I'm brand new to this group. I'm pretty close to deciding to buy the 2002
Honda CR-V LX, hopefully with side air bags.

I'd love to hear from others who have the new CR-V, especially those of you
who have experience with it in the snow. My main reason for needing this
vehicle, is to be able to drive in heavy/deep/sometimes packed snow for 6
months of the year.

Also, I'm having trouble deciding about the tranny. Normally, I think
auto-trannies belong on cadillacs driven by old folks. But I test drove
both trannies at the Honda dealer, and was quite amazed that I preferred the
auto over the manual. I am also shocked that the auto apparently gets
better mpg.

At any rate, would love to hear any input from list memebers.

Many thanks,

Martha
--
musik54@...

I got my 2002 CRV EX Silver 5spd last 1/15/02 and I am very pleased
with the vehicle. I haven't really tested the limits of the AWD yet
and how the vehicle behaves in the ice and snow because we haven't
had much snow here in the Twin Cities. As a personal preference, I
chose the 5spd over the automatic, knowing that the automatic gets a
better MPG. You may have noticed it when you test drove the CRV with
5spd, that the shifting was little bit sluggish. In the first 3-4
weeks of my use of the CRV, shifting was a little bit hard but got
better as the weeks went by. Shifting now feels as good as my 97
Honda Civic EX 5spd. As for MPG, the best I have gotten so far was
25.8 MPG and approx 80% of it was at 75 MPH. In the summer, I
expect to get at least 2 additional MPG.

Why would you expect to get better mileage in the summer?

I love my 2002 EX, Automatic. I have had it since 12/25/01.
I think that other than a sports car or heavy duty off road use, an
automatic can be as good if not better then a manual. Remember even
race cars and heavy trucks are going to automatics.
The issues that used to make them far inferior have been mostly
resolved, but it is a personal perference issue.
So far, due to our light winter, I have not had much chance to play
with mine in anything deeper than an inch or two.

Different gasoline mixture, not using "winter fuel", for one.  For a second reason, everything is warmer, there is less friction in the entire drivetrain.
 
I've always had better fuel economy in the summer.
 
David

Martha -

Snow is no problem for the CR-V. Many can attest to its amazing qualities in
the snow.

The auto gets better gas mileage because it has a different final drive ratio.
The automatic is actually turning fewer RPM's on the highway than the 5-speed
is.

David

Yes I test drove both the 5spd and auto and I think the 5spd runs
about an extra 500RPM at 75MPH. Not a lot, but enough to make a
difference in the highway fuel mileage. But I did think that the 5spd
was quite a bit peppier than the auto, so if you feel that you need
that extra little bit of sportiness or power, then the 5spd is for
you. That aside I am choosing the auto for a few reasons: the CRV
auto trans works well compared to a few others I've driven, the 5spd
doesn't have arm rests, the auto has an extra cup holder in the area
of where the gear shift interferes with on the 5spd (I like that cup
holder), Mileage, and last but definitely not least--the girlfriend
wants me to get the auto. Good luck.

Kevin

Martha,
I have a green '02 LX 5 speed with 1500 mi. If you like standard
transmissions, the V has a very nice one that makes it fun to drive,
the engine is enjoyable and makes a great sound right up to redline
(not that I condone that kind of behavior of course). I notice it
does spin pretty high at 75-80, but it's not annoying to
me, I've been on the highway several times. I have the bad habit of
still researching prices and reviews after I've already bought
something, but I am still glad I picked the V a few months later. I
Judging from how much this group seems to love the '01 and older
models, I think the '02's will be yet another generation of
classics. Highly recommended. I'm a motorcycle guy really, but I
still get excited to drive the CRV - it almost makes me glad there's
winter - almost!
good luck, Larry

Personally,
 
  I kind of hope it snows because the V is so good in it.
 
  JRC
 
 

That's a great recommendation, because the *main* reason I want the CR-V is because of the need to drive in deep, heavy snow for about 6 months out of the year.  I was at first a little worried about the difference between 4wd and awd (like on Subarus), but so many of you have extolled the virtues of the V in snow, that I'm now feeling much easier about it.



Martha



--

musik54@attbi.com

just thought I'd point you to my CR-V site... you can find some fun pics of my V in the snow there.
 
www.geocities.com/civicwagon/crv
 
hope you enjoy!
 

I took my '02 Chianti Red V up to Michigan this past week (from
SC) and it was a pleasure to drive. 700 miles each way, 11
hours of driving with a couple breaks (needs a bigger gas tank).
It handles great in the mountains, just need a radar detector,
too late now. While in Michigan, it snowed 8 inches of a wet
snow, and then dropped to about 9 degrees, so conditions were
pretty bad. The V performed like a champ. Very happy with it.