Author Topic: 1998 CRV - now a 2003 (Read 956 times)

stevek · « **on:** August 26, 2011, 10:00:35 pm »

I saw a 98 CRV in a parking lot with a For Sale sign in the window, and wrote down the info: 268,000 km, Certified, asking $4200. Looking at it I couldn't tell what model it is, but it's automatic and has a trailer hitch. The spare tire holder on the outside of the back door was empty. It looked in great shape, till I walked around the other side and saw a bit of rust on the rear wheel well, the only rust I could see.

I checked Autotrader's value finder and got this:

http://www.autotrader.ca/general/valuefinder/valuefinder.aspx

15 vehicles in Ontario ranging from $2000 to $5650, although most were under 2000,000 km and none as hgh as 268,000km.

I thought before calling the guy I'd get some feedback here on what to look for, what to ask or offer, or whether to forget it due to any red flags.

articsteve · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2011, 10:29:59 pm »

I think if the sign said "Krowned annually" and had no hitch I'd be calling.

stevek · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2011, 01:09:09 am »

I guess if it was Krowned annually, which I do with my cars, it wouldn't have the rust spot I saw.

articsteve · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2011, 03:00:17 pm »

Steve the problem is that when rust appears on a 12 year old Honda in this area of the country it tends to accelerate fast and so putting money into it is a very losing proposition. Then the unknown about how much it's towed and then all that BS about the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, etc.

stevek · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2011, 10:47:31 am »

I hear that.

How about this one:

http://www.schmidtandshaw.com/inventoryss.html

At $7000 listed it's well below the average ask on the Autotrader value finder (29 2003 CRV's in Ontario listed).

Cord · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 01:40:37 pm »

Don't put too much faith in Trader's value finder. It's a very crude instrument that looks only at asking prices. It does not take into account mileage, condition, or equipment. Very easy to get really skewed results.

articsteve · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:36:02 pm »

Quote from: stevek on August 29, 2011, 10:47:31 am

I hear that.

How about this one:

http://www.schmidtandshaw.com/inventoryss.html

At $7000 listed it's well below the average ask on the Autotrader value finder (29 2003 CRV's in Ontario listed).

At that price point stay out of used car dealers. Cars may present well but are usually sh*t.

stevek · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2011, 08:23:38 am »

Well this dealer normally sells only cars that are 2-4 years old, at a higher price point. This 03 CRV was taken in a trade, one owner. Normally they send older cars to the auction, the guy told me, but sometimes they'll keep an older if it's "up to their standards." In other words, this is a high end used car dealer, not a crappy corner lot one.

Anyway, I checked wheels.ca in addition to autotrader, and the price does seem reasonable to good compared to other 2003 CRV's. He showed me the Carproof report, no red flags. He mentioned that it was purchased from the local Honda dealer, Barrie Honda. I know a service rep there, called him with the VIN number and he said it had been well-maintained.

Here's the only kicker I can see. The AC is blowing cool only, not cold. This dealer, which has a high quality garage/service dept, said if they fix it they will do it right, meaning diagnostics, take it apart, replace with all new parts etc. Could run as much as $1500-2000, which makes it not such a good deal anymore. They want to sell it as is, but having fixed up and done everything else. The sales mgr. said to me some garages will fix AC cheaper by just putting more freon in, but his garage won't do shortcuts like that. I don't know enough about AC repairs to know if that's a good way to go. Another option, since it's almost fall, is to leave the AC for now and fix it next spring when it starts to be needed again. I'm going to make calls to try to find more about this issue today, and any ideas from here would be appreciated.

stevek · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2011, 09:47:01 am »

Further on the AC issue I noted above: I talked to my friend at Barrie Honda. He confirmed what the used dealer guy said. The Honda dealership would run a diagnostic test that costs $96, and go from there. The actual problem could run anywhere from $200 to almost $2000 to fix, depending on if it's a small part or the whole compressor that needs replacing. He also said that Schmidt and Shaw, the used dealer where the car is, is a good reliable dealership and garage, which I thought already.

