2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

varmint · December 2004

http://www.cartoday.com/content/news/singlepage.asp?in=6716

Thanks go to a poster from another forum for finding this article.

The article is from another market where Honda has given the CR-V a Limited Slip Differential (LSD). It also notes that the upgraded RT4WD system engages "noticeably more quickly", which is good to see confirmed by an unbiased source.

varmint · December 2004

Sorry. Don't have that information. Based on sales from the 1996-2001 models, very few 2WD models are sold here in the US. They are out there, but not easy to find (like the 5MT models)

andries · December 2004

Need new tires for our 2003 CRV. Have it narrowed down to 3-- (1) Michelin, Harmony

(2) BFGOODRICH, Radial Long Trail T/A

(3) Bridgestone Dueler H/L. Anyone out there that does any gravel road travelling would be nice to hear from, because that is were alot of our miles are put on. Thanks everyone

andries · December 2004

We have had one since we got our CRV. It works great. The brand is ULTRA, just be cautious who you get to install it. What I really like is the horn beeps once when you lock the door, and twice when you unlock it. We have ours set to run twenty minutes then it will shut off again. You can also program them to start when it is so cold every so many hours to run for so long.

dornier · December 2004

A big thanks to everyone for their insight into the CR-V and a purchase price. I bought my Satin Silver 2005 CR-V EX with Automatic transmission for $1 under the invoice of $21,586 last week. The only addition I made to the car was an alarm plus automatic starter for about $600 which were after market parts, but installed through my local Honda dealership here in NYC and they warranty all the work under the orignial warranty.

So in NYC it was $21,586 + $514 = $22,100. Tax was $1,906.13. Add the tag and registration fees and the car cost me 24,108.63 before the alarm. P.S. keep in mind NY State tax is 8.625% for those thinking the tax seemed kinda high.

I first did some internet shopping for several cities. The best price there was 21,886. I then took that number in to several dealerships and told them I wanted better and made several stops along the way before I got the number I wanted. Invoice. Good luck to all.

mikefm58 · December 2004

Thanks for posting your experience and the numbers. Some folks (scape2) over on the CRV vs Escape forum still claim that Hondas go for MSRP plus. You got a great deal....

slugline · December 2004

Very few 2WD models? I think they must have all been shipped to Houston and other Sunbelt cities. About 80% of the first-generation CR-Vs I see here are 2WD. With some of the trim-line changes in the second-generation, I think more people might be tempted to step up to an EX or SE, though.

kichan · December 2004

Dornier -

Congratulations on your new purchase. I also bought mine (last night), and will pick it up on Monday. How much did you pay for the automatic starter? I have one in the car that I have now, and I would like to get one installed in the CR-V as well. I live about 50 miles NW of NYC...

varmint · December 2004

Well, I'm basing that on what CR-V Engineer researched well before the 2002 models were introduced. (Rather, what I can recall from what he wrote.) He did some numbers for us breaking down the percentage of EX vs LX, 5MT vs 4AT, etc. I don't recall the exact figures, but I still have a rough idea.

2WD models were more common than 5MTs, but not by a wide margin. The LX with RT4WD was the largest single percentage of US sales (at the time).

isellhondas · December 2004

Here in the Seattle area, 2WD's are very slow sellers compared to the others and EX models FAR outsell the LX's.

We probably sell one five speed out of ten automatics if that many.

larry51k · December 2004

The CRV is listed as 181" in length. Does that include the spare tire?

kyfdx · December 2004

Yes.. including the tire...

thirdof4 · December 2004

We have Bridgestone Duelers (originals) and drive on gravel roads with ruts and bumps. Part of our road is very steep too. I don't know if it's the tires or just the vehicle, but I always feel like the V is going to "trip", especially while going down the steep part. It truly feels like the vehicle is stumbling. The road seems to drive the V rather than the other way around. Again, I don't know if it's the tires or the vehicle (or the driver...)!

nguy1 · December 2004

Has anyone tried to fit 3 car seats in the back of the CRV? I checked the hip room and it has about the same room as the Accord and even the new Ford 500 sedan.

I want to fit three car seats for two toddlers and an infant in the backseat. I also would like to know if anyone has experience fitting three young adults confortably.

