2001 PT Cruiser w/dash mount Garmin beats 2008 CR-V

[Baltimore Barbara]

I had to give up my 2001 PT Cruiser because it was totalled. I got the 2008 CR-V EX-L with navigation on Saturday - 3 days ago. Don't get me wrong, I like the CR-V but so far I have found 3 areas where my 8 year old Cruiser with a Garmin Streetpilot 2720 beats the CR-V. Who would have thought?

1. CR-V navigation system doesn't have text-to-speech. The $500 Garmin does. I missed having that on my way home from the dealership.

2. The PT Cruiser cargo cover/shelf had 2 positions, a high one that functioned as a cargo cover and a lower one that functioned as a shelf. The CR-V has only the lower position. The things I normally carry around in the car all the time don't fit under the CR-V cargo shelf. I'll have to put the shelf on the floor and the cargo will be visible to anyone looking in the windows.

3. In every car I've ever had, it seems like the sun is always just past the end of the visor so the visor is useless. The PT Cruiser had a sliding visor so I was able to pull it out just that extra little bit needed to block the sun. The CR-V visor is fixed as far as I can tell.

[jeprox]

welcome to the club.

the PT may have beat the crv in the 3 areas you mentioned, but the things that count the most where the PT cannot beat or even come close to beating... to name a few are: quality, dependability and resale value.

enjoy your new car.

[RichK]

The 07/08 CRV's have an accessory cargo cover available.

This is from Honda CR-V Accessories - Interior Accessories - Genuine Factory Honda Accessories, made by Honda for your Honda.



The cargo cover and shelf should approximate the storage flexibility of your PT Cruiser.

[jpod]

I drove a rental PT Cruiser for about a month while the insurance company was trying to decide what to do with my wrecked 04 CRV.

I liked it. It was quieter and better riding than either the 04 or 08 CRV and got better mileage. And I liked the sunshade too. But this was a cheaply made, poorly assembled car. Of course it was a rental but with only about 2K miles on it when I picked it up, it was already showing signs of wear in the interior. And some of the body parts were badly misaligned.

Anyway I can understand how someone might enjoy driving the Cruiser but IMO, in terms of safety, reliability, engineering, quality of construction, and handling, it is not in the same class as the CRV.

Having said that, welcome to the forum Baltimore Barbara. The forum has great folks and lots of useful information. And enjoy your new CRV.
JPO

[Black Pearl]

I don't think many members will be trading in their V's for PT Cruisers. Regarding the Garmin, I agree, you can buy a lot of Garmins for the price of nav, but at least you don't have to hide the thing and wash suction cup marks of your windshield. I have a Garmin 5000 and love it.

As the others have mentioned, your CR-V will still be on the road when most of this year's PT Cruisers have been melted down into the next wonder car that Chrysler comes up with if they are still around. You don't think those lifetime power train warranties are because they have a quality product do you? Chrysler is in trouble and they are moving vehicles with a warranty.

I had a 99 Voyager van and I loved the vehicle. But the transmission going at 105,000 miles after I had maintained it with their ridiculous 17000 mile transmission fluid change interval convinced me that it was time for a change.

I think you will grow to like your V, at least I hope so. It is a much better vehicle than anything Chrysler makes, no matter how cute they are.

Sorry about the lecture, well it is a CR-V site. Welcome to the club and we look forward to hearing more from you. And yes you are allowed to complain here. Most of us hate something or other about our V's, such as useless visors, miniscule armrest, gigantic door handles. Yet somehow most of realize that it is also one of the best vehicles for the bucks that we have ever owned. So join in the complaints. Good luck with your V, and welcome to the club!

[jeprox]

i forgot to mention something about the PT and this is purely just making conversation and not meant to knock on PT owners.

when they first came out from chrysler, local dealers in my area had them displayed at one of our local malls - both inside the mall and outside the parking lot. it was a sunny beautiful day. when i was leaving the mall and this is true story... one of the PT out in the parking lot was on fire . smoke was coming out under the hood and sales people were scrambling to get it put out.

[Davecr-v]

On the GPS thing it really isn't a fair fight, Plug in GPS' are always going to be better in theory because of the updatability, and specifications. Factory GPS is nice because it slots in nicely looking great, you can leave the unit in the car, also you can use the screen for back up camera and DVDs. On the quality thing I agree Chrysler is one of the worst manufacturers in terms of quality when I get in the CR-V it doesnt scream quality in the way that say a Lexus does (where it feels as though every part is as solid as granite and won't come loose) but the materials in the V are tasteful solid plastics that don't have that scratchy feel to them overall yes the Honda does have some design faults but it also has neat design perks such as the lounge chair and some other stuff I have forgot about since the car has become mine but that isn't really fair because once you own a car you kind of just peaked its all downhill from delivery yet your dreams with other cars remain in the showroom you get reality with your v an all that comes with it door dings scuffs, scratches, and weird noises .

[Buckeye4]

We traded in my wife's 2002 PT Cruiser Limited Edition (5-speed) for our new CR-V. 57k plus miles and zero problems, 23.7 mpg. Fit and finish was great, made in Mexico. Only thing we miss is being able to remove the rear seats for packing for log trips with our two small dogs and golf clubs.