Our Trusty Ride: 5 Years and Still Going Strong

We bought our Honda CR-V brand new back in 2008, and it's been our go-to car for over five years now. I've gotta say, it's been a total game changer. We've had it serviced at the dealership every year, and it's never let us down - except for that one time when it wouldn't start. Turned out someone had tightened the immobilizer instead of splicing it. And, yeah, it took us four years to figure that out.

It's not a Jeep, but it's a great crossover for city driving. Parking's a breeze, and we never have any problems finding a spot. The cargo space is pretty roomy, and the ground clearance makes it easy to tackle rough roads and snow. But, let's be real, it's not designed for serious off-roading. We've had a few close calls when trying to climb up or down steep inclines, and it's just not worth the risk.

The all-wheel drive is supposed to be automatic, but it's really hit-or-miss. We've never actually used it, but it's nice to know it's there. The pros far outweigh the cons, though. This thing is super reliable - we've heard that from other owners, too. Maintenance costs are pretty low, especially compared to some of its competitors. The interior is spacious, the sound system is great, and it's got good traction. We've averaged around 11-12 miles per gallon in the city and 7.5-8 on the highway. It can even run on 92 octane, which is a plus. And, get this, the rear wiper is interchangeable with the Pilot's - that's a major cost savings.

Here are some of the key features that make our CR-V stand out:

Super reliable and low maintenance costsSpacious interior and great sound systemGood traction and fuel efficiency (11-12 mpg city, 7.5-8 mpg highway)Can run on 92 octaneRear wiper is interchangeable with the Pilot'sThe only real downsides are some minor annoyances. For one, the trunk leaks a bit when you open it, but that's just a quirk of the early models. Honda fixed that with a clever little water diverter, but it's not foolproof. The automatic transmission's a bit of a letdown - it's not as smooth as we'd like, especially when you're trying to pass on the highway. You've got to give it some time to catch up, and even then, it's not always reliable. The headlights could be better, especially on unlit roads. And, let's be honest, the side mirrors can get in the way a bit when you're turning.

But, overall, we're really happy with our CR-V. It's been a great ride, and we're actually considering upgrading to the new CR-V IV. We've test-driven a few other models, but nothing compares to the reliability and support we've gotten from Honda. So, if you're in the market for a new ride, I'd definitely recommend giving it a shot.