Honda CR-V

[Solincia]

Okay... so I need some insight....

Let me start by saying that I currently own a 2003 Honda Civic EX, which is great, and I have no intention of trading in. I bought it brand new in 2003, and I paid it off this past February.

When I bought the Civic, I had a Mustang--on a lease. I had both cars for a year, then returned the Mustang. I carried insurance on both, drove both, but of course the Civic was just better on gas.

Fast forward. The only problem I find with the Civic is how light-weight it is. I get blown around on windy days, rainy days, and snowy days. I literally feel my car shift, and it's not fun.

The first year I had it, I was in a car accident from sliding on ice. $5000 worth of front end work later <thank you insurance> I had a new front end. Three weeks after that I was involved in a serious car accident resulting in $10,000 worth of damage to my now ex-boyfriends Honda Civic from black ice <spun across a free-way, slammed into the side walls of the bridge, bounced off, spun again, slammed again---yes, I saw my life flash before me.... fortunately, though, we were okay and noone was hurt--thank you seat-belts>.

Needless to say, these are light cars.

So now that my car is paid off, and I've had a few months of no payments, I'm seriously contemplating purchasing a used Honda CR-V. The one I'm looking at is a 1999, one owner, no accidents, was a trade-in at a dealership. It's a stick-shift <love> with all the amenities.

My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts for wanting two vehicles, my mom is all for it, and my dad thinks I'm silly. My mother has had to listen to me now for 4 winters talk about being afraid of driving due to my cars shifting around in the weather. I drive about 30 miles to work in traffic and 30 miles home in the same traffic, my folks live an hour away, and skiing takes me about another 45 minutes in good weather. I just want something that can handle snow. Last year I couldn't even make it down my street without having 5 people push my car through the stinkin' snow.

I like my civic, I'm not getting rid of it, but really would like something more for driving in bad weather. I can get a pretty good deal on the Cr-v too.

I just wanted some thoughts on 1. Anyone who has or has had a cr-v and did you like it.... and 2. one person, two cars.

Ladies, your insight is appreciated. I'm going to go test drive a couple this week and see how they handle. I'm not worried about a car payment, as I'd rather pay to be comfortable than have money and be afraid--or worse.

Please let me know what you think!

 

[LilaBear]

I haven't owned a CR-V, but friends and family have. I don't know how they handle in snow or Ice, but I think they do well. I think they are a great vehicle, very practical and efficient, good looking, spacious and low maintenance. They're good at towing.

On the question of one person/two cars. I would say yes, or at the very least the one car you do have should make you feel confident and safe. I know how sickening it is to be constantly worried, and as you do a high daily mileage, plus the additional trips you are more often exposed to the risks. Get a car that's going to take care of you, you wouldn't hesitate to buy a helmet or other protective clothing for your outdoor sports - why would you take extra risks on the roads?

When I first moved to Connecticut I hadn't lived in a climate with such severe winters and I wanted to drive up to Vermont for skiing, I took my car buying advice from a colleague. I later found out that the woman is scared of driving in the dark even in good conditions, LOL! I am seriously overequipped with my car on all but the most extreme days - but on those days I love love love the reassurance I get from being in a car that can cope. (Yes, I do exercise caution, I've been reading the chains/snow tires thread.) I think you should have the same peace of mind.

 

[Swamp Dog]

I have a 2004 CR-V and love it. Handles well in the snow and hauls everything I need to haul. I'm decked out with bike roof racks, kayak racks, and a Thule box for when I don't go skiing alone.

As for how many cars you have, totally your call. I wouldn't let anyone else make up my mind for me.

 

[RuthB]

We are on our second CRV, we had the first manual (stick shift) model that came out in NZ and we loved it, it went everywhere, felt solid and safe and handled ski roads well (In NZ where we live we don't get snow or ice on the roads generally and our ski roads are generally gravel (metal) surface). We traded it in on another new one only because it was 10 years old and had done almost 100,000 km. We still see it around town and it is still going strong. We never had any problems with it at all, including with the internal fittings that still looked like new and functioned like new, and it was hugely practical for skiing and everything else we do. Also, unlike bigger 4x4's it was very economical petrol-wise.

We now have a 2006 automatic and love that too.

The really funny thing was after other family members had been in and/or driven a CRV my mother and her partner now have two CRV's and my brother had one that they very reluctantly sold when they needed a bigger car.

So we love ours and would definitely recommend, but I realise that I can't comment on your conditions and suitability since I have never been to Ohio.

Good luck in your search

cheers

Ruth

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Quick question: how many miles on it? How does the clutch feel? Do you know if it has been replaced? This (as you undoubtedly well know), is a costly repair.

Otherwise, the engine/drive train longevity of a Honda is terrific. Hope this works out for you!

 

[Solincia]

Thank you for the insight, it sounds like a pretty reliable vehicle.

The particular cr-v that I'm looking at has 121,000 miles, but being a 1999, it's only $6,990..They've already dropped the price $1000 <I've been watching it on their website>. I figure I could get a few good years out of it.

