STOCK#5738

The crossover boom was a blessing to Honda with its pioneering CR-V model. This 1997 is a special example, offering year-round ready AWD and a tall ride height, without the rough ride and fuel costs of a larger truck-based vehicle. For those looking for something a bit more unique than your run-of-the mill RD1, this five-seater boasts a fresh coat of Lapis Blue (C24) paint and a 2" lift! Aside from some light imperfections, the body is in good shape, and this recently serviced ride has clocked only 119k verified and documented miles. An OEM Brushguard, privacy tint, cross bars, and TERZO snowboard mount add to the rugged aesthetic. Easy to service and affordable to purchase, this Japanese Classic would make for a wonderful daily driver, winter warrior, or cool Cars and Coffee cruiser.

The small exterior dimensions can be a bit misleading as the inside is fairly cavernous. The view of the road ahead is clear and commanding and the dashboard lacks any major imperfections aside from some blemishes from a nav mount that was removed at some point. The gauges are all easy to read and the front occupants have access to a fold-up center tray table and a simple-to-use automatic climate control unit. A/C and heat work well for those who plan to use this thing year-round, while for those who prefer natural ventilation electric windows and a power sunroof are on standby. Additional power options that make daily use more enjoyable include power mirrors and electric locks. The seats are in good overall shape and are upholstered in a soft gray cloth. They lack any major rips, stains, or tears, and are comfy on longer drives. The carpets are protected by a set of OEM mats, and the door cards and headliner have resisted any major abuse over the last quarter century. The cargo area is in good nick too, and even includes the desirable OEM removable picnic table. Even the factory maintenance booklet and owner's manual are included with the purchase. That's not to say the cabin is perfect and we wanted to note that the audio system is not operational at this moment, and the power folding side mirror function has given up the ghost. Still, these are easy fixes, and this thing was obviously cared for in a prior life.

Like the US CR-V this crossover is powered by the tried and true B20B 2.0L. The mill is fresh off an oil and filter service and whirrs to life care of a new 12v battery we installed as soon as it arrived stateside. To keep the Super Start unit full of juice a new alternator was chucked in and all new serpentine belts keep the electronics properly supplied with power. While it was up on the lift we installed a new valve cover gasket to keep this four-banger properly lubricated, and replaced the engine air filter and fuel filter too. The engine idles with confidence and a new torque mount keeps cabin vibrations to a minimum. Power is fed into a smooth shifting automatic transmission through the RD-1's AWD setup. Despite the new 28" all-terrain rubber that we just mounted and balanced, the larger tires and lift don't seem to affect performance much at all, and this peppy little runabout gets up to highway speeds with ease when you punch the throttle. New struts and a fresh alignment deliver a predictable ride, and the Honda has tons of ground clearance if you need it. We also refreshed the suspension with a new sway bar link. The brakes feel confident and the power steering is light and on point.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.