Honda CRV 2nd Gen AWD or FWD?/

I really liked the crv I test drove. Thinking of getting a 2nd gen as the newer ones seem to have lost a lot of character. I don't really need AWD, don't live near snow and don't plan on it. I will use it to camp everyone in awhile but I'm lame and don't go too far off the broken trail.

My question is in maintenance am I taking on anything extra going with an AWD model when I don't really need it? It seems actually hard to source a manual FWD one.

Hidden question: any small upgrades I can do to this platform?

I saw this the other day and liked it more than I should:

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/5596501081.html

Looking to sell my 00 manual crv. I have had the car for 3 years now. This was my family car and upgraded now to something bigger. Here is the list of parts I have replaced it.

Engine is b20b from jdmenginedepot i have the receipt. They say about 60k on it

Transmission replaced as well as clutch flywheel pilot and throwout bearing. I also have a good transfer case that will go with it. Just that alone goes for about 300$$

Upper and lower ball joints new axles and seals. New brakes. I have sway bar links and spc ball joint camber adjusting ones if wanted. Alignment just done 2 weeks ago

New timing belt, water pump, all belts are new, distributor also is new. I have an extra new slave cylinder that will go with it. I also have a new alternator that will go with it.

Currently running D2 coilovers - very comfortable for family. Sitting on Accord wheels 18" with fresh tires on it. Has a little 10" subwoofer and a radio. Also has the basket and the oem rack to go with it. Jdm bumper is on it but I also have the original if wanted to. Will also go with original oem tires and a set of steelies that have winters on it. 4900$ please throw reasonable offers. I really have taken care of this car. I only want to sell because ive lost interest. eight45405621nine

Holy E36 M3 that s great. Looking at the fuel economy i think I might holdout for a fwd or look farther than Raleigh and fly n drive.

I was just looking at CRV's today. I think at least in that generation all of the 2wd models have an automatic transmission. If you want a manual you're stuck with AWD. It's possible I'm wrong, but the fueleconomy.gov website only lists 2wd with a 4-speed auto for the model year 2000.

Ahh, OK that might explain it. Damn all of those 2nd gens are at 250,000 miles (and expensive still for a vehicle almost that has a ton of mileage)/

Ahh pro tip, search cr-v too-

2007 150k miles

2002 that I test drove, brown on brown for that dad look

Even took photos of the table, like black on black but $5k for 200k miles

Those are cool, you can cut them in half and make a drive by wire testing unit with a Japanese Civic electric power steering.

Ask me how I know.

If you don't have any real use for the 4WD system, why add the extra weight and complexity? FWD versions are out there, you just have to look. If you're up for a fly and drive, search down south. Lots of 2WD SUVs down here 'cause all the soccer mommies want the look but daddy don't wanna pay for 4WD.

I just picked up a 2000 with 160k awd auto for 500. Cheap ones are out there.

I would forego the AWD in the second gen because of the way it works and you don't need it. I don't know how they in the later ones. I've been looking at these for a few years now and they really pack on the miles.

Ah OK, I think it is either manual AWD or auto fwd.. Hard decision. But it looks liked the combined mpg on the AWD vs FWD is only 1 mpg difference. Think I'd rather row my gears and pay a bit more at the pump.

I'd like to find a decent shape 150k mile one, going to pass on all the 250k mile examples.

stan_d wrote: I just picked up a 2000 with 160k awd auto for 500. Cheap ones are out there.

Whoa, pics?

My mom has a 2004 automatic AWD CRV and she averages 24-26mpg. It's got almost 170k miles on it. Just basic maintenance.

24-26 is great, thats what my c30 was getting and i found it to be good enough

In reply to Coldsnap:

Have you thought about an early Acura RDX? It's a fancy, turbocharged CRV. I've been thinking about them a lot lately. In fact, I feel a Learn Me... thread brewing.

Hmm, will look at them. Never actually heard of em.

After looking at CRV-s for a while I think Black ext Black Int ones actually look really good. I made an offer on that 200k Black one, maybe he will bite.

We have a 2002 awd that has served as the family truckster for about six years. We bought it At about 60k miles and it now had about 175k. It has been a good vehicle for us. The awd hasn't caused any problems. The air conditioner has. The compressors hand grenade and pump their guts through the whole system. The only fix is to replace everything. You can buy all the components in a kit for about $600. It also seems to eat the brakes, but I think my wife's driving style is a contributing factor.

Ah yea, the ac eats itself. That's a shame to hear

Compressor is not easy to change, either. I did one on a friend's and ended up lowering the subframe quite a bit (not all the way out). I think it books for 6 hours of labor.

I like these things a lot. I think the 2nd gen is the high point of CR-V history and manual/awd is the height of 2g CR-V. People can talk about the AWD system being useless but i've seen too many AWD civics and now one AWD 1g Insight on youtube to believe that the system does nothing. The most ive done with one personally was floor it on dirt and it definitely seemed to do something there.

These things certainly hold their value. Peeps with 200k miles trying to get $5k. 175k ones 6-7$k. For a 11 year old vehicle dang! I can get a 2004 Volvo s40 with roof racks at 130k with all maintain up to date for $4.5k.. Makes me think if I want a SUV or sedan. Volvo looks better, CRV more utility. ..

$500 is not a big spread when comparing honda reliability to euro-anything as far as likely repair costs. On the Honda the biggest things i would like to see are the AC repairs already done and some evidence that the driveline fluids had ever been changed, even just once. Other than that i'd be just fine with the 200k mile honda. In fact, i recommended to a friend (and she bought) a ~170k ~05 CRV AWD for ~6.2k about a year ago. I had to do the ac repair and tune up but other than that it's been fine.

I wonder how these compare to the last gen Hyundai Tuscon, you can grab those up in manuals too. Sorta cool.

the 2nd-gen with the K-series motors can be found AWD with a 5 speed pretty cheaply. They aren't great with fuel economy, but for $350-ish in Honda parts you can put a 6th gear from the RSX into it and gain a few highway MPG's. Numerous forum posts all over the googles...

sobe_death wrote: the 2nd-gen with the K-series motors can be found AWD with a 5 speed pretty cheaply. They aren't great with fuel economy, but for $350-ish in Honda parts you can put a 6th gear from the RSX into it and gain a few highway MPG's. Numerous forum posts all over the googles...

Thats really cool, just a spacer where the 6th gear could go.

Flight Service wrote: Those are cool, you can cut them in half and make a drive by wire testing unit with a Japanese Civic electric power steering. Ask me how I know.

How u no

Its hot as hell outside and I was walkimg around keep seeing crvs drive by with their windows down. That AC