2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

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sabrina9 · February 2004

andrelaplume · February 2004

removal of 4 door panels required...thats $200 right there...I will miss the cladding!

kyfdx · February 2004

Call the local dealer and ask them how much it is to add cladding. They will give you the installed price. Then you will have an easy decision. I personally think its only good for cosmetic purposes but, I have black, so looks don't change much.

regards,
kyfdx

kizhe · February 2004

Please update me on what is the purpose of additional cladding for CR-V? CR-V already has some kind of cladding on the low end and sides.
I believe that additional cladding would only create opportunity for additional rust and dust accumulation beneath cladding. Water and salt would accumulate there - not easy to clean.
If you are eager to spend some extra money on smth for your new CR-V then buy fog lights (or roof rack) - much more practical.
Fog lights proved to be the most helpful option I got for my CR-V.

ateixeira · February 2004

Presumably the surface would be cleaned before the install, then sealed properly. Galvanized steel should outlast other components.

What you get is Saturn-like door ding and scratch protection.

If you have a door ding on the lower door, the cladding could actually cover it up. Installing cladding might even be cheaper than getting a body shop to replace the panel.

-juice

peggylou · February 2004

Am down to considering CR-V or Odyssey. Can't beat the convenience of power sliding doors and 7 seats, but just like CR-V. Does anyone use it for hauling kids around? Any problems getting them loaded up and going, especially in am with backpacks and all? Been using my husbands Explorer and getting going in the am is much harder than with my soon to be gone van. Also, cupholders only available in seat divider in back. When you have a guest, what do you do to hold drinks (short of telling kids hold on to them and DON'T spill)? Why couldn't they use the same table that is in the Odyssey with the 2 drink holders on the back end of it that slides closer to second row? Anybody removed that table and replaced it with a console like you can buy at auto parts store?

Also noted comment of range of CR-V on earlier post. Do all of you have to gas up before 300 miles? I do 300 + miles per week and would prefer to only visit gas station once a week.

Lastly, anyone bought a CR-V and ended up wishing you had bought the van instead? These things are just too pricey to make a bad choice.

johnnyrf · February 2004

I have a CRV and my wife has an Odyssey. We have 3 kids and have used both vehicles for both long and short trips. It is difficult to compare the vehicles. In the Odyssey, the kids have a ton of space, however in the CRV they fit comfortably but are on top of each other. This is OK for trips up to 2 hours but after that watch out. The CRV seats recline alot and that seems to help out. CRV has AWD, Odyssey has traction control. If you have 2 kids, go with the CRV.
My overall mpg with the CRV (mostly back roads) is only around 20-22. Our Odyssey doesn't do much worse than that.
Good Luck with your decision. Either vehicle is great for the $$$$.
Take your kids with you to check out both vehicles.

stevedebi · February 2004

I owned an Odyssey before my CR-V. I wanted a smaller vehicle, since most of my driving is around town; I have two kids - if you have more, you need a bigger vehicle.

The ODY got over 26 MPG on the road, but I only got about 17 MPG in town. I usually get 21 in town with the CR-V, and 24-27 MPG on the road. But I really like parking and driving the CR-V better.

ODY has better range; I could push 450 miles between fill ups. With the CR-V, on a road trip I can manage just over 375 miles, in town I typically fill up at about 260. I do wish the CR-V had a larger tank.

ODY has better acceleration, in general, despite an additional 1000 lbs.

If you don't need the extra space of the minivan, drive both and see which one you like. Be sure to park both cars as well. And don't forget that the Odyssey is more expensive.

kyfdx · February 2004

Funny... I was just thinking about this today. I get around 22MPG this time of year, and my fuel warning light came on this AM.... with only 225 miles on this tankful... So, if getting 300+ miles per tankful is important.. skip the CRV.

regards,
kyfdx

ateixeira · February 2004

Honda should put in a bigger gas tank.

Look at the Accord, a similar 2.4l engine gets 26/34, yet the gas tank is 17.1 gallons. So max range is 34 * 17.1 = 581.4.

The CR-V has a 15.3 gallon tank and at 20/25 max range is 25 * 15.3 = 382.5.

That's a huge difference. They should have it the other way around, give the CR-V the bigger gas tank.

