM band to get the most power. So when you downshift, the resistance increases, but so does the engine's potential to create power. When you feed the engine fuel, it creates enough power to overcome the increased resistance and restore momentum.
When you read posts here, you often see people make a remark like, "downshifting to pass." What they really mean is, "downshifting and stepping on the gas".
In the aforementioned Camry, turning OD off resulted in a surge of power for climbing a hill or passing on the highway. Turning it back on made the engine "slow down" to normal. I didn't feel the need for this with the V.
What is all this "downshift and then give it gas" stuff? Am I doing it right or not?
Sorry, I drove my Miata to work today, top down (hey we hit 40 I think). Gotta really rev that thing, too!
-juice
Don't ask how I know.
-juice
We haven't had a flake yet this season. A little freezing rain once, that's it. Pity.
I was looking at Edmunds' coverage of Detroit, and boy does the Pilot look good. Seating for 8 beats even the Odyssey. Plus it's smaller outside than the MDX, which is important for the wife (she hates big vehicles). 5 speed auto is good. I'd prefer a full-time AWD over VTM-4, but I'll take it. Lose the silver accents on the steering wheel, though.
But that's picking nits. Those wait lists are going to be loooong.
-juice
Wouldn't want that guy running my company!