Bought A Car For My Wife

Mike J

Hawkeye
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
5,347
City & State/Province
GA
Long story short the 2004 Ford Explorer my wife has been driving for the last 13 years is pretty much worn out. I broke down & bought her a new Honda CRV LX. I didn't want to take on a payment but it should last her for a long time. It took about 3 hours from the time we got to the dealership until we left. The scary part is probably the better part of half that time was spent with the salesman showing her all the different features of the vehicle & how to use them properly. We were also delayed a bit because the states system for tag application was down.
It is somewhat interesting that the salesman asked her if she wanted all the doors to unlock when she stopped & put the vehicle in park. She told him no. He seemed surprised. She told him she only wanted the drivers door to automatically unlock. He seemed puzzled as to why. She explained that it could give someone the opportunity to attack you. I told him it was about avoidance. You could see the light bulb go off in his head. I guess he never thought about it.
 
good on ya buddy, I did the same a few years ago, my wife has been a nurse for over 40 years, so I surprise her with a hard top convertible! for her retirement. she drive it only a few dozen times in the summer because we snow bird out of AK most to time. I found it in AZ with only 29K miles on it and had it shipped up. 2005 Mercedes SLK 350. she loves it! and now I can do no wrong!
 

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Long story short the 2004 Ford Explorer my wife has been driving for the last 13 years is pretty much worn out. I broke down & bought her a new Honda CRV LX. I didn't want to take on a payment but it should last her for a long time. It took about 3 hours from the time we got to the dealership until we left. The scary part is probably the better part of half that time was spent with the salesman showing her all the different features of the vehicle & how to use them properly. We were also delayed a bit because the states system for tag application was down.
It is somewhat interesting that the salesman asked her if she wanted all the doors to unlock when she stopped & put the vehicle in park. She told him no. He seemed surprised. She told him she only wanted the drivers door to automatically unlock. He seemed puzzled as to why. She explained that it could give someone the opportunity to attack you. I told him it was about avoidance. You could see the light bulb go off in his head. I guess he never thought about it.
Ahh yes. The blinding light of a revelation!
 
Long story short the 2004 Ford Explorer my wife has been driving for the last 13 years is pretty much worn out. I broke down & bought her a new Honda CRV LX. I didn't want to take on a payment but it should last her for a long time. It took about 3 hours from the time we got to the dealership until we left. The scary part is probably the better part of half that time was spent with the salesman showing her all the different features of the vehicle & how to use them properly. We were also delayed a bit because the states system for tag application was down.
It is somewhat interesting that the salesman asked her if she wanted all the doors to unlock when she stopped & put the vehicle in park. She told him no. He seemed surprised. She told him she only wanted the drivers door to automatically unlock. He seemed puzzled as to why. She explained that it could give someone the opportunity to attack you. I told him it was about avoidance. You could see the light bulb go off in his head. I guess he never thought about it.
Most people are absolutely oblivious.
 
Long story short the 2004 Ford Explorer my wife has been driving for the last 13 years is pretty much worn out. I broke down & bought her a new Honda CRV LX. I didn't want to take on a payment but it should last her for a long time. It took about 3 hours from the time we got to the dealership until we left. The scary part is probably the better part of half that time was spent with the salesman showing her all the different features of the vehicle & how to use them properly. We were also delayed a bit because the states system for tag application was down.
It is somewhat interesting that the salesman asked her if she wanted all the doors to unlock when she stopped & put the vehicle in park. She told him no. He seemed surprised. She told him she only wanted the drivers door to automatically unlock. He seemed puzzled as to why. She explained that it could give someone the opportunity to attack you. I told him it was about avoidance. You could see the light bulb go off in his head. I guess he never thought about it.
Right, the unlock feature is only to let people get into the car, not to let anyone out. My drivers door unlocks itself when ever I go to open it from the inside. Don't all cars still do that?
 
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All the new cars do whatever the hell the car wants to do. Driver/owner control is pretty much lost unless you hire an electrical engineer to set up your "settings"; and even then, it's a crap shoot that you'll get your car to do it 'your way'. I'm still trying to find out how to keep my doors locked on a 2016 Camry.... I try the settings but they are just a bit beyond me.... You can bet that I'll never buy a newer car....ever!

