cr-v vs rav4 vs Santa fe

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do Hondas/Toyotas really cost less to maintain? The perception is they break down less I suppose? But don't their parts cost way more?

I think the smartest answer given in this thread was if you are buying used it makes more sense to buy a Hyundai, and if you are buying new you should buy Honda/Toyota (if you can afford it).

I know a strangely high number of people with the Hyundai SUV and all of them absolutely love it and have had very few problems.
For what its worth.

Their parts don't cost way more, and the difference on cost of maintaining a Corolla vs say, a Venza is less than $200 in most cases. This is partly due to the use of timing chains instead of rubber belts, electric power steering vs hydraulic *Though is also what some people hate about Toyotas, the numb steering feel*, iridium tipped spark plugs that have a life expectancy of close to 200,000km, among other things. Basically they're just really well-built cars.

The bolded is bang on.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by -TC-

3. Toyotas and Honda cost more up front, but they cost less to maintain. So, "relatively" the total cost of ownership should, all things being equal, be less over a period of time.

Explain please.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do Hondas/Toyotas really cost less to maintain? The perception is they break down less I suppose? But don't their parts cost way more?

I think the smartest answer given in this thread was if you are buying used it makes more sense to buy a Hyundai, and if you are buying new you should buy Honda/Toyota (if you can afford it).

I know a strangely high number of people with the Hyundai SUV and all of them absolutely love it and have had very few problems.
For what its worth.

Please post specific numbers to see if it qualifies as statistically significant for Zamler.....

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do Hondas/Toyotas really cost less to maintain? The perception is they break down less I suppose? But don't their parts cost way more?

I think the smartest answer given in this thread was if you are buying used it makes more sense to buy a Hyundai, and if you are buying new you should buy Honda/Toyota (if you can afford it).

I know a strangely high number of people with the Hyundai SUV and all of them absolutely love it and have had very few problems.
For what its worth.

Their parts are no more expensive than Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi. Generally a lot of the parts used in all Japanese cars are made by the same suppliers like Denso, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Yazaki, etc. I've burned through a lot of cars over the years and domestic parts in general are cheaper but there's not much variance in Japanese carmakers parts pricing.

As far as your second statement goes that is true if you are looking for best bang for your buck used. There simply aren't good deals to be had on used Honda's and Toyota's while domestics, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi all have higher depreciation so you can pay a lot less used for what can be a low mileage, unabused, clean used car and in many cases they can be just as reliable as a Honda/Toyota if properly maintained.

Another trade off with Honda/Toyota is that their cars are amongst the most bland and generic out there. There is nothing at all great about the CR-V or RAV4 outside their reputation for reliability. They don't handle as well as a Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester. Their interiors are lower rent and lower tech than say a Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc. Styling is subjective but both the RAV4 and CR-V are middle of the road, safe styling. Personally I feel that the 2014 CX-5, Escape and Forrester are superior overall vehicles.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Explain please.

close enough...

http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html

or you can google 'total cost of ownership'

I'm not trying to be a dick either, it just might be simpler and less onerous for you.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Mazda, Mitsubishi all have higher depreciation so you can pay a lot less used for what can be a low mileage, unabused, clean used car and in many cases they can be just as reliable as a Honda/Toyota if properly maintained.

Their interiors are lower rent and lower tech than say a Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc. .

I'm with you other than these two items, but it's subjective I guess.

I find the fit, finish and materials to be better in a Honda or Toyota. The soft plastics are higher quality, there are more of them, the panels fit better and there are less visible seams.

My Dad just bought Mom a '13 Santa Fe, she loves it but my Dad thinks the plastics don't compare to the Toyota or the Honda, he wanted the Toyota but got over-ruled...happy wife, happy life

[flamesflames444]

My vote would be the Santa Fe. I got my wife a new Ltd in 2012 after our experiences with her bulletproof Tucson that had 200k+ and absolutely no issues over that time despite the fact that my wife feels that oil changes and other general maintenance is optional. Even on her new one, it took her to 17K to get an oil change and that was only after I asked if she had got one yet and her response was... "should I have?" which is why she isn't driving something as nice as mine as she doesn't take care of things.

All of that being said, I find the gas mileage rather poor for the V6. On the trip back to Sask for Xmas, we were averaging mid 13s/100kms whereas my 550 with the big V8 is usually in the 11L/100kms going a decent clip on the hwy.

[Bownesian]

I'm really happy with my new base-trim CRV. The all-season tires are a bit iffy on ice so I've gotten winters.

It's very good around corners once you figure out the traction control and I have yet to be even close to stuck despite hitting the deep snow fairly aggressively. On dry roads, it drives like a car and averages about 9 L/100km in the city and 7-8 on the highway.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do Hondas/Toyotas really cost less to maintain? The perception is they break down less I suppose?

It's not a perception, it is a reality that has existed for decades. Also it is maintenance/repairs. Almost all cars have essentially the same maintenance requirements, it's the unexpected repairs that are the difference. Hyundai models are significantly less fuel efficient than the auto maker had claimed. Many people bought a Hyundai in part because the stated fuel economy was competitive or better than other auto makers, but that turned out to be false.

