I've driven a '98, 2003, and 2011 CR-V and didn't think the highway noise was an issue.

That to me signifies a 4th Gen purchase

 

I'm having the brakes done on my '99 Accord, I think the rotors are warped due to vibration when stopping. So initially I'll be using that car for work, which could involve traveling to different sites. Go figure, a 1999 Honda used for field service!

That's a Honda for ya. I do wish I purchased a 2002 or above, mainly due to the 2.4 engine having a timing chain. I don't know when (I hope when, not if) the timing belt was replaced. I know that's a risk, but would rather invest in a newer CRV.

 

My first vote would be to the gen 3 preferably a 2011 because it's the last model in the series so it will be the newest.
I looked at someone's survey earlier this year- can't remember if it was Consumer Reports or another group? But anyway- some of their numbers I remember:
-Gen 3 was the last year that Honda Made a CRV that rated 5/5 on overall reliability. All models in that gen were 5/5 except the 2010 which was a 4/5.
-Gen 4 was 4/5 at best, with the 12 and 17 being 3.5/5.

If you take your time and search you can find a real good CRV with low mileage- just be ready to pay$. It will be worth it!
If it's a real gem- you better move fast- or it will vanish!

Edit: I wound up with a gen 4- 2013 and it's been great so far. The wife has a 2011 and bought is used 10 years ago with about 15k miles. Now it has about 230k and never a repair of any kind- just windsheild wipers, brakes, tires, and one one windshield.

Good luck-

 

My first vote would be to the gen 3 preferably a 2011 because it's the last model in the series ...

Good luck-

Thanks - I've always checked the used car sites and yes the good ones, like the CR-Vs, go fast. I know I'll likely pay a premium, but that's ok.

Holy smokes 230k! That's great - and great it's got those miles with minimal maintenance required.

 

You might consider keeping the Accord and talking to a tax consultant about leasing a new CRV and writing the lease off for business. That way you can legitimately say you only use the CRV for business.

 

In less than 2 1/2 years I'll be a full retirement age. It's a good idea but I'm trying to minimize my vehicle costs, and I'd really like to use a CR-V for personal use as well. I already have an older pickup truck.

 

Late last year I was shopping for a used CRV for my daughter with price range of 10k. Was looking at late 3rd Gen mainly as it fits the budget. Went out of town to look at a decent clean car fax report in 2010 EXL with nearly 100k on odometer. Test drove it and to my surprise it didn’t feel right and my daughter didn’t want it as it seemed to be working pretty hard driving on Interstate going 70 or so. The dealer had 2013 with 130k on odometer on the lot, so went ahead and test drove it. It was so much better driving experience, quieter and smoother. Paid extra for it but she’s happy with the purchase. The early 4th Gen is nice and solid with 2.4 L and paired with automatic transmission which is desirable over the late model years with CVT. Yet both 3rd and 4th are good stuff anyhow as there are many satisfied owners out there.

 

Interesting the 2010 didn't feel so great, must have been that particular vehicle. Reviews do say the 2012+ CR-Vs are both smoother and quieter. I don't know how common the low heat situation is. There's also reports of a significant noise on startup, something to do with VTEC. Hopefully these are rare.

I've wondered how accurate Carfax reports are. When I was looking at 2009-10 Subaru Foresters, just one out of about 20 mentioned a head gasket replacement. With those, it's much more likely than not they've been replaced.

Took my '99 Accord on a 100+ mile trip last evening. Ran great as usual, and very good on gas. I know I'll sacrifice some fuel economy with a CR-V, but the other benefits outweigh that.

 

...
I've wondered how accurate Carfax reports are. When I was looking at 2009-10 Subaru Foresters, just one out of about 20 mentioned a head gasket replacement. With those, it's much more likely than not they've been replaced....

