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Honda CR-V Likes and Dislikes
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Comments
This has caught me out at least twice since I've been driving it, it's another thing that I have learned to live with.
You can't turn the electric seat heaters off during the summer!
You must not be in the US or you have aftermarket Alarm and seat warmers. USDM CR-V did not have either of those standard from factory.
The factory heated seats on the Canadian, and 2005-2006 USDM CR-V's do have an on/off switch on the dashboard, by the steering wheel.
The wipers are bad in so many ways: The controls are the worst I've ever encountered. You can't tell when they're off...The rear wiper always operates (in reverse) if the wipers are activated; even on delay and even when the rear is switched "off". I hate that.
...They have been awful in the winter--the passenger side wiper never heats-up; it's useless.
The tires, like with most of these cars, are ineffective for winter driving. The manufacturers always stick us with soft tires/light tread. (EX/AWD)
I would have bought a Sante Fe to get what I really wanted (incl. a 6 instead of a 4), just couldn't deal at all with the dealer. This vehicle is good quality, but overpriced.
I'm heading toward a Subaru or Nissan next time out.
Arm rests are not long enough. I could use another inch or two.
Could also use a couple more inches of legroom for the driver. Not sure if this is because of the powerseat or if they all stop just a little short. I am not the primary driver, so I can live with it.
Wish there was a remote hatch release from the driver's seat or a power hatch.
I would like to have all the doors unlock when I turn the car off. Kind of a pain to get out and then realize everyone else is still locked in.
Cream leather shows dirt way to easily. I am concerned about how well it will clean.
The all weather mats also show a lot of dirt and scuff marks.
One of the auto unlock settings (There are five) is all doors and tailgate will unlock when the shift lever is moved to the park position.
Another complaint is that the dash lights up when you start the car but it does not have auto-headlights. My wife got stopped the other day for not having her lights on. The driving lights are almost as bright as the regular headlights so it is hard to tell when driving.
It's in your owner's manual, and so is a page of instrument panels indicators, one of which is "headlights on".
I like mostly everything about my CR-V with a 5 speed manual (last year of the manual) - especially for the fantastic gas mileage. It has lots of power, roomy interior, tons of standard features, stock 6cd 6 speaker cassette stereo, power sunroof, intense heater, smooth ride, and comfortable seats. I am the original owner with just under 60,000 miles on it.
However, I am not impressed with the AWD at all. It's always a day late and a dollar short - completely useless. It's fine if you are on flat surfaces where the front wheels do all the work, but up here in the hills where I live, it can't get out of it's own way. I can't tell you how many times i've gotten stuck - and even in my own driveway. My Subaru was fantastic in the snow, but this CR-V is lousy. I do not feel confident with it at all in the snow.
Many of the situations you describe are one where any vehicle would slide. We had a 2007 Outback and it fishtailed in gravel as well as in piled up, loose snow (even with the improved tires I purchased).
I'm intrigured by your comment because I have seen and heard many anecdotal comments about how well the CR-V does in snow on hills. Yours is the first I have seen that disagrees. I also wonder about the AWD system that comes on ... is it effective vs. a full-time system like the Outback?
This comparison is based upon my previous 1998 Subaru Forester that was spot-on with snow of all depths, loose gravel, snow covered roads & hills, no fishtailing during turns, never skidded, never got stuck, changed lanes on snow packed highways without losing control, etc..... I have had negative results with the CR-V in all aforementioned conditions. Maybe it's me and the way I expect it to handle, but even my husband has had issues driving it in the snow. Could it be because my model year is tall and top heavy whereas the Subaru's and new CR-V's are lower profile? Don't know.
Most new vehicles are built with the "auto" all-wheel-drive now. This is sufficient for most people who drive on paved, well traveled, melted roads in busy winter commuter traffic. Frankly, I will consider another Subaru or a Jeep where the vehicle will do what it's supposed to when it's needed on unplowed roads in hilly terrain - not after the fact, or, not at all.
Other than that, the CR-V is a very nice, reliable, roomy, affordable family oriented vehicle with excellent gas mileage. It's too bad it's just not working for me 100%.
