Topic: 1998 CRV - what to look for?

[PlanB]

A friend is looking at a 1998 CRV.  2nd owner car with most records, over 200 thousand KM's on it.  Drove it myself and it looks to be in top shape cosmetically (exterior and interior) and drives as you'd expect for a car of this age that has been well maintained.

Anyone out there have personal experience with this year/model of vehicle?  What specifically is there to look out for mechanically.

I've told my friend to make sure they get it inspected by a licensed mechanic but are there any things that owners of this car should look out for?  Timing belt, transmission, AWD system ect....?

Thanks. 

[No H2O]

I bought mine new in 1999 and it now has 190,000 kms on it.

What went so far?

The usual wear items: brake pads (2nd set) and discs (1 set) so far.

Other items: catalytic converter, all four stabilizer links and I'm about to install shocks all around, suspension components such as lower ball joints, upper A arms with ball joints, tie rod ends, rear drums and shoes (first set). Some items may not need to be replaced yet, but I do all my own work and I don't want to be bothered having to do anything else for the rest of the life of the car.

What do I have in this car? Far less than $2000 in parts over nearly 11 years. Labor costs are my time.

A damn good and uninteresting car to drive.

If the rear end makes noise (only noticeable in the winter when on snow or ice and spinning the wheels), change the Dual Pump Fluid. It takes 1 liter exactly and ten minutes.