Hello,
 
My girlfriend is in the market for a mini-SUV and we are currently looking at the 2000 Honda CRV EX vs. the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited. I am looking for people who were between those two as well, and want to know why you eventually chose your Honda.
 
Also, I appreciate any other input as to what everyone else love/dislikes about their CRV's. Thank you so much!
 
Yours,
Daniel
 

It's always a personal decision, but I'll give you my rationale. This may
be difficult to follow. I thought about buying a Tracker which is the same
as the Vitara at the lower levels. Not quite the same for the model you're
looking at. Even though I can get a nice discount on Trackers due to my
father being a retired GM employee, I chose an LX CRV due to Honda's
reputation for quality, resale value and magazine reviews on the same.
Everyone says that the Grand Vitara/Tracker is great off road but I bought
mine as a commuter car. The two people that I personally know who have
bought Trackers in the past have had to do major engine work prior to
70,000 miles. I've owned Hondas in the past and have had no issues before
100,000 miles. It's your choice, but I would steer you towards the Honda.
I have no regrets on my purchase and I got lucky enough to get it below
dealer cost ($17,425) through some strange deal with "Carsdirect.com".





"Daniel Ramirez" <dannyaramirez@...> on 10/12/99 01:14:01 AM

Please respond to honda-crv@egroups.com

Are the 2000 CRV's out yet.

As far as comps go, did you happen to read consumer reports a month ago.
They were not too kind to the Vitara and they rated the Honda #1. Let's face
it, Honda puts one of the finest cars on the road today. My money, from now
on goes to Honda. We have a 99 Accord EX and absolutely would never BUY
another brand ever again. I know never is a long time, but I have heard only
good about Hondas for the last 25 years. The story line never changes. I am
also purchasing a 2000 CRV as soon as they arrive.

Bottom Line:

No one should ever put someone's choices down. You should purchase what you
like - it's really up to you. In my business, we teach people how to make a
decision. I don't believe anywhere in school do they, the teachers, ever
teach us how to make decisions. This is one of the reasons that people always
ask others, including strangers, what they should do. It's common nature to
ask others, "What do you think?" The only problem with this way of decision
making is that when you are not happy in the long one then the blame can be
placed elsewhere.

You see, when people make their own decisions, they have to be able to be
happy and live with their choices. Do your research and be happy with your
decision. When researching, make sure you place a BIG emphasis on RESALE
value and you will find that Suzuki's should not even be on the road. Buy it
now for say $23,0000 and trade it in next year for $9,0000. Ask yourself,
how can this happen?

Anything further, please email me directly.

Craig
cwach36064@...

Hi Daniel,
 
For me it was a decision based on quality and reliability.  Having own almost every Honda from an Accord to my present vehicles a 99 CRV and a 96 Civic Del Sol I feel Honda has the best engineering and good service.  There are a lot more Honda dealers than Suzuki dealers around the country. 
 
Besides all that CRV's are nice to drive.  They are not as tall so it is very easy to get in and out.  Drives and feels like a minivan.  Great visibility and nice seats.
 
What I don't like about the CRV?  I wish the third light was on the roof instead of blocking my rear view.  Wish it came with the roof rack and had a moonroof option.
 
What I really like about the CRV besides driving it - it's value.  Some friends of mine saw a used 1998 CRV selling for $19K!
 
I have never seen the Suzuki model you mention.  One web site that might give you some objective data is http://www.edmunds.com
 
Regards,
 
Andy Cheng

Go with the Suzuki, that V6 is a great motor.  My CR-V had absolutely
no balls until I put on my jackson supercharger, now it pulls strong. 
Well worth the 3 grand!!

Steve

Ken,

Interesting, what was the MSRP on the CR-V SE? And
did you take any pics. of it, because I am sure Bing
would love to see it.

Hi Matthew,

On the window sticker it said "Available March 2000" without any additional
information at all. Except for the paint color, the matching hard shell tire
cover, and leather interior, it looked just like the 1999 CR-V EX.

Ken Bradley