Dear Tom and Ray:

I'm finally going to buy my first new vehicle. I'd like it to last for many years. Since I don't know anything about car repair either, I'd like a vehicle that's reliable and won't be in the shop a lot. I've narrowed down my choice to the Honda CRV or the Kia Sportage. I don't intend to take either vehicle off- road. Which SUV would you buy? -- John

Ray: That's an easy choice for me, John. Mostly because I wouldn't have any idea where to find a Kia.

Tom: Actually, Kia has dealerships in some parts of the country now. But the real issue is that the Kia is relatively new, and untested. Whereas Honda has a well-earned reputation for making some of the most reliable cars on the planet.

Ray: The Honda CRV is a very practical vehicle. It's considered a small sport utility wagon. It's a nice size, it's got all-wheel drive, and it makes very good use of its interior space. The only down side we cite in our review (at the Car Talk section of www.cars.com) is that it's a tad on the boring side. We described it as "the minivan of sport utility vehicles."

Tom: But that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, John. For most people, the boredom of having a car start reliably day in and day out is a type of boredom they're very happy to live with. Enjoy your car.

Which is cheaper, buying or leasing? Should you keep a car forever or dump it after three years, before trouble starts? Find out in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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