J
 
All the new cars do whatever the hell the car wants to do. Driver/owner control is pretty much lost unless you hire an electrical engineer to set up your "settings"; and even then, it's a crap shoot that you'll get your car to do it 'your way'. I'm still trying to find out how to keep my doors locked on a 2016 Camry.... I try the settings but they are just a bit beyond me.... You can bet that I'll never buy a newer car....ever!

J
Have you tried the app on your phone?

I can lock and unlock my car with the app on my phone. Or roll down the windows, check the fuel level, etc.

😀
 
CRV is a strong choice IMO. Tough to beat a Honda.

Just curious how many miles you got out of the Explorer? I've owned a few of different generations that ran forever. People used to tease me a little and called them Exploders. Thankfully I never had one explode OR rollover.
 
CRV is a strong choice IMO. Tough to beat a Honda.

Just curious how many miles you got out of the Explorer? I've owned a few of different generations that ran forever. People used to tease me a little and called them Exploders. Thankfully I never had one explode OR rollover.
I don’t know about a explorer but my 2000 ford f150 has over 300000 miles on it still ticking just this last year gifted it to my son he still drives it everyday 6 cylinder tough as nails
 
CRV is a strong choice IMO. Tough to beat a Honda.

Just curious how many miles you got out of the Explorer? I've owned a few of different generations that ran forever. People used to tease me a little and called them Exploders. Thankfully I never had one explode OR rollover.
It has a couple of hundred thousand miles on it. The interior is rough. The liftgate open light stays on in the dash & you have to basically turn off all dash/interior lights to get the interior lights to turn off inside. I changed the switch on the liftgate but that did not correct it. A buddy of mine told me he solved a similar issue by replacing a relay somewhere in the back. An overdrive not working light has started flashing. I researched it. I believe the torque converter is slipping. If the transmission is serviced it might be fine but then again it might not (transmission has no dipstick so that would have to be done by a shop). The engine still runs strong. I have had to replace many electrical parts the last few years. I might be able string it along a little further but she has it in her head she is done with it.
 
I don't know about a explorer but my 2000 ford f150 has over 300000 miles on it still ticking just this last year gifted it to my son he still drives it everyday 6 cylinder tough as nails
When I let go of my 2000 F-150 in 2016 it had 390,000 miles in the original engine & transmission. I had bought it new off the fleet lot. It had a regular cab, roll up windows, & rubber floor boards. It is very difficult to find anything like that now.
 
All the new cars do whatever the hell the car wants to do. Driver/owner control is pretty much lost unless you hire an electrical engineer to set up your "settings"; and even then, it's a crap shoot that you'll get your car to do it 'your way'. I'm still trying to find out how to keep my doors locked on a 2016 Camry.... I try the settings but they are just a bit beyond me.... You can bet that I'll never buy a newer car....ever!

J
I bought the wife a new Chevy last Summer. Just ordered one for myself this week.

Driver / Owner control is absolutely fantastical. If you want it to do something, there is a custom setting in the computer. All of the procedures are very clear in the owner's manual.

Locked doors, unlocked, whatever. Just set it the way you want.

Our last 2 cars were 2017 and 2018. The advances in technology have improved so much in 6 years that it is amazing.
 
I bought the wife a new Chevy last Summer. Just ordered one for myself this week.

Driver / Owner control is absolutely fantastical. If you want it to do something, there is a custom setting in the computer. All of the procedures are very clear in the owner's manual.

Locked doors, unlocked, whatever. Just set it the way you want.

Our last 2 cars were 2017 and 2018. The advances in technology have improved so much in 6 years that it is amazing.
In all honesty I liked it better when things were simpler. All the electronic gizmos just make it harder to troubleshoot anything. They are trying to shut down the shade tree mechanics.
 
In all honesty I liked it better when things were simpler. All the electronic gizmos just make it harder to troubleshoot anything. They are trying to shut down the shade tree mechanics.
and the cost of the parts is astounding. not to mention, not all garages or dealerships even have someone that can troubleshoot electrical issues. so many times, the garages "throw parts" at it in hopes of making a repair.
 
