2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

stever · January 2004

I was in a dealer sponsored club when I had a CJ5. You got 10% off parts and labor.

It was a screaming deal. For the dealer :-) They'd plan trips in the boonies and make a fortune in repairs in the week after every trip!

Steve, Host

kyfdx · January 2004

The OE ones on CRVs are just all-season passenger tires.. Not even close to being all-terrain. In fact they are not much different than the BFGoodrich Touring TA's that used to come on the previous generation (except for the poorer treadwear).

regards,
kyfdx

varmint · January 2004

The explanation for the noise is here.

varmint "Honda CR-V Owners: FAQ" Nov 22, 2003 12:10pm

varmint · January 2004

Thom - Who did you ask over at HondaSUV? I've been on several of their off-roading trips (kinda surprised we haven't met) and I've even organized a few events.

First rule - When a poster starts with un-realistic praise, like Vman's recent remarks (I hope he was kidding), don't buy it.

Second rule - When a poster starts with un-realistic bashing, like Real4wd's recent remarks, don't buy that either.

Third rule - A vehicle is only as good as its driver. Guys like Bing, MilanoBambyno, and others who take their V's off pavement in terrain parks like Hungry Valley have experience. They can make the CR-V do things that other drivers should never attempt. (They will also be the first to tell folks not to attempt it, but it's a bit late for that.) Many skilled, or lucky, CR-V owners have surprised hardcore off-roaders when they hit the trails.

Bottom line: If you are looking for a rig to enjoy the sport of off-road driving, the CR-V is not a good choice. It is not as capable as a Liberty or X-Terra. It is, however, one of the more capable of the car-based small SUVs. The tight turning radius, extra ground clearance, low first gear, full-size accessible spare tire, and respectable approach/departure angles will allow you to enjoy mild to moderate trails.

ateixeira · January 2004

Nice summary Mr. President.

Hey, did we ever conclude the voting for the Community Host? I counted something like 4 votes in favor, zero against.

Any more votes?

Hosts - what's the official procedure on getting a Community Host for this board? At least a couple of other Edmunds.com threads have such hosts.

-juice

varmint · January 2004

That's right! I never got a harrumph out of that guy!

ateixeira · January 2004

It's been a whole year with no objections...

;-)

-juice

terrafirma · January 2004

ateixeira,

Your whole argument is that people don't do any serious off roading so you don't need anything more than the light duty CRV.

You don't have to "pay to play" unless you are doing black diamond trails or serious off roading all the time. Many, many people enjoy off roading without incident but NEED much more capable vehicles than the CRV.
As for betting all Land Rovers are old, cheap ones That is false. What you don't understand is that off roading is a serious hobby for many people and they invest alot of money in it.

You are right, use the CRV as it was intended. On road and as far off road as a smooth dirt road will take you. It is a great mini-ute.

For people that really enjoy off roading, it will not do.
If I didn't off road or tow, I would be looking at vehicles like the CRV too but I do so the CRV will not do.

ateixeira · January 2004

Fair enough, but you're talking about a small subset the 3% of buyers that ever go offroad. Less than 1% of SUV customers are that hard core, probably much less than that, even.

Manufacturers are just listening to consumers and giving them what they want, Honda included. Liberty can't keep up with CR-V sales even with incentives, and consider that Honda offers a 2nd flavor with the Element.

-juice

terrafirma · January 2004

Oh brother, what are you talking about?
This all started with how capable the CRV was compared to the LX and 4Runner.

I am not talking about sales and uses of the general public. We were talking about the capabilities of the vehicles.

I want everyone to be realistic about the CRV (which it sounds like most owners are).
That is all.
A few posts ago, I said to talk about the good things the CRV has to offer. Wide range appeal, economy and value. Those are the things you are talking about.
That's great. I like the CRV for those things too.
GLTY-

icvci · January 2004

Juice, the Lib is out-selling the CRV.

Welcome to Detroit. Sorry about the snow. We have a saying here, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it'll change.

