I will be test driving the new crv ex in a couple of weeks (I'm
currently overseas). My main concern is the highway RPMS/gearing.
I've had a few older hondas in the past and the buzz from running 3-4
thousand RPM's on the highway is annoying and senseless. How does
this car sound/feel at around 80MPH? (speed limit is 75 in AZ) It
just seems that it would be too much of a strain the way it is geared
so low. Also, I was going to go with the 5spd for more performance
and better mileage (not to mention the lower price), but I noticed
that it actually gets worse mileage than the auto. What gives? That
combined with the lower rated top speed would lead me to believe that
the 5spd is geared even lower. Does anyone have a 5spd? Are these
seemingly over-reving problems nothing to worry about. It just
doesn't make any sense since lowering the RPM's would lower fuel
consumption, vibration, engine noise, and reduce friction thus
extending engine life. OK, can someone atleast tell me how good the
5spd is? Thanks

80 mph? First of all you'll be breaking the law. Second of all you're
exceeding the V's limits when it comes to roll over potential. Third
overhead cam engines thrive at high rpms (Honda wouldn't let their
vehicles run that way unless they knew what they were doing). Get a V8
powered luxury SUV instead. Oh...my bad. You're trying to save money.
And if you choose a manual tranny you'll eventually act like you're a
race car driver and you'll lose in mpg, money in tickets and maybe your
life (and others). You want performance get a sports car. Opps. That
money thing again. Listen...I'm not trying to sound sarcastic but when
you buy a vehicle like the CR-V at the price you're paying there are
compromises in performance and luxury to keep the costs down. Live with
it. I have. Folks...it's a still "grocery getter". It has been and
always will be. You'll put on all of those accessories to make it look
like it's offroad worthy (...or racey?) and it'll probably see less than
5% of the offroad. And of course one of these days we'll be see racing
CR-Vs on Speedvision (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Can you imagine a Baja racing V? If that
happens I'll watch them but I won't emulate them. Did that in my old
truck that I had converted to look and act like a offroad prerunner
truck. Got three speeding tickets, crashed it twice and at one time had
high risk liability insurance. Wasn't worth it. Enjoy your V for what
it's worth.
Happy New Year and keep CR-Ving
David
ps Just my opinion but the new V looks like a mini van now that they
widened it to give more interior space. And I don't like the tail light
and roof treatment. Gone are those sensous curves and minimalist
treatment of trim. Love my '00 CR-V! Hope the '06 model will not
disappoint me. By the looks of Honda's future at the car shows if they
make the V look like an Aztek...I'm going elsewhere. At least my V will
have high resale value by then (I hope).

You wrote
".....How does this car sound/feel at around 80MPH? (speed limit is
75 in AZ) It just seems that it would be too much of a strain the way it
is geared so low."

I just bought a 2002 EX w/auto
At 2000 rpm the mph is about 55-56 . 27.5 miles per hour per 1000 rpm.
thus 3000 is about 82 +/-
This is typical of all the late model 4 cyl cars
With less than a 1000 miles first indications are 23-28 mpg .


Regni
Only Wiith Age Comes Wisdom

I have driven my 5 speed 2000 at 160 km/h (100mph) for extended periods. I had also driven at 190 km/h and been able to actually keep the speed up to 180 km/h for a period of time. I was once confronted by a 2000 (or so) Mustang V6 (the ones with all the fake scoops) and he couldn't do anything with me at speed.
 
No lectures needed... this was all done on race tracks (ones leading from my home to other towns!)
 
And if any law enforcement agencies are reading this then I am lying through my teeth.
 
Later
 
 

80 mph does not exceed Honda's anything! Granted that
one shouel not corner at such speeds unless in a
highway but 80 is not that fast..

I routinely go 70 and 75 my '98 CRV is very stable at
those speeds...someone asked bout noice levels, the
sound level is accepayble, the only time I hear teh
engine is when I go uphill/

Hope this help

Roll overs don't always happen in turns and around curves. Once on the
highway going 75 mph some driver made a lane change while I was passing
in the left change. I had to make a "panic move" and noticed major body
roll (probably because of the soft suspension) but was in control.
Right after that I thought of what would have happened if I was going
faster. Most experts and Honda themselves say excessive speeds are a
major cause of roll overs. Since I'm not one of the experts I gotta
believe them. And I've seen those police chase vids and you can
actually see what excessive speeds do to SUVs.

ps *renej@... posts:

I have driven my 5 speed 2000 at 160 km/h (100mph) for extended periods.
I had also driven at 190 km/h and been able to actually keep the speed
up to 180 km/h for a period of time. I was once confronted by a 2000 (or
so) Mustang V6 (the ones with all the fake scoops) and he couldn't do
anything with me at speed.
?
No lectures needed... this was all done on race tracks (ones leading
from my home to other towns!)
?
And if any law enforcement agencies are reading this then I am lying
through my teeth.
?
Later

I am not a lecturer...just speaking my mind (yeah...I know...what mind).
David

I will challenge anyone to perform the sudden movement
you are describing in any vehicle without body roll.