If I were looking to trade, I'd go for a newer one, but being that I'm not, I think I could talk them down to $5000. It has the roof rack, which would come in handy, and I'm kinda sick of having to rent a van everytime I purchase something large or need to pick up furniture. Not fun. Running around and paying for the extra vehicle rental is pretty annoying.

My BF and I talked about going to Vermont or Upstate NY this winter, and again, I'm concerned about weather conditions on the roads. I'm glad to hear this vehicle can handle the snow pretty well.

I'm definately going to go look at it Thursday, take it for a drive and see.

I'll let you all know what I think.

 

[ski now work later]

You can always take your smaller car off the road during the winter and reduce the insurance to comp/collision; then switch during the warmer months. That would save some $. And as long as the cars are kept in good shape, they should last close to twice as long so over the long term, it should be a good investment.....

Think about the cost to you if you were injured in a car accident (missed time from work, perhaps at no pay, uninsured medical expenses, that sort of thing). Safe driving is so important and in Ohio, like here in the NE, the roads get pretty funky. I lived SE of Cleveland in the winter of '78 and will never forget that snow! Of course I didn't own a car at the time (I was a college student).

I am a big fan of snow tires if you are driving a car with FWD only and of top notch all season tired is you are driving a car with AWD.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

You can always take your smaller car off the road during the winter and reduce the insurance to comp/collision; then switch during the warmer months.

Good thought. Actually, a "stored"/off the road vehicle doesn't even have to carry collision - just comp/liability (and since collision is the costliest portion of any vehicle insurance, there are significant savings). My son had a sports car for 3 years, and it was road-insured for 6 months 5/1-11/1 here, 4/15 was the start date for road-insured in the Midwest. The car was either stored in the garage and covered or in an altogether different location (comp insurance for damage to car was responsibility of storage facility) all winter. Most northern latitude motorcycle owners do the same.

 

[Solincia]

You can always take your smaller car off the road during the winter and reduce the insurance to comp/collision; then switch during the warmer months.

That's a good idea... I was thinking about that today actually. My boyfriend mentioned how the extra car insurance <I got a quote today, it's only $40-50 bucks more a month> would negate the gas savings monthly in the summer to keep the Civic.... then I remembered when I had a mustang and civic, and stored the mustang in my folks barn for 5 months <until the accident with the civic>. I had storage and comprehension on it only.

Definately a good thought!! And, hey, I look at it this way, if I decide I don't want two cars in the future, I can always sell it.

And yes, the roads can get VERY funky!!

Speaking of the winter of '78, that had to be one of the worst snow storms on record... crazy thing is, last Valentines day we got hit with more snow than that winter!! I was born in 78, but everyone talks about it. I walked out to my car and found it buried up to the windows, and 13 inches on the roof of my car.... ALL in less than 24 hours! That was why I was stuck on my street with 5 people pushing me out, I still had to go to work!!.... I was envious when I saw a jeep rolling down the street with no issue... darn Jeeps!

 

[Consuela]

Or, you could always just move out to Cali...

 

[ski&bfree]

My friend owns a CR V and absolutely loves it. I don't know much about cars, however, whenever I'm in the car with her it feels like a very sturdy ride.

I have a '05 civic, and I agree, it is a very light car! We always end up putting a 30lb box of cat litter in the trunk during the winter months just to give it some weight.

Just my 2 cents, but I think the miles on the CRV you mentioned seems a bit high, don't you?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Just my 2 cents, but I think the miles on the CRV you mentioned seems a bit high, don't you?

Depends on the type of miles and maintenance. Those 4's are long-lived. Unless you're referring to my '97 Subaru that just turned 138k Oops, forgot! Not for sale! (bought it new, too)

Solinicia, certain "wear" items definitely need checking out: stuff like c-v joints, etc. Struts. Your BF can probably help, unless you know how to check this stuff. Radiator age, hose condition, what does coolant look like, etc. Need a list? I'll have DH throw something together if you'd like, in a pm. (former automotive engineer, still does much auto maintenance himself)

 

[Solincia]

Depends on the type of miles and maintenance.

There is a complete Carfax report on this one, from the date it was purchased, to the date it was traded to the the Honda dealer... they've only ever had it serviced at local Honda dealers around here, and had several things replaced. Its a one owner car.

As far as miles go, it's a Honda. I have a mindset that most foreign cars will keep run while the bodies fall off around them. I had a 88 Mazda back in 97 that had 187,000 miles on it. Drove it from Cleveland to Ashland, Wisconsin <on lake superior> and back... no issues. We just bought my BF a 1996 Nissan Maxima, 141,000. AWESOME ride...

There are just some cars that if they are well taken car of, they'll last up to 250,000-300,000 miles.

 

[Jenny]

My Toyota is a 1999 and I'll hit 200,000 miles before the end of the year. And a friend of ours had her Honda for over 15 years before she finally got something new.