I'll be attending the show later, when the crowds are a little smaller...hopefully.

tidester · January 2004

Hosts - what's the official procedure on getting a Community Host for this board? At least a couple of other Edmunds.com threads have such hosts.

I'll see if I can find out. BTW - aren't you CH in Subaru? What process did you go through?

tidester, host

ateixeira · January 2004

What am I talking about?

A troll dropped by (and left) and criticized the CR-V as a gurly pretender. That's how it all started.

All I'm saying is that the CR-V is honest in that is meets the REAL WORLD needs of its customers. To those same people, cup holders and vanity lights are more important than rock-hopping capability. This is for the 97% of the public that does not go off road. They get all the benefits and none of the trade-offs, because they do not need to go off road. Simple.

Conversetly, the 97% or so of legitimate truck-based SUVs never go off road. But those same people make compromises in interior packaging, fuel mileage, and some times ride in order to get off road capability that is never used.

You keep referring to the 3% minority that does. Those people are true-blue off roaders. Absolutely. But they are a TINY and statistically insignificant minority.

The other 97% are, IMHO, the pretenders. Get the tough vehicle for the image ... then drive it to the mall.

-juice

ateixeira · January 2004

Tidester: I was nominated and then we had an on-line vote, similar to the one here.

The hosts then added "Community Hosts: ateixeira, miksmi" at the top of the related Subaru threads.

The position is pretty informal, but basically we try to help get questions answered, welcome people, and keep the discussion moving along. In other words, what varmint is already doing.

For this we get glory and recognition, and by that I mean it is not a paid position, hee hee. Feel free to suggest a change in that policy!

)

I think he has to come up with some sort of secret handshake, too. ;-)

-juice

aggie1995 · January 2004

Funny....that's the saying here in Texas too.

varmint · January 2004

Thanks Tidester. Juice, the check is in the mail.

As for the on-going, off-roading discussion, I think we agree more than disagree. It's just a matter of when enthusiasts get carried away with their language or defensive about their pride and joy.

For my part, I do take my CR-V off pavement. Most of the time, I'm driving what the forestry service calls "unimproved roads". There's little there that a Civic couldn't get past. On the other hand, there have been trips where I've driven those unimproved roads in the snow and ice (then the forestry service called them snowmobile trails). And there have been times when I've scampered over deadfall, modest rocks, 10" deep water crossings, and mud pits. I've got a skidplate with several battle scars, a nick or two on my lower control arms, and I've come close to ripping off the mudflaps behind my wheels. There have been times when I have wished for more articulation, more clearance, or better traction. But I have yet to get stuck.

And no... That doesn't mean anyone can do the same, or should want to do the same.

lurkercrv99 · January 2004

Im from Canada and I have never been up your way, my tale is true as well as the advice I got from hondasuv via many personal emails, as for the low first gear comment, another falsehood, my 02 has no power to climb out of ruts and I had to make many full throttle runs to get out of ruts hence the damage, 1st gear in my V does not even begin to compare to the low first gear in real 4WD vehicles with a 2 speed transfer case like in the Grand Cherokee I rode in. My story was there to save other loving V owners from a $3000 bill when they attempt to take their V offroad with real offroad vehicles, but my V stays on the snow and on road and I love it allot. Anyways Im looking for a Pilot because the rear suspension alignment problems arent going away.

ateixeira · January 2004

Got some pics? Should be fun see some, and would help quiet the critics.

-juice

tidester · January 2004

Hypothetically speaking, how would you handle trolls? ;-)

tidester, host

varmint · January 2004

Like the one who appears to be posting under two different names? I'd build a taller bridge.

terrafirma · January 2004

I agree with varmint,
I, for one, agree more than disagree with everything said here.
The CRV is very capable on-road vehicle. It is flat out not designed for off roading and I don't think 99% of the buyers even think it is.

As for how someone uses a vehicle, I don't judge those things because I don't feel it's my place to judge someone else. For me, there is no way a CRV would do. I would destroy it. That's not some braggard remark.