In all honesty I liked it better when things were simpler. All the electronic gizmos just make it harder to troubleshoot anything. They are trying to shut down the shade tree mechanics.
I'm into boats and cars as well. Two strokes, points, yada, yada. Yeah, I was into troubleshooting as well. Spend many an evening trying to get the boat to run right.

Now, I just want to go fishing. Or, drive across 3 states to visit relatives. No time any more to be a shade tree mechanic.

What I've found is that now they don't NEED troubleshooting since they hardly ever need the maintenance they did before. I have no problem paying a dealer to do the troubleshooting since (in my experience) they get it right in a hurry. The ones throwing parts are the corner gas station, not the edumacated dealers.

Cost more? Yeah! You get what you pay for. My plan is to spend my kid's inheritance and have free time along the way.
 
I hear that one can even make phone calls on a smart phone. That's what I use mine for.
I refuse to use a phone in the car, and especially not text. Besides, its illegal. However, my phone is paired to my new car and I can do both with voice recognition. It's even better than being at home because I don't have to get up and walk over to the phone.
 
I guess, a good part of what makes these phones so un-usable for me (besides not being user friendly) is that I usually don't like to be bothered, or distracted from whatever it is that I'm doing; so, I never answer the phone (cell or home phone). When, I'm ready to stop what I'm doing, I'll check to see who called and then call back if it's really someone I want to talk with. Yes, I'm easily distracted :-(

J.
 
I bought a 2023 Honda CRV EX L last April. It's a nice car, quiet, too! I think there are a few things you should be aware of.

1) No TPMS system. It only tells you that you have a low tire. It's up to you to figure out which one and if it's 1# under minimum or going flat. Get up to speed, Honda! :mad:

2) Windshield washer fluid tank is only 2.5 quarts. Mine was dry in 2k miles so top it off often. It def. won't last between oil changes.

3) It comes with 2 "keys", numbered 1 and 2 on the back of the fob. If you want them to do the same functions you'll have to program them the same. The dealer only programmed key 1 for me so I thought key 2 was defective.

3) Your phone can run Google Maps without a cable, not all cars can. It uses very little phone battery power to run Google Maps, so you don't need your phone plugged in. Cool! 😎

YouTube is your friend for tech questions. Your salesperson is probably not the "tech" guy. Find out who is and go directly to them with questions.

You can turn off most of the things that beep and annoy you. You'll love the adaptive cruise control! I thought I'd hate all the technology; I don't.

The gas mileage indicator is a liar. Mine gets about 2.5 mpg under what the car says I'm getting, like usual.

The infotainment center seems daunting at first. When you get used to it you'll realize that Honda hit a home run with it. Things just make sense.
 
I bought a 2023 Honda CRV EX L last April. It's a nice car, quiet, too! I think there are a few things you should be aware of.

1) No TPMS system. It only tells you that you have a low tire. It's up to you to figure out which one and if it's 1# under minimum or going flat. Get up to speed, Honda! :mad:

2) Windshield washer fluid tank is only 2.5 quarts. Mine was dry in 2k miles so top it off often. It def. won't last between oil changes.

3) It comes with 2 "keys", numbered 1 and 2 on the back of the fob. If you want them to do the same functions you'll have to program them the same. The dealer only programmed key 1 for me so I thought key 2 was defective.

3) Your phone can run Google Maps without a cable, not all cars can. It uses very little phone battery power to run Google Maps, so you don't need your phone plugged in. Cool! 😎

YouTube is your friend for tech questions. Your salesperson is probably not the "tech" guy. Find out who is and go directly to them with questions.

You can turn off most of the things that beep and annoy you. You'll love the adaptive cruise control! I thought I'd hate all the technology; I don't.

The gas mileage indicator is a liar. Mine gets about 2.5 mpg under what the car says I'm getting, like usual.

The infotainment center seems daunting at first. When you get used to it you'll realize that Honda hit a home run with it. Things just make sense.
Thanks Cholo, checking the tire pressure shouldn't be a big deal. I have a compressor & tire pressure gauge in the corner of the garage right next to the door. I will tell her to check her spare key.
 
Hope it was a good trade! (Sorry couldn't resist a joke). Just got my wife a Chevy Blazer. She loves the AWD especially in the snow.

Stay Strong!
Pyromike
 
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