The unit : 2000 Honda CR-V, LX (base) model, 5 speed, ac, ps, pb, cruise, tilt, AWD.

After much research and haggling, I settled on a 2000 CR-V with 93000 km ( 62000 mi ) on it. This was a good local trade ( thankyou CARFAX for being worth every penny ).

Ride:
Greatly dependant on tires, the stock brigestone Dueller HT tires were not great. New tires have changed this from mediocre to quite acceptable ( later on this ). ABS is good and it stops straight and short. Turning radius is quite good and parallel parking is a breeze.

Performance:
I was a little concerned on acceleration, having taken only automatics out till this point. The 5 speed is very responsive and this CRV is a totally different animal with a standard transmission. Good acceleration in the first 3 gears, on the highway, passing has to be planned, as the engine seems to run a little short on steam while passing.
Overall very acceptable for 90% of the driving that I do.

Gas Mileage:
A winner. Gas mileage in canada is a little different than in the US as Canada has a bigger gallon (3.78 litres for the US gallon VS 4.45 litres for the Canadian gallon ). With that in mind, I filled it up to the very top and loaded the 4 of us in and headed for the country. What a pleasent surprise, the trip yielded 37 MPG on a canadian gallon. That was including getting out of the city, slight crosswind, and steady state (cruise on ) driving at 63 MPH. This figure included having to go at reduced speed down 5 miles of gravel road. City stop and go driving with NO highway mixed in there whatsoever, yeilded 26 MPG ( canadian). Very nice indeed.

Noise:
At any speed, interior noise was substantial. However, this figure dropped substantially when I put brand new snow tires ( the new Canadian Tire / Goodyear "Nordic" ). The whole thing is now MUCH quieter and handles BETTER than the stock brigestones. These are new SNOW TIRES people, and they HANDLE better then the brigestones. Go figure.....

Traction:
Recently, the CRV was taken out to the in-laws in the country by my wife, after the first snow of the season. The other half reported cars in the ditch and icy roads, all of which the honda with the new Nordics handled without missing a beat. Dragging the frame down country roads loaded with snow didnt even slow the little beast down. Even in the unbelievably soft and mucky farmyard, the Honda didn't even work hard nor spin a tire.

Interior room:

This honda is easily one of the best for my 6'2" 260 pound frame. The seats are comfortable both front and back and back seat comfort was paramount for our kids. Neither one of us has had any fatigue or "numb bum" from this CR-V. The ventilation works well, the AC blows nice cold air and the windows clear reasonably well on frosty mornings. Rear entry and exit is far superior to the larger Pathfinders and 4-Runners. That is what stopped me from buying a 2003 Pathfinder, the rear entry / exit is horrible and the rear seats are a joke. I could easily sit for a few hours in the rear seats of the Honda. 30 seconds in the Pathfinder was 29 seconds too long.

Under Hood:
Japanese and businesslike, everything is easily accessable.

Instruments:
Easy to read at a glance, all it needs is an oil pressure meter and a voltmeter to be first class. Radio is mediocre, needs aftermarket speakers and some amplification in the worst way. Oh well, one little gripe.

Cargo room, back seats up:
13 grocery bags.....nuff said.

Overall:

Honda quality, excellent gas mileage, good handling and traction with real tires. This is a do it all family vehicle that is good in all weather, gets great mileage, has lots of cargo space. Strongly recommend.

UPDATE:

After 1 full winter driving the Canadian tire Nordic ( made by goodyear ) winter tire. I can wholeheartedly recommend that you go get a set of 4 for your CRV.

The Nordic is made by goodyear, and after some researching, I determined that it was sold in europe as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500. A consistiently well rated winter tire by reviewers, I can concur that this tire is first class. Got caught in a blinding snowstorm and drove 120 kilometers ( around 72 miles ) at 60km/h ( 30 miles an hour ). The first 115 kilometeres were a 2 rut cowpath down 2 and 4 lane highway. Not even once, did the CRV and its snowshoes spin out or even look funny at the ditch. Goodyear tires and Honda power got me and the family home that night. I will buy these tires for my other vehicles and I recommend them to anyone that I know is looking for snow tires. Snow traction is GREAT !. I would hammer the gas down the street and the silly thing would take off like a shot. The combibation of ABS and superb ice traction made me , on occasion, forget that I was driving on Winnipeg snow and ice. A nice feeling, but not too bright on my part.

In conclusion, the Goodyear Nordic snowtire is a true bargain at twice the price. Don't shop around, dont bother. At this price and higher, NOTHING can touch this tires winter performance, with the possible exception of a set of Hak's.
Amount Paid (US$): 13000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
Model and Options: LX, 5spd, AWD, AC, criuse, tilt, pm, pdl, pw