First Generation Honda HR-V - JDM Off-Road Obscurity

[@xenografix2041]

I bought a 2-door back in 1999 (98 model) when it first came out in Australia and I still drive it as my daily driver to this day. 25 years of very reliable service compared to my previous Alfa Romeos and Fiats. Still many more years of life in this car. A great investment. :)

[@NinoJoel]

Any special problems / defects? How Manny miles / KM does it have now

[@xenografix2041]

@@NinoJoel Extremely reliable car. My early model (98 build date) had an issue with the front plastic shroud on the lower front glass, under the wipers. It warped badly on my car under the harsh West Australian sun. It was replaced by Honda for no charge. The earliest model did not have front spotlights offered in the bumper. Mud guards were missing from the first model and had to be added by Honda when the issue was spotted. In regards to the interior, it had been totally squeak free and well built for over 20 years. It only now has a few squeaks, but I'm sure they can be solved. The only parts that have failed have been the sunroof knobs that lock the sunroof cover in place. They break with age and rough use, but only an issue if you get a HRV with a sunroof. The paint quality is also very good. The bonnet is prone to fading at this age though. The engine has been super-reliable, no major issues as long as it is regularly serviced. These early HRV's are an excellent car. Heaps of space under the bonnet and would be great for modding with a B or K series engine, or turbo. The base car is pretty gutless though and could do with an engine mod. Get the 5-speed. The CVT is not that great. By the way, there was an error with this video. The car only has seatbelts for 4 people, so it is not suitable as a 5-seater.

[@NinoJoel]

@@xenografix2041 nice to know. Do you still know the milage of your car. I live in Germany and just bought one after seeing your comment yesterday. It has some rust that needs to be welded but nothing major / I will do it on a weekend myself. Was from the first owner that got to old to drive it. Cost me 1600$ / 1500€ with a bare 130.000 KM / 80.000 miles. The service book is completely full 😁 It's black with the sunroof and a 5 Speed manual.

[@xenografix2041]

@@NinoJoel My car is sitting on about 270,000 km. It has heaps of life still. I think you will not be disappointed with this investment. Its reliability is the main reason why I have not updated. It's just so reliable. My wife and I have travelled all over the south-west of Western Australia in it. The only problem I had while out on the open road was blowing a fuse for my radio! I don't think my HRV liked loud Drum + Bass or Jungle! 😄 lol

[@CasaMaryParadise]

1999 AWD 105pk 3 door. Now on 350.000 no issues.

[@herrstoy4766]

I'm driving one everyday here in France, and this car is putting a big smile on my face everytime.

[@nikko1984]

Tu as quelle version ?

[@herrstoy4766]

​@@nikko1984 3 portes 2WD 105cv

[@nikko1984]

@@herrstoy4766 presque pareil. 105cv en 4x4 de 99. Je l'adore !

[@CasaMaryParadise]

Same here. Live in the mountains. AWD perfect!

[@antoniomarinho6402]

Moi aussi je suis heureux en le conduisant. Bizarre mais c'est vrai. Juste la consommation pour la part sur autoroute je suis aux 10l/100km.. à 120-130. Et vous?

[@arianbardez7149]

The best review I've seen of this wonderful classic Honda HRV.

[@T08Y232]

I just got one of these cheap, low milage, no rust! 4 door non vtec but what a great looking car with that spoiler

[@thewoanderer]

I'm on my second MK1 HR-V. My original was a ’99 2 Door with (AWD) 4WD. Identical to the one in your video. Man, I loved that car. It was a little rocket it was but sadly I drove it into the ground... Loved it so much that I now have a 2003 1.6 CVT Automatic 4 Door. I put that into sport mode and it just melts the tarmac.... Love seeing those folks surprise when I fly off the line and seeing those newer cars trying to catch up. Probably one of the most fun cars ever built, even better is the general nod you get from other MK1 drivers. Like there is just this greeting, a kind of acknowledgement that says Yeah... I'm having a blast too 👍 Those who know? KNOW!!!! One common fault though is the ABS pump goes resulting in a horrid vibration when pulling off from stand still. The pump doesn't release the wheels when you drive off. The other thing is that it is a 4 seater. There is no fifth seatbelt in the middle of the back seat. If you can source one of these though, oh man... I recommend you do. They are such fun cars. I let my ex wife borrow it to take the kids to school when her mercedes a160 broke down. Her face said it all when she walked back in the door.... she was like Oh My God, that was so much fun. I loved it. All I could do was Nod and Smile 😉🙏 Not particularly interested in the new gens. They're not really HR-V's in my mind and only once you've driven an MK1 will you truly know that. It is lovely to see a review of this car so many years after release.

[@xx-----------xx873]

I had one, I took a different route with it. Straight piped it and always kept it in VTEC whenever possible. Best sounding 4 cylinder ever after 5.5k, before that it's just average for the time.