I like mostly everything about my CR-V with a 5 speed manual (last year of the manual) - especially for the fantastic gas mileage. It has lots of power, roomy interior, tons of standard features, stock 6cd 6 speaker cassette stereo, power sunroof, intense heater, smooth ride, and comfortable seats. I am the original owner with just under 60,000 miles on it.
However, I am not impressed with the AWD at all. It's always a day late and a dollar short - completely useless. It's fine if you are on flat surfaces where the front wheels do all the work, but up here in the hills where I live, it can't get out of it's own way. I can't tell you how many times i've gotten stuck - and even in my own driveway. My Subaru was fantastic in the snow, but this CR-V is lousy. I do not feel confident with it at all in the snow.
I have an 05 as well, and manual as well!
2006 is the last year they made manual CR-V, BTW.
As to AWD, AWDis great. I should know, I live in Buffalo.
Your limiting factor is tires. If tires are not getting traction, then no AWD in the world will help. Stock tires are good for 15,000-20,000 miles.
I have Yokohama Avid Touring and have no problem navigating unplowed roads up to 18-24 inches of snow. Any snow over 12 inches high make the exhaust sound very loud, as if I had lost the muffler. But the noise goes away as snow recedes.
Also, I turn off VSC when I need full control of the throttle, since it cuts power to the engine if all 4 wheels are skidding.
I love the manual transmission, don't you??!
Interesting about turning off the VSC - obviously I never thought of that! I'll have to try it out on a day where there's light snow just to get the feel of it.
Thanks for the tire suggestion. I've been thinking that's part of the problem - I replaced the stock tires relatively soon after getting the CR-V because they were practically bald after just 30,000 miles. The pair that's on there now only has about 29,000+ miles on them but they're not doing the job & they never have. I've read other posts about people putting 50lb bags of birdseed or dog food in the back over the rear tires because torque is great, but if you don't have traction, then it's just not going to help.
If you can survive a winter in Buffalo with the 2005 CR-V, then I guess i'm going to have to give it another chance and put some Yokohama's on it!
You may have just saved me $25,000 by not purchasing a new car! Too bad I have to wait until next winter to try these things out. Thank you so much!!!
Next time you try the "VSC off" driving, you can see how easy it is to set the car drifting. Keep her in 1st, turn the wheel almost full lock, and give her gas. She will spin around the front wheels.
Have someone video tape and post it on youtube
Here is mine
Manuals are AWESOME. Anything else is a eunic. :P
I'm going tire shopping this week. Thanks again, blueiedgod!
We are expecting up to 8" of snow here tonight, so, come on up to Buffalo :surprise:
I suspect she got stopped at night; the running lights don't activate the tail lights.
Not too impressive.
'Duelers'). The OE tires on 03's DID have horrible performance as reflected in CRV forums.
I have an 03 Odyssey that has had not unusual wear or breakdowns (tires lasted 65K).
It can also tell you if your going uphill, downhill, have a headwind or crosswind, and you can predict when it's about to unlock the torque converter for more power.
Hey, if nothing else, it's something to pass the time. Personally, I like it and woudln;t ind also having a gear indicator with a symbol as well to indicate if the torque converter in locked or unlocked.
I could see some seeing it as information overload.
I had the ex-l or whatever the fully-loaded version is. I consistently got great mileage, never a problem with the car. Handles beautifully on rural roads as well as highway. Great instrument panels and safety features.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I loved this car and miss it already. I love my new van but it's going to take some time to get used to the size!
Feel free to keep the discussion here so everyone will benefit. In fact, we'd very much prefer that.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Yes, that's probably my biggest dislike...not the end of the world. The AWD system isn't the greatest--always pulling/vibrating while turning. All around, a good vehicle; even one I would recommend. It's comfortable, reliable, and a great value. My taste--I'm ready to trade-in and get something else.
I purchased a Accord LX-P in Aug last year and we've decided that the CRV is more practical for us.
What are the chances of a dealer not taking us to the cleaners and offering a ridiculous trade-in and then making something from the CR-V?
The Accord has 5k miles on it. I'd even consider a straight swap for a 09 CRV LX/EX with the same mileage.
Thanks
What about selling your car and then buying a slightly used CR-V?
