USED Honda CR-V 4x4 (02 - 06)

My car

I have owned my SE Sport for just under three years and 25,000 miles. It has given me totally fault-free service. The ride is slightly 'wallowy' and this is greatly exaggerated when the car is fully laden.

Honda's i-VTEC engine is super smooth but does love to drink petrol. In my experience (of very gentle driving), the government combined figure of 31mpg is very optimistic.

I usually average around 27mpg and I find myself refuelling less than 280 miles after brimming it!

I specced sat-nav on my car to liven up the dull interior. My 2002 sat-nav doesn't allow inputs using post codes and the menu is driven using a twiddly joystick with no touch-screen. It's very frustrating and long-winded. Some of the routes it calculated were hilariously long. Don't throw away your maps! It isn't easy to switch the darn thing off either...

Last moan - reversing: This is not an easy vehicle to reverse. The rear view on the 2002 model is restricted by a central headrest, high back window and spare wheel. Definitely opt for the parking sensors. They will be cheaper than paying out for a new rear bumper or spare wheel cover.

Overall the car has served me extremely well. It is very enjoyable to drive and the dealer has been excellent by providing a free drop-off courtesy car when mine's being serviced. Puts other makes to shame!

I sold my CR-V this week. I lost £6000 on it in a shade under three years and I'm buying... another Honda (FR-V this time).

My car

THE CR-V IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. THE DRIVING POSITION GIVES EXCELLENT VISIBILITY AND THE CONTROLS ARE VERY EASY TO USE AND LOCATE.

THE ENGINE IS SMOOTH AND WILLING AND PROVIDES ADEQUATE POWER WHEN REQUIRED. I AGREE THE INTERIOR COULD DO WITH A VARIATION IN CHOICE OF COLOUR FOR THE TRIM AND THERE IS A LOT OF PLASTIC.

THE POSITION OF THE HANDBRAKE IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA FOR CREATING MORE SPACE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. OVERALL I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO A BUYER LOOKING FOR A 4WD WHICH WILL BE MAINLY USED ON ROADS AS IT HANDLES AND DRIVES VERY WELL.

THE DEALER HAD THE USUAL SALES TACTIC OF USING THE COMBINATION OF SALESMAN/MANAGER IN A SEPERATE OFFICE DISCUSSING WHETHER MY CASH OFFER WAS ACCEPTABLE.

IT IS A PITY THAT IN TODAY'S WORLD AN OPEN APPROACH TO BUYING A CAR IS NOT EMBRACED WITHOUT FEELING THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE JUST DONE YOU A FAVOUR!

My car

Having recently test driven this car,back-to-back as it were, with the RAV4 diesel, I was so impressed with it, I ordered one. This before driving my other considered car, the X-Trail. Quite simply, the CR-V diesel was that good.

I have since read your review of the same vehicle where you criticise the lack of refinement of the engine. I can only assume that there was a fault on the example you drove. The car I drove was refinement personified, so much so I asked the salesman if the car had been pre-warmed or driven to which the answer was no - as indicated by the temerature gauge. After the test drive, I walked around the car to make sure it was a diesel example - it was.

My car

I have been test-driving lots of estate cars and 4x4s over the past few weeks and nothing has compared to the CR-V.

I am at a loss to understand why reviewers have given the petrol engine a higher overall rating than the diesel. The diesel was briliant to drive and the fuel economy is great.

Having test driven the Toyota and the VW, the CR-V purrs in comparison to their tractor like engines.

The CR-V is quirky, yet easy to use inside and is by no means as dull or as heavy on the plastic as the Freelander. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of space which is versatile too.

The staff at both Honda garages I have been to (Surrey) were helpful and honest too.

As soon as I give my company car back, I am definitely buying a CRV! I can't wait.