[@charlesmchoop3007]

​@@xx-----------xx873 😅 Probably more of a feeling / vibe then an actual VTEC crossover at all 😅. It's just an SOHC D16 VTEC, so exhaust note doesn't change really at all when VTEC hits because of being an SOHC, it's just the intake side. Those things still scream like heck because of the usual high revs of Honda the "none" existing combustion & "no" tourge. Like almost every Honda, alot of fun to drive & joy ride.

[@oberonb-6129]

Tips: I did some research long ago when my dad bought this car. If you're thinking of buying one. Consider these things: 1.) Rarity: I'm not sure about Europe but 3doors in Japan are so rare that according to some people, they were only produced for only 3 years ever since it's release at 1998. And finding one this clean, especially without paint fade is indeed something special so if you're thinking about adding one as a daily or as a collection. You're in for a treat. Cool colors of these include Sunburst Yellow, another yellow, Supersonic Blue and Orange Metallic.(It'll be cool if you put this beside an Integra or a RSX.) 2.) Variants: The HR-V in Japan has 3 variants, J, J4, and JS4. Very peculiar but I think from what I see with this HRV and the features it has. I'm pretty sure it's a D series VTEC as 4 wheel drives come with VTEC and FFs only have PGM-FI. I'm not sure about J4 but I think it'll be a VTEC as well. Correct me if I'm wrong. Mines a Type J which is the barebone stock variant but surprisingly. It comes with almost everything the top range has other than the sunroof and those pretty cool spoilers. Seats have various options but mine has a lot of eccentric markings which screams 90s Honda. 3.) Reliability: No words about anything breaking other than the usual stuff you might expect such as oil changes etc. Especially this being a 20+ year old car. Hondas of this era, especially the early and mid 2000s in my experience ironically never breaks. They just seem to last forever. 4.) Experience: This car screams Youth. Seeing my dad ride this just makes him feel like a 20 year old again. This car is very similar to a 2door Rav4 and I wish Auto Detailers would give this car some attention like the CRV since like the CRV. It comes with a lot of cool decals, bodykits, and wheels. 5.) Performance: It's brisk. I might say it's quick. Not sports quick but like what he says, Hondas of this time tend to have unique ability to be really peppy. And it's something I kind of miss in today's cars. A joyful acceleration yet it feels smooth at the same time. My Fit is fun but I just wish it feels a tad smoother. 6. Cool Factor: This car came out at a wrong time when most people are into SUVS and that crossover are an emerging trend. The design too is very quirky. It took me a while to get used to it but then, I started loving it. HR-Vs would look good given it has the right color and bodykits. It may not be as cool as it's CR-V sibling but it is certainly there with what I call the underrated eccentrics (CR-Z, Torneo, SM-X, Saber, Z, Today, and Dunk Turbo).

[@NinoJoel]

The 4x4 variants did come without V-Tec. In fact most produced 4x4 don't have it.

[@CasaMaryParadise]

⁠correct. I have one. No vtech

[@charlesmchoop3007]

​​@@NinoJoel None had 4x4, "just" 4WD/AWD. In Germany etc. every HR-V with the D16 VTEC was 4WD & always a five door too. You wanted the SOHC VTEC? Only option to order in Germany was the five door with 4WD.

[@NinoJoel]

@@charlesmchoop3007 no. I live in Germany and have a AWD non V-Tec with 2 doors. Im the second owner and it was an German car not an import

[@charlesmchoop3007]

@@NinoJoel Was denn nein? Dein Kommentar ändert doch gar nichts & es gibt nichts zu verneinen. I drive an GH4, in Germany, also no Import. My statement still stands. If you wanted the SOHC VTEC in Germany, only way was the 4WD five/four door & you out here telling me something you got an two door none VTEC. What's the matter of subject, brother? The none VTEC SOHC D16 was available in everything. 2/3door & the 4/5 door one. With 4WD or just as FF. Whatsoever, VTEC was only available for us in Germany (as well in Japan etc.) as 4/5 door AND! 4WD. There was never officially an VTEC HR-V without 4WD.

[@markreams6834]

Nice video. I imported my HR-V last fall and it’s been a fun little vehicle.

[@najib26alif]

Great polyvalent car I own one left drive 4x4 since mars 1999, a Joy Machine and still runs brilliantly on a daily basis. Most of its D series engine parts are from Civic and are available but not the body parts and the glass (the junkyard in case of emergency repair).

[@ILL_MENTALYST]

Just to clear up, it's not actually constant four wheel drive. Basically when the front wheels spin at a fast rate, the rear kicks in and also starts spinning the rear wheels. In the snow you can really tell when you're turning without accelerating hard enough.

[@xx-----------xx873]

It'll kick you if you're not careful with it. Also there's no 4wd in reverse, ask me how I learnt about that one.