There is simple Physics here. The CRV is more
sensitive than lets say a Ferari, that said it simply
means that the driver must understand the limits of
the vehicle and his/her limits.

The CRV is no different than any other car: must be
driven is a sensible way. It is no more or no less
stable than a similar sized and similar shaped vehicle
regardless of the manufactiring.

I dont think its ganna rollover.. I just complain when doing 85 (which i have
done once).. the cars seems to shake a little .. once that happended
Slowed down so i din't find out what happended next.. seems fine to drive at 70


Im curious where you have that information.. I understand wht your saying .. b/c
i saw the sticker on the visor..

thanks.


Ryan
KC8PKZ
RyanPM@...

I have a 2002 Auto EX. AT 3000 RPM in 4th gear, speedometer says
79. Probably actual speed of about 77.

Third gear should easily pull to 100.

Smooth as silk. At least mine is.

Terryl Johnson
Titusville, FL
45 minutes from Daytona Speedway
2002 Silver EX Auto

Agreed. But the Ferrari has a lower center of gravity than the V and it
would take a more severe type of move that I made (which was a very
quick move to the left, braking and quickly turning right to get behind
the driver) to induce the kind of body roll I experienced. Again I was
in control...probably due to the independent suspension setup. Simply
put center of gravity creates a sort of pendulum effect and the further
the cg is away from the center of that pendulum (basically the tires)
the larger the body roll and the greater chance of roll over. That's
what all the experts are trying to tell us. Of course track and
wheelbase have something to do with it too. I'm sure the Ferrari is
longer and wider than the V. And you're absolutely right about knowing
your limits. Don't push the intended design of your vehicle. It'll
bite you...hard! Have fun with your V. I plan to. Come this spring
I'll be kite flying and fishing. Can't wait.
David

I concur. There is nothing you can do about the higher center of balance in
a vehicle like a CRV. This is usually not a problem on a freeway situation.
Not a problem that is, until someone does something stupid in front of or
beside you and you have to make a quick swerve to avoid collision. Hope your
wearing your seat belts or you might just "swallow your brain".

As far as engine noise goes, it doesn't bother me. Many of the highways in
WA state are 75mph, and most folks go about 80. If I get annoyed with the
engine sounds coming from my "gutless" 98' CRV , I just turn up the stereo.
;-) You all have to admit that the CRV can be a great listening space. All
in all, I find it a wonderful car, whether I am getting groceries, climbing
the mountains or taking a long freeway trip.

JRC

Saw most of the info on those TNN and Speedvision truck and SUV shows.
And a few articles in mags and the internet. And again those police
chase vids. Boy do those SUVs make some violent moves (more than
passenger cars) when at higher speeds. Remember a few months ago when
there was a report of the Mitsu Montero rolling over at 35 mph? Ouch!
Not good. But the local Mitsu dealer (my boss' friend) says it's been
fixed. Someone overheard the fix was in the suspension.
David

Has anyone SEEN the new Mitsu Montero?? A rollover will only improve the looks of that bloated thing.
 
JRC
 

My 2001 Cr-V does fine at 80. Gas mileage drops, not much reserve
acceleration and the auto tranny drops to 3rd when going up hills, but it
did fine. Felt safe too. But it admittedly felt happier at 75. The 2000
Accord 4 cylinder, on the other hand, feels happier at 85-90 and gets 30 mpg
at 80.

Thomas M. Goethe

I also find the CR-V to be very stable at Metro Atlanta speeds (80+).
Just some common sense is all it takes to be careful to avoid the
incorrect steering inputs that it would take to roll the vehicle over. I
think the CR-V actually has excellent manuverability and agility to
avoid accidents given its higher-than-a-sedan center of gravity.

As far as noise go, my 01 is pratically tomb-like compared to my Type R,
which turns about 4400rpm at 80mph and has no sound insulation. On, the
other hand...its a really NICE "noise" and many times I find myself
turning off the radio to listen to it. :-)

Stephen
01 ITR NBP
01 CR-V LX

The dealer told me once when i went to test drive a 00 v that since it's
built on the civic chassis and is more car like than truck like, it has the
lowest rollover of any suv (i'm sure the x5 exceeds it)

Thanks for everyones reply. I did not intend to start lectures on
safety. I am not a boy racer and I do not expect the V to be my race
car. I read somewhere that the 2002V ran at higher RPM's than you all
have stated, but am relieved to hear that it is not a problem. I just
wanted to do plenty of research before ordering my baby. Are there
anymore 2002 5spd owners out there? Thanks again. I'll be posting
pictures of any upgrades/personalization I do.

I put 90,000 on my '98 V EX (manual tranny) and MANY of those miles
were between 80-90mph, and a lot of that time was on smaller two-lane
highways between Texas and Nebraska in inclement weather. That
particular model was a bit noisy at those speeds. I haven't had my
2002 EX automatic up to 90 yet but there is a definite, noticeable
drop in engine noise. MUCH quieter, IMHO

> 80 mph? First of all you'll be breaking the law. Second of all
you're
> exceeding the V's limits when it comes to roll over potential.