Crv? Fortuner?

[sgunn65]

I arrive in Bkk next month for 6 months and was happily looking forward to buying a top of the range Vigo or Triton as, pound for pound they seem to offer the best value for money.

However I will now be working for a UK based consortium looking at property and business opportunities around Thailand. This means I will be doing a fair amount of driving (and not just on main roads). I will be meeting with agents, proprietors, lawyers etc in the course of my business.

Having read widely on this forum I have realised that what you look like and what you drive can make a lot of difference in business terms so I am guessing that a Vigo, however new, is not likely to cut the mustard. However much I loath this kind of ridiculous snobbery the fact is I need to have a set of wheels that does count.

Since I can't afford a Merc (and don't want one) and don't want a saloon, I have narrowed my choice down to the peoples favourite, the Fortuner or the new CRV which, although a tad more expensive, is new and will not change for a couple of years.

Since I need this vehicle by the beginning of Nov I can't wait for the new fortuner to arrive (if indeed it is coming) so what do you think? CRV or Fortuner? I am not swayed by resale as I am likely to keep this for 5 years by which time the differential is likely to be minimal and I am also not swayed by Fortuners being the most popular.

What I am swayed by is cornering, low down accelaration, comfort and noise (both cabin quiet and CD/MP3 capability).

Hope you can help

[Edorf]

I had the previous model of the CRV when I first arrived in Thailand almost 3 years ago. Last year I was to get a new car and I decided on the Fortuner which I have now (November 2006 model). As I got the opportunity to change my choice I tested the new CRV just as it came on the market. I also have a friend that owns the new CRV.

My opinion:

The Fortuner feels and handles like a SUV. CRV feels and handles like a sedan.

Both stereos are ok.

You get more for your money with the Fortuner.

Specific negatives (in my opinion)

CRV:

- Not "a big car" feeling", more like an elevated Civic.

- Boring to drive

- Very feminine

Fortuner:

- Does not feel safe around curves at speeds above 80km/h (highway curves!)

- As you can read from another thread I started and other comments here and around the net some Fortuners seem to have an ABS issue

- There are too many around (I have added exterior "jewelry" and new stereo system (DVD, Bluetooth, IPod, TV, rear-view camera for THB 200,000)

- Im not too sure if the re-sale value of a Fortuner will be better in the long run considering how the market eventually will be flodded with them later on.

My advice:

If you want a car that handles perfect and is very comfortable get the CRV. If you want a SUV, AND comfortable SUV, get the Fortuner 3.0.

PS

Some might complain that the Fortuner ride is bouncing around a little bit: Just keep the air in the tires a little below what is reccommended by Toyota and this is not an issue.

PPS

I thought the "new" Fortuner was just around the corner(?). At least it is being heavily marketed and they are taking orders for it.

[jumnien]

We have a Fortuner and a CR-V. My wife prefers the CR-V and I prefer the Fortuner. Both great vehicles. We both prefer long distance touring in the Fortuner. Pretty much agree with previous post completely.

[sgunn65]

Excellent advice Thank you. I am no nearer to choosing but when I do test drive this will give me something to go on.

They are taking orders for the new Fortuner?? Does anyone have any info on this? If it is due soon I may have to rent and wait.

[Plus]

I'm afraid no new Fortuners.

At most there will be 2wd diesel version (if they get a new auto transmission, something they have never had before), otherwise it's just a facelift with a few extra features thrown in, but not a second generation Fortuner.

For that they have to upgrade the whole platform first. So you can wait for new Fortuner after they upgrade Vigo, which is not on the cards yet.

[ignis]

Another option ? Chevrolet Captiva

Understand the 'New' Fortuner is planed for late 2008

Likewise the 'New' Ford Escape

[Plus]

Some people wait for the new model, others wait until all the initial defects are sorted out - the first batch is never perfect.

Others think that the third year of production is the best time to buy and new features are not always worth the wait.

Captiva is a bit of a gamble at the moment most people have no idea what it is and how it compares to CRV and Fortuner.

[Edorf]

Chevrolet Captiva has been mainly developed in South Korea by GM Daewoo. With a view to global sales: it has sister models including the US-market Saturn Vue and the Vauxhall/Opel Antara.

Sluggish and underpowered.

Re-sale value???

[Plus]

Yet Bangkok Post guys said about the diesel version that it's not slower than Fortuner, which I personally find hard to believe.

I wonder what people say about CRV's acceleration - is it the same as Fortuner's?