[@NinoJoel]

​@@xx-----------xx873 weird because the system they used till 2005 specifically has valves to also work in reverse

[@sammyangelrempis2283]

we have those in the philippines as well and also saw one yesterday as a 5-door.

[@Car_M3dia_PT]

Honda sell this one in Europe, its not rare to find one of these in Portugal.

[@battles.digital]

Yes, but definitely rare for the US market. One of only a few here as of right now.

[@DavidDavid-nq5sq]

Hello, I have a Honda HR-V built in 2003 in a 1.6 petrol automatic 4x4. As soon as I switch to D and accelerate a little, there is a vibration, so to speak, the entire body vibrates. Can someone maybe give me a tip? But otherwise the car drives well. It only happens when starting off

[@ramiro8986]

Hey David i have a HR-V 2000 automatic 4x2 and it has exactly the same issue ! As soon as i accelerate from being still the whole body vibrates ! To me it feels as if the body of the car wants to move on faster than what the wheels can handle, thats the only thing i can think of ! Interesting to know that its only my car ! Hope all is well !

[@DavidDavid-nq5sq]

​@@ramiro8986 yes exatly the same to mine happen. Hmmm what could it be? If you find out pls tell me my friend. Wish you the best

[@thewoanderer]

I'd highly recommend you get some one to check out the ABS pump. Mine has this problem. My mechanic figured it out. The pump is not releasing the wheels and causes the whole car to vibrate violently from stand still. The car almost feels as though it has too much power and just wants to go...but the reality is it is being held back. Seems to be more common on automatics as far as I can tell. Sadly an expensive problem unless you have contacts within the mechanics field.

[@thewoanderer]

Wanted to update here. I met a Honda Specialist a few days ago for a part I needed... The ABS pump is interchangeable and does not need to be coded to the car. I've found them on eBay ranging from £25 to £65 - a far cheaper fix than the £800 I was quoted from the garage. Definitely something to look into if you are still facing this vibration issue.

[@CasaMaryParadise]

⁠bloody good tip.

[@NikoKourouklis]

Why don't people import a lhd version from Europe?

[@battles.digital]

Great question, the JDM ones are typically lower miles and better kept.

[@brettsterrett1909]

Are the cars you show available, I hear you are in Dayton. I’m in Cleveland TN

[@battles.digital]

Yo!!! Yes, these are actually local. The HR-V is at Moses & Womac up the street in Athens! Go check it out sometime!

[@brettsterrett1909]

I am interested in the HR-V what other dealers are in my area that you recommend?

[@brettsterrett1909]

Jdm dealers

[@battles.digital]

@@brettsterrett1909 awesome! Definitely go check that one out, seriously my favorite car in the area. I’d also check out Southeast Imports down in Chattanooga. They’ve got some seriously cool cars.

[@TeimonKauppa739TeimoJake]

My mom has one with 5 doors in black

[@globaltypes7337]

Is it a special body kit? Can someone tell me where to get a similar body kit or is it some kind of special model?

[@jordanbloomfield]

This kinda reminds me of my 98 Forester, but if they made a 2-door version. I wish they had brought this to North America to compete with the Forester! Instead we got the CR-V, which is similar, but kinda different

[@battles.digital]

I can see that! The HR-V is both wider and shorter than a CR-V by just a bit.

[@dennis9038]

@@battles.digital Hi the automatic version makes problems?

[@ILL_MENTALYST]

HR-V actually means Hater Resistant Vehicle 😄

[@siimu111]

It is so weird to look you get exited over old HR-V lol. They were everywhere when they were new. Now they are old, high milage rustbuckets. I work at Honda service and when I see that thing (rarely), I am like "noup, I am not gonna waste my time on that rust". Design is cool tho, but because they were everywhere, it is nothing special.

[@CasaMaryParadise]

Strange. I have a 1999 from Germany. Then Dutched It. Now it's wearing Spanish plates and runs me up and down the mountains. The ONLY issue these have are the rear side wheel skirts. They rust. But for €135 you can buy two new steel ones.

[@DkpProductions]

I'm about 6'2" or a hair more... hows that head room? I have a 95 Del Sol that i drive and get made fun of for driving that too lol

[@battles.digital]

It’s actually pretty decent. Comparable to a CR-V of similar vintage.

[@MM-ol6bt]

i love how in the states its 12grand but here in bulgaria is like max 2 or 3 XD

[@CasaMaryParadise]

I payed €1250

[@ОмурзакКултаев-щ8т]

Сатып алууга жардам барбы механикасын

[@Reneziskms]

она вообще ездила то??

[@charlesmchoop3007]

😂 Typical Honda problem. There is parts issue worldwirde, not matter what. Always hated this about Honda. Every japanese brand sucks when it comes to parr availability & the price for this crap, but Honda be may the worse out of all of them. Always consider this when buying one. You get one left mirror from Spain, probably a used right one from Thailand etc. 😅 it just sucks.