But don't their parts cost way more?

No.

I know a strangely high number of people with the Hyundai SUV and all of them absolutely love it and have had very few problems.
For what its worth.

What do you think it's worth (what is the high number you mention, 5, 10, 50?) compared to reliability surveys that take into account 10's of thousands of vehicles?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by zamler

It's not a perception, it is a reality that has existed for decades. Also it is maintenance/repairs. Almost all cars have essentially the same maintenance requirements, it's the unexpected repairs that are the difference. Hyundai models are significantly less fuel efficient than the auto maker had claimed. Many people bought a Hyundai in part because the stated fuel economy was competitive or better than other auto makers, but that turned out to be false.
No.
What do you think it's worth (what is the high number you mention, 5, 10, 50?) compared to reliability surveys that take into account 10's of thousands of vehicles?

Man you have a bug up your butt on this topic. I'm just passing on anecdotal evidence. Relax

[zamler]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Man you have a bug up your butt on this topic.

Do you really have to make it personal?

I'm just passing on anecdotal evidence.

You mean like "parts cost more" is that anecdotal?

[Table 5]

Who knew people could get so passionate about crossovers?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by zamler

Do you really have to make it personal?

You mean like "parts cost more" is that anecdotal?

You've had a couple ofbsnippy replies to people passing on info. Just seems like an odd topic to get snippy about

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by -TC-

I'm with you other than these two items, but it's subjective I guess.

I find the fit, finish and materials to be better in a Honda or Toyota. The soft plastics are higher quality, there are more of them, the panels fit better and there are less visible seams.

My Dad just bought Mom a '13 Santa Fe, she loves it but my Dad thinks the plastics don't compare to the Toyota or the Honda, he wanted the Toyota but got over-ruled...happy wife, happy life

That's a bit of a myth as anyone that thinks that isn't sitting in a new Toyota and a new Mazda back to back. It's not even close as the Mazda has nicer materials in their new models. Toyota has cut a lot of corners over the years in regards to interior materials (as you can see they have tried to cut costs by as much as 30% since 2010; http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/24/t...eans-using-ch/). Toyota's effort in making the RAV4 interior look quality is this big long vinyl dash pad which would elicit groans if it was in a Hyundai. Honda has maintained better quality but it's not like it's leaps and bounds better than any Japanese or domestic competitor. You have to go to a VW if you really want a quality interior at a price point.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You have to go to a VW if you really want a quality interior at a price point.

I don't thinks that's true even with them any more, at least not across the board like it used to be. Sure cars like the GTI still look great inside, but the current gen Jetta and Passat have been severely decontented at the bottom end. Tons of cheap plastic every where...which is probably why their price has been cut by thousands compared to their previous gens.

[Clarkey]

Does anyone know if any of these CUV/Crossovers(Station Wagons) are able to fit 3 child car seats across? The 2012 Rav4 has a third row, do any other ones?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Does anyone know if any of these CUV/Crossovers(Station Wagons) are able to fit 3 child car seats across? The 2012 Rav4 has a third row, do any other ones?

Mitsubishi Outlander has 3rd row.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Does anyone know if any of these CUV/Crossovers(Station Wagons) are able to fit 3 child car seats across? The 2012 Rav4 has a third row, do any other ones?

I saw a Santa Fe with third row seating. But to be hoenst, I only saw the one, so it might not be statistically significant

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I saw a Santa Fe with third row seating. But to be hoenst, I only saw the one, so it might not be statistically significant

LOL. My Sante Fe is an '08 Limited, which came with a 3rd row. Not a ton of leg room back there, but ok for a child. Of course, that's only anecdotal evidence...

[Canehdianman]

I was at the Hyundai dealership last night.

The Santa Fe XL has a third row of seats, the Santa Fe Sport does not.

They are the same vehicle from the second row forward, but the XL is also 8" longer.

I've got my own question for the CP vehicle brain trust:

I've looked at the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and Santa Fe XL so far. Santa Fe is definitely the best at the moment (haven't driven any of them yet, this is just from looks/features/value point of view).

I am debating whether I need 5,000 lbs of towing or if I could get away with 3,500 lbs.

My boat/trailer/motor totals 2,120 lbs. Figure another 300 lbs for gear and I'm around 2,500 lbs.

I think that would be fine 3 people and gear for the weekend to someplace near Calgary, but I am concerned it would be too much when I do my annual 10 day trip to Northern Saskatchewan. I'd likely have a ton of beer and food with me on that trip, increasing the weight substantially.

Does towing capacity get reduced by the weight I'm carrying inside the vehicle? I've never really thought about it, as I currently tow with a Tundra (which doesn't even notice the weight of the boat).

Am I being overly cautious in wanting 5,000 lbs of towing capacity? It would greatly increase my options if I could drop that to 3,500.....