In my experience, Carfax (and other similar sites) are hit and miss. My '19 RDX that was rear-ended with over $12,000 in body and frame damage, repaired by my insurance company in a dealership body shop, had a clear history report! The dealer I traded it in to saw the damaged car prior to repair, still accepted it as a trade in. After it was repaired, and it was listed in their used car inventory, there was a link to a car history site (forget which one) but it showed a clear history! Even though they treated me better than fairly with this trade-in, I will be sure to never buy a used car from this dealer!

 

That's quite a miss! Like you said, seems to be hit or miss, On Carfax's used car listings you'll sometimes see an 'Accident Reported' flag, and some with significant details. A dealership that's a customer said even they don't necessarily reports repairs to Carfax.

 

CR-Vs can be great, I bought my 2005 EX new and have been mostly happy with it. But I would suggest in the same class taking a hard look at the Toyota RAV4. I drove a rental several years ago for several hundred miles through some mountains from San Jose to San Francisco and was quite impressed.

 

Certainly not a bad idea to check out a RAV-4.
I did, and bought the CR-V.
I found the CR-V's interior to be more comfortable and felt roomier.
I also like the CR-V's AWD system much better. Hanging an electric motor on the RAV's rear axle doth not an AWD make.
The RAV-4 is incapable of delivering any more than 30% of the vehicle's power to the rear. The Honda can do a 50/50 split if needed.
In the "Roller Test" the RAV sat there and spun, while the CR-V drove right off.
We get a LOT of snow, this was important to me, not sure if it is to you.

 

If I could find a 2005 or 2006 EX with a manual transmission I'd probably buy it. I'm a manual transmission fanatic, but will admit modern automatics and even the 5 speed automatic in the 2005+ CR-Vs get better fuel mileage according to the EPA. There is a 2005 EX in my area, but it has like 169K miles.

Yes RAV4s are a good choice, even with a 4 speed automatic up until I think 2012. I like the looks, inside and out of the CR-V better. Can't rule other good choices like that Rav4 though, or maybe a Mazda CX-5, but of course the earliest would be a 2013.

 

Although I like the Accord, I've realized I no longer like being down low. I guess being used to driving vehicles other than cars over the years changed my preference. I like the concept of a small SUV, while certainly not as capable as a truck for hauling the option is there, sort of.

IMO the ideal set of vehicles is a full size truck (my 2002 Silverado runs fine) and an SUV, preferably a CR-V.

 

Looking at 2013 & 2014 Consumer Reports - Consumer Reviews I didn't see any mention of the heater air not sufficiently warm, just air conditioning trouble. Not nearly as many as the Gen 3 CR-Vs, and the overall ratings have shown the A/C is more reliable in Gen 4 models than previously.

 

I have a 2020 Lx and like it. But, my favorite was my 2014. Loved the car. DO NOT consider the 15 or 16. The vibration issue was real and very troublesome. but good luck finding a low mileage 14, rare and sell quickly.

 

I forgot the 2015s+ are CVT. Yes there's not many 2013-14 listings.

I just sold my ’06 CRV EX with 228K miles to my brother for his high school age granddaughter’s first car. I loved that car and never had any problems with it. Just recently I found a ‘15 CRV EX with just over 40K miles on it and snapped it up super fast. It’s been great so far. Good luck with your search and decision!

Holy smokes, 228K miles! That's great. Nice to know it'll continue to be used by someone in the family. Thanks, for now I'll be driving the '99 Accord. I Just had a bunch of work done, things that typically wear out for the most part.

 

I just bought a 2010 CR-V with 95k miles. Love it! Since it’s been VERY hot here the last few weeks and most of my trips are very short, I wouldn’t mind if the AC did its thing a little faster, but that’s my only little complaint. I suppose any car would be challenged by 115F weather.

 

I just bought a 2010 CR-V with 95k miles. Love it! Since it’s been VERY hot here the last few weeks ...

That or a 2012 with that kind of mileage would be ideal for me! Wow, talk about hot - the other vehicle I was considering was a Honda Fit with a manual transmission, but I've heard the air conditioning in those is marginal given the amount of glass and other factors.

BTW, I was shopping on Carvana for Hondas and Subarus...

