WVCR-V

I'm almost embarrassed to ask here with all of the cool cars you guys have as daily drivers. But the thing is I have actually grown to like my 2004 CR-V. Its a 5spd manual with 138k miles on the clock and I feel its got a ton of life left in it. Every time I consider a newer car like a Mazda 3 or Subaru WRX or Crosstrek (none of which I can even really afford anytime soon anyway), I find lots of compromises vs the CR-V. The CR-V has a great shifter, better than anything I've ever driven save for the S2000, amazing practicality which is above any of the newer cars I've considered and really good build quality from Honda's best era.
There is one glaring deficiency however, the handling sucks. I mean its ok when just loping along on the way to the grocery store but anytime you want to have any fun on a two lane road, it just folds. Part of the problem is obviously the pie cutter, high profile 205/70 all season tires but I wonder how it would feel with some lowering springs. H and R makes some with a 1.3" drop but performance shocks are hard to find for this car. I recently replaced my stock shocks with KYB and I'm afraid they won't mesh well with lowering springs. If I could just get this car to handle somewhat decently, I would keep it till the wheels fall off.
Any advice on what I should do if I decide to go this route? Will I need expensive Billstien shocks to match the springs? I would post this on the CR-V forums but this forum is so much moreee active and knowledgable. Plus hardly anyone has lowered their CR-V...lol.

Thanks

Jon

windhund116

Don't know about lowering, but I often thought about going to better shocks and maybe bigger sway bars on my 2007 Element. The thing is the definition of body-roll. Prolly, just get another daily driver, multi-utility buggy. But like you, engine is strong. Burns no oil. 5-speed manual...

Marioshi

Wheels and Tires would make a bigger difference IMO. Personally, I think that Gen of CR-V is great, something really fun about a little runabout small SUV. Plus a 5 speed probably makes it even more chipper.

WVCR-V

Yeah, I just got new tires less than 5k miles ago. I should have thought about this sooner. I would like to have bought a set of the 2005-2006 wheels that are 16x6.5 vs the 15x6 that I have now. That would have changed the tire size to 215/65 16 from 205/70 15. That should give me better tire choices in the H rated range. Still no performance tires but I would expect an improvement there.

I'm just really thinking the H and R springs would make things choppy with OEM struts.

thomsbrain

We have a 2003 base model FWD automatic with 207K. Runs like a champ, works well for road trips. My main gripe is ours doesn't have ABS and has super narrow tires with poor braking performance so I worry about safety with the family in the car. Also the front suspension geometry is pretty wack and the inside wheel can't put any power down. I had also wondered about lowering springs, combined with a set of 17x8 Acura TL wheels I have lying around. I figured I'd throw on some cheap 235-series Sumi summers, and use the stock steelies for winter tires for ski trips. But the Michelin Defenders on the car now have another 30K in them and I hate to waste rubber.

hecash

It's a modified Civic Platform. So, it not being a truck, may allow it to improved.

starchland

I have an 05@200k and I have the opposite problem, wanted to raise it abit, admittedly mostly for looks. Factory ground clearance is actually pretty good all things considered. I am running 225/60/16 in the summer and 235/60/16 winter (terribly wide previous owner choice).

I must say though, the car (truck?)...I thought handles pretty good for what it is, the word body roll definitely isn't what immediately comes to mind.
Maybe your shocks needs replacing? Check all your end links, etc.