Hi; I am the new owner of a Honda CRV EX 5 speed, and
am looking for some web sites that will give me some
advise about four wheeling; what the CRV will really
do and won't do. My idea of 4 wheeling is fairly
tame, but I want to know what i am getting into.

Am loving the automobile; had a hard time finding a 5
speed, which surprised me when I started looking, but
ended up with a beauty!! Thanks, Julie

Try Hondsuv.com
 
Matt

Snow and dirt/gravel roads are the primary off-roading? that my CR-V gladly
welcomes. The CR-V is also excellent in rainy weather. I wouldn't take it
to far off the beaten track because it lacks "true" selectable/lockable
4-wheel drive.
I see you have a 5-Speed like myself, excellent choice!! This gives you
more of a "feel" of what the AWD is doing. In first gear (FROM A STOP) the
FRONT wheels slip or spin, you'll hear a mild thump or bump when the rear
wheels catch. Try this on a deserted dirt road in your area and don't over
do it.
it.
PS- The EX 5-Speed was rare for a reason, glad you found one too!!
SALTMAN

I'd check with the service manager at your Honda dealership, not the sales
staff. Should be able to handle back roads (dirt) but remember it isn't a
Jeep and doesn't even compare. I own a 2001 CRV EX and a 95 Wrangler. The
Jeep is made for off-road and the CRV isn't. Have fun with it.. but the
4-wheel system in the Honda is more of a safety feature than one for having
fun off-road.

Mike

Just curious...why is the EX 5 speed rare? Myself I was tired of
shifting my old truck's manual tranny for 15 years and was happy to get
an auto tranny.

My dealer told me that 5 speeds were rare because most
drivers don't really take them off paved surfaces;
just commute in them. I believe that is probably
true. Personally, I just love driving, so shifting is
fun; would much rather drive the car than have it
drive me! Also my commute is hilly and curvey, so I
prefer to do all of the shifting. My idea of four
wheeling is tame; going to ghost towns, exploring dirt
roads, that kind of thing.

I remember when I was young and happy to shift(?) If I could afford it
I would have someone "drive Mr Kabuki". But in this vehicle a drive to
Lubbock or Amarillo Texas (the closest big cities) is like a drive
across town. Very comfortable. Considering that my last vehicle was a
Toyota 2wd pickup with lifted suspension and big tires that drove like a
tank. When I was younger it was so cool to cruise around. But by the
end of my life with that truck my butt cheeks and hamstrings would get
numb in 30 minutes of driving. Pitful isn't it? Enjoy it while you're
young. I guess I've become older and more sensible. But I also don't
want to drive around in some "boat" of a car like my dad's Crown
Victoria. Old folks car. Sorry to those who were offended by the last
sentence...but I'm one of you. Finally I want to warn those of you who
want to go whole hog in customizing your V. My old truck showed the
signs of having all that high performance aftermarket suspension
components and engine parts. A vehicle will wear prematurely with
heavier and bigger tires and suspension components that greatly alter
the original design geometry. And the high performance stuff for your
engine will force you to be a race car driver on the street and your
engine will suffer for it (along with your driving record). You will
pay for it in the end. Believe me. Been there...done it. Oh by the
way I could only get $700 for my old truck. Everyone who looked at it
wouldn't go any higher and I couldn't argue with them. And one day
you're going to need a new vehicle and now your old car is a piece of
crap to trade in. I learned my lesson. I dust my vehicle every night,
detail it every third or fourth night and wax it at least once a year
(at least I plan to wax it that often since my V is a 2000 model). It
looks good every day. And if it looks...it's protected. My V will
hopefully be a great trade six years from now.

"CAR AND DRIVER" performed various tests on the CR-V awhile ago. The
article stated the 5-Speed was the "only" choice due to the anemic shifting
nature of the automatic and the additional drivability of the 5-Speed, after
the article the 5-Speed was almost impossible to locate for months. I
noticed another article that stated that "more women than men drive a CR-V,
and they generally prefer an automatic".
You have more control over an AWD or 4WD vehicle when it is supplied with a
5-Speed. I wonder how many automatics enter the BAHA 500 or other AWD/4WD
events, I don't see any on the "SPEEDVISION" channel?
It would be very interesting to have the automatic shift in a power slide
unexpectedly while attempting "PIKES PEAK" yikes !
I REALLY prefer controlling the shift points in bad weather and snowy/muddy
roads, I don't trust the VEHICLE to make these choices for me.
I have an automatic convertible - prefer enjoying the top down and cruising
than concentrating on performance driving and shifting.
I have an automatic truck with a much larger engine than the CR-V, doesn't
shift constantly/abruptly like the CR-V, and I spend a considerable amount
of time watching the load I am carrying/pulling.
ADDTIONAL INFO> The CR-V EX 5-speed is worth more than the automatic when
you try to sell it too !!! The automatic costs more originally?
The BLUE BOOKS etc. aren't necessarily indicative of actual resale or
trade-in prices, DEMAND IS THOUGH.

SALTMAN
http://www.bsalt.com

I agree my 1985 Toyota 4-Runner with larger tires and wheels and addtional
lifted suspension would surely have gone farther without all the MODS.
I sold the 190K+ mile vehicle to a young wipper-snapper, just what he was
looking for !! My back couldn't take the pounding of the taught suspension
anymore, needless to say my 4-wheeling competition days have been exchanged
for more body friendly activities. The loud stereo was being used at more
reasonable levels and the quick MONSTER clutch made around town driving very
tiring.
We all get old or is that more sensible?
SALTMAN
http://www.bsalt.com