Tough decision on weather to go for an EX vs. LX

[Davecr-v]

OK here is my issue the CR-V is going to be my first car and I want it to last a long time my budget is in the ballpark of 13000 pre tax so I am looking 2002 to 2003. ANyways I have a deal on a silver AWD LX CR-V with 28,000 miles on the clock with a dealer my father bought his last car with genuine good guys who are well established I like the car but I feel like the sunroof would be a big miss, now I have looked at other CR-V EX's in that price range with 60 plus K on them and some wear am I stressing to much or should I buy the LX I mean the only thing I want is the sunroof but I figure thats a good 2-3 years of extra use when it comes to mileage.

[Black Pearl]

My opinion of sunroofs is fairly well established, ergo take what I say with a grain of salt. The cranky old man view, get the car with lesser mileage.

Then again, if you are going to end up with a car you totally hate, then get the one with the sunroof. To me its a no brainer, but then again I have no use for sunroofs, and I would gladly give you mine if I didn't have to part with the rest of the car.

Using your math, is a sunroof worth 2 to 3 years of service?

[Davecr-v]

My opinion of sunroofs is fairly well established, ergo take what I say with a grain of salt. The cranky old man view, get the car with lesser mileage.

Then again, if you are going to end up with a car you totally hate, then get the one with the sunroof. To me its a no brainer, but then again I have no use for sunroofs, and I would gladly give you mine if I didn't have to part with the rest of the car.

Using your math, is a sunroof worth 2 to 3 years of service?

OK here is my issue the CR-V is going to be my first car and I want it to last a long time my budget is in the ballpark of 13000 pre tax so I am looking 2002 to 2003. ANyways I have a deal on a silver AWD LX CR-V with 28,000 miles on the clock with a dealer my father bought his last car with genuine good guys who are well established I like the car but I feel like the sunroof would be a big miss, now I have looked at other CR-V EX's in that price range with 60 plus K on them and some wear am I stressing to much or should I buy the LX I mean the only thing I want is the sunroof but I figure thats a good 2-3 years of extra use when it comes to mileage.

No it's not worth it but its a series of likes would I be miserable without the Sunroof no but I would like it would I be miserable without the 6 disc changer not at all but it would be nice I will probably go with the LX for two reasons 1 I want the car to last 9 years and 2 it is a good price from a good dealer who I trust and know. I have seen people asking 17 for EX's with 50k plus its a given I am goig to call the guy tommorow and make sure he still has the car and hopefully I can get the new car tues. I honestly think I would get tired of the sunroof and I don't care at all about the cd changer on one hand its a feature on the other hand it is something that could break or be stolen I would rather have reliailty over features heck thats why I chose the CR-V over an Audi A6

[Black Pearl]

As I said in another post, for all monumental decisions, I ask my wife, failing in that, my mother. But sometimes you just have to rely on your own good common sense. Get the LX, buy an aftermarket CD changer with the 2 to 3 extra years of money you will save. No sunroof, less chance of skin cancer (that's why they call them moonroofs). Live and prosper. You have made a fine decision.

[2RedV's]

I always try to go with the lower mileage one when shopping for used cars.

In any event, see if you can get a triple drain and fill of the tranny fluid (only with Honda ZL1 fluid and no flushing) a brake fluid flush, a power steering fluid change and a drain and fill of the rear differential fluid (only with Honda Dual Pump Fluid) thrown into the deal. A 2002 is 5 years old and overdue for all of these normal maintenance items. This will get you prepared for winter and keep the V in good shape for long term service.

I always assume the previous owner neglected everything and do all fluid changes myself; immediately.

[Davecr-v]

As I said in another post, for all monumental decisions, I ask my wife, failing in that, my mother. But sometimes you just have to rely on your own good common sense. Get the LX, buy an aftermarket CD changer with the 2 to 3 extra years of money you will save. No sunroof, less chance of skin cancer (that's why they call them moonroofs). Live and prosper. You have made a fine decision.

Ha trust me with my family history I am screwed. But I am gettng the LX I also feel more comfortable with the dealer he is an established guy and I know if something goes wrong he isn't going to go bankrupt and skip town man I will never buy a used car again its such a painful process not only do you ave to worry about price but options, color, condition, and mileage way to many variables after this car dies I am going to get a lease on a new car hopefully though thats 10 years down the road.

[Davecr-v]

I always try to go with the lower mileage one when shopping for used cars.

In any event, see if you can get a triple drain and fill of the tranny fluid (only with Honda ZL1 fluid and no flushing) a brake fluid flush, a power steering fluid change and a drain and fill of the rear differential fluid (only with Honda Dual Pump Fluid) thrown into the deal. A 2002 is 5 years old and overdue for all of these normal maintenance items. This will get you prepared for winter and keep the V in good shape for long term service.

I always assume the previous owner neglected everything and do all fluid changes myself; immediately.

I doubt that they will throw that in but how much do you think all that would cost if I were to get it done at a local mechaninc or an oil change place.

[Black Pearl]

I doubt that they will throw that in but how much do you think all that would cost if I were to get it done at a local mechaninc or an oil change place.

If you have it done elsewhere, make sure that the mandated Honda fluids are used, which will probaby require that you provide the fluids. Check the owners manual, just about all the fluids except motor oil are limited to Honda specified fluids. I would be very leery of having an oil change place do it. (Well I am pretty leery of having a oil change place change my oil which is why I do it myself). And hopefully the mechanic would be a trusted mechanic familiar with Hondas. I don't know what the charge would be, but the dealers have been know to charge some outrageous prices for changing the rear axle oil. Which probably takes 10 minutes. Try to work it into your deal.

[2RedV's]

I doubt that they will throw that in but how much do you think all that would cost if I were to get it done at a local mechaninc or an oil change place.
Tranny fluid - about 10 quarts at $6 each + labor of about 1.5 hours
Brake fluid - 2 pints at $4 each and 1 hour labor
Power steering fluid - 1-2 pints at $5 each + 1 hr labor
Rear diff fluid - $1.3 quarts at $6 quart + 1 hr labor


The brake fluid is the toughest although it isn't really that tough. Honda made the other 3 really easy for the DIY'er.