-juice

kyfdx · February 2004

I agree.. The bigger problem, is in the real world, I've never been able to get more than 12.7 gallons into my CRV tank (genI or genII), and thats after running it all the way down to E and about 60 miles after the light comes on. If I could actually run 14 to 14.5 gallons out, then it would be acceptable.

The farthest I got on a 4-cylinder accord (I think it was the '99), was 420 miles on a family trip. This was all interstate, with no stopping and an average speed of 78MPH.

The CRV really needs about 2 more gallons in actual capacity. It is one of the few negative things I can say about the car.

regards,
kyfdx

andrelaplume · February 2004

Just my opinion but I think the cladding inprove's the CRV's looks quite a bit. Gives it a bit more rugged and finished look. Many other SUVs have this. Just my opinion.

varmint · February 2004

I don't think I've ever gotten less than 300 miles out of a tank. But I do drive it down to at least 13 gallons at fill up. The most I've gotten was 401 miles on a single tank, but that was long distance driving.

If the light comes on and you're only filling it up with 12 gallons, let it go longer. I wouldn't run it down to the point where you need to add 15 gallons, but there's no reason to obey the dash light if it comes on too early. Don't be a slave to idiot lights!

scname · February 2004

I checked the trade in value on my 02EX on the net. NADA shows $18250, Kelly blue book $15600, Edmund $16480. Which should I trust ?

kyfdx · February 2004

I know, I know.. but the light comes on much earlier than in my '98. I drive it all the way down to E. Speaking of idiot light, that is what I will feel like if I run out of gas!! I drive right by the Shell station every day going to and from work, so its not a problem that way.. It is just a pain, that's all.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx · February 2004

All of those are just rough guidelines. None of them is offering to buy your car. Go to the Smartshopper board, and ask Terry in Real World Trade-In Values. He can tell you what they are bringing at auction. That is the real value for what a dealer will give you on trade.

regards,
kyfdx

PS: I doubt any dealer would give you $18K on a 2002 trade-in. That number seems way out of whack.

aggie1995 · February 2004

None of them.

Go to the Real World Trade in Values Board on this site. There is a great guy named Terry who trades and sells vehicles for a living. He can give you a very realistic price of what to expect on trade in at the dealer and what to price it at if you sell it on your own.

Side note. You need to give him all the info about your car. Including where you are located.

Typically the actual trade price you would get runs lower than KBB.

ateixeira · February 2004

Why trade so soon? You lookin' for a 2004 or something?

-juice

peggylou · February 2004

Thanks everyone who replied to my first message. As of last night we were leaning towards Odyssey but this am gassing up the gas hog Explorer I am driving while waiting for a new car, I saw gas is up to $1.83/gal and going up. This swings things back in favor of CR-V. Am starting to feel slightly schizophrenic! Anyway, I do have 2 kids only, but how do you deal with the "Can my friends come along to xyz place" if you don't have enough seats? Was thinking I should stay with 7 seats just for that. How do others deal with kids and friends, just say "only 2 can come today?" I must admit that I can count on 2 hands the number of times I have actually needed the extra seats in the van in the last 9 years, but now that the kids are getting older I wonder if htey get more social or less social (eg we want to be with our friends but not anywhere near parents!).

Perfect Vehicle - automakers are you reading?
Body Style of an SUV, seats 7 or 8 with hideaway rear seat, has power sliding rear doors, all available safety features, airbags/etc, and gets 25 mpg city, 30 highway or better. Maybe a hybrid? Sticker cost under 30K so the average Joe can afford it. But key here is the SLIDING side doors. Why can't they put them on an SUV? They are so wonderfully convenient.

Best-
Peggy

varmint · February 2004

Peggylou - Actually GM is going to release a few cross-overs that look more like SUVs (sorta).

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/101248/page014.html?

ateixeira · February 2004

Check out the Sienna, mileage is impressive with the 3.3l, 19/26 IIRC.

GM's vans still don't have an indy rear suspension, and are way behind in terms of features.

-juice

varmint · February 2004

I didn't say it was a "good" van. I just said it met the criteria.

peggylou · February 2004

Sorry
I forgot to add one important criteria for the "perfect car". Good reliability. Varmint, that should knock out anything GM faster than one can blink. Sister in law had Montana, hated it, it started spewing gas all over hte road as she was driving with her 3 young children. Van recently was totaled, I think she hasn't stopped cheering yet!

best-
Peggy

ateixeira · February 2004

Thanks for clarifying.

