Tips on Buying Cars: looking for a Honda, honda fit, honda cr v

Question
Thank you for your help.
I am looking for a new car. I have narrowed it down to a 2010 Honda Fit or 2009 Honda CR-V.The pros of the Fit are lower gas mileage, lower price of car and I am guessing lower maintenance cost. The things that I am concerned about is safety in such a small car, the recent report on the high cost of the bumper, if damaged,and enough space. The CR-V pros for me is a more safe car, more room ,all wheel drive. The other side is higher cost of gas,more expensive and more to maintain.
Could you please go in to more detail about the difference in the two cars? What would the cost be for the bumper on the CR-V? I heard the cost on the Fit could be over $3,000.00.What is the difference in safety? I would appreciate anything else you could tell me about both cars. What about repair history?
I want to make the corect decision, so I need some help.
Thanks again,Mary

Answer
Dear Mary,

I hope you are doing well.

The Honda Fit and Honda CR-V are both excellent automobiles.  However, my recommendation would be to purchase the CR-V for the following reasons:

(a) In terms of safety, the CR-V will do better since it is a larger vehicle.  Even though both vehicles are full of the latest safety equipment (i.e. Side Airbags, etc..), you cannot escape the physics of vehicle size and the larger vehicle is generally better in crashes.

(b) The repair costs of the CR-V should be better since it is a larger vehicle and should be more resistance to damage.

See the links below on crash ratings of both vehicles:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=307

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=593

(c) Yes, the CR-V will have a higher fuel consumption than the Fit, but the and the operating costs will be higher, but this is not really a fair comparison since they are vehicles in different vehicle classes.  However, for its size the CR-V provides respectable for fuel economy.

(d) In terms of reliability, both Hondas have excellent reliability records and either one should provide trouble free operation.

(e) Even though the Fit is remarkable in its storage capacity for its size, the CR-V should provide you with even more utility due to it larger size.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Paul