Thanks again

thirdof4 · December 2004

I had three (not young) adults in the back seat of our 2004 CR-V for the first time the other night. What a comedy... First, we looked everywhere for the middle seat belt (look up...) then had to get it belted and everyone settled in and still able to breath. These were not skinny people but not necessarily fat either. It's a good thing they like each other! The back seat is not for long trips with three people (unless they're skinny), I assure you. I wonder if three car seats would even fit! If you don't already own this vehicle, take your car seats in to the dealer and try it. When we were looking at the V, the salesman, my spouse and I sat in the back seat together. It was tight but I'm big and I figured I would never have to sit back there!

bshel · December 2004

I don't know about 3 car seats, but I have had two booster seats, and a teenager sitting between those. They had plenty of room.

robr2 · December 2004

We squeezed 2 car seats and a booster into the back of my parents' CRV. It was very tight for my poor son in his booster. He was in the middle as basically his arms were pinned behind the edges of the car seats.

I doubt very much you'll be able to fit 2 car seats and an infant carrier in the back. But the only way to find out is to take 'em on down and try them.

aggie1995 · December 2004

Will not work in the back seat. Boosters probably would.

With two toddler car seats there is not room for a skinny adult to sit in between. Our car seats are slightly wider than the norm.

We are looking for a bigger vehicle because of this issue.

ateixeira · December 2004

Suggestion - slide the 2/3rds portion of the back seat forward, that way the other passenger can squeeze his shoulder behind the middle passenger. You can cheat a little extra room.

But it is a compact, after all, the width is kinda tight.

-juice

stevengordon · December 2004

After several months in my '04 CR-V, I have had two difficulties in adjusting to driving it.

Driving sedans, mostly, for the last 30 years, I developed a habit of looking over my shoulder to see if the adjacent lane was clear before moving into it.

I find it nearly impossible to see out the right-rear, given the high trunk-area window as well as the right rear head rest. To compensate, I'm training myself to use the right side mirror, which shows everything up to the front passenger door handle--although distances are visually inaccurate.

The main difficulty is getting used to backing out of parking spaces because the rear window is too high to see the front end of another car.

I wish I could put a mirror up, like those of delivery trucks, that shows what's lurking behind my vehicle. Has anybody seen a mirror (convex, I suppose) that can show your rear bumper area. Or would the image be too small to be useful?

Otherwise, I really enjoy the utility and ride of my "V."

kyfdx · December 2004

I agree.... the view out the back is not as good as the previous generation.. I removed the center rear headrest, and this seemed to help immensely...

Also, try angling your right-side mirror farther out.. until you can't quite see the side of the car as you look into it... I found I had quite a bit more overlap with the rear-view mirror than I needed.

regards,

kyfdx

thirdof4 · December 2004

An earlier post on one of these forums suggested just flipping the offending seat back down when no one is sitting back there, which does allow for better vision though not great.

clam · December 2004

http://www.edmunds.com/buyguide/suvs/index.html?tid=edmunds.e.buy- guideindex.recommend.review.1.*

I'm confused by the list of "recommended" SUV's that edmunds places in this list. Neither the CR-V, nor the RAV4 makes the list, despite very favourable reviews.

Under the "Editors rating" for the CR-V, it rates an 8.3, while the Escape is rated lower, yet makes this recommended list.

Can someone clarify?

stever · December 2004

I think the Escape got on the list because it was new for '05 (at least the hybrid part is new).

"Each year the Edmunds.com editors review the cars that are all-new or completely redesigned to see how they stack up to the competition."

Older designs like the CR-V weren't considered for this particular list.

link

Steve, Host

jwm1 · December 2004

I just got an 05 CR-V SE. The rear lights are distinctive: two columns of various lights of various functions. Last night I was following the CR-V with my wife behind the wheel. I noticed that the bottom "light" (red lens) didn't seem to work. We played with the various functions and couldn't get it to come on. I swallowed my pride today & stopped by the dealer and admitted I couldn't figure out what made the bottom light come on. I was surprised to discover they didn't know either. One salesman suggested it had something to do with the fog lights (something I don't have). When I looked through the lens in the bright sunlight, I noticed there isn't a bulb there, but rather some sort of plug where a bulb might go. Anyone out there have an option that uses that bottom light position?

clam · December 2004

I'm still confused. The title is "top 11 SUV's we recommend", not top 11 SUV's that we recommend that have been completely redesigned this year. Besides, the Tribute is on that list too, and it doesn't have a hybrid engine, nor is it significantly changed.

