5 Reasons why I LOVE the 1st Gen 97-01 Honda CRV (RD1)

People are always asking me why I love the old little CRV’s out of all the cars I could be tinkering with. There are plenty more reasons why they’re great, but this video encompasses just a few reasons why I love these cars.
Shoutout to ‪@YoungStatic‬ for that great Honda content!
#hondacrv #crv #rd1 #hondalife

[@JennyBrown11.11]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your take on “ not giving up” on older CRV! Right now my 1st generation ~ 2000 CRV is in the shop & I am praying it will be fixed & back on the road ASAP! 🤞🏻 I 💜 my car SO much & don’t even want these new “ fancy” vehicles. My 2000 CRV has got me To : and From work safely for several years = 100 miles a day ~ 5 days a week … I also drive quite a bit on my weekends. So yeah … 2 THOUSAND + for like 4 years. I’ve only had a few problems… AND YET 😠… EVERY time the advice I get is “ Just get a new car !” 😳 This is RIDICULOUS advice considering I know so many people with new “ fancy” vehicles having numerous problems with all their fancy electronic shitzzzz failing. I want NO part of ANY of it!!! I just want my car fixed & I will find out tomorrow what is wrong with it. 🥴 LONG STORY short ( kind of 🥴 lol ) … I am watching your videos right now cuz nobody in my family knows I’ve had no transportation this week as I don’t want their negativity put ONTO my car ~ as it’s being fixed. So I TRULY THANK YOU for giving me video of what I too believe of the ultimate VALUE of these older 1st generation Honda CRVs 😌 I believe mine is magical & I pray 🙏🏻 it will be restored back to health 🥺🤞🏻😒😔

[@JDMGarageHero]

@jennybrown11.11 thank you for your comment. This just motivated me to start making videos again! You’re absolutely right, your CRV can long outlast most of the newer model garbage on the road! Keep us posted on the outcome! Hope you get her back soon!

[@JohnDoe12515]

Drove through 3ft of snow for 2 hours to pick up my girlfriend in it. Now she's my wife, bright all 3 children from hospital in it and had to upgrade to Honda pilot. Bulletproof

[@JDMGarageHero]

I couldn’t agree more! That a great backstory, thanks for sharing!!

[@ianinkster2261]

I am taking my Italian lady friend on a tour of Scotland in my Mk1. Maybe she will become my wife?

[@e_j_]

just got my first CRV, 2000 4WD, and even with the usual old car issues i honestly can't imagine ever getting rid of it, its perfect

[@m.i.m.m.i.m.6131]

I also have the 1st generation and I value it very much

[@ElReySupr3me]

Gotta love the golden era. Im putting nsx on my crv soon. Just bolts up to the knuckle. Gotta love that interchangeability.

[@JDMGarageHero]

Absolutely my man! You know what’s up! 🙌

[@erindunebuggy9772]

Yep. The best little wheeler I've ever had......Love my 2001 RD1 overland rig with a camper build. Replaced all running gear and suspension with brand new components. Next I will do a K swap. Best all-round compact 4×4 😎

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

What is a k swap. I'm new to this crv thing. Honda in general really. I finally gota 98 civic dx a year ago and just picked up a 2003 crv.

[@erindunebuggy9772]

It's an engine upgrade

[@BlessedVeteranAdventures]

My 99 is a overlander as well.

[@stb9115]

I just put BFGOODRICH KO2 tires on my 97 crv and it looks great I love it

[@susanj.divall1599]

2000 crv 108 kw luv it, paint as new as it gets slot of luv, 380,000 on clock, not keen on the new models, keep on trucking guys.

[@moolamoonboy648]

You forgot to mention the beverage cooler underneath the picnic table. 🙂

[@JDMGarageHero]

Shoot, You’re right! Another gem of an Easter egg hidden inside the RD1’s bag of party tricks!

[@bigruben1089]

Just got a white 2000 crv for $800 I’m pumped

[@LynneSagen]

Mine has almost 300k, Love it, ❤️

[@PoorQualityEdits]

First big boy purchase of 2022 and I have the 2001 RD1 blue. Things don’t work in it like the driver side door wire harness, had to add aftermarket radio, the engine sometimes doesn’t start when I turn the key so I have to press the gas… I told myself I’m going to the dealer to get it worked on from now on even though it will be more expensive. That is until I learn enough to fix it myself.

[@JDMGarageHero]

You can probably get by with an independent auto clinic as these cars are pretty simple to work on, but good luck to you and your new RD1 👌

[@arq.cristianneira6487]

@JDMGaragehero I really appreciate this video, I'm thinking of buying a crv 98 with 100k miles, I only doubt it because I heard that Honda discontinued some spare parts. Do you think it's a problem to buy one of these right now?

