Have we talked about used CRVs yet?

Specifically, model year 2003 with automatic transmissions.

We're car shopping for one of the kids. I drove past one in the neighborhood that looked like new. I was shocked to learn that it was close to 150k miles. When I search Craigslist, I don't pay much attention to anything over 100k, and if I hadn't seen this one in person, I would have ignored it based on mileage.

One owner, very nice inside and out, dealer maintained, Michelin tires. Seller is a car guy. It was his wife's. She has a long highway commute.

I drove it and everything seemed pretty good. Is there anything major that I need to look out for? I know these have timing chains and not belts.

Probably, if not the most, one of the most reliable cars on the planet. The only thing I'm not sure of is the auto part. Wish I'd kept my '04. Part truck, part suv, part car, 28 mpg when well driven.

wife wants one of these or a ford edge. the front ends on the crvs have always been ugly, ford followed by ruining their front end on the edge too. I'm not sure which one Ill get her.

I can't speak directly to the CRV, but have an Element, which is the same vehicle in a different body. I love the thing. Ironically, since I bought it, I've come to find that it's been in a major accident - the sort that probably would have meant a total if the driver had insurance. (warning, these things don't all end up on Carfax) With most cars, if I'd have found as much repair work as this one, I'd have gotten rid of it. With this one, other than a few minor cosmetic issues, it just runs so damn well, I can't get rid of it.

That's an endorsement, I guess.

the only thing I don't like about them.. around here if I see a small SUV driving like an ass.. it is almost always a CRV

Well at least they are doing SOMETHING right!

Great vehicle. We have a ton of customers with them and all we do is maintenance. Check the front lower control arm bushings and the rear differential mounts if its awd. If you buy it get it aligned and rotate the tires religiously, the awds can be hard on tires. True for any small awd.

Our '04 has been the most reliable vehicle we've ever owned. About a year ago the trans started to shudder under certain conditions in overdrive. An overdue trans oil change eliminated it. Great vehicles.

I have an '03 that is the wife's DD. It's easily the best car I've ever owned, hands down. I think it's around 120k miles now, and the only repair ever needed beyond routine maintenance was an AC compressor last year. It's only on it's second set of tires and brakes. The inside still looks new, and still drives like it did on day one. And with the back being a big square, you can put things in the back that other bigger SUVs can't attempt to haul. It's not the largest, but it's shape lends itself to hauling above it's weight class.

We've considered replacing it in the past few years, but my wife can't part with it. It's been that good!

Just bought an '03 auto AWD last month to replace our '97 AWD. So far so good! Super practical, lots of room, good mpg's. Ours only had 90k on it, but most are lots higher. I say get it!

mad_machine wrote: the only thing I don't like about them.. around here if I see a small SUV driving like an ass.. it is almost always a CRV

I was gonna say the same thing, but put Rav4 in there. But my wife drives a Rav4 so I won't...

Only problem with CRVs in my area is they go for quite a bit of money. They are almost as bad as looking for a used Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner, $6000 for a truck with 250k miles....thanks but no thanks

In reply to spear322:

You generally get what you pay for.

spear322 wrote: Only problem with CRVs in my area is they go for quite a bit of money. They are almost as bad as looking for a used Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner, $6000 for a truck with 250k miles....thanks but no thanks

It's good if you happen to own one. At 5 years old it was worth something like 75% of it's original $21k price, and for the first couple of years I could have broken even. Even now it has a book of over $8k. Not bad for a 11yo disposable tool.

CRVs don't have high oil consumption issues like I've heard about on the 7th gen 4 cyl. Accords?

In reply to espz28:

Mine has 150k on it and doesn't use any oil.

Short of a Prius (which a newer CRV has a space and normalcy advantage over), I think 2g and newer CR-V are one of the best 'normal people' cars on the planet. Which also makes them one of the best cars for many of our significant others.

Early models are bulldozer slow, and everyone will assume you are a female, vegan, fifth-grade teacher if you drive one. Otherwise, very good cars/trucks. Come to think of it, that's probably the other drawback. Its not really a car, but its not really a truck either.

NOT CRV specific, but I bought an 02 Acura MDX with 150K with similar conditions. Michelin tires, all work done at the dealer, and the thing looked like it had 50K on it. The wife was bugging me to look at it for weeks until I finally gave in and checked it out in person. Was a fantastic vehicle until someone t-boned it at 197K. So we went and bought a used 04 MDX to replace it. Mileage doesn't scare me on Hondas.