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Getting a new Outlander, CR-V or RAV4

121 messages,  Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 8:49 PM

You are in the Mitsubishi Outlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander

Messages Page 5 of 13

#38 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [brown99] by figtree

Apr 29, 2008 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: brown99 (Jun 10, 2007 11:01 pm)
I looked at the Outlander and CRV and decided to go with the 2008 CRV. I have no idea about the RAV4, I haven't even considered it.
-I hate the cramped third seat on the Outlander. Is anyone really gonna sit back there? They might as well just sit in the cargo area, they'd be more comfortable.
-The Mitsubishi salesman put down the back tailgate, sat on it, and described that it would be a great place to sit. Is that a feature? I am not buying a $26,000+ car so I can sit on the tailgate. The CRV's cargo area is low and looks really easy to get stuff in and out of. It has a nice clean look to it without the third seat and tailgate messing it up.
-CRV has a full spare in the back, Mitsubishi has a donut.
-Salesman stated how good the Outlander looked compared to the CRV. It's personal opinion, but I think the CRV looks way better.
-Mitsubishi had remote start, but call me old fashioned, I like a key. Besides, I can get remote start on the CRV if I want.
-I like the no frills, clean look on the interior of the CRV. I also liked the exterior color choices better. Hey, color matters.
-I don't think Mitsubishi measures up to Honda Reliability and Safety.
 
This is my first SUV and my first Honda. I checked out a ton of reviews, consumer reports, forums, etc...and the CRV looks fantastic to me.
 
Granted, I did like the little push out cup holder on the Outlander Driver's Side, but it still didn't convince me to buy it.

#39 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [figtree] by comem47

Apr 29, 2008 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: figtree (Apr 29, 2008 2:13 pm)
I considered the new CRV (without the spare on the back) and agree it looks nice and would give better MPG than the Outlander I ended up buying. The swinging door on the RAV gets in the way when unloading at curbs and Honda did well to get rid of it. (RAV really should for 2009)
 
A requirement for me was winter towing (can tow 3500 lbs with 4WD V6 Outlander) Too bad the CRV doesn't have a little more "ooomph" on the 4 cyl engine. (if not towing this wouldn't be an obstacle, but it was for me) I also liked the greater warranty on the Outlander (Honda has a good reputation, so they and Toyota aren't competing on warranty or knocking off $$) As for safety, the Outlander gets high marks (5 rating) on everything except rollover and it gets a 4 on that). I agree that you should be happy based on Honda history.

#40 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [comem47] by figtree

Apr 29, 2008 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: comem47 (Apr 29, 2008 3:02 pm)
Yah, it pretty much is no contest if you need the vehicle for towing. I can't deny that the Outlander has a lot of other excellent features as well.
 
I wish the CRV came with a better warranty also. I admit reputation has a lot to do with my purchase, but I would still love a better warranty. I don't think any company wanting to be the best should get by solely on reputation, they should offer a competitive warranty as well.

#41 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [figtree] by piast

Apr 30, 2008 (6:33 am)

Replying to: figtree (Apr 29, 2008 2:13 pm)
-I did not see any advantage of buying CRV over Outlander. I hate how new CRV looks, and I'm not the only one. It looks like its feminine character suits well tastes of many women in the other hand.
- Low tailgate is a great feature for loading heavy cargo, plus I sit on it when changing my ski boots for example. It is not a car; it is CUV, with "U" for utility.
-Mitsu has a donut and 5 year road side assistance, so you would not have to worry about getting dirty changing it.
- Mitsubishi measures up to Honda and anybody else Reliability and Safety. Period.
 We own Accord, we owned another Mitsubishi for 7 yr before. Outlander is made in Japan, and is as solid and reliable as it can be. Recent Toyota (engines) and Honda (transmissions) problems proved - it is just a reputation. We love our Accord, we love the Outlander. I think you will be happy with CRV. Point is it is not any better than Outlander. It is down to personal choice.

#42 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [piast] by chelentano

Apr 30, 2008 (6:57 am)

Replying to: piast (Apr 30, 2008 6:33 am)
I agree, the CRV is girly looking car. It's a good vehicle, but the Outlander is just better in almost every category: styling, warranty, roadside asst, equipment, interior volume, AWD. According to Consumer Reports, the Outlander has best 2008 predicted reliability in its class, beating both RAV4 and CRV.

