So I知 looking for a new daily and I知 really into the first gen CRV but I知 debating on what to get,the fwd or awd. I know the fwd trans is reliable but what about the awd ?

 

At this point I would skip the B series stuff. It all worn out and used up 25 years later. I would look at the next gens with the K24.

And replacement parts are just about all gone.

 

But how reliable are the awd trans?whats the best next gen ?

 

Manual transmission? They are pretty well bomb proof. 2006 was the last year for the manual.

I have an early 2003 4 speed automatic in an Element (same as a CR-V) and it's still going so far at 280k miles. It's a gutless turd, I would at least go to the later 5 speed auto if that's your preference.

The AWD systems are reliable if you keep up on maintenance. The bummer to the AWD is the staked u-joints in the propeller shaft that eventually wear out and can't be serviced. So it's a new propeller shaft or having new u-joints welded in.

 

Anyone who buys a 25-year-old used car should expect to put some money into it. I have a 2007 CR-V on demand 4WD, which runs well and is very reliable - after about $ 3,500 worth of parts. I did all the work myself; I can only imagine the mechanic bill if I'd had it done.


Good luck.

 

I had a 97 honda crv Auto AWD. At least the auto trans are garbage. I don't think I've ever heard of one that didn't crap out before ~100k miles. Internal filter and 9/10 times unserviceable, so if it goes, it's a whole transmission rebuild or swap, with no real preventable maintenance.
The other issues I had with mine:

• door harness wires ripped (no working windows, power locks, switches, etc. and intermittent loss of speaker).
• Window regulators went out (expected, I guess? for a fairly old vehicle).
• Front windshield seal/fascia (?) - This goes bad and then when it rains or you go through a car wash, you get water dumped through that area just above passenger side behind the glove compartment, and your interior floods. Fairly easy fix, though.
• passenger window/door seals - They are old and prone to weathered now.
• power steering lines - This was a pain to replace without having a lift and without dropping the subframe
• Ignition key cylinder goes out. I replaced mine with keyless plug/play s2k push start and was very happy with the results. (I made my own custom mod for kill/switch/security)
• main relay / pump relay - these go out on the 90s era hondas all the time due to extreme climates (hot, cold, moist), and sometimes just by old age on the solder joints. Easily replaced, and upgradable.

Everything else is probably normal maintenance/wear tear items for average vehicle, especially considering the age.