It would be nice to have that diagnostic test run, to know what's needed to fix the AC. But I don't think I want to pay $100 just to diagnose a car I don't even own. And I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get the car now, put off the AC fix till the spring, and hope it's a minor rather than major repair. Everything else about the vehicle seems good, I like it, and it seems a good deal.

articsteve · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:43:10 pm »

Normally they send older cars to the auction, the guy told me, but sometimes they'll keep an older if it's "up to their standards." In other words, this is a high end used car dealer, not a crappy corner lot one.

Steve, most of those cars on that lot come from auctions, wholesalers, Enterprise, etc. We are a brand dealer and we buy from the same sources. Used cars from any lot parallels that Forest Gump movie about the box of chocolates. Until you bite into it, you can't really tell.

I looked at that CRV for $7400 ask @ nearly 200K km and it SUCKS. No surprise. THose CRVs have a good following and they are fishing for a SUCKER.

I also notice that they peddle the "Global" brand warranty. This is not a good sign. Not worth the paper it;s written on.

articsteve · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:48:34 pm »

The actual problem could run anywhere from $200 to almost $2000 to fix, depending on if it's a small part or the whole compressor that needs replacing.

Compressor is small potatoes. Could have a leak in the Evaporator. The fact is that the AC no longer works and it is what it is, a CRV without air.

Are they selling this saftied and e tested? If so offer them $4500., but there are better CRVs available for 7K

articsteve · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:05:42 pm »

Why don't you spend a little more and get something decent. $8500 takes it. However, just an example. HST would be payable on probably $7K.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Honda-CR-V-SUV-W0QQAdIdZ300816154

BTW, stop looking in autotrader which is dealers only. You what a private sale.

stevek · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:19:03 pm »

I don't want to spend more. It's a 3rd car for the kids, and I'd like to spend less if anything.

You did see where I said this particular CRV is a trade-in right, not a car they got from auction. And I said I checked with a guy at Barrie Honda who said it was well-serviced.

I've been reading the site from this thread

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,71604.msg738370.html#new

That guy says not to buy private. I've tried private and found it a nightmare, too much trouble, and I don't want to drive all over the map looking. The Paulsen website says buy from a franchise dealer. I figured this car is the next best thing, a trade-in that came from a franchise dealer, being resold by a used dealer that usually sells newer cars. They do have a good reputation in Barrie from everything I can gather, whereas your misgivings seem to be based on not liking the type of extended warranty they offer.

And $4500 seems like a ridiculously lower offer to make, when all the prices I saw on Trader and wheels.ca were as high or higher than this one.

I called the sales mgr today and he said he'd get his garage to run a diagnostic on the AC. If it's not too much I'm leaning toward getting this vehicle.

articsteve · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:17:37 pm »

You did see where I said this particular CRV is a trade-in right, not a car they got from auction.

I understand that it was a one owner vehicle, traded in on a used car. You see to think that the cars on this lot are above average. I'm just telling you we get them from the same sources.

And I said I checked with a guy at Barrie Honda who said it was well-serviced.

Do you have access to the actual work order/receipts. Tranny should have been serviced twice. Antifreeze once. Plugs should be not original. Do you have all these records?

johngenx · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:30:36 pm »

Sounds like you're going with that 2003 regardless. Here's the thing: have you done a use car inspection yet? I talked to my indie, and they only charge an extra $50 for a full A/C diagnosis if you're having a used inspection done. I'd for sure pop another $50 to find out what's up with the A/C.

Why not offer them $4500? They might say no, but so what? People are so afraid to negotiate. When we bought our Forester, the asking was $19K. I offered them $12K! Why not? Sure, we ended up at $15K (taxes in) but that's a helluva long way from $19K plus taxes. I nearly bought another Forester (back when we bought the Corolla) and the dealer was asking $13K. I offered them $8K all-in, and they took it. It was a #2 deal on the car, and the first one took, so I didn't get it, but if you don't offer a low price, you'll end up paying sticker. $7400 for a 200K CR-V with broken A/C is too high.

articsteve · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:40:24 pm »

The Paulsen website says buy from a franchise dealer. I figured this car is the next best thing, a trade-in that came from a franchise dealer, being resold by a used dealer that usually sells newer cars

Every new car comes from a "franchise dealer". These guys know that they can make a good buck off the car so they kept it. You know nothing about the vehicle and either do they.

