Kathy:

We purchased our CR-V in December (also have an '03 Element and '91
Accord) ... and I am compelled to respond to your question. Relative
to Body Side Cladding, I am about to have this put on my CR-V and
just got off the phone with the Service Manager at my Honda
dealership. The answer to your question is that the cladding is
mostly for show and don't count on it extending the body panel
life ... but it will surely protect panel from those uncaring folks
who hust love to open their doors into yours in parking lots (as a
rule I park very far away where there are no other cars or rolling
carts ... it keeps the car dent free and I enjoy the exercise that
comes with all that walking). Anyway, I discussed these very issues
with the Service Manager. He wants me to leave the car with him so
that he can be sure that the install is done right ... its not that
he's planning to bang me with the labor charges, he just won't rush
the job because if not done right you can have problems.

As for the issue of Honda's costing too much and constantly being in
for service, there couldn't possibly be a stement more further from
the truth ... the CR-V in particular is priced extremely
competitively, even the EX model that we got ... these cars require
little or no maintenance other than routine oil changes, etc ... and
they keep their value as much or more than virtually every other
brand ... just play with this on the NADA site (plugging in various
models and checking current values).

The CR-V is a great car ... great handling, more room inside than you
will expect, versatile seating, good (not great) gas mileage ... it
is actually fun to drive ... you can't go wrong!

Harry