Suggestions wanted

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
12/11/2019 at 15:42 • Filed to: None

My sister’s car was deemed too big for highway use and was made smaller. Sister is ok.

Need replacement vehicle. Were thinking 2015-2017 accord. CRv of same vintage. Maybe Rav4 or Camry

Recently learned about CRV of 2017 having oil/gas dilution issue. I don’t know if accord has same engine in there which might have same issue. if so, staying away.

Sister wants something a tad bigger than what she had because she is afraid of getting into another car resizing shenanigan.

US cars need not apply.

DISCUSSION (51)

MonkeePuzzle > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 15:54

yes. all the options you have listed are excellent and comparable choices.

good luck.

PartyPooper2012 > MonkeePuzzle
12/11/2019 at 15:56

well...except for the CRV. Diluting oil with gasoline is probably not a good thing for an engine. I don’t know if accord has same issues.

jminer > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 15:57

We bought my wife wife a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid a year and a half ago and she loves it. Gets mid-30 mpg and is comfortable while not being too big or too small.

I’ve got a 2014 Sportwagen that’s aw esome too and I love it's size for highway cruising and daily driving.

PartyPooper2012 > jminer
12/11/2019 at 15:58

Nice!

Thanks. Gonna take a look at the RAV

MonkeePuzzle > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:02

I have a 2016 CR-V, same gen as the 2017 you mention. Perfectly happy with it.

Had a Rav4 previously, but several gens older. We got the CR-V over the Rav4 because side by side the CR-V had more interior space.

PartyPooper2012 > MonkeePuzzle
12/11/2019 at 16:05

I think 2016 CRv is safe. 2017 and younger are having this issue.

Ash78, voting early and often > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:07

Have her go do a comparison of Accord vs Camry; then CR-V vs RAV. I wouldn’t try to blend all 4 across 2 segments, it can get confusing.

Dark horse: AVALON

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:10

Subaru Forester is in that category too, drives more like a car than an SUV. Good fuel economy excellent AWD system . I’m still not a fan of the motors. I want a 2.4L toyota 16v in a forester with a traditional 5 speed auto. That would be ideal.

Derpwagon > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:11

I bought my wife a 2014 CRV around 2 years ago after her Buick spun a bearing. She really likes it. Plus it’s got the K24 so it revs out alright, and has an actual transmission rather than a CVT if that’s a factor. AWD, heated seats, comfy, quick enough, forward and side visibility is good, rear 1/4 and rear visibility meh. backup camera is neato.

Xanadu603 > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:11

The CRV would share the Civic motor I think. I've had a CRV, civic and Accord. None broke. I dont think you can really go wrong with any of the vehicles you listed.

PartyPooper2012 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/11/2019 at 16:11

Yeah. Subaru had a problem with head gaskets. I don’t know if it’s an ongoing issue. My sister isn’t gonna roll up her sleeves and change that out. Gonna try and get something bit reliable

Maxima Speed > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:12

My “ completely unbiased” opinion is Camry.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:12

I’ll second the Toyota recommendation.

Not a Honda hater, but have known a couple of people who ended up in the short end of the stick in collisions with that CRV platform.

RAV4 is very solid-- the gold standard. Heartily recommend.

PartyPooper2012 > Ash78, voting early and often
12/11/2019 at 16:13

lol

not dark at all... just more money. I love avalons.

Criteria #1 is it must be reliable. No head gasket issues, no fuel/oil mixing. no vibrations.

Comfort and usability is sorta criteria #2 and fuel economy is kinda one footing pedestal of criteria #2

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:15

The head gasket issue was gone by the late 2000's like 2008-2009. The new problem that cropped up around 2012 is excessive oil consumption due to prematurely wearing piston rings. Lots of the 2.0 and 2.5L engines were affected. It seems to have been corrected in 2016 cars and onward .

PartyPooper2012 > Derpwagon
12/11/2019 at 16:15

Yeah. Trying to go 2016 or older on CRV. Trying to get low miles too that why the years are not that old. I would prefer to stay away from CVT but i dont think CRVs have much of an issue with that.

I think Nissans and Infinities are more prone to tranny issues. Heresay tho. No first hand experience

PartyPooper2012 > Maxima Speed
12/11/2019 at 16:16

hmmm. Interesting opinion. So no altima then?

PartyPooper2012 > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
12/11/2019 at 16:17

Appreciate the high praise. Thanks for letting me know.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:17

I’m... not a fan of the RAV4, at least the 4th generation one.