It can also tell you if your going uphill, downhill, have a headwind or crosswind, and you can predict when it's about to unlock the torque converter for more power.
Hey, if nothing else, it's something to pass the time. Personally, I like it and woudln;t ind also having a gear indicator with a symbol as well to indicate if the torque converter in locked or unlocked.
I could see some seeing it as information overload.
Sounds like you would benefit from driving manual. You would know exactly what gear it is in, and the rest of the feedback you are seeking
Been there done that, got the T-shirt.... 3 of my last 4 cars were manuals. It's a love/hate thing with both manuals and automatics. I think I would like a manual, if it's was a semi-auto clutch. Where you used the clutch in 1st gear, then used paddle shifters after that. Why? Well, where I live now, I have a 3 mile commute with 6 stop signs and 1 stop light. My last car was a 6 speed, so I could get into 4th gear at 30mph with 1 stretch 35mph so I use 5th gear... plus 2 turns, when I downshift. If I donwshift once for engine braking, and don't skip any gears when upsifting, if I get stopped at the light... that's 37 shifts in a 8-10 minute drive to work. It becomes more tedious than fun.
For comparison, when I used to go to the race track with my motorcycle. In a 1:30 lap on a 2 mile circuit, I would shift only 16 times. That was a LOT more fun. Especially with a 100HP, 400lb motorcycle that reved to 14k RPM.
Heck, my BMW mtorcycle with it's tall gearing, would only need to be shifted 16 times since I only use 1st and 2nd gears at those speeds. Plus it's a lot easier on a motorcycle, sicne you only need to squeeze one lever with your hand and toe up the shift lever with your foot, rather than lift your leg to push down a pedal. I never could heel toe in my car, but it's easy to blip the throttle on the motorcycle and brake at the same time.
Plus, most all manuals these days have shorter final drives and overdrive gears, so they rev a LOT more on the freeway than automatics. The Fit and Civic are good examples. There's almost a 1000RPM difference between the auto and manual verson of those cars at freeway speeds.
The benefits of the manual, soon failed ot outweigh the drawbacks. The final deciding factor, was that my wife didnt; want ot drive a manual. She can, and used ot own a miata when she lived in CA. But no longer desires to utilieze 3 pedals and use both hands to drive.
As for the seat adjustment... I just put a pillow in back of my on my bad back days.
Regards:
OldCEM
Anyone know the fix for this problem.
Thanks,
bllfish
As for the headrest, I believe this is the first year the two outer rear headrests do not come out. However, if you take the middle one out and tilt the two others down, visibility is quite good.
Regards:
OldCEM
For example while hte new Equinox is a huge improvement and very nice vehcile that rides well and has tons of standard features...more than hte CR-V, it's still doens't handle or perform lie the CR-V. It has similar interior space, but weighs almost 400lbs more. That's how you offer fluff, and come in at the same price. Using higher strenght steel and using more product development to further refine the chassis design, is how you keep the weight down and increase performance. the EPA numbers are hgiher on the Equinox, but good luck comming even remotely clsoe to those numbrs i nteh real world. they've carfeully programmed hte transmission and tuned the engine to perform well in the EPA tests. 400 extra lbs can't be ignored so easily in the real world.
Regards:
Oldengineer
That being said, I'm getting 22 - 23 mpg on average in mostly rural driving conditions.
Regards:
OldCEM
(1) there wasn't any sound dampening under the rear seats. I removed the seats, installed foam carpet padding, like from Lowes, and reinstalled seats.
(2) My CRV has a door seal near the outside of the door but there isn't one near the inside. Since the threasholds aren't sound-proof, the road noise comes straight through the threasholds into the car. Installing the 1/2" thick el-cheepo gray open foam stick-on door seal from Lowes (it comes in a 10 ft roll) did the trick. Install the seal on the vertical surfaces right where the inside of the door shuts against those edges.
(3) Install sound attenuating mat on the inside of the doors. This was the most expensive part ($325) since I had a local audio company do the work for me. The labor was essentially free since I would have had to pay over $300 just for the materials.
Try it; you'll love it.
I'm surprised Honda hasn't fixed this problem. It is really annoying. But otherwise the car is great.