They do have a good reputation in Barrie from everything I can gather, whereas your misgivings seem to be based on not liking the type of extended warranty they offer.

All after market warranties on used cars are scams. If you enter a used car dealers and they have those for sale they not reputable. Even we don't stoup that low.

I called the sales mgr today and he said he'd get his garage to run a diagnostic on the AC. If it's not too much I'm leaning toward getting this vehicle.

"Diagnostics" on AC systems are exploratory at best. THey find one leak and fix that. Then the other leak shows up and so on. That how old AC systems work. If it's for the kids then why bother?
,
Anyways, you're hell bent on buying this car so be it. For ppl in the business it's good to see you're way of thinking, but from a dealer POV it's your typical overpriced deal that keeps everyone in business.

And as Cord points out the Trader is a terrible place to value used cars and that Paulsen site is for entertainment purposes only.

safristi · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:46:53 pm »

..folks overpriced second hand TOP O' tha LISTS are CRV's RAV's and Elements....................pay the extra 25% if ya want one THAT BAD...........

Smart move BUY NEW and sell it.........fer a lesser depreciation whenever whateffer...........

...yeah I'll build ya a New Element "Safnewbydium" fer $30K....

stevek · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2011, 10:09:09 am »

To appease you private sale proponents I found this kijiji listing close to home.

http://barrie.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=307296957&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&mpname=R2S&mpname=Activity-R2S&mpuid=1700006%3B174%3B307296957%3B-1177660649%3B%3B&secev=AQAAATIiSPgAAM0AAAACACIxMzIyYTczNTBmNS5hMjBiMjY3LjZjOWQ0LmZmZmZiZWE5AAAAABJQ%2Br0BAAAAAgAAAAEeGjAAR0nDx5leWguA2zWlLbgrra3l9HY*

02 Impreza, 219000 km, asking $4800. Ad has this comment:

Quote

This car has been my baby and I've taken great care of it. It was a gift from my aunt so I have the complete history of the vehicle. Oil changes done every 5,000km new struts last year, 4 winter tires included. Cloth seats, power windows, power locks. Great car, sad to see it go. Need to upgrade to a small, manual SUV or truck.

Any comments? I had a 98 Impreza a couple years ago as a 3rd car, loved it but it was totaled in an accident. The AWD is appealing because my wide will be driving Barrie to Alliston to work this year, so I'd feel good to have her in the CRV or a Subaru in winter.

johngenx · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2011, 10:26:47 am »

Solid cars, but have your tech check the head-gasket. They're much better by 02, but still a problem. The AT is super solid, outlives the manual, actually. The only thing to look for is the time it takes to engage D or R. If there is a real lag, an engagement seal is gone, and the AT is shot. Happens on poorly maintained transmissions, so if the car was cared for, shouldn't be an issue. Wheel bearings are a tad pricey, so make sure they're not howling. Front half-shafts get killed by engine heat, so have the boots checked, and if they are gone, DO NOT bother replacing a boot. You can get a new axle installed for about $50 more than just the boot. About $300 P/L for an axle, so not a huge deal.

If the timing belts were not replaced, then you need to have them done, and at 219K, NOW. If not, I'd take $1500 off the price, right away. If you want to keep it for a while, and you're changing the belts, have them replace the coolant pump, front main seal and belt tensioner. Should be ~$1000 for everything, vs. $600 for just belts. Lots of labour to get in there.

One you own it, go to a Subaru dealer and buy the "coolant conditioner." Change the coolant and be sure to add the conditioner, following the instructions on the bottle. Easy, and all used Scoob buyers should do this right away.

articsteve · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2011, 03:22:51 pm »

Steve,

FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!!!!

That is a very complex 11 year WORN OUT vehicle.

If you wife is gonna drive this thing put her into something with a bit of crash worthiness.

Get the glue out yer pocket.

That 2005 CRV I posted is perfect. You keep looking at these 5 - 7K beaters that could very easily cost you 3K in repairs in the first year just to keep the thing going. If you were the type that hunted around for used parts and did the work yourself then my all means ..... beater land here you go.