Any thoughts or experiences with a first gen CRV?

The nice old lady across the street has moved into an assisted living place, I've been snow blowing her driveway for two years.  Her daughter tells me the only reason they keep the car is because it''s easier for the owner to get in and out but will be gone soon.  If her grandson doesn't want it, I'm up next.

I wondered through GRM Reviews but only found later models, this is a 2008 with 50k fewer miles than my Jetta.  Last trip we were on, I almost felt intimidated because my lowered car was in a bowl of SUVs and Semis.   Below is a similar car, same color; no idea about AWD or options.

Thanks, Dan

I don't know much about them, but as a note, a 2008 is a 3rd gen CR-V, not a 1st gen. 

Yeh, first gen is pretty homely. 

My SIL had a first gen for around 150k. She loved the car. No real problems just typical Honda maintenance. I believe they were all awd. I changed the rear diff fluid for them around 100k because my brother was complaining about a noise back there.  It’s supposed to be changed more often but my brother lacks somewhat in that area.  It eliminated the noise.  

Knew it was wrong as soon as I hit "post", can't edit Titles.

I was going to say I've driven 1st gens, and they are pretty decent little vehicles, except for the self destructing A/C systems.  I'm assuming they sorted that out by the 3rd gen.  Haven't really heard anything negative about those.

A CRV, of any generation, is quite possibly the easiest car to recommend to an "average car buyer."  It's not a sports car but as a car for an "average joe" there is nothing to not like about them.  Super reliable.  Super at holding their resale value. 

They're pretty much "The Goldilocks"   Not too big, not too small.  Not too fast, not too slow....

Yup, still got my '99. 250k and counting, though it no longer serves DD duty. I have zero complaints. My experience seems similar to how people talk about Mercedes w123's. 

I have owned 3  1st gens. All went over 250K and were still running I sold them. They are anvils.

If the price is anywhere near reasonable, buy it.

I saw one slammed on white wheels with some mystic cobra-esque flip flop 90’s tastic paint on friday.  It was way more awesome than any crv ever had the right to be

easyish to put a k24 in.

The only complaint I had with my first get was that it was dramatically underpowered.  I believe the vintage in your picture picked up 20hp or so over what mine had, which would make it just about perfect.  

eastsideTim said:

I was going to say I've driven 1st gens, and they are pretty decent little vehicles, except for the self destructing A/C systems.  I'm assuming they sorted that out by the 3rd gen.  Haven't really heard anything negative about those.

The 2nd-gen is the one with the exploding AC system; 2002-2004 years affected. I'm going through this PITA right now with my '02 

https://www.carmd.com/Tsb/Download/77435/A09-076

Most of you guys need to read better. The car in question isn’t a first gen. And he cleared that mistake up in his second post. So being a third gen, it already has a K20/4. Just needs hondata and turbo. 

Not sure if you want 1st gen or 3rd gen info? I own a 2007 fwd that my wife drives. Timing chain, no belt. I’ve got 129k miles on it. Since I’ve owned it (2 years and 20k miles) I put new rear shocks on (fronts were done before I bought it), and a starter. Also a battery. That’s about it.

Its a Honda transportatiOn appliance. Completely boring. We bought it because my wife needed a car because we sold the  Expedtion she drove because we sold the boat and didn’t need a tow vehicle anymore.

All things considered, I'd buy the white Targa instead.