I won't post here anymore since I've said what I wanted. Thanks for your responses.

lurkercrv99,
FYI, the 4Runner's "old fashioned" 4wd system is a full time 4wd system with TORSEN limited slip electronic locking differential (the best production diff in the world) backed by electronic Vehicle Skid Control, Hill Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, XREAS connected monotube shock system, 4wheel disc ABS brakes, power boosted brake force distribution and a true LO gear transfer case.

ateixeira · January 2004

Torsens are very nice and ideally tuned for the track.

Their achilles' heel is that in totally frictionless scenarios, they don't function at all, i.e. they let power leak to a spinning wheel on ice.

That's where traction control comes in. Together they make a fine team. Toyota offers VSC on every SUV it sells and that is a big achievement.

-juice

varmint · January 2004

Thanks, Terrafirma, I think that about does it for the off-road discussions.

To pick up on one of Juice's comments, a while back Honda promised several items of interest in the name of safety. One of those was VSA (stability control), which is functionaly similar to Toyota's VSC. It is supposed to be included on all light trucks across all trim levels as standard equipment. This won't help off-road, but it will add to the steps Honda has taken to make their trucks more road friendly.

The idea is to have this, and other equipment, part of the package for all Hondas by calendar year 2006. Which suggests to me that we'll see this stuff with the 2005 model. And, since nothing is free, I think we can also expect an increase in the base price.

FYI. The other safety items include curtain-style side airbags, which will deploy in the event of a roll-over (Ford has this in several of their large trucks). Those will be in addition to the seat-mounted bags we already have. ABS will be standard on all trims.

autosaurus · January 2004

Have about 500 miles on my new CRV.. great car but seems it requires quite a bit of steering corrections while on the highway..

anyone notice this..
Thanks,
Don

zoomboy · January 2004

We visited Norway and Sweden a few years ago (2000) Trolls are very popular in Scandinavian folklore and there are numerous shirts, hats, and troll statues for sale. We did not see any real US/Japanese SUV's and only ONE real US pick up truck(a Chevy in Bergen). Most of the people drive Volvos or Mercedes, and many can be observed with trailer hitches and small trailers with a variety of cargo. In North Norway, many vehicles sport a pair of LARGE off road driving lights. Usually Hella or other european brands. We even saw driving lights and hardware for sale in gas stations.

muann · January 2004

A couple months ago, I put a new set of 16" wheels and 225/60/-16 tires on my 02'CRV. Since then I've experience steering vibration at speed above 65 mph. I've gone through several balance/rotation and alignments. The tire store even tried a new set of tires (diff brand). None has resolved the vibration problem. Now tire store manager told me that CRV may not be suitable for custom wheels and perhaps I should put the orignal 15" wheel back.

Has anyone experienced the same issue? Should I put the 15" wheels back or try something else?

Thanks,
Jack

kyfdx · January 2004

What kind of wheels do you have? And how wide are they?

kyfdx

varmint · January 2004

Muann - I know many CR-Vers who have plus-one'd the rims on the CR-V and not had this problem. You've proven that the tires are not the problem by changing those out. Next it's time to see if the rims are okay.

p.s. Make sure you do the same with your spare tire (or never use it). You can't run two different sizes unless you're driving a 2WD.

kyfdx · January 2004

If he was using 215/60-16.. he would have the same rolling diameter as the stock set-up.. You could use it for short distances, just like a spacesaver spare. I'm thinking his wheels are too wide for the tires, or maybe the offset is wrong and they had to use too many spacers or something like that.

regards,
kyfdx

muann · January 2004

kyfdx/varmint,

Thanks for your reply. The spec of the wheels is 16X7 5-114.3 38M. So, I guess they're 7" wide with 38 offset. Here's the link: http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/findWheelDetail.do?step=details&a- mp;source=vehicle&index=10&productCodeIndex=70264&pat- h=wheel

I plan to go to the tire store tomorrow and have them put in different 16" wheels. Hope that will fix the problem.