I convinced a friend of mine to buy one new and I regret that. Something about the way it drives encourages you to drive poorly. I consider myself a good driver and I found myself going under the speed limit, not keeping my lane, and not seeing cars in my blind spot, etc the few times I drove it. Others have said the same. I don’t know what it is, but the whole car felt vague and did not inspire confidence .

He is a bad driver and got in an average of 3 minor accidents a year. Three days after he bought it he backed into a literal boulder. Apparently the backup sensors (camera?) are laughably bad, or at least his were. He f inally totaled it earlier this year when he spun out on the highway due to weather . To the car’s credit, he walked away from a fairly major accident. He now drives a Kia Soul and likes it.

On the whole Honda vs Toyota thing, I think they’ve both not been doing great in recent years, so I can’t weigh in. Honda has been sort of “MEH” for the last decade . My 2009 Si had a host of problems and my dad’s 2010 Accord had to get a new fucking engine (under warranty ). Admittedly that was a fair few years ago and they may have improved since. I only know the aforementioned heresay about Toyota, but the few rentals I’ve had did not leave me with confidence .

Worth looking at the Koreans maybe? I just had one friend buy a Kona and he likes it. Another just bought a Tuscon and also likes it.

PartyPooper2012 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/11/2019 at 16:18

fascinating. What issues are they having now tho? Can’t be perfect, can they? Gotta have something... loose radio antennae? Trunk net comes off the hooks? Something? Or else it will replace the camry...

Shift24 > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:19

Turbo motors yes (1.5t), the 2.4l which was available up until 2019 does not have that issue

Snuze: Needs another Swede > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:21

The dilution issue is with Honda’s 1.5L turbo engine. I don’t know why it seems to affect the CR-V and not other vehicles with the engine (or disproportionately more?). I seem to recall reading it was prevalent in colder climates. I have a friend whose sister works at Honda and I’m actually going to be talking to him tonight, I’ll ask. He bought a 2018 CR-V, despite the headlines about the issue, so I’m assuming he had some kind of knowledge I didn’t.

Aside from that, I think for one thing your sister should decide on sedan vs. CUV. It seems like of an apples to oranges comparison.

Also, h ow about a Mazda CX-5, or a GMC Terrain / Chevy Equinox?

PartyPooper2012 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/11/2019 at 16:23

Yeah. Like I mentioned in a response to someone else here , reliability is priority number 1. I have no idea if hyundais or kias are better these days, but I am not willing to drop a nice size coin and experiment. Also hondas and toyotas tend to hold their values longer.

It might be a personal thing with rav4 being a meh/boring car. It was never supposed to be a lambo so I think meh is tolerable for this purpose.

RPM esq. > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:25

I highly recommend the Rav4. Mrs. RPM has one of a previous generation that has been absolutely bulletproof, and my mom has one of the generation you’re looking at that she loves.

PartyPooper2012 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
12/11/2019 at 16:28

She will go sit in rav4 and CRV tonight to get a better idea of which she likes.

From what scotty says it has to do with honda being too efficient in cooling the engine. When engine is cold it sucks in more air and metal not yet expanded, pressure forces the gasoline through rings and into oil chambers.

That is at least my understanding. If honda was a bit less efficient, engine would warm up faster and metal would expand and not let gasoline through and computer would recalibrate the air intake amounts for warmer engine.

He claims a software upgrade might fix the issue and adjust how much air gets sucked in and when... but again. Not willing to experiment and potentially killing a semi new car.

Shift24 > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:29

As stated, 1.5t is the one with the issue (cr- v). Up until 2019 model year the 2.4l was still available and doesnt have the issue

All 4 are good options. Hybrid accords get stupid gas mileage for a big sedan. Even with it not hitting its epa 47, many are still reporting 45 mpg.

Im still a fan of the J35 (v6 ) accords. Yeah not as good mpg but sneaky quick. Only downside is timing belt but imo more reliable than they rest of the cars on the list.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:29

2019 & up CRVs apparently have a software fix for the oil dilution issue. Apparently the software fix was also offered to owners of the older models who live in cold weather climates where its more of an issue. IDK where you’re located but as long as you let the car warm up enough and don’t take lots of short trips a CRV should be okay potentially .

I wouldn’t blame you for steering clear though. Have you considered a CX-5?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:33

I have not heard many bad things about them lately many oppos have bought outbacks too. I am still driving my 2013 outback with a new engine replaced under warranty. It still burns oil but not 1 qt/1000 miles like it was. It’s currently at 1 qt/5000 miles. I can live with that. Otherwise it’s been a good car.

