question on 2005 CRV

I have a couple of question???

1) What price range should I pay for a new 2005 CRV (Basic)?
2) Is it worth an extra grand to get the AWD?
3) Does the 4 cylinder have enough power to climb the mountains in N.
Calif?
4) What upgades are worth the price?
5) Pound for pound what car in the same price range is a good
contender?

Thanks

A face in the crowd wrote:
 > I have a couple of question???
 >
 > 1) What price range should I pay for a new 2005 CRV (Basic)?

Aim for $19,200 plus fees on a base LX front-wheel drive. That's around
invoice cost.

 > 2) Is it worth an extra grand to get the AWD?

I drive a two-wheel drive Element, which is mechanically identical to
the CR-V you are considering (except the new CR-V has a five-speed
automatic, not a four). I've frequently had the front wheels slip on me
from a start when it was wet. If I had four-wheel drive, then the car
would send power to the back wheels briefly to give the car traction.
For me, that tiny bit of peace of mind wasn't worth the extra money.
For you, it may be.

 > 3) Does the 4 cylinder have enough power to climb the mountains in N.
 > Calif?

Yes. It's a very flexible and torquey motor, and the five-speed
automatic ought to make it even more usable.

 > 4) What upgades are worth the price?

Certainly not the decorative stuff. Maybe the roof rack, if you don't
mind a little wind noise.

 > 5) Pound for pound what car in the same price range is a good
 > contender?

None, really. The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute twins are horribly
unreliable. The Toyota RAV4 is a lame duck and will be replaced in the
fall. Hyundai and Kia haven't gotten over their quality issues. The
Chevy Equinox has a V6 built in China. The CR-V isn't just the best
choice, it's the ONLY one.

-Sonarrat.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->