Honda CR-V 2nd gen (2002-2006)

CiniO

I was thinking about buying one of those.
Must be 2.0 petrol.
I'd much prefer automatic.

Few questions.
1. When did the facelift took place? I heard from 2005 - is there any way to distinguish those before/post facelift by the looks? What's better in post facelift version?

2. How is automatic box on those cars? Is it just the old style box with torque converter? Are there any known issue with those boxes? Does it make car much slower and less fuel economic?

3. Were those cars fitted with VSA (stability assist)? This is a must for me, and most sellers don't seem to even bother mentioning this in the ads.

4. How are those in general for reliablity, known issues, and comfort of driving?

Thanks for all replies and suggestions.

Special Circumstances

Face lift was 04 I think but I have seen pre face lift 05s.

Post face lift has round fog lights or blanks where they should be. Pre face lift has trapezoidal fogs/blanks.

Some recalls on electrical stuff and airbags. Engine is reliable. 4WD system is basic, I really doubt it has VSA prefacelift, or even traction control tbh. Rear diff needs fluid changing more often than Irish people like to do it.
Very DIYable and made a huge difference to one I had that was making some worrying noises for the person I bought it off...

No idea on the auto.

colm_mcm

The facelift one has clear indicators on the rear lights, and a slatted grille instead of the chrome outlined one the earlier ones had.
In terms of improvements, the main one was the addition of a diesel, but otherwise, it's just a slightly improved 4wd system and a small refresh of the interior.
I know someone with a manual one he bought new in 04, still going strong 180,000 miles later.

Never saw one with VSA.

CiniO

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Face lift was 04 I think but I have seen pre face lift 05s.

Post face lift has round fog lights or blanks where they should be. Pre face lift has trapezoidal fogs/blanks.

Some recalls on electrical stuff and airbags. Engine is reliable. 4WD system is basic, I really doubt it has VSA prefacelift, or even traction control tbh. Rear diff needs fluid changing more often than Irish people like to do it.
Very DIYable and made a huge difference to one I had that was making some worrying noises for the person I bought it off...

No idea on the auto.

Thanks

Rear diff fluid changing - if this is not done in time, can that mean that diff is gone, and will need replacement?
How to check it when purchasing? Is it only noises coming from rear diff, or could there be any other indications that it wasn't done and it affected the diff?

CiniO

colm_mcm wrote: »

The facelift one has clear indicators on the rear lights, and a slatted grille instead of the chrome outlined one the earlier ones had.
In terms of improvements, the main one was the addition of a diesel, but otherwise, it's just a slightly improved 4wd system and a small refresh of the interior.
I know someone with a manual one he bought new in 04, still going strong 180,000 miles later.

Never saw one with VSA.

I though I read somewhere that VSA was available in post lift version, but different sources seem to give contradicting info

Special Circumstances

CiniO wrote: »

I though I read somewhere that VSA was available in post lift version, but different sources seem to give contradicting info

Dude... Irish spec 2005ish? I'd be very surprised.

Diff will groan and kinda "drag" on tight parking kinda cornering. If that's all some new fluid should fix it. Never heard a proper fudged one... usual story - whining or other noises in normal driving I guess?

Dunno how long it will last if driven on beyond warning signs.

colm_mcm

CiniO wrote: »

I though I read somewhere that VSA was available in post lift version, but different sources seem to give contradicting info

Maybe in the uk

CiniO

BTW - are they all 4wd or were there 2wd versions as well?

colm_mcm

Auto box is a CVT I think.

I believe they're all 4wd on demand. That said I got stuck in the car park of electric in one I took as a trade in against a RAV4 back in the day, front wheels spinning. Dunno if it was broken or just 2wd, it was a 2.0 petrol, Irish spec.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Had one of these a while back,

Cant remember if it was a 2002 or 2004 but it wasnt the facelift.

It was 2.0 petrol vtec, automatic. 4wd did work on mine.

I didnt find it tooo bad on fuel as i thought it would be .

The gearbox i dont know what it was but it had a button for "overdrive".

But i found it roomey and comfortable for what it was, when i bought it i did some basic things to it like tyres and battery, but nothing that needed repair due to breakdown etc.

Reliable enough i thought. I do recall being in honda for a recall though to do with the electric window switch.

Top tip : in the boot; the floor plan pulls out completely to be used as a picnic table with legs.