In fact, the majority of the models on that link have editor's ratings that are less than that of the CR-V.

If this isn't misleading, it is certainly still very confusing.

slugline · December 2004

Your dealer might be right. Some countries require a red foglamp on the rear of the car, and the bottom of the taillamp pillar might be where that would go. But from what I understand, your observation is totally normal.

stever · December 2004

Guess you'll have to ask them:

Contact us

There's usually some similar questions when the editors come out with their top ten list; they go by what they'd personally want in their own garage for that one, which may not jive with their more objective ratings.

Steve, Host

clam · December 2004

Thanks Steve, but whenever I have submitted feedback to that link in the past, I have gotten no response. It seems to me that objectivity should be the key to the "buyers guide" theme of the list in question, so I find the logic behind the selections extremely odd, to say the least.

I'd go as far as to say that Edmunds does a disservice to the buying public in this case, not because of the selections, but rather due to the way they are presented. It appears that Edmunds is touting this list as the best cars/trucks available, when this doesn't seem to be the case according to their own reviews.

stever · December 2004

Gee, I always get a response (in addition to the automated one). The contact setup changed a month or two ago too to make sure stuff doesn't fall through the cracks, so your comments will definitely get read.

Better yet, Send a letter to the editors.

It appears that the Tribute was included on the eligible list due to "Extensive changes ...." (link). The eligible models are listed here.

I don't work in the office, so I can't walk down the hall past the Caddy coffee bar and ask them in person for you.

Steve, Host

kimberly1 · January 2005

Has anyone had any luck removing the second row seats? I am looking to purchase a CRV and the dealer has told me it will be done, but I'll need to bring the car in and have them do it.... I can't imagine it's that complicated??

clam · January 2005

I just get the automated reply. Sigh.

The CRV underwent changes for 05 too, so the logic still doesn't work. And the Ford Explorer is on the list as well, and it isn't in the "eligible models" link.

"What's New for 2005

For 2005, the Explorer receives minor interior and exterior trim changes, and the AdvanceTrac stability control system is upgraded with roll stability control for better protection against rollover accidents."

This hardly seems like extensive changes to me.

theracoon · January 2005

I agree with your comments. The list isn't logical and isn't objective, and is there for worthless to me in evaluting vehicles. I don't want to know what vehicles the editors are drooling over; I want to know which vehicles are better based on unbiased criteria.

Unfortunately, that kind of information is very difficult to come by. We're all human; we all have our own biases and opinions.

JM2C

stever · January 2005

I'd suggest you check out the Comparison Test instead but it's getting a bit long in the tooth (Dec. '00 for mini-SUVs). That leaves the Full Tests as the most comprehensive reviews, with Follow-Up tests following major redesigns.

I haven't heard when the voting will start for the 2005 Consumers' Most Wanted, but you consumers disagreed with the 2004 Editors Most Wanted list there too.

Steve, Host

clam · January 2005

Its not a question of "consumers disagreeing with the list" -obviously everyone is going to have their own biased views. The "consumers most wanted" is hardly a replacement for an objective review.

The difficulty is that the editors seem to disregard their own ratings when creating a recommendation list, and that confuses readers. When someone is browsing the Edmunds site for a list of what they hope is the short list of the best available vehicles in a class, they need clarity.

crvkurt · January 2005

I've had my 05 CRV EX for about a month now and just noticed something I had not seen before.

It was still fairly early in the morning and my side view mirrors were lightly frosted over. As I started driving, I noticed that the mirrors were clearing and that there were a series of marks appearing in the frost in a circular pattern, almost like a bullseye. I don't have power heated mirrors, and haven't seen an explanation for what I was seeing. Does the CRV have something built into the non heated side mirrors to help them defrost/defog?

Can anyone provide any info on this?

rufusg · January 2005

I just found one online at PartsCheap.com for $27.60. I haven't purchased it yet, so I can't vouch for the qualtiy or the fit.

mjsnd80 · January 2005

I just traded in my 2003 Subaru Forester XS for a 2005 CRV-EX. Got about what I wanted for the Forester, and paid dealer invoice +$100 for the CRV. Satisfied with the deal.

First Impressions ---->

- Lots more ROOM inside, esp the back seat!

- Ride is better; quieter too.

- Higher off the ground, view is great.

I do hope the Real-Time 4WD is as good in Maine snow as the Forester. I don't go off-road, but it can get pretty bad on my long commute.

