Replacement for an old CRV

[Goulash Pond]

My partner's 2003 Honda CRV that she has had for many years is unfortunately on its last legs. She loves the old thing and has spent more than it's worth on occasion keeping it going. It has been superbly reliable over the years but now has some serious problems and it's time to finally say goodbye to it.

My problem is that she likes her old thing so much that she wants another, and newer versions of the CRV or alternatives are just not exciting her. The trouble is, this era of CRV (Mk2 - the one with the spare on the boot) are now very old cars and most of them are knackered. Even if they are shiny and clean on top with lower mileage, corrosion is starting to become an issue underneath. The few that are genuinely good seem to be up for a lot of money. There's even one at the moment asking £8k for a 2006 car, albeit with very low mileage. I personally can't see these being a sensible buy for her.

Since the lady in question tends to keep her cars long term until they are truly finished, I would like to find her something that will last. Budget is up to £7500 or thereabouts although less would be good. She is insistent that any replacement has at least the same amount of loadspace as her CRV which rules out a lot of things (Sportage, IX35 etc) - they are surprisingly large inside especially with the seats folded. She prefers SUV type cars for some reason! Reliability is paramount and it must be petrol engined as she regularly has to drive into the ULEZ (a problem since the majority of cars from the era her budget puts her into are diesel).

My thoughts are;

1 - Try to find a Mk2 CRV that is lowish mileage and genuinely good condition for a sensible price. Easier said than done and not a long term solution in my view, but it might keep her happy for a while.

2 - Find something suitable that is less ancient, well maintained, lower miles that will do her for many more years without being burdensome due to unreliability.

I have talked to her about a newer CRV (Mk 4 around 2013/14 ish) 'ok but a bit bland, not like my old car', Skoda Yeti 'bit small and bland interior', various estate cars 'meh'. Possibly a 2009-2012 era Subaru Forester 'maybe' but I don't know a lot about them - anyone have any experience ?

Any useful thoughts or suggestions welcome!

[M.F.D]

If she genuinely just wants a Mk2 CRV, then I would just pay the price for a decent one and make sure you have it suitably protected underneath with lanoguard or similar. Either that or perhaps look at a Rav4 as these may be fairly similar in spec/size/price?

I would imagine if these cars are looked after well they'll go on for a long time.

[66HFM]

Skoda Yeti would be my choice as similar size and its the ultimate do everything car

[cwis]

I'm in the same boat. My wifes 2002 CRV auto is up to 239K miles and will need major expense to get through another MOT - welding, a cat, various bushes and I can hear the gearbox starting to complain in first...

There is nothing available newer that ticks all the boxes the CRV does. I'm trying an alternative route - getting her to try cars that offer different things to the CRV, like fun, handling etc etc.

She had an original Mini years ago and loved that so my hope is get her into a car that "will do in the interim" and she'll grow to love that one instead.

[Shabaza]

We've had the mk2 and currently have the mk3 CRV.
I totally get the infatuation with it.

A good alternative to the mk3 CRV is a RAV4 of that era perhaps.
I think they had the wheel on the back up until a facelift, think 2005-2008 or so.
The wheel on the back visually makes it more characterful.

We have a mk3 with some factory sport kit on it and side steps, otherwise i agree, in standard guise it is a tad bland

[Scootersp]

Stick with the marque, something like this one? What killed off the current one?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/48136497...

[PurpleTurtle]

Has she actually test driven the later model CR-V?

They are a nice step up on what she is used to. This 2011 model with 70k miles will easily double that mileage with little trouble.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408203...

We are in for one as soon as our 142,000 FR-V finally dies a death.

EDIT: this one is Petrol, Euro 5, leather & pan roof, 65k miles and FSH. Lovely car for £7k. I'd be in for it myself if the time was right.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...

