Ridgeline in 07- now add a CRV in 08?

[McRidgeline]

I'm looking for some feedback- I got an RL in 2007 and LOVE it. My wife is now looking at getting an '08 EX CRV.

Anyone have any feedback regarding a good price for an '08 EX CRV in the KY/TN/OH area of the country (or any area for that matter)?

Likewise, if you have any beneficial feedback for us prior to making the move (in the next week or two) it would be greatly appreciated. :)

I've looked / searched this site as well as the sister crvownersclub site, but, it's a considerably smaller forum and I didn't find too much detailed feedback yet on pricing and likes / dislikes opinions.

Deep down, I know it's a Honda and a great vehicle- but my 'always research' voice says double check- just to make sure we're happy.

Thanks in advance for the help this site always provides. :)

[X-Brawn]

Honestly, I never really cared for the CR-V or paid it much attention until my parents started researching (with my help) and looking for a new vehicle. They wanted a reliable vehicle that they could drive and sit in comfortably that got decent mileage (better then the Triton 5.4L V8 Ford F-150 they traded in), and had AWD for when they drive to Colorado to see my oldest brother.

Early on the CR-V showed up on their list. It had the best price with the most features amongst the other options. They considered the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, and the others. The top two were the RAV4, which was about $2000 more expensive, and the CR-V. All it took was a test drive and they loved it. I even loved it.

I enjoy driving the CR-V so much that even I'm now looking at getting one. The gas mileage in the Ridgeline, as much as I love it, is killing me. Plus, I've had seat fabric issues and other small problems I'm not happy with. I'd still recommend the Ridgeline for anyone who NEEDS a mid-sized truck. I just don't need one anymore.

Another vehicle I'm considering is the much cheaper ($2000 to $4000 depending on configuration) Scion xB. I got a chance to RIDE in a manual one right before the dealership closed and would like to get to test drive an automatic. It has just as much cargo hauling space as a CR-V, and about the same mileage. Both are highly recommended vehicles, according to user reviews for both vehicles.

[OhioJeffro]

My sister just bought the re-designed CRV last summer and loves it. She also looked into the Rav4, but were not impressed when they (my sister and her husband) test drove it. The RAV4 was rated better on consumer reports, but in riding they said the feel in both the passenger seat and the drivers seat was not as "open" and "airy" as the CRV. They felt much more enclosed, in other words (IMO like comparing the old late 90's Saturn SL2's with the same year Civic). She bought hers in TN, and ended up with the LX model because they didn't feel the need for the EX. I'll have to find out what the deal was on the one they bought when I visit them this weekend (read: w00t!).

One of the shortfalls when they were looking at the CRV and RAV4 was that the CRV did not have an available 6-cylinder (which the RAV4 has) and was something they wanted. I personally have much less experience with Honda V6's (except the Ridgeline) than the 4-cylinders (I've owned 4 myself, 11 in my family), and would personally be happy with that, but its something else to consider (unless Honda has changed that in 2008).

[X-Brawn]

Okay, I just traded in my Honda Ridgeline for a 2008 Honda CR-V EX mainly because of gas mileage. I also wasn't as happy with the Ridgeline as I thought I would be when I first got it. Mind you, it is an AWESOME truck, but my needs didn't dictate needing a truck. What I needed was a smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient SUV (or car) that could haul and hold a lot.

I test drove the Scion xB, and ruled it out pretty quickly. It is a nice car, but kind of small. I did like the versatility it offered, plus the little cargo tray on top of the spare underneath the cargo floor. It also offers quite a few more storage options, including on the rear C pillar where it has a big blind spot. Its performance was pretty quick, and with the same engine as the Camry (2.4L four cylinder) there will likely be as many options for under the hood as there'll be for audio equipment.

But, once I test drove a CR-V EX like I had been looking at, my mind was set. I wanted something with AWD, ideally, and got good gas mileage. Plus, for the price, the CR-V was the best fit.

The CR-V offers a lot of cargo flexibility with the seats folded up (think of an enclosed four foot truck bed with carpet) and the seat comfort isn't too bad. I'm still getting used to my seats. Unfortunately, you can't get into power seats unless you get the EX-L with leather seats.

I'd definitely recommend the CR-V for those needing a small SUV, and the Ridgeline for those who need a medium sized pickup truck.

[McRidgeline]

Well.... it's official. My wife and I are now a Honda family. Yesterday we picked up a Green Tea Metallic 2008 EX CRV for her.

