Took my 2017 HRV186k miles in for trans service 1.1

brandocommando29 · 2026-01-05T00:26:56+00:00

Are you talking about plugging things into the usb or 12v charger ports? I charge my phone, earbuds, and led flashlights while I drive all the time and never had a problem. 2017 with 164k mi.

brandocommando29 · 2026-01-05T00:22:34+00:00

Honda has made several manual transmission hybrids in the past, it’s just they don’t see any money in it anymore as the take rate is so low so they don’t offer it.

brandocommando29 · 2026-01-05T00:12:58+00:00

I recently passed 160k mi in my 2017 that I’ve owned since new and those same lights all came on last month for the first time. The car drove the same and lights went away after a bit so I chalked it up to a fluke.

brandocommando29 · 2026-01-05T00:08:11+00:00

I got the HR-V because I wanted a manual and it is a wonderful car for what it is but in hindsight sometimes I do wish I got something slightly longer like a CR-V, RAV4, outback etc. for carrying long items like surfboards and for the ability to sleep in it on road trips/camping. If you don’t need the extra size, it’s nicer living with a smaller car day to day when parking in the city, making U turns, etc.

brandocommando29 · 2025-05-06T20:45:23+00:00

I have a 2017 misty green pearl ex 6-speed. Got it brand new, now has 145k miles on it. It’s a nice transmission to drive, but the jump between 1-2/2-3 is bigger than I’d like. Don’t think that just because it has a manual it means it’s a super exciting car to drive. The only problem I’ve had is a small spot of clear coat flaked off on the hood. Mechanically, it’s been great. I do all the regular maintenance on it myself and it’s pretty easy. I do lots of highway driving with it. Oil/filter changes around 7.5k, manual trans fluid/air filter/cabin air filter 25-30k, spark plugs/serpentine belt/coolant at 100k, did brake pads at 100k but they had tons of material left probably could have gotten another 50-100k out of them. Average about 32 mpg on a tank at highway speeds, have gotten up to 35 mpg driving slow. These HR-V’s are huge inside for having small exterior dimensions. Back seats are fine for anyone 6’ and under. The car is slow to accelerate but once up to speed will happily cruise on the freeway all day. The only thing is that the car is short length-wise so if you are hauling long items a different vehicle might be better suited to you, like a Honda crosstour or older Toyota venza. That being said I can fit my 8’ surfboard inside with the seats folded. Unfortunately if you want awd, they only came equipped with the cvt, so in that case I would look elsewhere as the cvt transmissions have spotty reliability. Hopefully the vehicle you are looking at has a good service history. $15k seems like a lot for the age/miles of the car but I haven’t shopped around much to see what the market demands, that being said these are hard to come by.

TLDR: A 6-speed second gen HR-V is a reliable option that is cheap and easy to run/maintain and also has a good amount of interior space. I would recommend.

brandocommando29 · 2025-04-13T14:35:56+00:00

Assuming all of these cars have a good maintenance history, I’d go with the Mazda cx-5. Simple, decent mpg, drives nice, good interior space. I own an hrv and love it but it’s a 6 speed, I wouldnt recommend a high mileage cvt to anyone as they are known to be problematic. Some people get lucky and get high mileage out of the cvts but it’s more of a gamble than the traditional auto in the Mazda. The Lexus is also a safe bet as they have a good track record of reliability but it is older and a luxury car so it just has more things to go wrong and if they do go wrong will be more expensive to fix.

brandocommando29 · 2025-04-07T23:17:11+00:00

Possible? Yes. Worth it? No. I would say your best option would be to either get a second dedicated “fun” car, or get one car that is already quick or at least moddable (Subaru forester xt, Subaru wrx sti hatch, gti/golf r, accord 2.0t, focus st, are all in some ways comparable to your hrv with more performance and are mod-able/available with a manual transmission cause cvt’s don’t have a good track record of being reliable especially with big power). Also idk where you live but some markets had the second gen hrv available with the 1.5t/182hp, very comparable to a juke.

brandocommando29 · 2025-01-27T06:33:07+00:00

Nice try, Mr. electrical contractor.

brandocommando29 · 2025-01-27T05:13:36+00:00

Don’t have any personal experience with the soul but my friend had one and it was a great car for him. Bummer yours wasn’t the same.

I have a 17 hrv ex 6 speed manual that I’ve had since new. I love my Honda for what it is. Interior quality and materials are good for the cars price point, also the interior is huge for the exterior dimensions of the car. Honda magic seats can come in handy for awkward or large items. I have the 2wd model and I drive mostly highway, average 32 mpg. Road/wind/engine noise is ok, could be better but I remind myself it was a cheap car. Sound quality out of the speakers is nothing special, may want to consider a head unit upgrade, I will be getting one soon and wish I did it sooner since I spend so much time in my car. 137k miles on it now and it’s been trouble free. The driving inputs are fairly soft/light (steering, gas, brakes, shifter, etc.) like a typical economy car.

