People's experience with Honda CRVs?

Question

I am buying a used car and was thinking about a Honda CRV - probably 99-01.
What are people's experience with these? I understand it is both reliable and as far as SUVs go fairly fuel efficient. I will be driving largely in heavy traffic.

Answer 1

The CRV has proven to be extremely reliable when the maintenance schedule is followed. There are no known product problems with the CRV.

There is one owner induced problem that can happen if the owner skips the required valve adjustments on the vehcile and that is that the long term effect of not adjusting the valves is that the valve seats get pounded into the cylinder head and cause an engine misfire. that will cause the MIL (check engine light) to come on, and if that happens, you'll need a fairly expensive valve job to repair the damage. It only happens on cars where the owners have not followed the maintenance schedule for the valve adjustment, so if the owner has receipts for maintenance from a Honda dealer you're good to go. If there's no receipts I'd stay away, but I'd stay away from any car where the seller can't prove maintenance. If the receipts are from an independent garage, make sure that the valve adjustment is specified on the receipt; if its not, for example if the receipt just says 30k service, I'd pass on it as well as it seems everyone has a different idea of what the 30k service is. As a note, the valve adjustment is required every 30k on that vehicle.

Other than the possible valve issue from a lack of maintenance the 1999-2001 CRV is bullet proof and a strong buy recommendation.

hope that helps

Answer 2

I have a 2000 CR-V ex automatic that I've owned now for 4 months and I like it. It is a solid feeling SUV, lots of leg room in the back, smooth and handles snowy winters great. The sway bar links are weak but cheap and easy to replace on it, so if you get any rattling over bumps you'll know what it is. Don't forget that it has a timing belt that has so be replaced every 100,000 km and very important to regularly have the valves adjusted every 50,000km, so I hear. In straight city driving I'm getting about 12L /100km, avoiding jack rabbit starts.

Answer 3

My 2002 CR-V has been most reliable. It just turned over 100,000 miles a week ago, and drives like new. I've always had it serviced at 10,000-mile intervals, with an oil change every 5000.

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with a CR-V, though I'd recommend one from 2002 on because they have more power and room.

Answer 4

I just bought a 2007, and love mine. I have friends who drive older CRV's and they are typical Hondas -- safe, reliable, good on gas, etc. Obvously this assumes you buy one that was well cared for.

Answer 5

It is just like driving an Accord. It feels the same. They also have good resale value.