I'm amazed at the room I have in the CRV- and I'm a pretty big guy- 6'2", 300lb and 54" Chest. I believe I could be pretty comfortable for hours of riding.

I think the RL and the CRV make a good garage / home combo. I've put 19K miles in 10 months of ownership on the RL. So, I'm looking forward to us using the CRV on some trips now. :)

My wife is already set up with a user name on our CRV sister site. So, I guess we'll both be spending plenty of time on our respective forums. :)

[X-Brawn]

Well.... it's official. My wife and I are now a Honda family. Yesterday we picked up a Green Tea Metallic 2008 EX CRV for her.

I'm amazed at the room I have in the CRV- and I'm a pretty big guy- 6'2", 300lb and 54" Chest. I believe I could be pretty comfortable for hours of riding.

I think the RL and the CRV make a good garage / home combo. I've put 19K miles in 10 months of ownership on the RL. So, I'm looking forward to us using the CRV on some trips now. :)

My wife is already set up with a user name on our CRV sister site. So, I guess we'll both be spending plenty of time on our respective forums. :)

Well, any Honda combination is a good one, except for one:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c144/My03Tundra/Family%20Vehicles/ImportParkingLot.jpg

Yeah, that Camry in the middle needs to be moved. The two CR-Vs should be CLOSER to each other so the ladies can talk and gossip.

It is a bit ironic you mention comfort as I'm fighting it a bit with my CR-V. I have a right knee that doesn't like being in certain positions. Unfortunately, certain driving positions bother it like with those I have with the CR-V. I'm also getting used to the seat back as well, as it is VERY different from the Ridgeline. The carpet floor mats also seem to have a loose nap, shed and wear VERY easily (at least on my EX and my parents' LX) so a good all-weather mat purchase might not be a bad idea.

Now, I had my nephew (and mother, too, waiting out in the car) with me on an errand I had to run that took me to the dealership this past Friday. I had to go back to revise the paperwork and sign some new papers as I was eligible for a 4.99% interest rate and got the 7yr/80,000 miles with it. Now, I took my seven year old nephew inside as he loves cars and I love encouraging it (and my other hobby, Transformers) anyway I can. I showed him the front seat of the new Accord, the Honda Civic, an S2000 and the showroom floor CR-V EX-L.

As we were heading out, there at the end of the line of vehicles was a Green Tea Metallic (the same color I almost bought) CR-V EX. I asked him what he thought of the color and he said it reminded him of boogers and snot. Now, whenever I see the color, thanks to a child, I think of what could've sneezed it out! :D

I still love the color, and it was a good choice, but I like my gold (Borrego Beige). You really can't go wrong with either color.

Now, come join me over at the www.hondasuv.com forums and the www.crvownersclub.com site! I'm T1000X at hondasuv.com, and the same name on the CR-V owner's club. If you REALLY want to get into the modifications and additions, check out craversclub.com.

[Ridge]

If you need to scale down for better mpg while still maintaining cargo capacity and flexibility, nothing beat a Honda Fit. Last fill up, it returned 40 mpg, and cargo capacity has got to be close if not better than a CRV and they're only about $16,000. We love our Fit. It complements the Ridgeline nicely. It's defintely worth a look before you buy anything else and make sure the salesman shows you all the cargo configurations. to top it all off, the Fit is also made in Japan and it shows.

[wrenrj1]

Congrats on your purchase. 03 LX CRV and 07 RL owner here. We originally went to trade our barely broken in (65K) 96 civic DX for another due to end of year Honda financing in 2002. We were waiting around and the salesperson gave us the keys to drive a CRV which my wife HATED the looks, to pass the time as they were busy.

My wife fell in love with it. Five years later, she doesn't like the looks of the new CRV either, however I'm not gonna make the same mistake, as our CRV only has about 45k on it. We will NOT be trading this one in for quite a few years, as it has been practically maintenance free except for a new battery by choice.

Honda has a great concept in the CRV and has kept with their vision of keeping it small. Toyota just seems to want to add size, cylinders, power, and cost to their small SUV's IMHO.

[hondafan]

I traded my 04 CRV EX-L for the Ridgeline. The CRV hauled a lot but not my boat. If the Ridgeline had been out in 04 I would have bought it then. Liked the CRV but love the truck. It's Honda all round at our house. The wife has a 2002 Civic which she is about to pass on to daughter. She now wants a red FIT. And of course the big silver 90 hp on the back of the boat is Honda.