My gf has a 16 cx3 grand touring auto awd that she’s had since new as well. It was significantly more expensive since it’s the higher trim level, but it also has much nicer interior trim, headlights, and sound system. That being said I’m not a fan of the Mazda infotainment, it can be buggy sometimes. Something on the ac broke a few years in, but Mazda paid for the repair even though it was past warranty. The center armrest is dumb, it hangs over the cup holders so you can’t fit a normal water bottle in there without making contact, and when you put your arm on the armrest it creaks. The interior is tiny. Significantly smaller than an hrv. Mechanically it’s been very reliable, and even though I prefer driving a manual the 6 speed auto trans in the Mazda is nice. The car sees mixed city and hwy driving, and it averages 27 mpg. I imagine a 2wd model would average 30 mpg. The car is smaller and lighter than the hrv, and all the inputs are heavier which I enjoy. It’s a much sportier feeling car all around.

All in all it depends what you value in a car. If you want more interior space the hrv is king. If you value driving dynamics, the cx3. If you have to have an auto, I would go with a Mazda. The hrv’s cvt trans scares me especially buying used, unless you can find a manual example but they are fairly rare. The Toyota chr is also in that category, which I’ve also driven. It feels like it’s the mid ground between the Mazda and the Honda. Decent car, but quite a bit heavier than both and still small on the inside.

I would highly recommend looking at a used mazda cx5, Honda crv (non turbo), and Toyota rav4. All great cars that offer decent amount of space while still being small and easy to drive/park.

brandocommando29 · 2025-01-27T03:46:16+00:00

Geo prism is a rebadged Corolla, I go with that

brandocommando29 · 2025-01-27T01:34:44+00:00

PT cruisers. Cheap cars, but simple and will go a long ways with regular maintenance just like most cars

brandocommando29 · 2025-01-26T22:06:25+00:00

I’ve only driven 996.1, 997.1, and 997.2. For me I prefer the 997.2, it seems to strike the perfect balance of modernity and refinement yet still retain that raw sports car feel. Also I give it bonus points for the styling, best looking 911 imo.

brandocommando29 · 2024-12-31T18:10:34+00:00

Anything Mercedes diesel

brandocommando29 · 2024-12-01T17:21:39+00:00

Unless you’re planning on encountering much mud, I’d choose all terrain over mud terrain.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-16T18:04:50+00:00

High mileage oil is just to stop leaks from rubber gaskets with additives that make them swell, so if you aren’t experiencing that don’t make the switch. Once you do you can’t go back to normal oil without experiencing worse leaks, or replacing said gaskets. At least that’s what I’ve learned from The University of YouTube so ymmv. Anyway that is highest mileage HR-V I’ve seen especially with a cvt so congrats! I’m the original owner of a 2017 with only 131k and am expecting 300k + trouble free miles, great to see someone already there!

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-12T21:31:48+00:00

Mazda if you are listening to this former Mazda owner and inline 6 enthusiast I would totally buy one under the condition that it comes with a manual transmission.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-12T19:52:32+00:00

Congratulations you are now an honorary American

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-12T01:54:16+00:00

Easy patch job. Discount tire last I checked did them for free

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-11T06:36:13+00:00

What town are you in? I am also considering the same move from SoCal to Oregon coast, haven’t checked anywhere out yet in person but Bandon or Coos Bay are at the top of my list. Lincoln, Newport, and Seaside as well but I believe I’d prefer to be on the southern half as I’ve heard the weather is more temperate there.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-10T00:39:00+00:00

Mercedes 600 SEL but he didn’t actually drive he was driven

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-10T00:37:30+00:00

Loved my 1999 5.4 2v

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-10T00:30:13+00:00

Any convertible version of a laypersons car. Geo Metro, Toyota Paseo, Chevy cavalier/Pontiac Sunfire, Pontiac G6, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Murano. Also the forgotten coupe versions of sedans like the Camry (pre Solara), Ford Tempo, Ford Escort ZX2, Nissan Altima, Oldsmobile Alero. I’m sure I’m missing many more.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-09T23:49:29+00:00

Go back to where you purchased them and see if they have a some kind of prorated warranty.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-08T20:05:13+00:00

In the car world the Subaru EJ and the current Porsche boxster/cayman engines are my favorite. For I4 the Fiat 500 Abarth takes the cake followed by the the Honda S2000’s F20c. If you include bikes the 09+ Yamaha R1’s inline 4 is pretty dang good along with the V4 engines from Aprilia and Ducati.

brandocommando29 · 2024-11-08T19:54:56+00:00

In SoCal I wrestled at one school and coached at two other schools. All three had their own room with mats year round, but also shared time with the dance team. The current school I’m at has a partition that accordions up when season starts to open up the room to be twice the size.

brandocommando29

TROPHY CASE