My husband and I are going to purchase a new vehicle come spring. I
like the way the CRV looks but I want to know what people who own them
think. I figure in the next 7 months of researching them I should have
a pretty good idea of what we are getting into.
(Unlike the Jeep I had and almost got killed in!) Thanks!

The CR-V a great car, but it all depends on what car you are looking for.
For my purposes, it is perfect because I want a fairly fuel efficient car
(gets around 20 for me) but I have a bull bar and a stereo which adds a lot
of extra weight. So, most people will get around 23 or so. I needed a
decent amount of cargo space which SUV's obviously allow. The car doesn't
drive like a truck, but more like a regular car, which is very convenient.
It has a smooth ride. Poor qualities in the car are that the noise
insulation isn't that great. Also, the car is pretty weak, so if you like
to drive fast, don't get this car. It is slow and I push my car fairly
hard. But, whoever drives an SUV shouldn't really be driving that fast
anyway. Other than that, the car is great. It handles great and I dodged a
near accident which I am surprised to have been able to dodge in even a
sports car. I missed hitting another vehicle by seriously less than an inch
with four other passengers in my car.
I have had no real problems with my car so far, and I've driven 26,000 miles
so far. I have a '98 Silver CR-V.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

ATC

The CR-V is a great vehicle! It does not have the normal "truck-like" ride
and feel. I think it rides better than my wife's Accord.
It gets great gas mileage (22-24 mpg).
We live in Ohio and had one week of bad snows. It performed well. It never
missed a beat with the RT4WD. 4x4 pick-ups were getting stuck, and I wasn't.
I actually helped pull one out!

I highly recommend the CR-V!!!

Jason

Subject: [honda-crv] Why should I buy a CRV?


> My husband and I are going to purchase a new vehicle come spring. I
> like the way the CRV looks but I want to know what people who own them
> think. I figure in the next 7 months of researching them I should have
> a pretty good idea of what we are getting into.
> (Unlike the Jeep I had and almost got killed in!) Thanks!

Ultimately, the car you purchase will be the one you prefer. For me, the
CRV was an easy winner. It rides extremely smooth, like a car. It also had
much more room than the Jeep Cherokee and since it was made by Honda, I knew
it would be reliable. After 18K miles, our CRV is running as good as day 1.
We have the AWD EX model. For the price we paid, under 21K, we could not
have gotten a better buy than anything we looked at.

Plain and simple, we love the CRV. You should test drive them and see for
yourself. Keep in mind - it is not a real off road vehicle. It was made
more for light off road use. We use it 100% on road.

The other vehicle that compares closely, is the Forester.

Take care,
David Sonnier

Hi List

This is my 1st message to the list, so Hi list!

Being the proud owner of a CR-V for a year now I must say its the best
vehicle I have owned yet, out of fords, dodge's, Audi's and BMW's (although
those were older models, I was in germany for 5 and a half years). I had a
95 civic which i traded in for the CR-V, and let me tell you im happy. Im
not too sure about the american models, because the one that i have is
right out of Japan, I purchased it in Germany, so there is no speed
regulator on it, etc. Rides like a car with the room of a SUV, I was
passing Mercedes on the Auto Bahn (NO JOKE!!!) and with a table in the
back for the beach to boot.

Have a good week all!

Jim
1998 SBP CR-V
Fort Stewart, Georgia

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

Look, Take me off this list, or tell me how to get off!

I've had my 99 CR-V - the LX model for 1 week and I love it! While I am a
new owner and have only put 200 miles on it, I cannot atest to it's 4 wheel
drive ability or the issue with the noise (must have the radio up too
loudly! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) I found the CR-V affordable and offered what I was looking
for and then some. It's very spacious and gives me lots of headroom. But
I'm looking forward driving my CR-V in the winter time on my frequent ski
trips.

I echo the sentiments that the Sonniers said ... whatever vehicle you
purchase will be one you prefer. And I keep hearing that the CR-V wasn't
made for off-road use -only light stuff.

I've been pleased with it so far and expect to continue loving for years to
come. Good luck and happy test driving!

Jen

I agree with all of the above! The CR-V is an excellent vehicle! As an
owner of a '99, I have to say that Honda has solved the power issue. The 99
model will get up and scoot pretty well. So, if power is an issue, check
out the 99 and newer models.

Happy hunting!!

I own a 98 CRV EX. I have had it for 16 months and 21,000 miles. Like
everyone who have replied to this question, I enjoy my CRV, having taken it
off-roading a few times, including on North Carolina beaches. I do have
some disklikes, although not major ones.

The steering wheel at times feel like it is awkwardly positioned, requiring
the driver to sit up straighter. This seems to be the main reason my wife
does not like to drive it. She much prefers her Honda Civic, in which she
reclines her seat and drives with her arms fully extended, a carry-over
habit from when we drove an Eagle Talon sports coupe. She is also 5'-2"
and I am 5'-8", which would seem to be typical of asians. Since I have not
heard anyone mention this nit, do everyone else feel that it fits their
height better?

The 98's were somewhat underpowered, although I don't notice it's lack of
HP much. I just rev the engine up and off we scoot. Admittedly we won't
win the Winston Cup, but it gets me into and out of traffic OK, and has
sufficient passing speed. The secret to Honda driving is push the pedal
down and rev the engine up.

I would like more sound insulation. At highway speeds, road noise does get
a bit annoying. Have they put more sound insulation in the 99's? Anyone
out there put sound dampers, and if so, where is the location that produces
the most advantage?

I am 6ft and my wife is 5ft 7in. When we switch back and forth the only
thing I do is lean the seat back a bit more and adjust the mirror! I think
it's pretty strange that I don't have to shove the seat back, but I don't!
I agree that the seat position is a bit too "upright." But heck, it IS a
SUV! And really, if that's my only complaint, I'll still take it!!

I couldn't be happier with my 99 LX. I got it because I have a bad back &
needed something that sits up straight. I looked at all sedans (none sat
right ) & SUV's on the market. My key reasons:

1. price. My CRV was ~$18,000 with CD player added. Explorers were 23+,
Rodeos 25+. The ones that cost similar are much smaller.

2. Size. This is a much bigger vehicle than you'd expect. Similar inside
room to the Explorer & Rodeo, plus lots bigger than RAV4, etc.

3. Ride. The CRV is built on the Civic frame, & rides very well. It does
not have the power of the V-6's, but the 99 goes quite well, thank you. A
full-throttle start (it's an auto) will spin the tires half the time.

4. Name. It's a hionda, which means I can keep it for 10 years. Look at
consumer reoprts for the Explorer & Rodeo: Lots of "Black dots-" much worse
than average.

I added the keyless entry (72.00 incl shipping from hondaparts.com) & 4 Sony
speakers from Crutchfield (165.00) & am ready to drive it for the next
decade!

Scott in AY

Interesting to note what prices you are paying for your CRV. I bought mine
18 months ago and on-road cost me $29,999 Australian Dollars on the road.
Air, decent stereo, power steering all standard at that price.. As a point
though, second hand 12 months old they are still pulling $29,999. Good
trade-in value!

Norm.

Bought mine with all after market options including but not limited to
getting after factory DARK tint, 10 pack cd changer w/remote, new after
market stereo system (the factory sytem is probbaly my BIGGEST
disappointment in the CR-V, but then again im a stero nut) etc, etc, etc,
and I paid about $22,000 US...

:o)

Jim
Fort Stewart, GA