Should I buy a Pilot or CRV

I'm a long time Volvo owner but am fed up with the frequent
maintenance of my Volvo and the high costs of this maintenance. I've
heard that maintenance costs on Honda are much lower- both in the cost
of the service but also in the frequency. Is that true? There is
always something small going wrong on my volvo and I can't get out of
the dealer at less than $200/ visit.

Can any of you help me with the decision of whether to switch to
Honda. Right now I own a '98 V70R AWD. I noticed that the Pilot
isn't much cheaper than many Volvos so the price can't be a deciding
factor. but what about reliablity?

thanks

deborah

 

I think your problem is right there: "Dealer." A reputable, independent
mechanic will probably charge considerably less than a dealer.

 

Get a Pilot.

More hp (245 vs. 160)
More room
More
more
more
more
more





How to turn off 'Maintenance Required" light:

1. Hold trip/reset button on dash
2. Turn key to "ON" or start engine
3. Hold button til light goes out

 

My guess is you'd prefer the Pilot. The 6 cyl engine is much quieter and
the ride is more upscale. Nothing wrong with the CR-V, but the 4 cyl engine
is noisy compared to the 6 and it is a little smaller. Both are good
reliable vehicles, so take a test drive in both and see what you like.

 

I looked at both recently, and bought a CRV after mulling over the
differences and test driving both. They are really very different vehicles.
Just to name a few:

- Pilot has three 'rows' seating, CRV has two.
- 6 vs 4 cyl with concurrent power, MPG, towing capacity etc differences.
- CRV avail in 5spd, Pilot auto only.
- CRV cloth only, Pilot leather, or so I recall...
- roughly $8-10k difference in cost (?).
- Pilot has lockable AWD whereas CRV does not
- etc...

There's no question the Pilot is more 'upscale' and a more 'robust' vehicle.
I hate debt, wanted a 5spd with higher MPG rating, and was VERY satisfied
with the ride etc of the CRV. It's more of an econobox than a 'real' SUV,
but realistically 95% of my driving will be on paved roads and the other 5%
will be ok with the CRV. It did fine in the snow recently (6-8in).

So really, the question is: what are you looking for in a new car? As to
repair costs, I've found ALL dealers to be pretty outrageous these days.
Unfortunately, given the complexity of new vehicles, it is also difficult to
find independent shops that can do it all. On the other hand
(fortunately!), new vehicles tend to be MUCH more reliable (don't ask about
my Fiat that needed wheel bearings every 10k, or the Peugeot that needed to
be started with a large screwdriver shorting the starter motor, or my VW
eurovan that's been through two compressors in 100k...).

ymmv
a

 

Among other differences, the pilot is heavier (weighs 4400 pounds)
and gets lower gas mileage (typically around 14mpg).

Andrew

 

We've had Hondas since '86 or so- very relialable. Got 260K on a '90
Accord, have 160K on a '94 Integra, which as you may know is made by Honda.
We recently traded in a 2000 Ford Explorer on a '03 Pilot, mostly due to
reliability issues. Pilot has about 11K on it with no trouble at all.

Never been in a CRV so can't compare, but any Honda should be fine. Try
both and see what you like, which fits your lifestyle, etc.

 

We have a Pilot -- wife loves it. Certainly think you will prefer it over
the CRV. BTW, we had a Volvo 240 years ago. Not particularly reliable and
always required high cost repairs. I remember an oil change service in 1986
in Washington D.C. area was around $50.00. The 7,500 service on our Pilot
ran $69.00. Absolutely no problems like any Honda we have owned.

 

You had a Volvo 240 years ago? WAS it ox powered?

(Sorry- couldn't resist!)