'07-08 CRV diesel purchase?

[dtr]

I am pretty much set on buying one in the near future. Is there anything I should be aware, like common expensive mechanical faults or annoying design flaws?

What I am looking for is a modern, economic SUV with good corner handling performance and strong diesel engine for occasional overtaking, climbing [paved] mountainous roads and cruising happily at full 70-75mph (like you would expect from any reasonable diesel car). Off-roading would be mostly limited to muddy car parks in the countryside

[havoc]

dtr said:

I am pretty much set on buying one in the near future. Is there anything I should be aware, like common expensive mechanical faults or annoying design flaws?

What I am looking for is a modern, economic SUV with good corner handling performance and strong diesel engine for occasional overtaking, climbing [paved] mountainous roads and cruising happily at full 70-75mph (like you would expect from any reasonable diesel car). Off-roading would be mostly limited to muddy car parks in the countryside

Diesel engine isn't as potent as the latest ones on the market, esp. not in a mid-size 4x4, but it might be enough for you. DTEC marginally more powerful (and more refined) than the CTDi, but the DTEC has DPFs...

Handling is pretty fair for a 4x4 - better than the 99-06 model - but it won't compete with an X5 or Kuga.

Common faults - not sure. Google should help. Common 'generic' Honda ones are around calipers and hubs - the oily bits are usually very reliable. And possibly bushes on a heavy 7y.o. car.

Design flaws - the steering. Not all, but quite a lot seem to have this weird 'pulse' in the steering. On steady lock at steady (positive) throttle (i.e. when turning right at a roundabout), the steering rocks clearly and powerfully back-and-forth in your hands, very disconcerting. Sometimes (apparently) a diff flush will sort it out (if not taken off road the rear axle and the on-demand 4wd transmission gubbins rarely get used), but I'm not convinced.

[dtr]

havoc said:

Diesel engine isn't as potent as the latest ones on the market, esp. not in a mid-size 4x4, but it might be enough for you. DTEC marginally more powerful (and more refined) than the CTDi, but the DTEC has DPFs...

Handling is pretty fair for a 4x4 - better than the 99-06 model - but it won't compete with an X5 or Kuga.

Common faults - not sure. Google should help. Common 'generic' Honda ones are around calipers and hubs - the oily bits are usually very reliable. And possibly bushes on a heavy 7y.o. car.

Design flaws - the steering. Not all, but quite a lot seem to have this weird 'pulse' in the steering. On steady lock at steady (positive) throttle (i.e. when turning right at a roundabout), the steering rocks clearly and powerfully back-and-forth in your hands, very disconcerting. Sometimes (apparently) a diff flush will sort it out (if not taken off road the rear axle and the on-demand 4wd transmission gubbins rarely get used), but I'm not convinced.

no DPF - that's great news!.. So does the diesel take re-mapping well? Or is it OK to start with? I like my turbo boost from around 17-1900 rpm, not around 2300-ish on the current car...

Kuga is a little more expensive and barely within my reach (X5 is sadly well out). Do you think that is a better purchase? I know the engine is prone to turbo failures in Mondeos?

[havoc]

Tough call.
- The CR-V will most likely be more reliable / better built. But not without issues...we're talking 7y.o. diesels here! In EX-spec it's pretty loaded too...
- The Kuga is a Ford (with everything that means), but IMHO looks better and drives better. It's also a generation on from the CR-V in terms of design/spec/infotainment/etc.

Drive 'em both, check the Warranty Direct index, check what warranties are available if you're so inclined. I'd get the CR-V if I could find one without the silly steering, but that's me...YMMV.

[dtr]

havoc said:

Tough call.
- The CR-V will most likely be more reliable / better built. But not without issues...we're talking 7y.o. diesels here! In EX-spec it's pretty loaded too...
- The Kuga is a Ford (with everything that means), but IMHO looks better and drives better. It's also a generation on from the CR-V in terms of design/spec/infotainment/etc.

Drive 'em both, check the Warranty Direct index, check what warranties are available if you're so inclined. I'd get the CR-V if I could find one without the silly steering, but that's me...YMMV.

just one more thing... where would you find one from that year to properly test drive for a day (Glasgow to Glencoe and back)?

[grumpyscot]

The 07=08 year was also a bad year for CRV air-con systems - premature clutch failure. Cost to replace £1,600. Honda did have an extended warranty, but only goes up to 99,999 miles or 6 years from date of registration.

[dtr]

grumpyscot said:

The 07=08 year was also a bad year for CRV air-con systems - premature clutch failure. Cost to replace £1,600. Honda did have an extended warranty, but only goes up to 99,999 miles or 6 years from date of registration.

Are Clutch and DMF failures some unlucky examples, usually low mileage (under 30-40k) or something more universal? I will probably shop for one with 90-100k.

P.S. I've ruled out Kuga. It's too small, particularly the boot, and then it costs more. Anything else to consider if CRV is "no good"? Tuareg? X3? RAV4?

[Sparks]

Hi,

I have an F-RV of the same vintage (Diesel), and the clutch has started slipping in 6th at peak torque (just over 100k miles). Driven less aggressively, it is O.K, but frustrating, as I have only had it 9 months. Clutch is £750-900 add another 500(ish) for DMF. C-RV will be similar.

The earlier ones had a design defect, that led to the high number of early failures, but I believe it was fixed by 07/08.
Pretty good engine, but like all diesels at higher mileage, expect to start getting expensive bills.

HTH

Sparks