)

I rented a Montana for a week and wasn't impressed. The check air bag light kept coming on, not very reassuring. Same old engine and suspension in the new one. Our rental Windstar was better, but my cousin's Ody is better still.

I think for above average reliability stick with the usual suspects, Sienna, Odyssey, MPV, and maybe Quest. Of those 4 Honda actually has the shortest warranty, but extended ones are cheap.

-juice

inkie · February 2004

I notice you mention gas prices.My daughter has an Ode and she loves it, but be aware that 89 octane or above is what you use so its not cheap to run.

peggylou · February 2004

Thanks for the input. I quickly checked Edmunds description and it said "regular" unleaded gas. I am going post haste up to honda.com to see what they have up there. I have been specifically eliminating vehicles that require premium because of the cost, I am tired of being car poor. Want to spend money on something more fun for awhile, like horses - as in single horse power, 4 hooves, mane and tail!

thanks
-Peggy

ateixeira · February 2004

I think they recommended premium fuel in the first year of the 3.5l, when it made 210hp. Even then, you could run regular and the engine would just retard the timing, and make 205hp. Most people would not even notice the difference.

I believe the current 3.5l is designed to run on regular fuel, I think it's the Acura MDX, with slightly more aggressive tuning, that uses premium fuel.

-juice

robr2 · February 2004

The manual specifies 87 for the 1999-2001 Ody. It also notes that by using 91 or above, it will produce 5 more horsepower. Juice is right - most will never notice a difference. The 205 HP at 87 does just fine.

stevedebi · February 2004

The 2002 and later Odyssey will run fine on regular (87 octane) gas. The engine delivers 210 horsepower with regular.

With premium gas, the engine delivers 240 HP and gets slightly better MPG. However, I never quite made up for the increased cost of premium, so I generally ran regular unless I thought I was going to need extra HP (like a mountain trip or something).

It is really fascinating - the engine shift points are noticably different when using premium.

Anyway, don't pass on the Ody due to gas costs - it will run just fine on regular gas.

aggie1995 · February 2004

If you like the looks.....

What about the Chysler Pacifica.

Seating for 7. SUV/Van profile. Mileage seems to vary between as low as 16 mpg to 30 mpg. Good Handling.

Base models come well equipped and are selling for $25/$26 in most areas.

Just an option. So, all Chrylser haters please don't flame me for this post. I don't own one but would consider one when my family grows in a couple more years.

ateixeira · February 2004

Ford Freestyle arrives in the fall with even better value, 6 speed automatic, CVT and AWD optional.

The crossover segment is heating up. Subaru will have one in about a year, too.

-juice

tcasboy · February 2004

PeggieLou: Buy the Odyssey. The gas mileage won't be that different, and it sounds like you really want the space and convenience of a van, but don't like the image of driving one. Even if the CRV averages 20MPG and the Ody 15MPG, and you drive 20,000 miles per year, with gas at 2 buck a gallon you will only pay $666 more per year for gas. The numbers improve somewhat if you have the CRV average 25 MPG and the Ody 20 MPG, to only $400 more. (These are hypothetical numbers, I doubt the CRV averages 5 MPG more than the Ody) You will appreciate the space and convenience of that van every day and thank your lucky stars it only costs a few hundred more per year to operate. It may be even cheaper to insure than the CRV, another big cost to consider. We sold our 96 Explorer and got a 2000 Ody, and now have an 04 Ody. It is a very nice vehicle, as is the CRV, but you get spoiled with all that room.

timhonda · February 2004

I second to tcasboy for choosing the Ody. I have a 2001 Ody and a 2003 CR-V. We have two kids, 16 and 13 years old. Ody is a lot better for your needs. Good luck.

kizhe · February 2004

We had a Dodge Grand Caravan, which was very convenient and practical but, at 71K we had... transmission failure. Warranty expires at 70K.... . Cost us $1500 installed. Gas- mileage on a highway was 27-28 m/gal about the same as I have now with my CR-V (27-30). In the city it was about 18, while CR-V is about 22. I was considering Ody too but I did not like bucket seats at the second raw. Caravan had nice convenient seat positions. I was able to haul a big Toro snow blower (without seats) in Caravan.
Once during a snow storm I nearly stuck in the snow/ice while going up hill (Caravan).
But for most practical purposes CR-V is just fine for me now. CR-V is doing great in the snow - but it is not an issue for PeggieLou :-).

