Verdict: 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L Nav at AutoFans www Auto Com

Verdict: 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L Nav

Our long-term 2007 Honda CR-V reported to our H.Q. in time for the January 2008 issue. We got acquainted with it during its “arrival” interview. In a year’s time, the staff has appreciated its charms. So now we present its last hurrah.

Motor Trend: Well, CR-V, it appears you’ve got one year and 21,427 miles under your belt. You know what that means, right?

CR-V: It’s time to go back to Honda in Torrance, I know. My job here is over. I’m going to miss you guys, though. Geez, just when I thought I found a place where I really belonged.

Motor Trend: Let’s not get emotional, shall we? It’s policy that we ask you a few questions before you go. For starters, when you rolled into our garage, you had a sticker price of $28,595. Correct?

CR-V: Correct.

Motor Trend: And as you leave, your three-year residual value is, ahhh let’s see, $16,288. That’s a decent residual value by our reckoning. Between arriving and leaving, it says here that you burned 987 gallons of gas, equating to an average mileage of 21.7 mpg. Pretty much spot-on with the EPA’s combined mpg projection of 22. And well within our mileage allowance. We like that. You were serviced twice as per your own computer’s scheduling, with the pair of visits totaling $488.97. By the way, how do you know when you need servicing?

CR-V: It’s hard to describe. I just get a feeling. It starts with a little indigestion in the oil filter. That’s when I blink the light on.

Motor Trend: Ooo-kay. Still, that $488.97 number seems little high, doesn’t it? Runaway automotive health care costs are a problem these days. Can you justify these expenditures?

CR-V: The first one only cost $52.42; oil change, tire rotation. Nothing extravagant.

Motor Trend: And the second time?

CR-V: You’ve got the paper right there.

Motor Trend: I know I’ve got the paper right here. We’re asking you: What did you do with the other $436.55? Accounting is questioning this-oil, oil filter, windshield air cleaner, air conditioner’s pollen filter replaced, differential serviced — $436.55? I see you made a trip to Las Vegas around that time.

CR-V: Meaning what!

Motor Trend: Don’t get excited. Just seems like a lot of money, that’s all. We’ll let it slide. After all, a car like you, what with a “pollen filter” and your looks, well, you probably don’t meet a lot of cars outside the office.

CR-V: I’m not a car. I’m a crossover. And what (gulp) is in that file of yours about my looks?

Motor Trend: Mr. CR-V, we’re a non-discriminatory workplace. However you need to know we’ve had a few complaints about your appearance. For instance, one driver said — and I quote — “The basic package is nice, but it has some dorky styling details. The bulges on the back deck, pointy at each end, serve no purpose other than as a styling touch. The front end looks as if it has an oxygen breather stuffed up its nose.” An unsolicited comment. We have standards for appearance around here, you know.

CR-V: Stop, stop. Do I have to listen to this? Just because I have only 166 horsepower doesn’t mean you can push me around.

Motor Trend: Hey, just saying you have an unorthodox presentation. Between us — nobody’s listening — did your parents have what you might call, er, a “solid” marriage?

CR-V: All right, after Dad left for work, sometimes our groceries were delivered by a Kaiser-Fraser. Understand?

Motor Trend: He delivered to Mrs. Pacer’s house, too, as I remember. Next subject. You also seemed to have taken a lot of vacation time. A 900-mile fishing trip with Ron Kiino and his pals? Another driver took you “up the Angeles Crest Highway for a weekend of debauchery with some friends.” Policy states our vacation allowance very clearly.

CR-V: Adventure is part of what I am, for Pete’s sake. Honda’s all-wheel-drive technology is so transparent it’s really easy for drivers to do a little light off-roading or head to the ski slopes.

Motor Trend: You’ve been described as “fully loaded” on these escapades.

CR-V: Gads, they’re talking about my equipment level. I have a navigation system with voice recognition and back-up camera. Leather everything. XM satellite radio. A tilt moonroof. A 262-watt, seven-speaker sound system with a six-disc changer MP3 jack. I can’t believe this.

Motor Trend: This sounds like some of the whining reported about you. Let’s see “…a high-pitched electronic whine that first comes in around 40 mph, and then around 70-80 mph. You have to be reasonably quiet (no radio on) to hear it. But annoying as hell.”

CR-V: I’m calling an attorney.

Motor Trend: But there are also some laudatory comments about your interior here too: “Far and away the best in class. Very high-end materials.” Another wrote: “Arguably the most refined, well-built small crossover out there — this thing feels so solid and tight.” You seem to have made a lot of friends here after all.

CR-V: So can I stay?

Motor Trend: No.

[source:MotorTrend]

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Verdict: 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L Nav

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