Honda CR-V

We had a mixed experience with the purchase of this car.

Due to busy schedules and a last minute flight cancellation, we didn't pick up the car until about four weeks after the successful bidding. During this time, our interactions with the seller were positive and accommodating. Once we finally got to the Detroit, the car was in good shape, clean and in good working order There were some obvious scratches on the front left from a fender bender that were not obvious in the pictures posted on the web site. The brake light in the back window was disconnected and not working, but otherwise our inspection did not reveal any major problems. The car also only came with one key and no manual. We were astonished that the car had been driven an additional 1000 miles in between the down payment and the pick up. The seller offered to reimburse us for $250 down payment to make up for the increased mileage and the missing key.

We drove the car from Detroit to Colorado without any trouble. Shortly before entering Colorado, the 'check engine' light came on. We took the car to a Honda shop the next day and the mechanic found that a carbon cannister located in the left rear area under the car had been removed. Several hoses and electrical connectors were wrapped around the car frame and left unconnected. According to the mechanic, the carbon cannister had been removed as the brackets, bolts skid plate, valves and cannister and all associated bolts were taken off. The cannister vents the fuel tank back to the intake manifold.

Since the engine check light can be turned off by the computer reader, we have to assume that this was done before we picked up the car. The computer 'check engine' light came back on after the car was driven for a certain number of miles.

When we contacted the seller and were told that they had not been aware of the problem during their inspection and when we purchased the car. They also stressed that we bought the car "as is" and that they felt no responsible for the condition of this car.

We had the car repaired and by using used parts rather we were able to keep the cost below $1000. Nevertheless, we felt that we were sold a car that was not in working condition since without this vent system, the car did not meet EPA requirements and would not have passed the CO emission inspection.

This is a great reliable car, and although it's 4 cylinder, I don't notice any loss of power. The only thing that would make it better is if I had got the EX with leather, automatic seats etc. But over all, very happy with the Honda.