Honda Crosstour, Definitely Fun to Drive

The Honda dealership at 885 S. Lindberg Blvd. has been part of the Frontenac community since the 1970s. Actually, the location was a Carlson Oldsmobile dealership, owned by brothers Andy and Peter Huey. Eventually the Olds dealership went by the wayside, and the brothers moved their Honda store from Page Avenue to the present location on South Lindbergh.

In mid-2009 Tri Star Motors, (owners of a Mercedes dealership in Ellisville) purchased the Honda dealership from the Huey brothers and changed the name to Honda of Frontenac.

Sales were sliding slightly at the time of the transaction. In 2007, Huey sold 2,566 Hondas and sold 2,288 in 2008.

The only thing that remains from the early days is a tiny 1972 orange two-door coupe situated in the corner of the sales room. Otherwise, most things are modern and up to date.

“We try and maintain a casual, fun type atmosphere here,” said Mike Jackson, sales manager and employee of the dealership for 19 years. The jacket and ties have given way to golf shirts and khakis for the sales force of 14.

“We have some old employees (from the Huey days), some new. We have a great reputation and staff and a very good service department,” said Jackson. Both the sales and reception staff were very cordial the day I visited.

The longest serving employee is Mark Fisher from the service department with more than 20 years at this location.

You won’t find Honda of Frontenac locked into a dealers’ row. They happen to be the only automobile sales location in all of Frontenac or Ladue. “We sell a lot of cars to people who live around here, but we are so close to the highway (64/40) that customers come from the city; south county; from far out west and Illinois too,” he said.

Altogether, there are seven Honda dealers in the metropolitan area. This particular dealership sells Civics, Accords, Elements, Pilots, CRVs, CRZs (a two-seater sports car); FITs, and Ridge Line trucks with a quad cab and short bed.

Time to Test Drive a Crosstour

I decided I would take a Honda Accord Crosstour for a test ride. This car seats five and can carry limited cargo. It was designed with older buyers in mind. Honda refers to this particular model as un-squared and simply sleek.

The Crosstour has plenty of zip on the highway featuring a 271 hp V-6, taut independent suspension system and was very good in corners.  If it has a drawback at all, the rear window seems to be in two sections with a somewhat limited viewing area.

The model I drove was Crystal Black Pearl and had all the bells and whistles expected including a satellite-linked navigation system; hidden cargo compartments; Sirius Radio, leather seats and lots of sexy extra items. The sticker price for this model is $37,000.

“Our inventory is low. Even though the cars are made in the U.S. (with plants in Alabama and Ohio), the Tsunami in Japan wiped out a lot of parts manufacturing, slowing U.S. production somewhat,” said Jackson.

It was a blistering hot day when I got behind the wheel for a spin along I-40, I-270 and Ladue Road. The car was solid, and it performed well in the corners. The suspension is obviously rock solid. It’s a car worthy of consideration. Some SUV’s seem just a bit too much, especially for solo drivers. This model for oldsters like me seemed just right.