Pathfinder I
Overlander, Adventurer, Traveler...Impressed by a Honda CRV?
Yes... Lets start with a quick backround story. So, about 6 months ago I was looking for a small fuel efficient AWD vehicle to use for day trips and adventures. Nothing hard core, nothing for multi day, week, or monthly adventures...that's what my Rover is for. I was hellbent on getting a Subaru...Forester or Outback to be precise. I did also look at a few early model S-10's, an Isuzu Trooper II, and a RAV-4. Subaru's are outrageously pricey here in the PNW and nothing else really panned out. Then I was talking with this neat old guy named Richard at the local dog park. As it turns out...he was selling his 1997 Honda CRV AWD with 174,000 on the clock.
When I tell you this thing was clean, is an understatement. It looked brand new inside and out and is so quiet when it is running, I sometimes think it's not. No leaks, perfect interior, one owner, never smoked in, ALL maintenance records...it was awesome. So, $2300.00 later...I owned it.
Over the past 6 months I have it up to 200,000 miles and it runs like the day I bought it. I threw a roof rack and cargo basket on top, a CB radio in it, tune up, etc....a little more aggressive tires are next. It had a **** load of storage compartments hidden everywhere in the in the damn thing. It handles USFS fire roads and even some slightly rougher trails very impressively and has decent ground clearance for what it is. Great gas mileage out of the four banger and has more than enough power. At 6'-2" and 190 pounds....okay....230 pounds ( I'm 47...not 25 anymore )...It has plenty of room, it feels very spacious. Plenty of room for me, the dogs, and a **** load of gear.
Let me just say, I have never been a Honda fan...ever. Even after I bought it I tried really hard to find reasons to hate it. I failed. Fast forward to today...just when I thought this vehicle couldn't impress me anymore or even surprise me...BAM! It hit me out of nowhere! So, I'm vacuuming out the back cargo area and I lift the carpet and there's this large (3ft x 3ft) plastic hatch door in the floor...(scratching my head). Every early CRV I've ever seen has the spare tire in the tailgate...but maybe some were made to have the tire inside. So, I'm like cool...extra storage! As I'm checking out the storage area I noticed the 3ft x 3ft hatch door has folding legs on it...WHAT the **** is going on?! I pull it out, unfold the legs...It's a damn camping table with a small hole in the middle for a ****ing umbrella! A camping table that takes up no space because it doubles as a compartment hatch door!
I know, I know...laugh at me if you will...but I think that's pretty damn cool. I wish my Rover had something like that. I am left to ponder how many CRV owners know that this table exists?
In conclusion...I am very impressed and happy with this little AWD adventure vehicle. Thanks for reading
Yes... Lets start with a quick backround story. So, about 6 months ago I was looking for a small fuel efficient AWD vehicle to use for day trips and adventures. Nothing hard core, nothing for multi day, week, or monthly adventures...that's what my Rover is for. I was hellbent on getting a Subaru...Forester or Outback to be precise. I did also look at a few early model S-10's, an Isuzu Trooper II, and a RAV-4. Subaru's are outrageously pricey here in the PNW and nothing else really panned out. Then I was talking with this neat old guy named Richard at the local dog park. As it turns out...he was selling his 1997 Honda CRV AWD with 174,000 on the clock.
When I tell you this thing was clean, is an understatement. It looked brand new inside and out and is so quiet when it is running, I sometimes think it's not. No leaks, perfect interior, one owner, never smoked in, ALL maintenance records...it was awesome. So, $2300.00 later...I owned it.
Over the past 6 months I have it up to 200,000 miles and it runs like the day I bought it. I threw a roof rack and cargo basket on top, a CB radio in it, tune up, etc....a little more aggressive tires are next. It had a **** load of storage compartments hidden everywhere in the in the damn thing. It handles USFS fire roads and even some slightly rougher trails very impressively and has decent ground clearance for what it is. Great gas mileage out of the four banger and has more than enough power. At 6'-2" and 190 pounds....okay....230 pounds ( I'm 47...not 25 anymore )...It has plenty of room, it feels very spacious. Plenty of room for me, the dogs, and a **** load of gear.
Let me just say, I have never been a Honda fan...ever. Even after I bought it I tried really hard to find reasons to hate it. I failed. Fast forward to today...just when I thought this vehicle couldn't impress me anymore or even surprise me...BAM! It hit me out of nowhere! So, I'm vacuuming out the back cargo area and I lift the carpet and there's this large (3ft x 3ft) plastic hatch door in the floor...(scratching my head). Every early CRV I've ever seen has the spare tire in the tailgate...but maybe some were made to have the tire inside. So, I'm like cool...extra storage! As I'm checking out the storage area I noticed the 3ft x 3ft hatch door has folding legs on it...WHAT the **** is going on?! I pull it out, unfold the legs...It's a damn camping table with a small hole in the middle for a ****ing umbrella! A camping table that takes up no space because it doubles as a compartment hatch door!
I know, I know...laugh at me if you will...but I think that's pretty damn cool. I wish my Rover had something like that. I am left to ponder how many CRV owners know that this table exists?
In conclusion...I am very impressed and happy with this little AWD adventure vehicle. Thanks for reading