I haven't looked on Carvana much but I'm always looking on other sites. Like you said, good ones go fast. I'd consider a 2011-13 Subaru Forester as I've owned many Subarus over the years, but the catch 22 about the engine introduced in 2011 is although there's a timing chain, there's big time oil consumption situations. Probably over a thousand engines replaced by Subaru. The Honda engines have a very good reputation.

 

BTW, I was shopping on Carvana for Hondas and Subarus. I found that they sold so quickly after being posted online that I couldn’t dilly dally about my decision and so I clicked the “buy” button the moment I saw mine become available. It’s brutal out there in car buying land!

 

We bought a 13 EX-L brand new and enjoyed it very much for over three years. It was a very nice car, but traded it in for a 17 Touring because the 13 was pretty gutless at altitude. Problem solved with the turbo.

 

I shouldn't say that's the first I've heard of engine troubles with a Honda. Kind of a concern is oil consumption in some (hopefully not many) 2010-2011 CR-Vs. Ironically, sounds very similar to the Subaru FB25 engine that began service in the Forester in 2011. That's why I'm likely not considering Subarus with that engine.

That VAMPLIERS tool sounds like something good to have, Years ago I snapped a thermostat bolt off in a Dodge Caravan and borrowed an 'Easy Out' kit. Not so easy, ended up drilling a hole and using a tap and dye set to make a new thread, So, the thermostat had 2 different sized bolts, the new one one mm larger. Then again fortunately for you there was at least something left to grab onto - but yea hate when that happens and anticipating how to repair it.

 

I've seen a few Gen 4 CR-Vs that may be in my budget. I think the new 'Earthdreams' engine was introduced with the 2012 model year. I've seen a few reports of noise on startup, something to do with VTC, but haven't seen any oil consumption reports yet. Supposedly the ride and noise insulation is improved with that generation as well as fuel economy. A hopefully rare defect is the heater core clogging.

I occasionally look at Subaru Foresters, 2011-2013, but the oil consumption situation seems so prevalent it's more likely than not that's going to happen. I keep coming back to the CR-V. The Honda Fit was in the running, but it snows around here so that probably wouldn't be a good choice.

 

From what I've read the 2007 and newer CR-Vs are geared nice and tall for highway cruising. I think around 2000 rpm at 65 mph. That's a main reason I'm considering a CR-V. I'd like the Fit if I still had a company vehicle but I've heard with the manual transmission the engine is around 3200 rpm at highway speeds. I's think that would make for not such as relaxed ride. My '99 Accord is nice, 5th gear at 65 is about 2500 rpm and quiet enough IMO. I was considering a newer Accord, but want something a bit more secure when the snow arrives.

 

Used car prices are UGLY right now. We were in a position where we had to replace our 06 Honda Pilot which was totaled when a guy pulled out in front of me in November. We ended up with a 2012 CR-V EXL. We paid more for it than we wanted to, but so far, we like it. It has 117 K miles on it and Carfax indicated regular oil changes at Honda dealerships. Looks very nice inside and out. Good tires. Everything seems to work as it should. My only disapppointment is that I have discovered Honda's policy of ending map updates after 10 years. I'm going to do that update and then maybe do an aftermarket unit in two or three years.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs

 

That's the mileage on my 2012 CR-V EX, 117k, close to 118k. So far really like it. I had an '07 Pilot a few years ago when I had a company vehicle. Gas cost would have been quite expensive with the Pilot given my current commute. Even though I'm no longer looking I'll see used vehicle ads online, many for CR-Vs around the year and mileage I was searching for. I've noticed the prices have gone up big time since I bought my CR-V in October.

 

We really liked our Pilot and would have been OK with gettiing another one. Then we also began to think of the cost of gas. We used the Pilot to tow a utility trailer with either our Polaris RZR or our street legal golf cart when traveling to our campsite about 40 miles away. We have a pickup truck that will also do towing duties, so we decided to get something awd but easier on gas. Thus, the choice of the CRV over another Pilot or similar vehicle.

Don Williams a.k.a. Librarianwhs