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1) The dash on the Element seems to be set up odd. The air controls are just above the shifter. Could cause some problems. The CRV shifter looks like it's in an odd place put it's really close to most other cars.
2) Passenger space. The Element's back sets are set up for only 2 people. The CRV can easily handle 3 people in the back. It can also handle two car sets and a person in the back.
3) Kind of minor - the fold down cup holder in the CRV. Very convenient and when folded down it provides extra storage space and foot space for the person sitting in the middle. The Element has the emergency break in the same spot. The CRV emergency break placement is pretty darn cool. When released it's out of the way and blends really well into the dash.
4) Element body style - very questionable. The CRV is a little hard to get use to, but not as bad as the Element.
Overall, the new CRV's are very well refined. I get a lot of complements about it.
The cargo space in both looks to be about the same. I've been able to fit A TON of luggage and gear into my CRV. The engine specs are about the same. All time 4WD is great thing to have in the back of your mind. Reason is that with the CRV you're always guessing as to when the AWD kicks in.
How so? Shouldn't your eyes be on the road, not the dash?
Seriously, the safest way to drive is to assume that RT4WD is not working and the car is 2WD. Knowing that RT4WD is active only gives a false sense of security. If you see an indicator light lit up, what would you do differently? Would you even have time to do something before the system disengages?
Know what I'd like to see instead of a light? A gauge that would show the amount of torque being transferred to the rear wheels at any given time. It would be the CR-V's equivalent of the Insight's IMA gauges -- a geeky toy everyone can't help but watch when it goes into action.
As I understand it, the percentage of power sent to the rear wheels is a factor of how much slippage there is within the clutch packs. The harder the packs are pushed together, the more friction there is. The more friction, the more power. Friction is a tough thing to measure.
I don't need something as technical as slugline's idea. Just let me know that car is working as designed so that I can concentrate on driving. While driving in snow, operating under "I think the AWD is working" can be distracting..
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The device can engage within a quarter turn of the wheels. It disengages just as fast. It also begins to engage when you take tight turns (the path of the front wheels is longer than the path of the rear wheels creating a difference in speed which activates RT4WD). So, it's possible that the light will come on even when there isn't any slippage. Would this provide more comfort or less?
Frankly, I see this causing more anxiety to those who do not understand the system. Dealers would be getting calls from customers with AWD systems that won't stay engaged or engage too often.
If your fear is that the system is broken, all I can say is this. Other than the squeal that happens when the diff fluid needs changing, I can recall only one vehicle that has had a problem with RT4WD (a leaky unit). The system is completely mechanical and relatively uncomplicated. It is quite possibly the most reliable device on the vehicle.
Idiot lights, OTOH, malfunction all the time.
Also, the Element will not have side airbags available until June 2003.
Overall, I think the CR-V is a very good choice.
Seriously, if I may pick up on your analogy to other warning lights: No one needs a light to tell us when we're braking for a stoplight, or when our airbags are deploying. Generally, we want those lights to show up only when something needs attention. Quite bluntly, RT4WD is a dumb, but effective system; it's all hydraulically activated with no "brains" behind it. So maybe I might not mind a light that tells you when the fluid is low or needs changing, but that's about it.
Varmine: It's Christmas Eve Eve, and I'm posting about RT4WD on a web board. 'Nuff said.
I need to buy a car since my 1993 Honda Accord finally died. I've been looking at the 2003 Accord and the 2003 4WD CR-V LX. I was wondering how expensive it is to maintain a CR-V? I can kind of can gauge from my '93 how expensive the Accord will be but I've never owned a 4WD anything before and can't really judge. Has anyone made the transition from Accord to CR-V? Did it take a long time to get used to it?
if you want a vehicle that has a good ride and not as smooth as the accord and more cargo space I would I would go with the crv.
I love my CRV it is just a fun vehicle to drive, it handles great in the snow. Both the accord and CRV have the same 2.4 liter engine but you can get the 240hp v-6 in the accord.
So its up to you what you want. I have had awd vehicles in the past they do not cost that much more as long as you do the proper maintence.
then have both but us po folks have to compromise.
You can haul furniture,plants,anything,or go camping.If I get thrown out of my house I can sleep in it.It is not as fast or quiet as the Accord but it is ready when you drive by that
garage sale and you find that bargain doodad.
Thank you for your help.
I'm glad to know it does well in the snow--since that's the other main reason I'm considering it. Has it been a good reliable vehicle? Would you recommend it?
The major downside of the CR-V compared to the Accord is way too much road noise which really becomes bothersome on the freeway. Switching to quieter Yokohama tires hasn't made much difference.
