CR-V?

My neighbor lady has a 2000 Cr-v Ex with awd. It's an automatic with 124,000. She's owned it since 17,000 miles. It needs balljoints and she's asking $3000. Anyway, I thought about buying it for a daily driver for the winters (Central Ohio). Worth it or just throw some snow tires on my civic? I would have to sell my Crx Si:(

Great vehicles, even at 120,000 miles.

I suspect that it would retail closer to $5k if all was good.
A CRV is solid transportation but hardly a replacement for a CRX Si in the fun department.

I've heard the automatics are slow.

They are, but not Merc N/A Diesel slow.

How much for the CRX?

For driving impressions and speed examples think of it as a lifted 4cyl Accord of similar vintage. Yes, this means no speed records but more than adiquate for daily use. The higher center of gravity means even less sporty characteristics than an Accord.
The CRV of any vintage is the number one car that I recommend to average driver. By average I mean the type of driver who just wants to turn the key and go; the type of driver that needs a vehicle that can complete the "chore" of driving.

The first gen CR-Vs are fairly long lived, that is, if they have been decently cared for they easily reach and pass 200K miles.

The later CR-Vs are ALMOST as good, but the 2nd and subsequent gens. have a BAD potential problem with their A/C systems that can result in steep repair bills "late in life".

I've been looking at buying a CR-V, myself, so have looked at and priced quite a few. $3000 for one that needs ball joints with 124K is reasonable (I don't know the cost of replacing the b-js) and I've seen CR-Vs like this advertised for $5000.

To drive? Well, the automatic isn't too bad in normal driving. And with this vehicle being the size of a CIVIC (it's about 2 inches longer than my '97 Civic) it will ALMOST feel sporty. You even get used to sitting higher up within your first test drive.

Downside(s)? Looks like a Civic in size, but takes a bit more fuel to run. Think a best of the mid 20s.

Dad's 03 is excellent, its the first car he's ever kept past 75k (131 and counting). There's nothing remotely fun about driving one unless you're on a camp road or in 6" of snow, but it will keep going forever on basic maintenance and regular fluid changes (halve the book intervals on tranny and diff fluids).

Thanks for the thoughts. Winter's can get bad around here. My new residence has a long, steep driveway, not sure the civic could make it up. Just thinkin' ahead and didn't want to pass up a potentially good deal. I really don't want a big 4x4 gas hog either. Wasn't for sure how effective the Cr-v awd would be, probably good enough for what I need. Or I could just do this to my Crx:

In reply to Woody:

Really, I don't know how much I would ask. There's been so many new parts replaced and it's all stock. I need a passenger door bad due to rust but can't find one that's already in the same color.

We bought my wife one for a daily driver, but it's a lot newer than that. It has needed absolutely nothing since we got it, and now has 80k miles on it. it always starts and runs, and she gets about 22- 24mpg in town, with a high of 28 on the interstate. Of all the cars I've owned, this is leaps and bounds the most reliable, and with the large square tailgate, you can put stuff in there that will not fit in larger SUVs.

The first gens are great cars, make sure the valves are adjusted (supposed to be done at 105K, but should really be done sooner). Other than that, change the transmission fluid (like any Honda auto) and you should be all set. Careful when doing an oil change, the filter's in the worst possible location and they had some fires occur when leaking oil hit the exhaust.

My wife had a '99, I wish we had hung onto it longer than we did (sold it at 125K)...

Those early CR-Vs are the only ones i like. I agree with everything thats been said so far..

And if you're only 'not sure' that your CRX would make it up the driveway, then the AWD cr-v will probably be fine..

If you said NO WAY IN HELL would my CRX make it through, then you could worry about the CR-V a little.

with the right tires the CR-V will make it up the "NO WAY IN HELL" driveway

I finally put some "real" snow tires on my '95 Impreza , and nothing stops it... at least 12" snow didn't, even on my 18% grade driveway

You would be fine in the snow with a CR-V. I delivered pizza in my Miata in the winter (ohio also) and with snow tires I never got stuck, even on steep, snowy, icy country drives.

I had an 89 Civic Si that got me through 12 Winters on four snow tires. The only time I ever got stuck was once when the snow was so deep and heavy that the floor pan was resting on it and the wheels wouldn't reach the ground.

My wife's only became a PITA around 180k--and even then, it wasn't so bad. Issues w/ window lifts, passenger door handle doesn't open the door from the inside anymore, had a big issue w/ the EVAP system.

It's at 208k now and it's still serving her as decent transportation--however, its days are numbered with us. 124k is just getting warmed up.

I wouldn't sell the CRX, but I also wouldn't expose the CRX to more winters. The CR-V is an awesome winter car--even w/ just all-seasons on it. It'll pull through anything.

Thanks for all the input guys. I actually have a 2004 civic that I use year around. The Crx would not be used. My future wife (wedding next month) has a 2008 escape 4wd that's nice. I'll just get some Blizzaks for the civic. Can't part with the Si. Driving into work this morning, moonroof back, music playing and she still purrs. Just can't let her go.

Get the exhaust valves adjusted! And the rear diff lube changed to synthetic. Great DD

Please don't put anything but genuine Honda Dual Pump Fluid in there. It is not a typical rear diff.

I'd buy it just to keep another CRX from rotting out.

If it's too late for that, General Altimax Arctics are great tires for chump change.