[@JeremiahHero]

Not at all man, these cars share parts with a lot of other Hondas and their parts are plentiful in junkyards and eBay for cheap 😊

[@emsea7279]

I kept mine as a back up, now daily driving it at 230k +

[@SnubBarracuda]

I wish Colorado didn't have the proper respect for them like we do, you can't find one here for less than 4 or 5k in any condition with a billion miles on them. lol

[@robertojosemoralesrodriguez]

Para instalación de culata y banda de tiempo en crv

[@jasonmarkwell8593]

Looking for one. Manual if possible.

[@yeahman1756]

Jswap for that torque and it runs forever..

[@chriserk8683]

how many inches can i lift a crv 2001 before it gets dangerous ? thanks, great video. Just bought my first car and am exited to invest in my baby project

[@JDMGarageHero]

2-3” is about the maximum lift I would personally recommend if you still want a nice daily driver 👍

[@erindunebuggy9772]

If you lift it beyond 1inch do a subframe drop kit to minimize axle bind.

[@GaryWold]

Have you had any issues with your OD button not always working when you press it Off/On? The OEM part is not longer available and I cannot find an aftermarket part.

[@JDMGarageHero]

I’ve personally never ran into this issue, but your local salvage yard or pick and pull, should be able to source you an OD button as well as any other discontinued parts for relatively cheap!

[@1Caseup]

I just bought this car with 180000 miles..drove 50 miles and the check engine light came on, threw an emissions code (accorsing to orileys) leaks oil around the head, has a blue gasket lol.. I'm pretty sure barley holding on after a cheap fix. I love the car but damn it. I was thinking about the junk yard but I just paid 2500 for it :/ I'm no mechanic, is it worth putting it in a shop? Thank God the guy who sold it to me got it inspected the day before.. I got 1 year to fix it or junk it lol

[@JDMGarageHero]

Hi Casey, do you know which code she was throwing? Also the oil leak around the head could be a cam plug seal or a distributor seal as well, causing oil to drip down around the head. I’m sorry you’re having troubles after just purchasing her, that’s a bummer. At 180k she should still have plenty of life left so I hope it’s something simple, but please let us know.

[@1Caseup]

@@JDMGarageHero the guy just said "it is an emissions leak that has to do with gas but it's not liquid gas". He asked me if I got gas recently (which I hadn't because I bought it with a full tank ). I just watched your cam video, that's definitely the oil leak problem. Plus the driver window / power locks video, also the exact problem. I got got, hah it happens to the best of us, at least that spell only comes in 3s 😄

[@jslhopper]

Most likely your piston ring is bad on one of the cylinder. Obviously previous owner didn't maintain the car properly..

[@dr.mantistoboggan4746]

Adjust valves asap

[@saleplains]

you drinkin motor oil?

[@Rota_rd1]

Easiest car to steal, I love my v but I’m always worried, even with a kill switch apple AirTag and sometimes even disconnect a couple cables from inside and engine bay.

[@JDMGarageHero]

Thanks for the comment; I had no idea people boost these things! I’ll have to keep that in mind next I take one of mine into the city 🤔

[@moolamoonboy648]

Take out the main relay on the passenger side of the glove box.

[@user-hs9bx1xm5u]

How are they stolen may I ask ?

[@eliottdogg3390]

I have a problem with my 01 CRV I can't figure out could you plz respond to this message? thanx

[@JDMGarageHero]

Hi what’s going on?

[@eliottdogg3390]

@@JDMGarageHero Hey I figured out my problem, but I sure appreciate your response If i have any other questions I'll be sure to ask. 😀

[@gomertube]

Good gas mileage? 19 mpg is not so good for a small car. And the other expense on these is suspension rebuilds. Big bucks for quality parts and labor. Otherwise if you’re diy then you’re in for a lot of back pain if you don’t have a lift.

[@getsmarter5412]

I get 27 mpg. I rebuilt both my ‘98 and ‘99’s front suspensions for $400.00 each, including front axles. Easily done without a lift.

[@gomertube]

@@getsmarter5412 Nothing you wrote is true except for the period at the end.

[@JDMGarageHero]

Wrong again @gomertube, he speaks the truth. Not sure why you think a lift is necessary…

[@gomertube]

@@JDMGarageHero 27 mpg and he replaced the entire suspension for 400. with Hotwheels parts maybe and good luck with your back.

[@getsmarter5412]

@@JDMGarageHero Thanks. JDM! Love my rides, a '98. a '99, and an '00 parts car!

[@markcavandish1295]

Well said

[@markcavandish1295]

Where can I scoop up one of those juicy engines?

[@JDMGarageHero]

If you’re in the Detroit area, let me know!