CRV bangernomics and brakes.
Discussion
I’m looking at getting an old CRV as a Dog mobile and Caravan towing Car, saves me using a brand new Alfa Giulia for the purpose. For not much more than the cost of the factory Towbar on the Alfa I can pick up circa 2003 CRV Towbar, which comes attached to a fully functioning vehicle!.
By all accounts and from some personal experience these things seem to be pretty bulletproof. However one point that struck me today when I had a short test drive is how spongy the Brakes felt, now I seem to recall this being a a ‘feature’ of the Gen 1Car we ran for a couple of years (about 8 years ago). The one I tested was a 2003 Car, so the second generation. I’m not saying the Brakes didn’t work I just you got the impression it would be possible to push them right to the floor, not usually possible on any other modern Car I’ve driven, but seems to have been the case with both the CRV’s.
Any thoughts on this, or on the old CRV generally, I’m looking at Petrols on the basis Diesels of any vintage these days could be a bag of trouble if something goes wrong.
Quite tempted by the one I drove which is a 53 plate SE sport with 100000 on the clock, quite low miles in comparison to most, but a bit battered around on the outside.
By all accounts and from some personal experience these things seem to be pretty bulletproof. However one point that struck me today when I had a short test drive is how spongy the Brakes felt, now I seem to recall this being a a ‘feature’ of the Gen 1Car we ran for a couple of years (about 8 years ago). The one I tested was a 2003 Car, so the second generation. I’m not saying the Brakes didn’t work I just you got the impression it would be possible to push them right to the floor, not usually possible on any other modern Car I’ve driven, but seems to have been the case with both the CRV’s.
Any thoughts on this, or on the old CRV generally, I’m looking at Petrols on the basis Diesels of any vintage these days could be a bag of trouble if something goes wrong.
Quite tempted by the one I drove which is a 53 plate SE sport with 100000 on the clock, quite low miles in comparison to most, but a bit battered around on the outside.
My OH bought one a few months ago, the brakes seem to be the main weak points on them so may e they need renewing, hers aren't really spongy but had the rears done just before she bought it.
Can get 2 MTB's in the back no problem at all just by folding double back seat forward, they are huge & not bad to drive.
Can get 2 MTB's in the back no problem at all just by folding double back seat forward, they are huge & not bad to drive.
We bought a 2004 gen 2 Premiere edition a bit more than a year ago with a good service history and only one owner. I also felt that I could have managed to get the pedal nearly to the floor if I had tried hard enough. The brakes were fine on the road but because it was new to us, I replaced all discs and pads plus the sliding pins, using non Honda parts - Apec make in fact. Without any bleeding required, the brakes are now as you would expect from any car.
When pads become tight in calipers and pins nearly seized plus discs rusting progressively from the outer edges, especially at the back faces of each disc, there is a lot of lost movement which manifests itself as a spongy pedal. The handbrake shoes were as new so the whole lot was less than £200 to do myself - I realise that is probably more than you can buy a tow bar, attached to a CRV for 🤓
We love ours even though it's 13 years old and is far better than the 1 year old Pug Partner we had before it. The Pug wore REAR tyres out at 9,000 miles but the Honda has done 14000 on Bridgestone Duellers and they measure almost unworn.
Ian
When pads become tight in calipers and pins nearly seized plus discs rusting progressively from the outer edges, especially at the back faces of each disc, there is a lot of lost movement which manifests itself as a spongy pedal. The handbrake shoes were as new so the whole lot was less than £200 to do myself - I realise that is probably more than you can buy a tow bar, attached to a CRV for 🤓
We love ours even though it's 13 years old and is far better than the 1 year old Pug Partner we had before it. The Pug wore REAR tyres out at 9,000 miles but the Honda has done 14000 on Bridgestone Duellers and they measure almost unworn.