Regarding Skoda Yetis, most of the desired age/budget were sold with the VAG 2.0 diesel lump. There are a few petrol TSi engined ones out there, but I am led to believe that engine comes with its own reliability issues. The 2.0 petrol VTEC lump in the Honda is rock solid by comparison.

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Monday 23 September 12:52

[cwis]

PurpleTurtle said:

Has she actually test driven the later model CR-V?

They are a nice step up on what she is used to. This 2011 model with 70k miles will easily double that mileage with little trouble.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408203...

We are in for one as soon as our 142,000 FR-V finally dies a death.

I don't want to speak for the OP's partner but my OH thinks the later ones feel too large (some of that might be down to the rounded shapes but I think they are larger), feel smaller inside, don't have the flat floor and no central console of the MK2 and have worse visibility.

And no picnic table under the boot.

[Silvanus]

Closest thing would be a Suzuki Grand Vitara or an older Nissan X-trail. The Newer stuff, although nicer to drive, just aren't as practical.

the Skoda Yeti is great but boot is much smaller than the Honda.

Another one to consider would be a Dacia Duster.

[valiant]

Was about to say the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Similar size and can be had relatively cheaply and should prove reliable.

[Leptons]

I would add Toyota Rav 4 to the above list. Our Mk3 petrol is utterly reliable (if a little thirsty) and handles everything we throw at it.

[PurpleTurtle]

Very low mileage Rav 4, in budget and seemingly ticks all boxes.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403288...

[Goulash Pond]

Thanks to all who replied so far. Some useful thoughts and ideas, and it's interesting to see the old CRV love has infected others too!

cwis said:

I'm in the same boat. My wifes 2002 CRV auto is up to 239K miles and will need major expense to get through another MOT - welding, a cat, various bushes and I can hear the gearbox starting to complain in first...

There is nothing available newer that ticks all the boxes the CRV does. I'm trying an alternative route - getting her to try cars that offer different things to the CRV, like fun, handling etc etc.

She had an original Mini years ago and loved that so my hope is get her into a car that "will do in the interim" and she'll grow to love that one instead.

Yes it seems there's nothing quite like the old CRV. Bit of a shame really. She already has a 'fun' car that she is using at the moment but really needs the practicality of the Honda back. Good luck with your own search though!

PurpleTurtle said:

Regarding Skoda Yetis, most of the desired age/budget were sold with the VAG 2.0 diesel lump. There are a few petrol TSi engined ones out there, but I am led to believe that engine comes with its own reliability issues. The 2.0 petrol VTEC lump in the Honda is rock solid by comparison.

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Monday 23 September 12:52

Thanks I will have look into this.

cwis said:

I don't want to speak for the OP's partner but my OH thinks the later ones feel too large (some of that might be down to the rounded shapes but I think they are larger), feel smaller inside, don't have the flat floor and no central console of the MK2 and have worse visibility.

And no picnic table under the boot.

Yep, all this. (Except maybe the picnic table - she says she is keeping that if her old one goes for scrap.)

Silvanus said:

Closest thing would be a Suzuki Grand Vitara or an older Nissan X-trail. The Newer stuff, although nicer to drive, just aren't as practical.

Interesting isn't it? I wonder why practicality seems to have lost out in newer car attributes?

valiant said:

Was about to say the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Similar size and can be had relatively cheaply and should prove reliable.

Thanks for the idea, I hadn't thought of them. Although even though they seem a similar size, the specs on Autotrader seem to suggest lot less load space than the later CRVs?

Leptons said:

I would add Toyota Rav 4 to the above list. Our Mk3 petrol is utterly reliable (if a little thirsty) and handles everything we throw at it.

Thanks, that's good to know. I have certainly been looking at them as they seem to be pretty much the same thing as the CRV. If all things were equal she would prefer the Honda but a very good RAV would be better than a less good CRV so definitely in contention. The one suggested by Purple Turtle above looks very nice but I'd prefer something newer if spending that much.

The search goes on, thanks for your help.