Oh, that Civic ride . . .

[Bob-blehead]

So, we traded in my EX-L for a Toyota Rav4 3,144 miles ago. Needed the utility. I like the vehicle a lot, except for a few things, especially in comparison to the Civic. I took the boys our for dinner on Sunday night, and drove my son's EX, and I was reminded of the excellent driving characteristics of the Civic. I love the way that car handles! For a minute, I thought about handing him the Rav, and me taking the Civic. But he needs the more efficient car for school.

So I was looking at the CR-V, and the Odyssey at a local car show here recently. I was surprised how much the CR-V reminded me of sitting in the Civic. I liked it instantly . . . well, at least sitting in it at the show. As I have to take the Civic over for an oil change, I'm thinking that I will ask to test the CR-V, and the Odyssey, just to see how they drive. Now, I don't expect the CR-V to drive like the Civic, but if the vehicle drive better than the Rav, I may be seriously back in a Honda when the lease on the Rav is up.

Tomorrow may be a good day to do this, as it is supposed to rain, and I won't be able to get any work done outside. I'll let you know what my impressions were.

 

[webby]

the previous gen crv is actually built off the civic, so they will be similar. I'm not 100% if the 2012 is off the 9th gen civic frame or not. Granted, you're higher off the ground in the crv, but it's very "car-like" as compared to say the honda pilot. I've driven the last two generations of the crv a good amount, but not the 2012. It's obviously been changed in a number of ways, but it's also still very similar to the 2011 and earlier models. I've also driven the last 3 generations of odyssey. I haven't driven the 2012. The odyssey is a much larger vehicle, but it's a very easy driving vehicle. Still very car-like in the way it drives. It's just a big change looking out of the rearview mirror compared to the other vehicles.

When you say you miss the civic driving character... what is it about the rav that you dislike?

 

[Bob-blehead]

Thanks for the comments, webby! The Odyssey we drove back in '08 was very nice. I know, at the very least, what to expect from the Odyssey, as I have driven a minivan (with the exception of about 8 months) since 1995. All Chrysler/Dodge or Chevy/Pontiac. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised, as I gather that the Honda drives very well, based on the reviews I have read or watched. I wound up going with the Chrysler because I wasn't ready to switch to an "import" yet, and the Honda dealer is in Bay City, where the Chrysler dealer is here in Midland. Plus, I felt that we were getting more features for the money.

As for the Rav4, there are only two things I dislike about it. First, there are the brakes. Long travel, squishy, and they do not inspire confidence. I've had the lines bled and new fluid put in, and the dealer tells me that the brakes on my Ravvie are "normal" for the Rav4. I'm thinking of taking it back, and telling them that I would like to test two of the other Rav4s they have on the lot. If the brakes are indeed normally like this, I'll drop the issue, but I will not be leasing another one when this lease runs out. The meeting will not only include the service adviser, but the sales manager too, who worked with us on the sale. The brakes on the Venza that my wife just turned in, and the Camry she now drives, are nothing like this. They feel similar to that of the Civic, but not quite as good.

The other thing that is an annoyance is the front seat. It has developed a noise that seems to occur when I switch my weight, or when I happen to start quickly from a stop, or make a tight turn that forces my weight one way or the other. It almost sounds like the mounts are loose, and it feels like the hinge has some give. Again, the service adviser had admitted that the sound does exist, but has no idea on what to do about it. This too, will an issue that is brought up in our meeting.

Oh, and the sound system is not nearly as good as the stock system in the Civic EX. This is something I am looking to upgrade soon.

Other than those three things, I really like the Rav. The I4 is peppy, it has about the same turning radius as the Civic, and it handles bumps and road imperfections a tad bit better than the Civic . . . and the Civic does very well as it is. I do like the easier access with the Rav, as does my wife. She likes riding in the Rav for longer distances more than she did the Civic. And I like the utility that the Rav gives me, which I don't get with the Civic, but that is just the body difference between a sedan and a small SUV. I also found myself missing the rear window wiper and privacy glass that I had enjoyed with the various minivans I have owned.

As for the Civic, I miss the Bluetooth system, the iMid, the digital display, the steering wheel setup and feel, and the brakes. Oh, and the fuel economy, but I was willing to make that concession for the benefits of the body style. I'd have to make the same concession for the CR-V.

 

[webby]

After reading your points on both cars, I think you're really going to like driving the crv. Interested to hear your impressions after you take a drive.

 

[bad fishy]

Civic and CRV family here. After LOTS of comparison shopping and test drives we went with the CRV due to the features and car-like handling. We have already taken it on an out of town trip with 3 dogs and a baby with no problems.

 

[Bob-blehead]

After reading your points on both cars, I think you're really going to like driving the crv. Interested to hear your impressions after you take a drive.

Drove it and liked it! New thread coming with my comparison.