Ian
Thanks I’ve found another really clean example which I think I will take the plunge on. Will see how I get on with the Brakes over the winter. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty, though the pads and calipers looked reasonably clean on this one, the other was heavily rusted. Haven’t driven it yet but they felt harder at standstil.
Only problem with this car is the detachable tow bar swan neck has gone walkies and I’m trying to source another. If I can’t then it’s a no go.
Everything I’ve read so far tells me the Petrol CRV is about the most bullet proof 4x4 on the market. Pretty sure I will get my money back if it doesn’t work out as an idea.
Only problem with this car is the detachable tow bar swan neck has gone walkies and I’m trying to source another. If I can’t then it’s a no go.
Everything I’ve read so far tells me the Petrol CRV is about the most bullet proof 4x4 on the market. Pretty sure I will get my money back if it doesn’t work out as an idea.
My wife had a 2000 petrol model for a good few years. It went to her mother on 110k and she ran it for another 30k before trading in for an 05 diesel version. During its time with us and her it had regular services, brake pads and discs, a new back box and tyres. No mechanical failures at all. It was the column auto which is great because the dog can sit on the floor as it is flat right through from passenger to driver side. Clever switchable 2 to 4 wheel drive too. A very well resolved vehicle in my opinion. Look at how many rust free R reg ones you see on the road. Ours had a little picnic table, an inertia reel dog lead. Handled the snow up to our house with no problems. Great buy at shed money.
Another happy customer. Have a 2003 petrol. Brakes have been causing me some problems but its on 125k and no major problems so far. Had it near 3 years. Towed a tri axel cattle trailer with not too much bother and a twin axel box trailer full of furniture with no issues. Has been great in the ice too. Definitely value for money!
I acquired the really clean one menti above. It’s in astonishingly good condition and drives fine apart from a suspension knock which I’m pretty sure is a drop link. Nothing of a job.
The brakes need a good shove compared to more modern cars, but that’s got more to do with the light tap brakes favoured these days.
Even found the swan neck for the Towbar so that got tested and it works fine as a tow car. On the whole very happy and fairly confident I’ve acquired a reliable and practical work horse. Happy days.....
The brakes need a good shove compared to more modern cars, but that’s got more to do with the light tap brakes favoured these days.
Even found the swan neck for the Towbar so that got tested and it works fine as a tow car. On the whole very happy and fairly confident I’ve acquired a reliable and practical work horse. Happy days.....
I had excellent service from an 02 Gen 2 for 3 years or more. Only issue was brakes, especially the rears. Ended up doing a strip and clean on the floating caliper every 6 months to maintain good efficiency with smooth, light pedal feel. No cost, just a pain to keep repeating.
Otherwise just a battery and service items. Sold at 'break even' point too. That's cheap motoring for you!
Otherwise just a battery and service items. Sold at 'break even' point too. That's cheap motoring for you!
A few weeks into mine and I’m quite liking it. I have a rattle from the OS suspension which I think is a cheap fix anti roll bar issue but apart from that it seems sound.
It isn’t as good at corners as my Yeti was, but I didn’t expect it to be either. It feels more relaxed loping up an A road than being hustled along a back road.
A point about the Auto is that the maximum tow weight is significantly less than a manual. That may or may not affect you.
It isn’t as good at corners as my Yeti was, but I didn’t expect it to be either. It feels more relaxed loping up an A road than being hustled along a back road.
A point about the Auto is that the maximum tow weight is significantly less than a manual. That may or may not affect you.
My OH as had hers for a few months now, just had to have a PAS pipe repaired as it was peeing fluid out, cost £45.
Clutch pedal squeaks & the radio is rubbish, they're mostly all the same from my research.
Apart from the dash mounted handbrake she's loving it, I enjoy driving it now & again but have to remember how much it rolls in bends!!
Clutch pedal squeaks & the radio is rubbish, they're mostly all the same from my research.
Apart from the dash mounted handbrake she's loving it, I enjoy driving it now & again but have to remember how much it rolls in bends!!
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