Honda CR-V Owners Club Forums banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

2002 EX Life Expectancy and What To Look For

5K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  StormRockies 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all,
I am looking at buying a 2002 EX model with 202k miles on it. The listing price is pretty fair according to KBB, and I'm sure I can talk them down a little more too.
The photos look clean and the owner is a CR-V fan apparently, since they're replacing this one with a new model. I haven't gone to look at it, so maybe some advice on things to look for with these specifically as well?
Mainly, I was wondering what kind of miles one can expect from these cars, maybe an estimate on the low end for if it wasn't perfectly maintained and high end averages for very well maintained vehicles.
Thank you
 
#2 ·
Its a K series engine. They can go on for quite a while. Ive posted on other threads. Im on around 405,000km. I bought mine at 212,000km in 2012.
Pay attention to the person you are buying it from. That will give a idea of how it has been kept.
Things around the engine will have to be replaced, CV joint, boot, power steering pump, drivers side door actuator etc as they break down due to age. Engine will be fine. The engine will burn a bit of oil. Just top it up and don't let it go low. Otherwise that will stretch the timing chain. Thats the big issue.
If you can find a independent Honda specialist, go to them to give it a once over. But they are reliable for the most part.
 
#4 ·
Mine has 254k still going strong 0 issues. As long as it's been maintained it'll last a long time. Only issue that Will come up is if the timing chain system hasn't been replaced it will need to be at some point. That's the weak point, get that done and last 300-400k no problem.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
We recenly bought a 2002 CRV and it's 234K, I think and had to change the Knock Sensor and now the value solenoid because of the rust. But so far it's good mileage like 48mpg calculated which is better then my sedan at 26mpg. So now this is my distance CRV to work and home for now til we get another CRV to replace my sedan.
 
#9 ·
I have a 2003 with 281000 Norwegian Kms on it.

In the past couple of years I've replaced the shock absorbers (the OEM's from new were terrible at these kms).

I've also done most of the rubber bushes and the lower front ball joints are a common failure point. The OEMs will last 200000kms plus, but the after market ball joints are rubbish, 50kms if you're lucky, try to find a good brand (MOOG etc).

They can rust from the inside around the fuel filler cap. Check the front subframe mounting points (4 of them) and maybe the rear swinging arm mounts. Otherwise, pretty good for not going rotten.

Original exhausts are stainless steel so the pipe joints and gaskets will go before the pipes (the manifold to the first exhaust pipe is a common failure according to my parts shop).

Service wise, they are pretty heavy on the brakes (same set up as the smaller Honda saloons, but with an extra 500kgs on the CRV to stop), but the system is simple and easy to repair. My calliper pistons were pretty rusty at 280k kms. Quick fix with a kit if you're handy.
 
#10 ·
Fuel wise, I get around 25 around town (can be as low as 20 on winter short trips), long runs it creeps up to the high 20s. Once or twice on really long, easy runs I've had low 30's, 34 being the best. That's filling full to full and tracking via fuelly.com over 7 years.

p.s. we do have a lot of traffic calming on urban roads although they don't calm me much, they bloody infuriate me lol! SO that's bound to have an effect on fuel consumption and might also be responsible for the knackered shocks...
 
#13 ·
So much depends on where the car has lived its life. If it lived in the snowy north of the US or Canada where salt rules, its probably in a bad way. If it lived in the deserts of the southwest, its dusty but looks new.

So in many ways the first place to look is underneath the car. Especially in areas behind the tires etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: handycrowd
#14 ·
So in many ways the first place to look is underneath the car. Especially in areas behind the tires etc.
The best advice for many modern cars these days, including the CRV, as nearly all of the lower, visible panels are plastic (wheel arches, bumpers, sill covers, door bottoms, rear quarters, etc).
 
#15 ·
Thank you guys again for the advice.
An update for those that care. The CR-V we originally were looking at got sold before we even had a chance. We looked around some more but as mentioned it was clear that many had lived in the salt-laden areas in the far north. We ended up finding a black 2003 EX with about 190k on it in excellent condition. Cosmetically, pretty much as perfect as you can get for a car from 2002, nothing more than a tiny amount of surface rust on the exhaust and the normal tiny scratches in the paint. Mechanically it appears to be and drives completely solid as far as my somewhat fledgling mechanical experience can surmise. The car fax had a pretty complete history of most of its life in Colorado, though it ended up in Washington. To be safe my mechanic is giving it a thorough look over this week, though I don't suspect he will find much.
 
#16 ·
That's great. And if it came from eastern Washington, that's still the dry side of the state. However, even the rainy side of Washington does not seem to do to cars what the midwest does. I'm beginning to think it isn't just the stuff on the roads in the winter but also the humidity. :unsure:
 
#17 ·
When you're closer to the border even on the east side they get pretty dang bad, though you're right still probably not as bad as the midwest. Luckily it was only up there within this last year or so and was hardly driven looking at the carfax, so it will continue to stay rust free since I rescued it and took it home a bit farther south where we don't use salt 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top