Wisdom of the crowd, 2003 CRV extended life
 

Greetings,

My wife and I have a 2003 CRV that we bought new and have taken reasonably good care of. Oil changes every 3-5K miles. It now has 117K miles on it and runs just fine. (the paint is HORRID however!)

If we wanted to get another 15 year or so out of this car, what kind of things at this point should we be looking to replace/have checked? I know all hoses, belts, ignition wires and probably the timing chain, but what beyond that should we be looking at? I don't have a problem in investing a few grand in it for another 10 - 15 years of life, as we don't see anything else out there now we like any better.

Thanks in advance,
Brett

welcome to the forum I would have the suspension checked, only replace if needed. Do a wheel alignment, continue all the good work you have done on the vehicle, you've stated most of what you can do already. just for info, i have a 07 Fit, changed the cat, the ign coils, spark plugs, now at 285k miles +. suspension starting to get a little soggy but still firm, no leaks. your crv will go a long time.

I'd get it undercoated, since rust will take it off the road.

Undercoating is a tricky thing.
Sometimes the undercoat will keep water in and advance rust faster.
Also, if rubber undercoat then some mechanics will not touch it if there are any problems with the under side
Brake lines and such. Rubber undercoating makes it harder to work with. Longer time.
There are some which coat the underside with a film (fluid film)
It is like an oil based coating.


As for fixing, just do a good inspection of the underside for rust.
Check suspension. Check motor mounts. Check electrical grounds.
Clean battery posts and cables terminals.
Replace fluids like coolant, tranny fluid, etc