Good College Car?

[Selina Kyle]

Hi out there!

I'm a college student who is looking to trade up from a 1992 Honda Accord to something younger. My parents are going to be helping me with the financing and I am considering a Honda CR-V as an option.

My question is what repair bills have been like for you all as you've had your CR-Vs over the years? I've noted the definite price increase and difficulty in finding good mechanics in my area willing to work on foreign cars as opposed to domestic but am concerned that due to the vehicle being SUV-like, the repair struggles might be a bit worse than what I've experienced with my own Accord.

I am also concerned about what it might be like for me to be insured under this vehicle and possible gas-milage issues.

Any practical advice in these catagories or anything else that you could contribute would be very much appreciated for my quest!

[2RedV's]

I am guessing you are looking at used, just how old are you looking at?

1st generation
97-98 (a little low on power at 126hp)
99-2001 (power upped to 146 and revised interior color)

2nd generation
2002-2006 (mostly unchanged thru these years, a few refinements here and there)

3rd generation
2007

It doesn't require any more maintenance than any other car unless you have the real time all wheel drive (RTAWD) which requires a fluid change in the rear differential every 30k miles. The 1st generation CR-V's also require a valve adjustment every 30k miles.

MPG will be in the 21-27 range, dependent upon city/highway, winter vs summer, driving habits, etc. Insurance is quite reasonable as well.

[OCTO13ER]

Car repair is strictly contingent on how the vehicle is treated. By considering an SUV I think you need to be more aware of maintenance than repair. SUV cost of ownership can be slightly higher than that of sedans. Most of them have bigger brakes, bigger tires, and use more gas. I'm not sure how a small SUV like the CR-V measures up to an Accord because I've never really compared them but I think you kind of get the idea.

What could happen, and I don't know but just want to make a general observation, is the cost of ownership may become overwhelming and lead to lack of maintenance. That's when things can start to go wrong and lead to costly repairs.

Octo13er

[Selina Kyle]

Thank you both for replying so quickly.

To clarify, I would probably be looking at a CR-V somewhere between the years of 2000 to 2002 (so both the first and second generation builds). Thank you, 2RedV's, for the specifics on the RTAWD and valve adjustment-I would have certainly never thought of considering that myself.

Also, OCTO13ER, you make some very good points about vehicle maintenance versus repair. I'm looking at graduating with my Master's degree and beginning my college loan payments in approximately three years, thus making the issue of taking good care of my car quite relevant.

Thanks again for your advice; it makes a big difference to speak to someone who has actually had the experience of owning a particular vehicle in forming one's own opinion.

If anyone else has any thoughts on my question or further questions to ask about what I am seeking specifically, please write in. Your answers will be taken into account when I make my final decision.

[2RedV's]

Around my area, a local dealer charges $40 for the rear diff fluid change and $100 for the valve adjustment. If you are buying a 1st gen of any year, make sure it has had regular valve adjustments and if the mileage is anywhere near 105,000, get proof that the timing belt was changed already or it will cost you about $600 to have it done. You do not want to put it off as a broken timing belt can be very costly. The CR-V is not an SUV like the domestics which requires higher maintenance. It is small and relatively lightweight. For example, the rear brakes on my 99 are still original and the fronts were changed once around 80,000 miles and I bought it used with 83,000 on it.

[connermt]

Hi out there!

I'm a college student who is looking to trade up from a 1992 Honda Accord to something younger. My parents are going to be helping me with the financing and I am considering a Honda CR-V as an option.

My question is what repair bills have been like for you all as you've had your CR-Vs over the years? I've noted the definite price increase and difficulty in finding good mechanics in my area willing to work on foreign cars as opposed to domestic but am concerned that due to the vehicle being SUV-like, the repair struggles might be a bit worse than what I've experienced with my own Accord.

I am also concerned about what it might be like for me to be insured under this vehicle and possible gas-milage issues.

Any practical advice in these catagories or anything else that you could contribute would be very much appreciated for my quest!

In your situation, if buying new, I would prefer a smaller car, like a mid-grade Civic-sized or Yaris -sized vehicle: better on gas, cheaper on insurance, easier to park, repair bills would be less expensive, etc.
Personally, I wouldn't buy a CR-V in your situation, especially with loan payments. While they are good cars, they are also much cheaper options out there that are quite similar. Hyundai is cheaper, has a bigger engine (V6 vs inline 4) & better warranty (although you must follow its outline carefully or it's void), etc. Only issue with Hyundai is they either seem to be great cars or terrible - not much in between.
Scions Xa, Xb(newly redesigned with a 2.4 li engine) would be cheaper as well, and same (or even a little better) MPG (although I dont' like their looks), or a Scion Tc.
buying used it's pretty much wide open because you never know how good (or bad) someone was at taking care of their vehicle.
Just my 2¢