Topic: Not happy with Honda and the 2006 CR-V

[CR-V/Tucson/Rav4]

Was walking by the dealer yesterday, and asked for a brochure for the 06 CR-V. I'd been told there weren't going to be any changes, but that's not true. They've killed the low end model the LX, or rather tossed a few useless extras onto it, called it a new Special Edition, and of course jacked up the price some $3000 or so. Just a total gouge, by forcing upgrades onto prospective purchasers instead of leaving them optional. Would it have killed them to continue to offer a lower end "entry level" machine?

I've now gone from the CR-V being my front runner for our new purchase to actually being annoyed when I see a CR-V on the streets. Unless the new Rav4 has some huge flaw, this decision of theirs will definitely mean my $30K goes to Toyota or Hyundai instead of Honda.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Canada is small market in the world, they can not have every model for sale here.  The number of base units sold  here might not be worth their trouble to stock it.
I want the unit the is loaded anyway

[robarakira]

'chill out dude'

Honda is a good company, their cars are well built, and you needn't be angry by just seeing CR-V's on the road. Save that anger for something like a B9 tribecca or an Aztek.



I personally wouldn't be looking at a CR-V now anyway because a complete redesign is nearing.  Same goes for the Rav-4.

[Snowman]

   Put a smile on your face and buy a Subaru.

[JD]

Was walking by the dealer yesterday, and asked for a brochure for the 06 CR-V. I'd been told there weren't going to be any changes, but that's not true. They've killed the low end model the LX, or rather tossed a few useless extras onto it, called it a new Special Edition, and of course jacked up the price some $3000 or so. Just a total gouge, by forcing upgrades onto prospective purchasers instead of leaving them optional. Would it have killed them to continue to offer a lower end "entry level" machine?

I've now gone from the CR-V being my front runner for our new purchase to actually being annoyed when I see a CR-V on the streets. Unless the new Rav4 has some huge flaw, this decision of theirs will definitely mean my $30K goes to Toyota or Hyundai instead of Honda.

I agree with you, oddly-named poster

I find it very annoying, what Honda and Toyota are doing lately...  They're increasing their prices and amalgamating options into trim levels, thereby increasing the cost of the car!  

I think they realize that the US government will turn their heavy, hamfisted hand towards them if the domestic continue to have such trouble, so they are trying to maximize profit without increasing marketshare...

I am a bigger Hyundai/Kia with every new model they release... Trumps the japanese's in terms of features, price and the quality is there too!

I suggest you look at the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

[03_ap1]

I suggest you look at the Suzuki Grand Vitara

exactly - Honda is always goofy about things like foglights being an ACCESSORY, rather than an OPTION.  I can't stand that.  Buying the top of the line model, then having to add on stuff. 

The Suzuki is LOADed for under 30 grand, is all time 4wd (not the AWD/FWD stuff like CRV), 17" rims, and looks a hell of a lot better in my opinion.

[raccoon]

Watch out! Special Edition means pretty soon a new model will take over...! That's usually what the manufacturers do when a new one is on its way...so they can get rid of the stuff that will not fit the new model!!!

[kavatski]

Sure you're looking at the right prices? The '05 CR-V LX was $28,200 and the '06 CR-V SE is $29,300. That's $1100.

[hondasalesguy]

bmorton nailed it... where the hell did you get your info that prices had gone up by $3000? The increase is $1100 for 5 speed manual, $1200 for 5 speed automatic. Since the rest of our lineup went up by around $500, you are looking at really paying $600 more for foglights, roof rack cross bars, alloy wheels, and side step bars. Add that stuff up separately and you would be looking at over $3100 in extra cost.

So how exactly is this not a good deal?

And yes we are now in the final year of the current design for the CR-V. Didn't seem to hurt the Civic last year... Every car gets redesigned now and again. Honda did some pretty significant upgrades to the CR-V LAST year (2005) to keep it competitive, 5 speed auto, side and curtain airbags on all models, VSA on all models, so say what you want about Hyundai, it will be 10 more years before they can come close to Honda and Toyota for resale value. Meanwhile, better lease your Hyundai because if you buy it and want out of it, you will get absolutely raped on trade value...

[JD]

... say what you want about Hyundai, it will be 10 more years before they can come close to Honda and Toyota for resale value. Meanwhile, better lease your Hyundai because if you buy it and want out of it, you will get absolutely raped on trade value...

WOah, someone has their panties in a knot!

I'd bet Hyundai and Kia are taking a bigger and bigger chunk of your dealers business, as Honda pulls a VW and prices themselves into marginality.

[G0dspd]

I saw the "new" Honda Accord with the new lights and they have a SE (special edition) model.  Do they plan to change the Accord soon ... even with the facelift? 

Hyundai/Kia are moving up in the world ... reminds me of Honda and Toyota when they started.  The Korean is gonna be a "problem" for the Japanese brands soon enough.

[The Mighty Duck]

A little friendly price war might be nice for us, though... 

When Hyundai or Kia can sell me a car that competes on par with the 2006 Si, I'll consider. 

[ArticSteve]

Watch out! Special Edition means pretty soon a new model will take over...!

So very true.  Honda loves the "SE"

They gotta get their colour under control. The domestics do a good job on colour codes.

[hondasalesguy]

Actually JD, for every 100 people who come in our doors, I doubt more than 10 of them are shopping Hyundai or Kia, I certainly don't hear many of them even mention those 2 brands as on the shopping list. Toyota and to a lesser extent Mazda are Honda's main competition these days. That won't change any time soon. I am not saying the Hyundais aren't decent cars, they probably are. But it takes years and years for the public's perception to change about a manufacturers DQR (durability, quality, reliability).

I have yet to see a SINGLE Hyundai Sonata on the roads around K/W,Guelph, Cambridge. If they are such an awesome car why aren't there any around?

[mrthompson]

Is there a Hyundai dealer in the K/W, Guelph, Cambrige region???

[smainville]

I still don't see Sonatas on the road, but I see 06 Civics and Accords already!  HSG I love what they've done to the 06 Pilot.

[hondasalesguy]

there are Hyundai AND Kia dealers in all 3 cities...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I haven't seen many new Sonatas until the last couple weeks. Seeing more and more.

Already, a few new '06 Accords too.

That is a pretty good value for what you get as additional equipment on the new CR-V's.

[CR-V/Tucson/Rav4]

Sure you're looking at the right prices? The '05 CR-V LX was $28,200 and the '06 CR-V SE is $29,300. That's $1100.

The sales droid wrote in my brochure $31,955 beside the SE, $33,355 for the EX, and $35,655 for the EX-L, and that's what I was going off of.

[hondasalesguy]

he was obviously an idiot

when in doubt check the website or ask if the salesman has been selling Hondas very long!