#43 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [piast] by figtree

Apr 30, 2008 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: piast (Apr 30, 2008 6:33 am)
Hey, I am a girl, so there!

#44 of 121 Scared by Outlander problems by thomasw98

Jun 07, 2008 (8:11 am)

I was originally planning on a RAV4, but then I started looking at the Outlander. Just about convinced myself to go for it, but then read about some problems:
 
1. My head is still spinning from reading 15 pages of complaints about a serious paint chipping problem on the Outlander. There were lots of well-documented reports in the thread, but there were also two "troll-ish" posters repeatedly jumping in to unfairly pick apart and criticize the complaints. It really gave me the impression that the problem is real (at least for some owners) and the trolls were simply Mitsubishi dealers trying to crush the idea. This is now my number one concern about the Outlander.
 
2. JD Powers reliability report only gave Outlander a 4 out of 10 for reliability based on past 3-4 years of reports from consumers. Not sure why this is so different from the Consumer Reports results others have mentioned earlier in this thread.
 
3. Nav system: I was going to go for it, then read about some big problems with it...bad maps, lack of street name announcement, etc. So then I figured I would just go without it, and get a third party GPS later. But it seems as if this Nav system is a very integral part of the entire car system, with many functions being controlled or adjusted on this Nav screen. So, now I am wondering what to do???

#45 of 121 Re: Scared by Outlander problems [thomasw98] by comem47

Jun 07, 2008 (9:26 am)

Replying to: thomasw98 (Jun 07, 2008 8:11 am)
I do not know what to say about the paint thing. I don't have the problem on my '07 LS , but that doesn't say it hasn't happened to others. As for JD powers, you really can't base the 3-4 year survey on a car that has only been out since '07 (the earlier Outlander is not the dame beast). I understand from reading from others that the package groupings are different in '08, making one package dependent on another, or so it is said( forcing you to buy maybe much more than you want). I got an LS (didn't want the paddle shifters, low profile tires or 3rd row seat of an XLS), but did get the Sun and Sound package (Power sunroof, Sirius radio, 6 CD player with Rockford Fosgate sound) and really like it . (except for the fact you can't read the LED display in sunlight). I also considered the RAV-4, but I absolutely do not like the swing door with tire on the back (try unloading at curbside with a car behind you). I went with the Outlander for the good value for the price when you consider warranty,discounts and features, etc. Actually a Hyundai Santa Fe was my #2 (it's a bit bigger and a bit less economical on fuel, but also carries a good warranty). If you don't think mudflaps will solve the paint problem then there probably is not much more to be said. (otherwise the warranty should ease fears on other things with the 5 yr bumper to bumper and 10 yr/100K drivetrain)

#46 of 121 Re: Scared by Outlander problems [comem47] by thomasw98

Jun 07, 2008 (9:49 am)

Replying to: comem47 (Jun 07, 2008 9:26 am)
Did you get get Nav system?
 
If so, how is it working? Does it announce street names? (I read that the older versions do not announce the street name, i.e. they do not have "text to speech" function.)
 
If not, are you still able to manage and customize the other aspects of the car without a screen? I read somewhere that there are a lot of customizations that can be done on the Nav screen to control various aspects of the car. So I am wondering what can be done if there is no Nav screen?
 
Thanks!

#47 of 121 Re: Scared by Outlander problems [thomasw98] by biscuit_xls

Jun 07, 2008 (11:36 am)

Replying to: thomasw98 (Jun 07, 2008 9:49 am)
I have the Nav on my 07 Outlander XLS and I like it. It announces freeway names but not individual street names. So it announces "Exit south on I-5 in 0.5 miles." If your route has an upcoming turn, the street name is highlighted in a large green box with information on how far away it is... "Turn left on Culver in 1.2 miles" etc. For me it is very easy to see and use.
 
The paint thing is not a universal problem. My paint looks great after more than a year of driving, including a trip to the snow last winter. But any car can be damaged in harsh conditions, get behind a rock truck for just a few seconds and everything gets wiped out, including the windshield. If I lived in areas with salt and rocks then I would install mud flaps.
 
If your'e in SoCal I'd be happy to show you my Outlander and all of its cool functions.

Messages Page 5 of 13

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