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This isn't intended to be an ad, but I have to ask for some input here. I've owned our '97 since new, picking it up mid August of 1997 from the only dealer in four states who had a red one in stock. This was back when the CR-V was first introduced to the US, and our local dealers had a 12 week waiting list.
22 years later, rust and age have taken their toll. I still keep the battery topped up with a float charger, but due to the high cost of insurance, I no longer drive it and it has been parked here for over two years now.
I'm trying to decide if it's worth selling. It has it's share of problems but for the most part, it is sound. The big problem is the transmission--the parking pawl sticks and it takes a very hot engine and a bit of snapping to get it out of park. Because of that, I bypassed the shift interlock so I could put it in neutral and park it with the parking brake on. And the shift cable is a little stretched. Other than that, it still shifts quite smoothly for something that has seen a lot of use. Never gave me a problem beyond the parking pawl.
It needs a new oil pan--I found one on clearance and have the gasket, so it's just a matter of my labor to get it replaced. It has usually started up right away but when I tried it yesterday, it would not start--it's getting gas, but apparently not firing at all. Last time it ran, one of the belts was squealing, but I shut it down as I didn't have the means to check on what was seized up (probably the idler...and I have a new idler here for that, actually).
The front ball joints top and bottom were replaced a few years ago. The tires were replaced not too soon after, so they only have a few thousand miles on them. I'm thinking it's a decent "mechanic's special" for someone who likes working on these, and other than burning a little more oil due to age, it still runs smoothly with 290k on the odometer.
The body of course is kind of Swiss-cheesed, as most CR-Vs of that generation don't withstand our salty roads.
I just wonder if it's worth replacing the oil pan, troubleshooting the ignition and trying to sell it, or just having the scrap yard haul it away. Someone could probably get more use out of it, which is why I hate to just get the thing sent to the crusher (there are no salvageable parts for something this old). We already have the 2004 Civic as our spare car, once I get it back on the road. And it's not like I would ask for much, as I wouldn't expect to make money off of it. After 22 years, I think I've already gotten my money's worth out of it.
22 years later, rust and age have taken their toll. I still keep the battery topped up with a float charger, but due to the high cost of insurance, I no longer drive it and it has been parked here for over two years now.
I'm trying to decide if it's worth selling. It has it's share of problems but for the most part, it is sound. The big problem is the transmission--the parking pawl sticks and it takes a very hot engine and a bit of snapping to get it out of park. Because of that, I bypassed the shift interlock so I could put it in neutral and park it with the parking brake on. And the shift cable is a little stretched. Other than that, it still shifts quite smoothly for something that has seen a lot of use. Never gave me a problem beyond the parking pawl.
It needs a new oil pan--I found one on clearance and have the gasket, so it's just a matter of my labor to get it replaced. It has usually started up right away but when I tried it yesterday, it would not start--it's getting gas, but apparently not firing at all. Last time it ran, one of the belts was squealing, but I shut it down as I didn't have the means to check on what was seized up (probably the idler...and I have a new idler here for that, actually).
The front ball joints top and bottom were replaced a few years ago. The tires were replaced not too soon after, so they only have a few thousand miles on them. I'm thinking it's a decent "mechanic's special" for someone who likes working on these, and other than burning a little more oil due to age, it still runs smoothly with 290k on the odometer.
The body of course is kind of Swiss-cheesed, as most CR-Vs of that generation don't withstand our salty roads.
I just wonder if it's worth replacing the oil pan, troubleshooting the ignition and trying to sell it, or just having the scrap yard haul it away. Someone could probably get more use out of it, which is why I hate to just get the thing sent to the crusher (there are no salvageable parts for something this old). We already have the 2004 Civic as our spare car, once I get it back on the road. And it's not like I would ask for much, as I wouldn't expect to make money off of it. After 22 years, I think I've already gotten my money's worth out of it.
