2002-2006 Honda CR-V - Any thoughts/advice please?

[Spottedlaurel]

To replace the Carina E that we've had in the family since 2003, father-in-law has just agreed to buy this:

 

2002 Honda CR-V 2.0 SE Executive Auto by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

2002 Honda CR-V 2.0 SE Executive Auto by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Nothing really wrong with the Toyota, but with back and hip problems the extra height of the Honda is helpful (and I think he fancies a change). This one has done about 140k miles and the last MoT threw up a few advisories:

 

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

nearside rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

nearside front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

offside front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

nearside front lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside front lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

gear box oil leak

 

He doesn't do a huge mileage, so it may be that some of those things won't be a problem for some years. And it's a Honda, so I'm not anticipating any major problems. He'll have to accept that running costs are going to be a bit higher than the Carina. I just want to be sure there's no endemic problem with anything on them.

 

It's being sold by an American who's returning home soon, as such he just wants it gone and isn't going to mess around with a new MoT. We went along expecting him to start off at £1000, but he said it could be FIL's for £500 - given that most of them seem to be £1500+ he couldn't really resist. There's a ready market for automatic Hondas amongst the local USAF serviceman population (and the rental companies that hire cars to them) and I'm sure he could have got more. Sat-nav/audio screen is broken, it's got a scrape on one door and all four tyres are aged and need replacing. Drove nicely though, I'd happily tool around in it.

 

Just in case of any issue, we're going to regain custody of the Carina E - it was ours to start with and we effectively gave it to him some years ago. If the Honda goes well then we may look to sell it on, as there's little point having that and the Camry. In an odd twist of fate, someone drove into the door of it just this morning, so he should be getting an insurance payout (I just hope they'll throw a bit of money at him and not write it off).

 

Sorry for it not being a Laguna II or Rover 75.

[garethj]

I'll probably replace the Volvo V70 with one of these when the time comes.  They seem pretty tough.

 

In homage to the Vanden Plas picnic tables in the back seats, these came with a huge picnic table in the boot.  And an optional shower tray which is one-up on the Austin.

[twosmoke300]

Then can drink oil . Black wheels look shit .

[Honey Badger]

The rear diff is a dual pump system and they can get noisy when the fluid gets cruddy, replacing the Honda only fluid sorts that.

[kinkersaab]

Decent old things, headlights fade, beyond a good polish, but can be repalced for about £80 each with new. I have had a few now with eml lights on due to stretched timing chains, all but one of them has run on with no problems other than the light , they throw up a position sensor fault. Diffs can sqeal on full lock, a couple of oil changes improve it. Something to do with moisture getting in to diff through a breather i think.... On, and ac never seems to work, ac condensors are always rotten.

[gordonbennet]

My son and DiL had an 05 plate Diesel manual which has now been replaced with a 2013 petrol CRV, only trouble with the old one was slight judder under acceleration which was diagnosed by Honda as a worn front driveshaft (you don't want to know the price) we replaced both fronts with rebuilt items, the car never missed a beat apart from that.

 

The MOT advisories are easy fixes, as said it sounds like it needs some transmission oil replacements,set of boots, plus susp bushes and shockers if needed are standard wear items for any car, headlights will probably polish up, i did the lads ones with Peek followed by a good wax polish, came up like new.

Worth keeping the calipers well lubed, cos Honda innit.

Cracking motor that at scrap money, well bought.

[stephen01]

Had my 2.2 diesel for 4 years. It's been absolutely fantastic in this time and apart from a new throttle position sensor, £400 @ Honda, ouch 😓. I've no complaints.

 

I've not used it much due to a rattle from the front end, my mechanic has checked everything and it all seems ok,do this requires a further look, but @ 170k and 10 years old it's due some love and attention..

 

Really for £500 you can't go far wrong. Is it diesel or petrol? Ours does around 30mpg nocking about, it will do 60 on a run if you're prepared for driving Mrs daisy.

[stephen01]

only trouble with the old one was slight judder under acceleration which was diagnosed by Honda as a worn front driveshaft (you don't want to know the price) we replaced both fronts with rebuilt items, the car never missed a beat apart from that.

Please let me know as this is the same problem I seem to be having.

[gordonbennet]

Please let me know as this is the same problem I seem to be having.

I couldn't find any wear at all on the driveshafts but Honda insisted they were to blame, as far as i can recall there wouldn't have been any change from a bag o sand for both shafts, but we got two exchange units from the local factor for less than £200 if i recall correctly, fitting wasn't that hard, and sure enough it did cure the problem...dare say someone here will know where to find rebuilt driveshafts better/cheaper, if thats what your problem is.

 

Lad was a sod for clutch dropping standing starts and i reckon he buggered 'em up in the first place.

 

It might be worth snipping all CV boot clips, repacking with fresh grease and re-clipping, i've had great success with this over the years, even when outer CV's were rattling.

[BorniteIdentity]

My Dad has a facelift of these which he bought last year. Other than a creaky clutch it's pretty much perfect. All the car you'll be ever need really.

 

Bit thirsty all told, but that's mitigated by the low repair costs. (Nil)

 

PS: not a Rover 75 fan?

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks all, not too much to worry about by the sound of it. From the number I've seen in everyday use they seem to be sturdy enough.

 

Just a thought about tyres, what do others put on them? Something with off-road pretensions, or just a standard car tyre of appropriate load rating?

 

PS: not a Rover 75 fan?

 

I don't think FIL would get their undoubted qualities....

 

(And for me, well, they're not a Camry are they?)