slugline · February 2004

The Edmunds review suggests that it's a 6-seater, in a 2+2+2 configuration.

varmint · February 2004

Pacifica review. Sadly, I would classify this one as a great look with not quite enough substance.

tomsr1 · February 2004

Has anybody tried premium fuel in their CRV?
I would like to get better mileage and a little more power.Is this possible? I get about 275
miles till the reserve light comes on and would
like more since I hate buying gas.

deg856 · February 2004

1. I thought the seating position (relationship between steer wheel angle/distance and seat height/angle/distance) felt a little weird. Too far from the steering wheel if I'm sitting comfortably, too upright to get close enough to the steering wheel. (I'm 6'0", 162 lb.)

2. In the parking lot (low speed), the front end felt heavy.

3. The accelation was quite adequate, but certainly not much more.

4. When I first got on the freeway, the handling of the vehicle had an odd twichting/osillating sensation initially at around 50-65 mph or so. It felt like the front end and rear end were not solidly connected and they wanted to go in a slightly different direction. I felt that a few times, but it wasn't constant. When I felt that, the road was smooth, stright, and dry; the accelation was moderate, with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. Anyone else experienced this?

5. Ride and handling were not bad, but it felt a little bit tippy (compared to cars, naturally) due to the height of the vehicle.

San Jose, CA

autosaurus · February 2004

I own a 04 EX auto.. seating position/relationship to controls etc is definitely strange. I have 2800 miles on mine now and am starting to get used to it.. I also own a '03 Rav 4 which is much more comfortable than the CRV.

I also complained about the twichting/osillating and found it very tiring since I drive alot! Mine has pulled to the right since I bought it..Steering wheel is off center so I 'm sure it needs an alignment.
Sunroof rattles like the bolts fell out when tilted up as well.
So i far the mpg with mostly highway driving is about 20..maybe.
Quality of the fit and finish otherwise is great though.

Not too happy with it at this point but it is growing on me. If I had it to do over again I'd probably go with the Escape.

robmarch · February 2004

I find that bumping the tire pressures up to ~33 improves handling and mileage, and only slightly compromises comfort. I like more road feel than others, though. Even with the body roll, it makes the handling better. I also like tilting the steering wheel so that the tip just barely doesn't obscure the top of the speedo.

wandering sounds like maybe an alignment issue. I haven't had that problem in my 02, (but have been dealing with a similar issue in another vehicle with a worn out suspension:) )

your other comments are pretty similar with others'. It fits me pretty well, not as well as my Subaru, and about as well as my Nissan. But, I think the higher seating position has a lot to do with it. I prefer lower seating positions and lower riding vehicles. The non telescoping wheel, as well as the fact that the seat bottom doesn't tilt backward enough for my personal taste are probably the limiting factor for many people in finding a comfortable seating position.

If I was buying right now, the Forester XT would be tough to pass up, even though I think the CRV is has a larger and more usable interior.

hcyen · February 2004

I have a '02 CR-V for sale in NJ. Where can I post for sale message?

kizhe · February 2004

autosaurus: I disagree with you on EVERYTHING:
I got EX 03 and my impressions are just opposite of yours:
Let's start in the order of your list:
1. seating position/relationship to controls etc. is definitely o'k to me,
2. I have 17K miles on mine now and I got used to it within, maybe, first 1K.(It always depends on what you drove before),
3. I do not have RAV4, so I may not compare (I did not drove RAV4 on the daily basis). You are on the ball here not me,
4. I am o'k with the wheels(they are little noisy but they are not passenger tires - they are SUV tires. I keep my tire pressure at 34.
Mine has pulled to the left since I bought it, but then I found that tire pressure was not equal - I adjusted it - o'k after than. I also noticed that after rotating the wheels sometimes it feels different at first ( SLIGHT pull to the right or to the left and I rotate them every 7K).
5. My steering wheel is right on the money :-).
6. My Sunroof does not rattle at all.
7. " Quality of the fit and finish otherwise is great though" - do not agree here too - finish might be better (look dull and cheesy, easily scratched). But we got what we paid for - this is not Lexus.
7. So far the mpg with mostly highway driving is about 27-30 definitely - I keep a log of EVERY gas fill and calculate. I am on the ball here.
8. I am very happy with it at this point, and it is growing. If I had to buy it over again I'd probably do the same and I never go with the Escape.

msilverscrv · February 2004

I have a less than 60 day old 2004 CRV-EX my wife uses, got a 2003 for my daughter a year ago. We're big fans of the CRV-EX, think it's a great car.

