Our 2013 GMC Terrain just died, and we are looking to switch brands. I always hear good things about Honda, so I’m looking into a used CR-V.
We are a family of 4, with 1 teen, 1 pre-10 kid, and a giant poof (Great Pyrenees).
What should I be looking for in a used CR-V? We can’t afford high payments (preferably $300 or less).
Are there any particular problems we should be concerned about or bad model years?
The ones with the turbo engine have some issues with oil dilution that has been ‘fixed,’ but it’s something to be aware of. The CR-Vs with the 2.4-liter engine are generally bulletproof. The CVT transmission that comes on the later models is a bit more iffy but generally reliable.
I can’t speak for the 3rd gen and newer. I have a 2nd gen 2005 CR-V and it has been rock solid. Not sure if there will be many under 200K miles available though; mine is currently almost at 160K. I’m not a fan of CVTs or direct injection engines. I would say avoid getting the first two model years of any generation; after that, you should be fine.
@Dane
Nissan has given CVTs and DI engines a bad rap by using lower-quality parts. Their DI engines miss crucial components that come standard with others, which can lead to carbon buildup. Personally, I’m not a fan of either, but you shouldn’t have to worry about them failing.
I owned a 2022 before it was totaled in an accident. When I was looking before buying, the older body styles weren’t as roomy as the newer ones, but they’re hard to find cheap if they have high mileage. The newest models are a little larger than the one I owned. In terms of reliability, they’ve all been great. I’ve had Hondas throughout my driving life, and they’ve always been strong. Just be aware that every car has its issues, so do a quick Google search on the model year you consider.
Get one with the 2.4L motor and a traditional automatic. You can find the last year for that engine with a quick Wikipedia search. Those cars are very reliable. If you can find one that’s FWD instead of AWD, that’s even better since you won’t have to worry about servicing the rear differential.
As a tip, consider anything up to 150k miles. It’s the owners that usually determine reliability, not mileage. A one-owner car with 150k miles will be more reliable than a multi-owner car with 80k miles.
Watch out for injector failures, fuel pump issues, AC problems, and occasional head gasket leaks.
I appreciate the replies! The two I’m currently looking at are:
I’m not seeing much difference between the two beyond mileage and price.
@Harper
Go with the '21 if you can. Unless you have money down, expected monthly payments will be around $400.
My advice about the 1.5T engine doesn’t apply here because it’s out of your budget. Get the nicest, low-mileage CR-V you can find with the 2.4 engine and you should be fine. These cars are more about preventative maintenance than serious issues; they’re super reliable. I drive the ‘less reliable’ 5th gen with the 1.5T and CVT, and I’ve put 75k miles on it in 5 years without a single issue.
The risk of theft is also high in hot areas like Montreal, Toronto, or NYC.