fujisawa
09-20-2009, 09:08 PM
Ok everyone! I've had the CRV now since May or so, about 4 months. I've driven it about 2500 thousand miles and am just under 50k. This is an 04 5MT, so it's typical of the sort of car that many people will be buying used at the current time (ie not the most recent model). Here are my thoughts:
=I'm getting about 27mpg overall in granny-style city and highway driving. My guess is about 24mpg city, 28 highway. Not the most fuel efficient car ever, I have to say. Acceptable given that I'm hauling around a 4wd system and way more suspension travel than is necessary.
=Reliability has been fine so far, knock on wood.
=I have replaced the rear diff fluid, and my dad did the MTF. Oil & filter were done by the dealer prior to purchase. None of these have made any notable impact on anything.
=My 5MT is clunky on 1st and 2nd (much worse on 2nd). It's not grinding, it's just a big "clunk!" into 2nd gear. Can sometimes be avoided by shifting slowly and gradually into the gear. I think it's a syncro gradually going. Hope that by not mistreating it further, it may last a while. Most this problem annoys the guy behind me at the light, as a lunge forward in 1st, stop accellerating completely at 12mph, then resume again. Reverse is real hard to get into. Someone mistreated this transmission, if you ask me! (I won't though! :))
=Visibility is good, but not wonderful. Pillars are thicker than I'd like and rear quarters are hard to see out of. Headrests block view (best to leave them off). Puchased small parabolic mirrors. They help a little. Still, thick pillars = safer. As long as you don't hit something you didn't see :P
=Comfort factor is high. Seat is quite comfortable on long trips (I use a low-back pillor); could be better, but you can't expect better from the major auto makers at this price point in 2004 (no lumbar support is offered, for example). Rear seat is spacious if spartan. Probably great for kids; also great for luggage. Ride is very car-like; very SMALL-car like, which means a bit of jolting over bumps but not anywhere near some SUVs.
=Steering is excellent. Body rolls and controlled speed around turns is a must, but the car is fun to pilot.
=Utility is excellent. Whatever you're doing for the day, it's unlikely you will exceed the capabilities of this car.
=Speed is not this car's forte. It's not slow. Neither is it fast. The I4 is more powerful, pleasant, and fuel-efficient than many of the V6 competitors, so it doesn't let you down. You won't be doing much drag racing, though, and you may find yourself flogging it up hills in low gears sometimes.
=Image ... never mind. Oil tankers have more of an exciting image.
=OVERALL: I think this is a supremely useful car. Fun? As long as your expectations aren't too high. Well-made? Yes. Good looking? After a few beers. This is a car that should not let you down.
=I'm getting about 27mpg overall in granny-style city and highway driving. My guess is about 24mpg city, 28 highway. Not the most fuel efficient car ever, I have to say. Acceptable given that I'm hauling around a 4wd system and way more suspension travel than is necessary.
=Reliability has been fine so far, knock on wood.
=I have replaced the rear diff fluid, and my dad did the MTF. Oil & filter were done by the dealer prior to purchase. None of these have made any notable impact on anything.
=My 5MT is clunky on 1st and 2nd (much worse on 2nd). It's not grinding, it's just a big "clunk!" into 2nd gear. Can sometimes be avoided by shifting slowly and gradually into the gear. I think it's a syncro gradually going. Hope that by not mistreating it further, it may last a while. Most this problem annoys the guy behind me at the light, as a lunge forward in 1st, stop accellerating completely at 12mph, then resume again. Reverse is real hard to get into. Someone mistreated this transmission, if you ask me! (I won't though! :))
=Visibility is good, but not wonderful. Pillars are thicker than I'd like and rear quarters are hard to see out of. Headrests block view (best to leave them off). Puchased small parabolic mirrors. They help a little. Still, thick pillars = safer. As long as you don't hit something you didn't see :P
=Comfort factor is high. Seat is quite comfortable on long trips (I use a low-back pillor); could be better, but you can't expect better from the major auto makers at this price point in 2004 (no lumbar support is offered, for example). Rear seat is spacious if spartan. Probably great for kids; also great for luggage. Ride is very car-like; very SMALL-car like, which means a bit of jolting over bumps but not anywhere near some SUVs.
=Steering is excellent. Body rolls and controlled speed around turns is a must, but the car is fun to pilot.
=Utility is excellent. Whatever you're doing for the day, it's unlikely you will exceed the capabilities of this car.
=Speed is not this car's forte. It's not slow. Neither is it fast. The I4 is more powerful, pleasant, and fuel-efficient than many of the V6 competitors, so it doesn't let you down. You won't be doing much drag racing, though, and you may find yourself flogging it up hills in low gears sometimes.
=Image ... never mind. Oil tankers have more of an exciting image.
=OVERALL: I think this is a supremely useful car. Fun? As long as your expectations aren't too high. Well-made? Yes. Good looking? After a few beers. This is a car that should not let you down.