There will be people on this board who will say the road noise is not excessive, it's not a Lexus, what else do you expect for $20K etc, etc. Check out the road noise level at freeway speeds before you decide because in the city the CR-V is very quiet.
My friend loves the CR-V otherwise(he's a long time Honda owner), but is actively looking to trade it in for a quieter SUV/"crossover" because he can't live with that road noise for the next 5 years.
> say the road noise is not excessive
That's right. My favorite car was my Miata (sold it when the kids came along). CR-V noisy? Come on!
My other vehicle is a Harley....
What is it with quiet vehicles? Your driving man – and ought not forget it. I think some of those people I see falling asleep at the wheel must have "quiet" cars.
Greetings from sunny Miami
Neither my neighborhood or my driveway was plowed (8 inches at the lowest ..2ft highest).
I never lost control of this vehicle...it started, slowed, stopped and mostly stayed ON the road!!!! It handled flawlessly.
I can not imagine ever demanding more from it (winter driving). It is unlikely I would choose to drive at all in weather any worse than yesterday.
Similarly, I arrived at work this morning on time. The roads were not at all well plowed with lots of drifts. Again, my CRV didn't hesitate.
What a GREAT vehicle in the snow!
Accord is a great car, but I'd take the V cuz you never know when the cargo capacity and RealTime 4WD of the CR-V will come in handy
My wife just returned from the Boxing Day sales (why do women do this???) and she told me that the Ontario Provincial Policeman who was directing traffic at the mall, showed up in a CR-V, with the "Police" painting on the side, and all the lights on top!
The OPP used to buy Ford Explorers around here (50 miles north of Toronto, and in the snow belt), but I'm impressed if they are going with the CR-V.
My (my wife's, actually, but don't tell) CR-V is FANTASTIC in the snow conditions we experience here. I didn't use my brand new, 10HP snowblower at all last winter. Instead, every time it snowed, I drove the CR-V around and around and around my semi-circular driveway, so that the snow was packed down, and not removed. If we get 3 feet of snow in one storm this winter, I'm going to see how she fares!
I'll report here.
And, of course, if I get stuck, I'll just pull out the snowblower.
BTW, I've got the Duelers.
but after a few hours on the road too comfortable
could put you to sleep forever.I envy truck
drivers who can drive all day across vast stretches of desert and plains and not get sleepy.
Here is a question: What is the range after the low fuel lite comes if doing 50mph?My lite came on at 275 miles and I was sweating it cause I could not find a gas station open.I finally found one at 297 miles.
We put on 457 kilometers or 283 miles. Put in 41.237 litres or 9.07 Imperial gallons. Works out to be around 31 mpg, or for our American friends, thats about 25.8 mpg. For winter driving I thought that was fairly decent, and the CR-V had only 900 kilometers when we left for our short trip.
Also, has anyone experienced a "warm" rubber smell coming from the rear of the car? Smells a little like warm tires or maybe brakes???
Thank you
Standard maint schedule is every 10K so the lights flashes at you starting around 500-600 miles before the interval.
I'm also interested in preferences between the European built CRV or the Japanese built CRV. Any suggestions one way or the other?
Thanks,
Dan
If you want a sports car with decent cargo room, go for the WRX wagon. It's a great car.
If you want a great value in a higher seating position and lots of passenger and cargo room without going to a full size SUV, the CRV is a great choice. It handles well, but certainly not on par with the WRX.
The RAV4 got expensive quickly, when I priced it. But, it is somewhat in between the two, trading some cargo room for slightly sportier handling.
I think test driving all 3 should make their personalities known very quickly.
Good luck with your choice!
JM2C
I remember that my selling dealer did their own list which skipped a number of the Honda items (ie AC Filter) but they added their own items like valve adjustment and vacuum oil change every 7500 miles.
My current dealer has preprinted Honda forms that match up directly to Honda's recommendation.
Another great performance in my CRV in these conditions was the defrost. Would melt the snow on my windshield so fast.
Got to revisit my idea of a AWD indicator light - would be great to have because during most of the snow driving I don't believe the AWD is active. You can definitely feel it at slow speeds going through thick sections of snow. Coming out of a parking space filled with snow you can feel the AWD working. But when driving down a street at 20mph on snow, I'd guess it's in FWD and you're dependent on the tire traction.
If it helps you sleep at night, there is a diagram demonstrating how to construct a "baffle" of sorts. The link is posted somewhere in the past few months. There are several other pickup trucks and SUVs with similar designs, so I'm not worried about it.
Steve, Host