Here's my problem/question: I got an "Err" message while in CD mode trying to eject a CD in the 6-CD player, then no CD would play or eject. Shutting the radio and even the car didn't help, yet the next day everything was fine. This hasn't reoccurred (yet).

Seems like 6-CD player problems are rare, but anyone else ever get an "Err" on the display who can comment on cause and cure? My salesman tried to be helpful on the phone, but could just suggest disconnecting the battery and reentering the radio code, or simply to bring it in to have it checked.

kyfdx · February 2004

1) I agree.. 26K on my '02, and 59K on a '98 before... The seating position is just plain strange. But, you get used to it, and once you do, its not uncomfortable.

2) Not sure what you mean about front end being heavy at low speed. Maybe you mean it has high steering effort? I really haven't noticed that. Although Hondas have noticeably less-boosted power steering than say a domestic make.

3) Acceleration.. I think its way more than adequate. Especially, if you wind it out, it really takes off from about 4500 RPM on out to the redline.

4) I really haven't had any handling problems. You have to remember, the OEM tires are unusually crappy. And, it isn't because they are SUV tires. Just because they put the name Dueler on the side of them doesn't make it so.. They are just crappy economy car tires.

Make sure you are properly aligned, put about $400 into a set of Bridgestone Turanza LS, and I think you would see a big difference. Increasing your tire pressure will help that squirrely feeling, but maybe at the expense of ride quality.

regards,
kyfdx

autosaurus · February 2004

Re your comment that you get 30 mpg daily on this car..I dont see any way of getting 30 pg on this car ever..from what the board is saying maybe 25/26 tops..so far I haven't gotten past 20mpg.. but like I said I have only 2700 miles on it..

As for the tires being SUV tires..they pretty much look like car tires to me..and small ones at that..but thats ok because thats one of the reason I bought the car..so I didn't have high cost to change the tires when they wear out.

As for seating positions, that's a pretty individual thing. It seems the smaller you are the more comfortable it is. My wife thinks it's fine. Not enough seat travel for me and it's just strange and I can't really explain what it is, just not designed well.

kyfdx:
I'll check out the Bridgestones.thanks

robmarch · February 2004

I've seen north of 30 on my EX auto. the right foot has a lot to do with it. as does inflating the tires to 32 or higher. I like 33, personally.

I replaced the oem tires with yokohama avid T4's, and they are better than the oem's in every way, including price. the handling improves dramatically.

kyfdx · February 2004

About 21-22MPG in the cold weather. I was seeing about 23-25MPG in more moderate temperatures. I don't think I've ever done better than 26MPG and that was an all highway tank. But, I usually drive from 65-80 MPH on the interstate. I think you really get a wind resistance penalty with the CRV. Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but I'd guess to move up to 28-30MPG, you would have to hold yourself down to 55-60 MPH, and be running more pressure as robmarch says.

regards,
kyfdx

msilverscrv · February 2004

On a new CRV with just 1,500 miles on it so far, I'm getting 25 in straight highway driving (65-70 mph), 18-19 in purely local suburban driving. While I hope this goes up a bit as it breaks in, I'm glad to hear 30 mpg isn't realistic. You had me wondering there. Of course, I replaced a Dodge Grand Caravan (18 mpg highway) with my CRV, so no complaints here.

rockycow · February 2004

I'm getting about 23.5mpg in Metro area driving. I have gotten over 30 mpg! We hit a deer in Utah then drove home at 55 to 60 mph and at that speed and existing wind conditions did get 30+ mpg. At 75-80 I get around 24. Just proves the "little brick" is sensitive to speed and wind. I currently run 30 psi on Michelin hydroedge tires, K&N air filter

2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

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