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.
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.
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.....
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.
Cured the suspension knock the other day. £11.00 for a drop link and a bit of wrestling, job done. I do find it astonishing how much noise it made for such a tiny little plastic joint!.
Sent the Yeti packing back to VW finance and couldn’t help noticing it rattled more than the CrV, an annoying little rattle from the dashboard.
Sent the Yeti packing back to VW finance and couldn’t help noticing it rattled more than the CrV, an annoying little rattle from the dashboard.
My washer jet on the drivers side worked two days ago, but don’t today. It’s the second time it’s happened obviously prone to gunging up. Can’t imagine a more trivial problem to be honest. As has been said these things are pretty bullet proof if all you need to worry about is blocked jet , you are doing well MOT or not.
Glad it’s sorted, I think the rear discs are a weak spot, but to be fair if they work to the required standard it’s not an mot failure so it may not be ‘tame’ as such. The garage did the right thing to sort it though.
The Bosul Towbar will be the same as fitted to ours, if it’s new I’m sure it will be fine, but ours being as old as the car is a real pain to attach, it’s not a good design and you have to twist and push the circular bit incredibly hard to get it retract properly. I’ve tried three now and they have all been the same, there are a few videos and such like on utube showing you how to ‘fix’ them as they jam up.
The Bosul Towbar will be the same as fitted to ours, if it’s new I’m sure it will be fine, but ours being as old as the car is a real pain to attach, it’s not a good design and you have to twist and push the circular bit incredibly hard to get it retract properly. I’ve tried three now and they have all been the same, there are a few videos and such like on utube showing you how to ‘fix’ them as they jam up.
kurt535 said:
velocemitch said:
MOT day for ours.
How did it go?And do heavier duty clutches exist for these cars at all?
I need some new Tyres though they are starting to crack on the side wall.
No idea regarding the Clutch I'm afraid.
Can’t help with the other questions but I changed the wipers for some Michelin ones which were on offer in Aldi. They are crap!. Seem to be too hard and make a right noise as the scrape across the screen. Probably why they are on offer.
Been out in the snowy Dales yesterday, Car is very sure footed in those conditions, could get it to spin the wheels much even by being deliberatly rough with it.
Been out in the snowy Dales yesterday, Car is very sure footed in those conditions, could get it to spin the wheels much even by being deliberatly rough with it.
Had the front brakes pads and a caliper changed just now. Also new flexi hoses on the front.
Brake feel if anything is worse, it is quite possible to reach the floor with the pedal, but only with the servo. Without the servo it’s rock solid.
Guy at the garage thinks it’s a faulty servo.
Given it’s the third CRV that I’ve felt this on, I’m not convinced.
Brake feel if anything is worse, it is quite possible to reach the floor with the pedal, but only with the servo. Without the servo it’s rock solid.
Guy at the garage thinks it’s a faulty servo.
Given it’s the third CRV that I’ve felt this on, I’m not convinced.
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