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

My car

I have written before but have since met up with a fellow CRV owner with the same model 2.2 Diesel Sport who was bemoaning the fact that the fuel consumption was awful. He was amazed to know that I achieve 46 to 48 cruising solo at 60 to65 mph and 32 towing the same size caravan as he does. His figures were more in the order of 32 cruising and 22 towing.I count myself lucky to get this economy or maybe he has a heavy right foot, although he assured me that he drove carefully.I notice that quite a few owners experience high fuel consumption so maybe the engines are prone to this variation.Could it be improved by tweaking the EMU? Interesting thought.Still delighted with mine in all respects.

My car

I have owned this car since June 2005. It has been very good overall, except the so-called Honda reliability was marred by two instances of it breaking down.

There was a problem with the wiring wearing through and the loom had to be replaced under warranty. The Honda dealer has been very good, though.

I like it best for its ride comfort, although I am disappointed with only getting 37mpg overall (with 41mpg as an absolute maximum). I like it so much that I was thinking of getting the new model, but the reliability issue has put me off (I had a new Vauxhall Vectra in 1997, whose engine seized up two days after I got it, and I blacklisted Vauxhall for 10 years, so I take reliability seriously).

I did participate in a recent JD Power survey, but nevertheless gave the Honda good marks.

My car

After seeing details of the new CRV on the web in August, I decided not to wait but took advantage of the "5 years free service and free insurance" offer in September for what is now the "old" model. Boy am I glad I did. What a fabulous car, although I hesitate to call it a 4x4. Engine like a high powered sewing machine. Comfort, space and practicality supreme. Looks great in silver with privacy glass. Great feeling of security from the height and build quality plus that rear mounted spare to deter the tailgaters. Cabin storage a bit hit and miss but I can cope with that. 30 mpg is more than acceptable considering how simply brilliant the package is. After recently visiting the Honda dealer for a minor problem (what is an oxygen centre?)and comparing the old and the new, I know I made the right choice. The new model appears to be much wider without any apparent need to be so (the US market?), looks like a squashed toad not a 4x4, lacks the rear mounted spare/handy side opening and I think is dearer for equivalent models. The only plus ponts i could discern was the cabin storage and finish being better.My advice, get to the showrooms now and snap up the old version at 2 grand off.

My car

Having just taken advantage of £2000 discount on a brand new CRV 2.2d Exec (as the new model has been launched) and owning the car for a month now covering over 1000 miles I must say it's a pretty impressive package. The build quality is much better than the Freelander I owned previously and the spec is excellent for the money. At just over £21k on the road including rear parking sensors as an extra - from a main dealer (who are excellent too, Brighton Honda) overall it represents excellent value for money.

The leather trim is a real luxury (shame the heated seats only warm your bum and not your back - something to do with airbags I believe) and the overall feeling is that of a premium car. The drive is smooth and powerful. Useful round town as you hardly have to change gear and a breeze on the motorway in the outside lane - especially comfortable ride with the accurate cruise control switched on. The Sat Nav display is a little basic but the principal is accurate and now I could't live without it - especially when the M40 is closed enroute to Birmingham as it was last week. The CD is a pain to change as you have to open the Sat Nav to insert/eject music CD.

Next step is to have some chrome steps or bars fitted to finish the look off. If your thinking of taking advantage of the £2k off a new CRV go for it - I think it's a steal.