PartyPooper2012 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/11/2019 at 16:39

yeah. While for you and I it might be tolerable, my sister isn’t so hands on with car maintenance so I can’t say she will be checking as often

Some say CRV could be corrected with software upgrade which would use less cold air on cold start which would in turn create less pressure and not force fuel down into oil pan. I don’t know. I have not seen anything posted saying the software fix worked

PartyPooper2012 > Shift24
12/11/2019 at 16:41

interesting.

I’ll do more research. Thanks

MM54 > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:42

I don’t know of any major issues with new subarus, I helped my mother pick out a 2019 crosstrek if that’s any real evidence. The CVT is meh but they are otherwise pretty good these days.

Maxima Speed > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:45

Maxima or bust! Or Toyota . In all truth i really dont like the newer altima’s. They feel cheap, they don’t drive well. Thats my humble opinion.

Under_Score > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:49

Mom has a 2016 CR-V EX with no issues at all.

Also, why only Toyota and Honda?

SpeedSix > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 16:51

They made Avalon hybrids , too bad they weren’t available in Canada.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Snuze: Needs another Swede
12/11/2019 at 17:32

Making a guess at the why I would say it likely has something to do with the CRV being the biggest car sold with the 1.5. Increased average load compared to an Accord or Civic with the same engine.

Captain of the Enterprise > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 17:34

I’d go Toyota for that time period. I have a 2011 Camry Le 2.5 with 149,600 miles on it and it’s been great so far. I think that power train carries over to those years. My cousin has a RAV4 in that period too and loves it.

Kinja'd!!!

Captain of the Enterprise > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 17:38

I think it’s because it’s direct injection only which is higher pressure and causes blow by of the piston rings.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 17:41

My sister’s car was deemed too big for highway use and was made smaller. Sister is ok.

I read this at least 5 times before comprehending that your sister was in an accident that involved crumpling up her car. I’m not usually that slow, but I thought there was some family decision that she should have a smaller car. I kept trying to then apply this decision to the car selection choices and w anted more criteria, before finally getting the picture .

Glad that she is okay.

avalonian > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 20:02

Make sure you test the headlights and the night time driving features. As of lately I've become disappointed in quality of headlights coming from the Japanese automakers. ESPECIALLY, Toyota. Unless you get a high end spec with the upgraded lights etc... it's just hit and miss. What about preowned luxury. Like lexus, acura the depreciate better lol.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > PartyPooper2012
12/11/2019 at 22:29

That sounds very similar to what I’ve heard. I didn’t get ahold of my buddy tonight, I’ll keep trying and let you know if I find out more.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
12/11/2019 at 22:30

I think that’s a very reasonable guess, and I would also think it’s a factor.

Nick Has an Exocet > PartyPooper2012
12/12/2019 at 02:50

Do you have a consumer reports account? They have buyer feedback for these regular people cars with real world reliability data. I was surprised to find my mom’s CX-5 lower in the ratings but if I remember correctly, it was mainly do to the infotainment. Drivetrain wise, it’s a simple setup with an NA 4 and a 6 speed auto. My brother just had his CVT go on his 2018 Corolla. My mom’s CVT went on her Murano. Somehow automakers keep putting them in cars.

PartyPooper2012 > Captain of the Enterprise
12/12/2019 at 06:11

Yeah. But it’s not like they are gonna move fuel injector elsewhere. Maybe the software fix does the trick, but I am not going to be their testing dummy

PartyPooper2012 > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
12/12/2019 at 06:14

Sorry. Dry humor.

PartyPooper2012 > avalonian
12/12/2019 at 06:18

I don’t know what quality issues you speak of, but as of late, I want to smash all the new cars’ LED lights for burning my corneas out.

My wife just got an MDX. Lights on it are super bright. When we play who’s car is leaving in the morning first and I end up with her car behind me while I am in C5, I am blinded.

PartyPooper2012 > SpeedSix
12/12/2019 at 06:19

Yeah. I think we want simple and reliable. Hybrids bring a bit more complexity into wrenching equations. Not that it can’t be solved with youtube and/or dealer, we are going with conventional.

PartyPooper2012 > Maxima Speed
12/12/2019 at 06:21

Wife and I took an Altima rental through 7 states. We drove the wheels off that thing and it was OK. I don’t remember what year, but trust me when I tell you this - that car is no longer on the road.

Captain of the Enterprise > PartyPooper2012
12/12/2019 at 07:02

Exactly

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > PartyPooper2012
12/12/2019 at 07:14

I appreciated the turn of phrase once I caught on.

avalonian > PartyPooper2012
12/12/2019 at 09:49

Go drive the CRV and especially RAV4 of the years you're talking about. The lights are downright dim, in the night.

PartyPooper2012 > avalonian
12/12/2019 at 14:30

perfect. As long as it isn’t blinding me, it’s perfect.