Jack

autosaurus · January 2004

I suspect the smallest imbalance in the tires can cause this in the CRV.. Mine seems to require excessive steering corrections and vibrates more than my other cars.. This is not the smoothest operating car I've had..am a bit surprised at Honda and the raves this car has received. I've put 500 miles on mine so far and had to take a break from it today..just too tiring to drive because of the steering.
Don

kyfdx · January 2004

Well.. 7" wide shouldn't be a problem, though I'd rather have 6.5". Those are almost impossible to find aftermarket, the Honda Pilot has them though. I'm not sure what the factory offset numbers are.. I'd ask them if they had to use spacers or something else to make them fit properly. good luck

kyfdx

aggie1995 · January 2004

Something is awry in your CR-V. My 2002 EX tracks straight and true on every road surface. I am running the stock alloys with Yoko Avid S/T 215/65/15. These are slightly wider and lower than the factory size.

Have it checked out.

kizhe · January 2004

Please update me, why people would put 16"
rims instead of stock 15" alloys on CR-V?
This is an SUV - not a race car.

kyfdx · January 2004

If it were a race car, it would already have great handling... Handling is probably the weakest point of all SUVs.. Going to 215/60-16 is putting the same thing on the CRV that is on an Infiniti I35... Its not radical.. Its also the same size thats on many Subaru Foresters.

regards,
kyfdx

ateixeira · January 2004

How does that compare to the stock offset?

If the offsets are way off, you'll be stressing the wheel bearings. That could be it.

Why go with 16"s? Element has them, for one, I bet those are interchangeable FWIW.

You get a firmer sidewall for less bounce, more direct steering, better emergency handling. But mostly, you can get much, much better tires in those sizes vs. the stock size.

-juice

kyfdx · January 2004

They are only 6" wide.. The Pilot wheels are 6.5" wide... A perfect fit for the slightly wider upgraded 16" tires.

regards,
kyfdx

motordavid · January 2004

muann, you may have already fixed it w/diff set of wheels...std deal for any decent/expensive aftermkt wheel is to request a bare wheel, highspeed runout to make certain the wheel itself is true and spins "close" to balance. Runout, a visual and measureable spec, is v.important on the base wheel itself, before a tire is mounted.

A good wheel w/good tires and deftly high speed balanced should be smooth up to speeds more than the CR-V will see off a cliff,lol!

Autosaurus, ours hunts and pecks a lil'too; I suspect it's the D+ stock Bridgestones, (that specific cheap tire,not Bridgestone in general), which exacerbate the feel via any road irregularities. As I opin'd before, it is a barely tolerable car/seating position for any distance unless one is midgi and/or numb.

(For the non-careful reading poster suggesting too many cheeseburgers, as I have posted, I'm 6'1", 205 lbs and quit burgers in '94. My 34" inseam Is a prob., space-wise, not my girth.)

A plus one wheel set up, done properly, should present no prob on this or nearly any car. The 16" wheels in place of the tiny/ineffective, low/old tech 15s, offer many more tire opts, bigger footprint, potentially better tire, etc. If we keep this shoebox, I'm putting on 16s this summer and Blizzaks for the following winter; the stock "all season" lil'doughnuts are made for no season,imo.
BR,md

surfbabe1977 · January 2004

I'll try again...Anybody know about how far you can go after the gaslight comes on? Auto CRVs 2002/2003s.
THANKS!

bigkahunafl · January 2004

We were almost ready to buy an Element when we started hearing from some local people about the plastic panel fading and scratching easily. We keep a vehicle a long time (at least 10 years) and do not want something that is going to look aged within just a few. So now we are considering the CR-V EX. Did anyone else here consider the Element before they bought their CR-V? What things made you chose the CR-V?

stevedebi · January 2004

I really wanted the Element, but I chose the CR-V over the Element:

1. CR-V seats 5, Element only 4.
2. Element Max carrying limit is 675 lb, CR-V is 850.
3. CR-V has more cargo room.
4. CR-V is peppier in acceleration.