- - - One Question, the manuals and such describe an underseat storage draw beneath the front passenger seat... Really??? I don't have one.

There isn't much room under there, with the airbag-weight sensors, etc. I wonder if it was deleted after the manuals were written??

Or should I call the dealer and ask: "Hey, where's my drawer???"

THANK YOU to the writers here. Before the purchase, I did ask a few questions, and you provided good answers.

MJSND80

bshel · January 2005

Stevengordon, there is a mirror that is avail from accessories for the CR-V - similar to those a delivery truck has.

bshel · January 2005

I believe they did do away with the drawer in the 2005 model. I have an '04 and still have it.

scooter71 · January 2005

Gang,

I'm very seriously thinking of buying an '05 CR-V (EX Auto) before the 2.9% financing deal expires, i.e.- tomorrow! :-)

A few questions-

1. How does the Real Time 4WD do in the snow? I had a '95 Civic and it was a monster in upstate NY snow, even with the stock tires. Should I expect the same magic?

2. How much dealer labor's involved in installing the fog lights?

3. Is there a standard or optional armrest? I see no clue of one. I'm lanky so I have lots of arm and an armrest is always nice on longer trips.

Thanks in advance for your replies, and Happy New Year!

theracoon · January 2005

1. How does the Real Time 4WD do in the snow?

It does very well. I lived in Rochester, NY for about 4 years and my '99 CR-V EX got me to work on days when many of my co-workers didn't even try to come in.

2. How much dealer labor's involved in installing the fog lights?

You can determine that yourself. Click the H and A Accessories sponsor link at the top of the page. You'll find the 2005 foglights under the Exterior section, along with a link to the installation instructions.

3. Is there a standard or optional armrest?

The following picture from the Honda website shows armrests on both front seats. There's also a storage armrest accessory available for the 2004 CR-V that would probably fit, although the color might not be a perfect match.

mjsnd80 · January 2005

Hi.

I just took delivery of a 2005 CRV-EX on Friday.

I hate the idea of the "blank" fog light holes under the headlights, and wanted them added.

The problem is: it's a HUGE job. No pre-wiring; it involves removing the bumper and actually cutting out the holes! You can read the instructions yourself at the HANDA site. The dealer told me it was a two-hour job. Even in the heat of end-of-year negotiations (when they really want to sell a car) they could not put in the fog lights for under $400.

I decided they were not worth that much.

Excellent car! Hope you enjoy it.

MJS

jwm1 · January 2005

I just experienced the same thing. Got an 05 CR-V SE 'bout 2 weeks ago. No drawer either. I assumed it wasn't there because of SE comes with seat warmers.

jwm

jwm1 · January 2005

Just got mine about 2 weeks ago. Couldn't be happier. Regarding the arm rests, I ordered the dealer-installed arm rest that also has some storage space. Great idea, but not what it seems. My dealer ended up refunding the money. The color of the added arm rest is somewhere in between the tan seats and the brown dash--doesn't match either. The non-storage arm rests are fine.

spanman · January 2005

Drove my new '05 Satin Silver EX home last week. Mine came with a total of 3 keys: 2 with integrated keyless remote transmitters and 1 valet key.

How many and what configuration of keys and remote keyless entry transmitters have other buyers received?

bhbob · January 2005

That's exactly what we got for our 2005 Satin Silver EX, it's what you are supposed to get.

mjsnd80 · January 2005

Drove the new CRV-EX in good sloppy snow for the first time yesterday - and was BLOWN AWAY with the traction and handling!

The Stability Control is amazing.

I could never sense when the 4WD kicked in, but the CRV churned through some semi-deep, sloppy snow on roads before the plows came through. There's basically no mention in the owner's manual about the Real-Time system. It's invisible but it works great!

The CRV is superior in the snow to the 2003 Forester I traded in. That car had a five-speed stick and full-time AWD. I was afraid the CRV would not be as solid... and I'm pleased to report that it's BETTER!

hillfla · January 2005

How big is the integrated key? Does the key part fold into the remote or is it one long, big key? Reason I am asking, my Chrysler Pacifica has the integrated key but its one big key that does not fold and its impossible to stuff in your pocket when it is on a key ring.

Thanks!

bhbob · January 2005

The key is one long big key, not huge. Think of a normal separate remote key-fob and have the key part sticking out of it.

2001 - 2006 Honda CR-Vs

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