sfsmith · January 2004

Jan,
We have an 02 ....46,000 miles on it....our experience is about 2+ gallons left when the light first appears....we've gone at least 50 miles with it on. Usually it's freeway driving...and pulling a trailer/motorcycle at that. Our mileage is 20-26mpg depending on weather/roads/speed.
Hope that helps.
Steve

bigkahunafl · January 2004

You really think the CR-V has more cargo room? I haven't seen one that closely.

theracoon · January 2004

The Hondacars.com website shows the specs to be almost identical:

2004 Element
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., behind 2nd-row; 2WD/4WD) 25.1 / 25.9
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., maximum; 2WD/4WD) 74.6 / 77.1

2004 CR-V
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., seat up/down) 33.5/72.0

So the Element has a little more cargo room with the seats folded, but the CR-V has a little more cargo room when the seats are up.

zman · January 2004

Anyone have experience putting (aftermarket)leather seats in a CRV? I like the car, but I genuinely dislike the cloth interior (both LX and EX). I know that the side air bags might be an issue, but I'd forego them for the leather.

-The Mudge

bpraxis · January 2004

Hello everyone and let me thank you in advance for help with my question. We are about to purchase a brand new CRV and wanted to have the dealer install keyless remote, the rear cargo tray, and finally the side step rails.

  Does anyone know if the Honda installed step rails decrease ground clearance?

  The dealer wants $540.00 for the rails. Is the price in the ball park?

  Once again thankyou for your help.

robmarch · January 2004

good to know I'm driving a pretender car, though

The bottom line, to me, is that the RT AWD adds a lot of snow capability, as well as light off road capability (not hard core rock climbing, but rutted roads, etc.) helped along by the decent ground clearance, compared to most vehicles.

Sure, truck based SUV's have some advantages in tougher off road conditions, and the tradeoff is a body on frame ride and an AWD system that requires more maintenance, and worse gas mileage. I think most people would be better served by the RTAWD or subaru's system. If you're interested in tougher off roading, the CRV might not be the best choice, although tires and tire sizing could make a pretty large improvement in it's capability.

I have also found that the winter performance of my CRV was increased significantly by upgrading to the Yokohama Avid T4 tires in the OEM size when the stockers wore out at 30k. They also make the handling much better and sharper, and I believe they're slightly quieter, though the noise is different than the bridgestones. For highway and backroads use, I think 16" rims such as the element's coupled with improved tires such as the avid t4's would significantly improve the vehicle for most people.

Adding the 3.0L V6 like the Saturn is doing, as well as dropping the vehicle two inches or so would appeal to me also. The Forester XT has this market pretty well covered, I guess, and I would have given it a hard look if it was available when I bought my 2002.

Overall, coming up on 2 years of ownership, I have little to complain about. Sure, I'd like more power, better mileage, and maybe a sportier drivers' seat. But I seem to want those items in every vehicle

For 22k, I like the interior quality and features, and I think the people who are disappointed in those items would have a hard time finding a competitor in the same price range with a significant edge in either. Not a bad "all around" vehicle, I think. Even factoring in the cost of replacing the tires ASAP

surfbabe1977 · January 2004

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

ateixeira · January 2004

Saturn actually got the 3.5l V6 from the Pilot/MDX. 250hp on regular fuel, too (Forester XT requires premium but is quicker).

Still, I was disappointed to hear the Vue Redline gets the spongy seats from the regular Vue, it really deserved some Recaros, at least something more supportive.

Any how, I hope Honda makes it interesting by coming out with a special CR-V, maybe with that 190hp 2.4l that still burns regular. Limited? Type S? Type R? Open Air?

-juice

stevedebi · January 2004

Well I didn't check the specs; I was going on the look of the vehicle. There is no way a visual comparison of the two yields anything except that the Element is smaller. However, I was comparing it with the seats up.

I also don't like the Element seats up position - it totally blocks side vision to the rear.

2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

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